Hello Wisconsin

Driving home from Sheboygan today, it occurred to me that except for the four states in which I've lived, I probably know Wisconsin better than any other state. That's because if you live in northern Illinois, Wisconsin is, or should be, an amenity of your location. I've thought that for years, though the first time I visited the state was not from Illinois, but by bus from Texas in August 1978. To a lad from South Texas, Wisconsin seemed exotic.

Wisconsin's not exotic these days, but in October especially, it's definitely pretty. Large parts of it, anyway.

But there's much more to it than that. More tomorrow.