State Fair

About the time I figure out how to unlock the room door (here I inserted the card, removed it, and then turned the handle), turn on the shower (each hotel had different hardware), work the TV (this one required hitting the ON button and then the OK button), and get the room temp set correct for me, it's time to leave.  Came to the Big City for my annual pilgrimage to the State Fair.  Took a Park & Ride bus which deposited us at the fairgrounds at 8 a.m.  We needed to go through a metal detector first and either the carabiner I carry my car fob on or my steel toed boots set it off.  An officer asked if he could frisk me and I replied, "Any where you want", thought better of it, and added "within reason."  That got him laughing and a good start to our day.  Restaurant Lulu's was nearby and they had a new fair food of a hotdog coated w/ deep fried hashbrowns on a stick with cheese sauce.  Kathy got one but I opted for coffee.  We walked perpendicular up through the fairgrounds.  Everyone was just opening up.  Found a place selling bottled water for $1 (goes as high as $3 in places) so each scored a bottle.  Stopped at the Northwoods Furniture display so I could order another piece of outside furniture and get the 10% fair discount.  As we talked the owner laughed about the $1 water.  While we considered it a good deal, the owner pointed out that our parents would have been appalled at spending a dollar for water.  Wandered through a Sweet & Salty homage to old time candies.   Walked over through the pet pavillion.  Checked out the featured breeds - boston terrier, french bulldog - stopping at the pet surgery section.  Surgeries hadn't begun yet but a vet came over and pointed out to us the different pieces of equipment and their purpose.  Around the corner a local rottweiler enthusiast group had their dogs in the outside obstacle course so talked w/ an owner and got a kiss from his loveable 110 lb. pooch.  Wandered on down through the fair to stop off at the Food Building.  I love a  flafel pita sandwich but don't know anyplace to get them in the Northwoods.   Of course I got one along w/ a piece of heavenly baklava.  Walked up the hill to the horticulture building.   In the atrium they had created a magical cherry tree w/ fairy lights, wind chimes, and bead curtains.  In between each of the eight spokes of the building were other flowery displays depicting fairytales.  I don't know who plans the center decorations (last year it was Halloween themed) but it was spectacular.  Over to the Hippodrome.  Bought an ocean jasper to add to my rock collection and we sat down to watch some animal judging.  We didn't know what the competition was - just saw horses being led through their paces one by one.   Once again, Kathy, who grew up in Milwaukee and doesn't know a fetlock from a forelock (forgive me Kathy if you do) picked the winner in all of the competitions we watched.  We wandered back to the bus pickup area.  Stopped first to buy a cream puff.  This was a wise decision.  They tend to be messy and buying them on the way out of the fair instead of on the way into the fair made more sense.  Got bus back at 1 p.m.  I took a shower and we met up again to go to an afternoon matinee of Oppenheimer.   So I only did 5 hours this year.  Either we are more efficient or getting older.  I took off for home the next morning but Kathy took off for the Fair again w/ Stan this time.