It's no secret that Val is geographically challenged. I know my way around the U.S., but it was only a few short years ago that I was astounded to learn ENGLAND IS AN ISLAND!
A couple nights a week, The Pony and Hick start an impromptu world geography inquisition. Just for fun! For them. I play along as they interrogate me. Sometimes they get me laughing so hard I can't breathe. Like when the discussion of how Ireland is different from Scotland turned into a "Who's On First?" routine. Don't even get me started on my idea of Turkey's neighbors, or the Sweden/Switzerland controversy.
Well. How that worm has turned! Tuesday evening, The Pony informed Hick that my sister the ex-mayor's wife (and the ex-mayor) are taking a little vacation.
"I invited them to go to the casino with us, but they're leaving for Wisconsin. They're going to the Wisconsin Dells."
"Oh, yeah. The Wisconsin Dells. They're in Michigan."
"Um. I'm pretty sure the Wisconsin Dells are in WISCONSIN." I cut eyes to The Pony, for reassurance. He smirked.
"No, they're in Michigan. Look it up on your computer, Pony."
"I just did. The Wisconsin Dells are in Wisconsin, Dad."
"Well, they're close to Michigan. See where they are."
"They're in Wisconsin! Not close to Michigan. But what I don't understand is... why do people make such a big deal about going to visit a water park?"
"WATER PARK? What are you talking about? The Wisconsin Dells is a geographic area. Formed by glaciers. Dells."
"Um. LOOK!"
The Pony turned his laptop around, showing me a page full of pictures of water parks.
"Pony. It's a tourist area. That's just showing you attractions that people might visit there. Like if you'd look up Gatlinburg, or Branson, or another tourist area. The Wisconsin Dells are NOT a water park!"
I may not be completely right, but I was righter than Hick. And The Pony, a fellow valedictorian.
Ah, the turnabout, how sweet it is. Never mess with Val.
ReplyDeleteMess with the Val, you get the daggers. Eye daggers. The stinkeye!
DeleteI think the Wisconsin Dells are a geographic area and the places called the WDs are named after the geographic area.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I looked that up (privately, after asserting my superiority over the Geography Shamers) and found out there's an actual city named Wisconsin Dells.
DeleteSince it is neither in MICHIGAN, nor a WATER PARK, I decree that I bested Hick and The Pony on this topic!
My tiny atlas doesn't show any place called Wisconsin Dells, but it does have Park Falls and Wisconsin Rapids and the Park Falls area is close to the Michigan border. Close enough for me. I also found Sikeston, home of the throwed roll :)
ReplyDeleteI looked online, and the closest city in Michigan appears to be Menominee, which is 183.2 miles (3 hours, 9 minutes drive time) from Wisconsin Dells. Which is NOT close enough for ME, with my geographic besting of Hick and The Pony riding on this discussion!
DeleteWe were planning to go to the THROWED ROLL RESTAURANT (Lambert's) TODAY! But changed plans. I'm glad we did. Story coming up in a few days.
Geography was never my strong suit. Then i was not a valedictorian. I was called a dict ( I think that is what it I was called) but not the rest.
ReplyDeleteHeh, heh! There were several "dicts" in my class, as well!
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