Shirley and I really like the Spring Tours. It’s a nice “getaway” weekend in the Spring and the weather is usually pretty good. This year’s tour to Baraboo, Wisconsin was no exception.
After a four hour trip (including lunch) we arrived at the motel about 3 p.m. The McCarts were already there and most of the others arrived within the next two hours. A party on the patio commenced, and people sat, talked, snacked, and drank for several hours. Thanks to Nancy Maitzen for the wonderful Salmon dip. I ate way too much as usual.
About 7 p.m. we broke for dinner. Some went out, but 12 of us weren’t that hungry and stayed at the motel and ate at “Bonzos” bar and restaurant. The food was surprisingly good and the service excellent. Afterwards we dragged our tired and stuffed bodies to our rooms.
In the morning, after a complimentary continental breakfast, we all met at the Al Ringling Theater in downtown Baraboo. It is a grand old theatre designed in 1915 by noted Chicago architects C.W. and George Rapp, now owned by the residents and is slowly being restored to its former glory by volunteers. The tour took about an hour and included some organ playing by our guide. You can read more about the theater at www.alringling.com.
The Faire on the Square event just happened to be in downtown Baraboo this weekend, so Shirley and I spent the next hour or so checking it out. Shirley shopped, I sat.
After the Faire we went a few miles north to the International Crane Foundation. This is a preserve dedicated to studying and preserving the 15 species of Cranes worldwide. These are beautiful birds – some are almost 6 feet tall. Elsewhere in the newsletter you will see a picture of one of the Foundation docents dressed as a crane, required garb when dealing with these birds.
Next came lunch and then back to the Faire for some more retail therapy and bench warming. This was followed by a late afternoon nap by yours truly.
While we shopped and sat many of the members were touring the Circus World compound and other things. This is one of the nice things about these weekends, everyone is free to dowhat they want; there is no set agenda.
Saturday evening we all had dinner together at a local restaurant. My apologies if I leave anyone out, but I remember Jerry Risner, the Maitzens, Nystroms, Coles, McCarts, Jarvises, Grossklags, Navarros and Dobeuses.
Sunday morning, after another continental breakfast, we all headed our separate ways.
Belated thanks to Ric & Nancy Maitzen for planning our Spring Tour weekends. They really don’t get enough credit for their efforts, but they are appreciated.

At our last meeting Sharon and Jeff Powell brought up the possibility of attending the 18th Annual "Mad Dogs & Englishmen British Car Faire" held at the Gilmore Car Museum
(www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org) located at 6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, MI 49060. The data of the Faire is Sunday, July 13 with a Rally on Saturday July 12. This years Featured Marque is the Triumph Spitfire/GT6. The event is an all day family fun car show open to all British made vehicles featuring cars for sale, a swap area and over 350 vehicles on the show field. Enjoy people's choice judging, car games, and rides in the Museum's Austin London Taxi or the Double Decker bus. Bagpipers and Tea Time, too!
Download show applications from or pre register at www.maddogsandenglishmen.org

4th of July Parade We will gather at our house at about 7:30 a.m. for coffee, juice and donuts. At 8:15 we will head off to take our spot in the parade. The parade is expected to be one mile long. After the parade we will participate in the Car Show, and at about 12:30 we’ll return to our house to enjoy a cookout. Please call Lupe at 708-442-7380 if you are coming. We look forward to seeing you, and we know that one happy family will be with us for the 33rd time. Wishing you a healthy and happy summer, Lupe & Rey Navarro 284 Bartram Road Riverside, IL 60546