We showed Lukas The Highground, a memorial campus just outside of Neillsville that honors veterans of all American wars. It was our solemn American military history lesson of the day.
With donated funds, the sculptures and gardens they have created there are stunning. Some photos of a few...
A soldier with a feathered staff represents Native Americans who served in wars.
Carter helping Lukas interpret some of the information at the memorial.
From the "Point" at the Highground, the boys could see 20-30 miles to the west. Not quite to Minnesota, but close.
New "boot" memorial under construction for the Gulf Wars.
The Wisconsin Vietnam Vets place trinkets of memories on part of their statue.
Personalized dedication bricks everywhere are the primary support for the exhibition. Here a fellow served with Elvis!
The veteran providing us with tour information encouraged the boys to ring the Highground Bell before we left. What an honor. It was loud and had a sad sound, reminding us why we were there.
After our quick cool and windy tour, we were back on the road, northbound. We didn't really see the much talked about snow until we were about an hour away from Raylene's house west of Siren. They definitely had plenty!
There was still ice on the lakes and we tried to explain ice fishing to Lukas. The fishing part he understood. The actual driving vehicles out onto the ice, not so much.
Got to Raylene's before our 1 p.m. meal then had to play games after lunch while the rain washed a lot of snow away, added water and mud to the yard -- a.k.a. our hunting grounds. So while we waited, Lukas learned two games: Sequence and CLR.
The Sequence game requires some strategy. I "coached" Lukas and had him on the same team as Carter and my mother. I told him, "You can't lose if you are on Grandma's team." Turns out I was right!
The game CLR was a bit louder. Ok, way louder as we shook dice and tried not to have to give away our quarters with the wrong shake. When it was time to hide the eggs, I volunteered with two other sisters who had boots with them. You needed them, not so much for the snow but the water puddles in the yard and muddy places.
Here's a tip: Don't hide Easter eggs in the snow.
Apparently only good bunnies know how to cover up their tracks!
My nephew David's wife Sara forgot her boots but made do with plastic bags tied over her feet. Clever AND fashionable.
The boys set out to find some loot in the snow.
You can see what I mean about not much snow. Warm temps today got it melting quickly!
The Egg Hunt turned into more of a big snowball fight between all my nephews - with Carter and Lukas joining right in.
Nice form, Lukas! I hope you hit your target!
My nephew Travis hurls one back. Sorry, Lukas, you are family now. They don't have to be nice to you!
Caryn is considering if walking through water is worth it for peanut butter eggs!
The answer: Always!
We hit the road a little after 6 p.m. Lukas told us it was a really, really, really nice day and he felt very welcomed by my family. I'm sure he also appreciated being photographed by my hometown sign.
I'm sure you've heard the sign in Luck is one of the Top 10 "must see' sights in America.
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