Beckie’s First Day Out

By Rebecca Rubin

Today was my first day A.W. (after warehouse) and what an exciting day it was. I woke up to a view of Lake Mendota. Madison is an isthmus–a skinny bit of land between two lakes.

We took a car ride to Cave of the Mounds, a cave formed 400 million years ago which continues to grow stalactites and stalagmites. I waited in the car because the cave gives “cave kisses” which means it drips a lot of water on your head! You can remember the difference between the two cave formations because stalactites hang tight to the ceiling.

After Cave of the Mounds we traveled down the road to Mt. Horeb “The Troll Capitol of the World”! You can visit trolls in front of many shops and businesses. Did you know trolls can live for hundreds of years? In Norwegian folklore they are simple beings who are known for guarding treasure.

Trolls in a museum

Root Beer Troll

I don’t recall hearing about trolls from my Russian grandparents, but I do know about domovoi — a Russian house spirit who lives under the stove.  It is important to keep your domovoi happy or he might rebel!  In Sweden they have tomten, which are similar.

The troll stroll made me hungry, so we stopped at a Swedish bakery. They had Princess Torte which Jen had seen on the Great British Bake-Off. it is covered in green marzipan.

#YOLO?

It was a pretty exciting first day out.  I dream of being an actress someday, so I try to soak in all of the experiences and people (and trolls) I come across.

See you soon!