I write from a beautiful plantation in America's Dairy Land, otherwise known as Wisconsin. When I heard its name before visiting for the first time, nothing much came to mind other than cheese and corn fields. But it has proven itself to be much more than that.
As it is my fourth summer here providing care for four kids as a nanny, the days have been as routine-like as possible. With four kids under the age of 10, it's hard to say that every day, let alone 15 minutes, goes smoothly and expectantly. But we've been filling our time frolicking in the pastures, mushroom hunting, cooking kid-friendly foods, watching movies, hunting for tadpoles and other critters, and avoiding killing one another as much as possible.
Although it's sometimes hard to get a moment to rest without the kids, I have had some time to do some exploring on my own on the property. Nature is incredibly rich and vibrant here- the diversity of species and sounds and smells is immensely comforting and helps me to find peace and a clear mind.
Although my trip is just about half way through, I am happy to hastily conclude that Wisconsin has much more to offer than meets the stereotype. Especially concerning the northern part of the state, which we will be visiting soon, this place is well worth visiting. It is no Blue Ridge Mountains, Grand Canyon, or Bodega Bay, but it has its own subtle charm and beauty that would fulfill the hearts of any nature lover, as far as I'm concerned.
