Today’s post is 1550 words, 53 photos, 1 video, and a 7-minute read. Enjoy!

Hi everyone,

This week, I’ll take you along on excursions we took with our Friendship Force Ambassador, Deb. She was one of nine members of the Quad Cities, Iowa Friendship Force Club who spent four days visiting our club here in Madison in mid-July. Come along and see a little of what we experienced on this journey.

But before we start, thanks for the views and comments on two articles I shared while I was away. If you missed them, here are the links: “The Travelers” (a story), a reunion, and Cooking with Chef Massimo from our time in Sicily.

Friendship Force

Friendship Force is a worldwide nonprofit organization that promotes understanding, cultural education, and lasting friendships among people from different countries and cultures. Founded in 1977, Friendship Force brings people together through journeys where participants stay in the homes of local club members rather than simply visiting as tourists. By sharing meals, stories, activities, and everyday experiences, people discover that although cultures and customs may differ, we have much in common.

At its heart, Friendship Force believes that friendship is a powerful force for peace and understanding. Its motto, “Creating Connections, Changing Lives,” reflects the idea that meaningful relationships can break down stereotypes, broaden perspectives, and build goodwill between individuals and communities. Whether traveling abroad or welcoming visitors at home, Friendship Force encourages people to travel with an open mind, learn from one another, and return home with new friendships and a deeper appreciation of the world.

If you are interested in learning more about Friendship Force International or our local club, Friendship Force of Wisconsin-Madison.

The Ambassadors arrived on a Tuesday during one of the hottest weeks of the summer. We moved our welcome picnic indoors to escape the 97°F (36°C) outdoor temps. We had a grand time meeting our new friends and playing trivia with questions about Madison and the Quad Cities. Here’s an example of one of the questions: How many cities are in the Quad Cities? Name them. The correct answer is five. They are Davenport, Bettendorf, Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline. East Moline was added after the moniker Quad Cities became commonly used.

International Crane Foundation

The International Crane Foundation (ICF) in Baraboo is a unique conservation center dedicated to protecting cranes and the wetlands, grasslands, and other habitats they depend on. Its nearly 300-acre headquarters is home to about 100 cranes and is the only place in the world where visitors can see all 15 crane species.

On our visit (by the way, it was a very hot day), we saw the cranes in naturalistic outdoor exhibits, including the magnificent Whooping Crane, Sandhill Crane, Siberian Crane, and several species rarely seen in North America. After watching a very well-done video about the ICF, we met up with Sue, our volunteer guide. She spent the next hour guiding us through the outdoor exhibits, seeking shade whenever she could.

Sandhill cranes are one of Wisconsin’s most familiar and beloved birds. With their tall stature, distinctive red crowns, and loud, rattling calls, they can be found across the state in wetlands, grasslands, and farm fields. Wisconsin is especially important for sandhill cranes, providing breeding habitat in spring and summer and serving as a major stopover during migration. We see them grazing with their youngsters near the city.

We had a delightful time hearing about the work of ICF is doing to save these beautiful creatures. Some of the cranes put on a show, strutting and making loud calls. Some were quite close while others were resting in the shade, and a few were hiding from us. 

These dancing red-crowned cranes are quite large and stand perfectly still in this sculpture. They are caught performing their courtship ritual.

You might be wondering why a photo of the Whooping Crane is missing. They were there, but I didn’t take any photos. Their story is one of North America’s greatest conservation success stories. In the 1940s, overhunting and wetland loss reduced the population to fewer than 20 birds. Today, there are over 500 Whooping Cranes living in the wild and another 300 in captivity. Their return shows what coordinated, persistent efforts can accomplish when species face extinction.

As a kid living along the Central Flyway that crosses North Dakota, we would occasionally hear cranes making the trip from Texas to Canada in the spring and back south in the fall. We were told they were Whooping Cranes. While I can’t verify that the loud honking sounds I heard were Whooping Cranes, the habitat along the Central Flyway is said to have saved them from extinction. I recall looking and listening for the cranes every spring and fall.

Sue made it an educational and satisfying tour with her extensive knowledge. It was even hotter when we left.

