Day 26: Crossing the Great Lake Michigan

Since we had a ferry to catch we left with time to spare so we could stop by the farm just outside of Holland where they have literally millions of tulips blooming. Even though it was early in the morning there were already busloads of people there. We decided just to try and get a view from the parking lot. We could see some of the fields and it was pretty darn impressive.
We headed on to Muskegon MI where we were to catch the car ferry to Milwaukee. The GPS got us there pretty easily. Dogs are not allowed in the passenger cabins but they do have kennels for them. One of the attendants said it would be easier if one of us walked Mr Ripley onto the ferry rather than drive him and then have to take him out of the car on the ferry to go to the kennel. So I was his designated walker. The attendant at the gate told me she would take Mr Ripley and me onboard before she let the other passengers on. So Mr R got the VIP treatment! He was not frightened at all walking onto the ferry although he was not overly thrilled about going in the kennel but I gave him a treat and he was fine.
The seating was comfortable and some seats have tables in front of them so you can work on your laptop or write. The beginning of the ride was the most scenic because we could see the dunes and some nice houses on the water. Most of ride all you could see was water. Then when we approached Milwaukee we could see the skyline.
It was about 12:35pm when we exited the ferry. We decided to have lunch in Milwaukee and went to a place from the Roadfood book called Benji's Deli. It was a good authentic deli. We both had a cup of matzoh ball soup and I had a pastrami sandwich and Dwyne had half a corned beef sandwich and half a chopped liver sandwich. Then we threw restraint to the wind and went by another Roadfood rec called Leon's for frozen custard. It was most delicious.
I had read about the interesting architecture of the Milwaukee Art Museum so we drove downtown to see it. It sits right on the water with this top that looks like either a pair of sails or a butterfly (although what I read said a "large white gull"). Anyway, it was impressive. next to the museum is another interesting building on the water called Discovery World. We got out near there and walked around the park for a few minutes.
We then headed for Madison which was to be our evening destination. Madison is the capital of WI and the capitol building is very impressive. When you drive into town it looms ahead of you. Each side looks like the front.
We visited Monona Terrace which was built in the 1990's but was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is a convention center which was not one of the options in the 5 designs Wright did for the building. When it was finally built they used Wright's plans for the outside and some of his specs for the inside but had a former Wright apprentice (whose name escapes me) create it into a convention center. There is a gift shop in the building and the woman working there was most helpful with information and suggestions.
We're staying at the La Quinta and were upgraded to a suite because I'm a member of their rewards program. It's nothing fancy but is 2 separate rooms and plenty of space for our stuff and Mr Ripley's crate.
This afternoon we also walked around the University of Wisconsin campus. They have over 40,000 students so the campus is pretty huge. It fronts a large lake and the student union has big terraces overlooking the lake and since the weather was nice there were lots of students out having beers at the tables.
We had dinner in downtown Madison at a local Italian place called Tutto Pasta.
Tomorrow we have a long drive. We're going to head to Sioux Falls SD and spend the night on our way to Mt. Rushmore.