Madison, sort of.

Madison, Wisconsin was a beautiful city.

So beautiful, in fact, that I barely took any pictures.  Don't hate. 

Here's Pilar's ginger martini from out wonderful dinner on travel day:

Here's a picture I saw on the internet when I was bored:

Here's one of my first attempts at Draw Something! on my phone:

And here's Biggie, being adorable:

As I'm sure you know, Wisconsin is known for its cheese.  It also occasionally has inappropriately placed cows:

and mopeds:

It also has a make your own salad/pasta place near campus.  This discovery was made far too late in our time there.

This is the view from our bedroom window.  Nothing but sea and sky every morning:

Last night in town, I enjoyed the best ginger beer I've had yet:

And the next morning I enjoyed the best breakfast wrap ever (bananas, peaches, strawberry jam, peanut butter and granola):

Between Madison and St. Paul, we rented a car and opted out of the flight.  Along with saving something like $200, we got to see some lovely rest stops:

That happened to sell my all-time favorite greeting cards, Bald Guy Greetings:

That's it, kids.  Madison in a nutshell.  I was too busy enjoying myself and going to the gym to give you any more pictures.  You should be more than satisfied with the last two posts.
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Since we have time (and two weeks in this city), let's move on to St. Paul, MN.  A town that Charles Shultz apparently worked in from time to time.  As a result, there are tons of Peanuts statues all around the city.  This pleases me to no end:

HOW CUTE IS THAT?  Those who know me well will know that my room back home on LI is covered in Peanuts figurines and pictures.  Its like a little piece of my childhood has popped up on the road.

A few statues in color are located in front of an old-time candy shoppe called Candyland.  It lives up to its name:

They have caramel apples and will slice them for your convenience.  I love this shop.

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More examples of me killing it on Draw Something:

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TRIVIA QUESTION:  What's a bus ride away and will eat your entire savings?

Answer:
THE MALL OF AMERICA.

Oh, friends.  I've never been afraid of large places, but I needed a buddy system at the Mall of America.  Its insane, and honestly?  There aren't great signs to help you along the way.  Its almost as though they want you to get hopelessly lost.  Plus, there's an amusement park in the middle.

Seriously.

Something for everyone at the MOA:

(In case you can't see it, that's a candle called "Man Town."  Which is genius.)

Everything but this painting, which I covet:

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Trivia Question #2) How do you bruise the shit out of your arm?

Answer: TAKE ARCHERY LESSONS.

Not as easy as it looks, people.

 My first go-round, I aimed for that little, dark circle.  Got pretty close - see the arrows?

A little too cocky.

That damn pink balloon had the last laugh:

Maybe I'd have killed the pink demon if I looked like Tom:

As it was, I formed a circle of arrows AROUND the pink demon.

On my final attempt, the bow bit me so bad I had to ask for an arm guard.

Everyone looks more badass than I do:

 Balloon showdown finalists, Ritter and Andy:

My target (17 points!):

Badassery all around:

22lbs of force will do that to you:

That's all for now, kiddies!  St. Paul is (sort of) a mural city, so I'll have painting photos and more when next we meet.  Until then, dream a little dream of shopping mall heaven and shooting like Katniss - the girl who looked like she was on fire, but it was actually a sham.