Trip to Dells - I

Also known as the water park capital of America. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin is a one-stop shop for enterntainment and has a Vegas style strip where every other building has something interesting to offer. Though it was not my first trip to Dells, my last trip didn't involve visit to water park, so I guess we can count it out. Planning started with Bhushan a few years ago when we decided to make a trip to the indoor water park at the Wilderness resort; even booked tickets at fairly cheap prices during Christmas vacation, but eventually had to cancel them for one reason or another. But by now, we had had it. With the summer at its peak and kids just the right age to explore water, we decided to take a plunge. Budget as usual was an issue. Even though Aravind kept looking for deals on his shrunk internet explorer window at his office, nothing much materialized. Eventually, the day before the July 4th weekend, we finally stumbled upon the vacation rentals. We got the deals we could not refuse and finally had to agree with each other for a change. This little log cabin, lovingly named 'Little Ponderosa', was situated right on Lake Delton that meant we had private access to the lake and a dock. Also, it had 3 separate bed rooms besides living area, fully functional kitchen, and a large patio where we could sit and relax watching the still waters of the lake Delton. A few hours later, I came up sweating though when the cost started shooting up as the water park expenses etc were counted in. Last minute savings were then figured out by saving money on food, and we all decided to bring in an item or two so we didn't have to buy food outside. While Bhushan offered what he does best - the Bombay style bhelpuri and pani puri, Aravind brought his south indian specialty, idli sambhar and i chipped in north indian style with aloo-puri.

Being thursday, a working day, we were not in a position to leave early, except for Bhushan, who has been kind of a ghar jamai at his company. As usual, he planned to leave early, reach there a few hours before us, and enjoy a little romantic getaway in the jacuzzi and everything. But when I called him at 5 in the evening, he was still being yelled over by somebody over the phone, and eventually couldnt get out of his house before 6, the pressures of acquisition by another company and shaky economy finally getting on to him. I followed him a few minutes later as well. Aravind left office early as well, even though he told us he left late, washed utensils after reaching home and prepared sambhar. He eventually drove the big container all the way like he would drive a pregnant lady making sure he doesn't shake and cause any mishaps.

I was the first one to hit dells, eventually, picked the keys from the office and ignored the emphasized instructions to reach the cottage, explained by much patient attendant. As it turned out, I missed every turn 2 or 3 times finding this place, resulting in a mini tour of lake Delton and dells, which wasn't so bad after all. All the frustration melted away, though, when I finally pulled into the driveway of 'Little Ponderosa', a place completely enveloped by trees swaying lightly in the cool breeze. It was so dark in that secluded place, that it took us a while to come to senses. Bhushan, eventually followed before I could get in, in his bid to get the best bedroom, but Manisha was too fast, and while Bhushan jumped at the prospect of attached bathroom (still dreaming about his romantic getaway), we grabbed the master bed on the upper floor. Aravind, still holding on to his pregnant lady, got late, and of course, got the smallest room and had to eventually sleep on the floor, vowing to start early in the morning the next time.

I hope to post some pics soon. But more interesting pics can be seen at Aravind's blog at http://aravindbr.blogspot.com

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