New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm

After a delicious lunch at the air-conditioned Tumbled Rock Brewery and Kitchen near Baraboo, we made our way to the nearby New Life Lavender Farm.

This family-owned farm is nestled among the Baraboo Bluffs, offering visitors a peaceful, fragrant escape into the world of lavender. The 40-acre farm features about 18,000 lavender plants representing more than 25 varieties, along with an eight-acre wildflower field, walking trails, a lavender labyrinth, gardens, ponds, and scenic overlooks.

We watched a 15-minute video about the farm’s development and the many uses for lavender, including bath, body, and culinary products. Then our group boarded a wagon for a ride through the fields. As we walked out to the wagon, we were each given a lavender-flavored drink and macaron. The wagon wasn’t covered, and the sun was high and hot. The drinks were refreshing as the tractor pulled the wagon through the fields. We saw the many fields and the rolling hills of the small farm. We ended at the farm store, checking out the lavender products and other items offered for sale. Several of our guests from Iowa left with a package. Did I mention it was hot?!

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

The next morning, we woke to another hot day, this time filled with smoke from wildfires in Canada and Northern Minnesota. When we arrived at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, the staff were deciding whether to stay open or close for the day. Since we had a guided tour and several of our Friendship Force club members are members of the gardens, they let us proceed, though the tour was shortened because of the weather and air quality. We donned masks before leaving the main building.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is one of Madison’s most popular attractions, located on 16 acres on the city’s east side. The gardens feature a variety of landscapes with roses, perennials, herbs, native plants, water features, and peaceful shaded areas. It’s a wonderful place to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty.

The docents led us through the garden, stopping to describe some of the plantings along the way. 

The Royal Thai Pavilion is one of the most distinctive features of Olbrich Botanical Gardens and the only authentic Thai pavilion in the continental United States. A gift celebrating the friendship between Thailand, Wisconsin, and the United States, the elegant structure was crafted in Thailand from teak and other materials, then shipped to Madison and assembled by Thai artisans. Surrounded by a traditional Thai garden, the pavilion offers a striking, peaceful reminder of the cultural connections found in this beautiful Madison landmark.

Note the dense smoke and hazy conditions.

Each year, Olbrich Botanical Gardens’ Bolz Conservatory comes alive with its popular Blooming Butterflies exhibit. After our tour of the outside gardens, we entered the warm, tropical world filled with colorful butterflies fluttering among lush plants, flowers, waterfalls, and winding pathways. We got a close-up look at the butterfly life cycle and watched these delicate insects feed, rest, and fly freely throughout the conservatory. It is a colorful and memorable experience for our guests and members.

The tropical flowers were in full bloom. The air smelled of orchids.

We were fortunate. Soon after our tour began, Olbrich management decided to close the gardens due to air quality. They were concerned that the smoke would enter the Conservatory and affect the butterflies. Our afternoon activity, a boat ride on the lakes, was also canceled.

That evening, we had a pleasant farewell dinner with our new friends from the Quad Cities. They entertained us with a farewell song.

 

Dane County Farmers Market and Capitol Tour

The next morning, before they left for home, we experienced the  Saturday morning Dane County Farmers Market. It was a very busy day at the market, with thousands of people jockeying for position to scope out the products on offer. Afterward, we said a final goodbye to our guest, Deb, before they toured the Wisconsin State Capitol and Monona Terrace. 

Opera in the Park

That evening, my Traveling Partner and I, along with thousands of our neighbors, went to Madison’s Opera in the Park. This summer tradition brings world-class music to the community in a relaxed outdoor setting. This year’s lineup was spectacular. We enjoyed the talented opera singers as they performed selections from opera, Broadway, and other musical favorites.

Below are a few photos from the event. 

After dark, the audience “helps” direct the orchestra and choir with light sticks that help fund the event.

This was a good ending to a pleasant week of meeting new people and making new friends. Join me next time for a surprise article because it will also be a surprise to me!

Until next week, happy travels!

Tom

PS: Click here for a link to the post about my book “Farm Boy.” Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a copy. Thanks to all who have plunked down your hard-earned dollars and read the book. TM