"My Favorite Isthmus City" a Madison Travel Page by yooperprof

Wisconsin's current Capitol was built between 1906 and 1917, commanding the central position on the isthmus which separates Lake Mendota from Lake Monona. It's a tremendous setting for a building which serves as a reminder that there was a time in American history when people took pride in their governments, and felt that it was appropriate that legislatures should be housed in civic temples. I'm sure that if we had to start from scratch today, there would be no will, no desire, no money to construct this kind of structure for our governments. We are richer today privately, but much poorer civically.

Interior of the State Capitol, with lobbyists. That's a picture of Justice, with her scales, on the wall above. (Sorry for the fuzziness of my photo.)

Madison has one of the best Farmer's Markets in the Midwest. Every Saturday the streets of surrounding the dome are buzzing with produce vendors, cheesesellers, crafters of every ilk, and the assorted social-political-ethical enthusiast, all of whom set up their stalls and proceed to vend away. (I think the market also goes on Wednesdays as well.) I love the colors, the smells, the tastes. . . Everyone love fresh edibles, if only to look at. For example, I might be a little shy about tasting those peppers, but they make a very artistic display!