A definite perk to having a husband in a professional field is the RETREATS! Every year the American Council of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) holds a retreat in the wonderful town of Wisconsin Dells. I’ll post about The Dells later, this post is dedicated exclusively to the drive out there. Most short trips (about 45 min.) wouldn’t merit an entire post, however, this was a rather whimsical and somewhat magical drive.
Chase went up with a work colleague that morning so the kids and I drove separately and would meet Chase later that day. I got the kids packed into the car and we were on our way. We hadn’t gone far before we came across something on the side of the road.
Snapping turtles are an indigenous species of fauna in the area. Enoch hadn’t seen one before and I’ll admit that I felt a twinge of childish excitement myself, so we pulled over and snapped a picture.
We were smart about it though, I know how dangerous these guys are so I wouldn’t let either of us get too close. A state ranger came by and carried the turtle back into the brush. Turtles seek for higher ground when it’s time to lay their eggs, the road is a perfectly raised spot for that, but the hatch lings never survive.
So that was cool. I hadn’t changed the setting on our GPS when I punched in the address of the resort so we we went on a long drive through country roads. I certainly had no complaints, it was absolutely beautiful! And the best part of the whole day was the unexpected visit to the town of Baraboo.
I had been listening to the book Water For Elephants when I had long drives without kids in the car. I’ve now become inappropriately obsessed with the history of Depression-era circuses. As we turned the corner, coming into the town of Baraboo, I saw a small attraction sign on the side of the road reading “Circus World.” That’s interesting I said to myself, not giving it second thought. We drove closer into town. I noticed an old faded billboard with the image of a circus tent on it, subtly nestled along the skyline of the town. Another attraction sign came up with the words, “Open,” hanging under it. We sat at an intersection, right would take us to the curious attraction, straight would plot us to the resort town. “Hey Enoch, do you want to go to Circus World right now or should we go straight to the hotel?” The light had just turned green and the first few cars had rolled forward, “Um, I just want to go to Circus World,” he said casually. I swerved to the right, cutting someone off and turned to our fabulous destiny. 
The circus that comes to your mind, quick. Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus right? Turns out, that’s just the circus that survived the depression the best of them all. There were lots of different kinds of circuses at the time. They eventually were swallowed up by the big names when times got too lean.
Little did I know this visit would pique my interest in the era more than ever before. Enoch was very excited, but truthfully, this is exactly how I felt on the inside.
It was incredible. Vintage posters of acts, sideshows, spectacles, death defying tricks! 
Can’t say I could be proud to be the “Fattest Lady” sideshow.
Enoch’s always pretending to be animal anyway, this was right up his alley. We came into a building that exhibited all the glamour of the circus performers. Golden chariots, studded head-dresses, attire from exotic lands, etc. And in the corner were two racks packed with silk fabrics, glittering hems and sign encouraging visitors to try them on. I tried to get Enoch to dress up, he didn’t want to. My giddy heart couldn’t take it, the sequined sparkle was too much, they called to me!
Yea for Enoch being happy to use the camera!
“The circus performance will begin in the hippodrome in five minutes!” bellowed an announcer over the loud speakers outside. Families gathered and were shuffled into the doors like cattle. It was included in the admission and who, besides Chase (fear of clowns), WOULDN’T want to see the circus?!? The crowds gathering conjoured up an image of Callers standing outside the tent, “Come one come all! The greatest show on earth is about to begin! See the beautiful Heidi tame the lions and obey her every command! . . . ” I never lived in that time period, but I felt strangely nostalgic, if it were possible. We stayed for the show (no pics) and made it to the resort five hours later than planned. It was SO worth the delay! There were certainly NO pouty faces on this exertion.
We didn’t get to see nearly everything this visit. So, when you come to visit us (as we strongly encourage visitors) you can count on a trip to “Circus World.”
PETERSEN: Vermont Chapter 