Thursday evening is the regular meeting of the Baraboo Philosophy Discussion Group held at the Log Cabin Cafe.  Here one of the participants expresses an opinion on Plato’s Parmenides.

Okay, okay –the Discussion Group exists only in my imagination.  The Log Cabin Restaurant in Baraboo Wisconsin is “real” though.  The establishment is exceptional on many levels.  We dined there three times during our stay in Baraboo.

A road trip is a great way to change up our habitual experience, in order to consider the culture, and ways of life of other communities.  Here are some pictures and reflections about Baraboo.

Baraboo was the original home of the Ringling Bros Circus.  Baraboo’s Circus World Museum is a popular destination for families and children.  Wherever one looks there are indications of he towns circus history.

I had to linger for a closer look at the red stone mansion, home of Al and Lou Ringling.  The home is within walking distance of the center of town.  Al was a circus showman genius.  His wife Lou worked as a snake charmer, and as an equestrian.  She is said to have been a friend of everyone who worked for the circus.  The 1932 Ford Model A parked in the drive way caught my eye.

The antique Ford took me back in time, as if I could feel Al Ringling, watching from the porch.  Also I liked the two Lion statues positioned on either side of the entry of the home.

Absorbing these details, it was clear to me that the Ringlings surely loved this place.

Downtown Baraboo features a traditional village square.  The courthouse is situated at the center of the square, surrounded by retail shops.  Laura wanted to visit some of the shops so I took leave to enter the park by the courthouse.  From a distance I could see several monuments, that were worth a closer look.

I am a history buff.  Town squares usually contain memorials that indicate historical events considered to be significant by the community. 

This silhouette caught my eye across the street.  It is a large WWI artillery piece.  The plaque at the base read, Dedicated to Those Who Served in the Armed Forces of Our Country 1917-1918.  The big gun was placed as a memorial by the disabled American veterans.  Disabled indeed.  I felt the rifling inside the massive bronze barrel. ….wondering how many crew men died or were maimed while working this gun? On the other side, how many Germans did not survive the fire and steel splinters delivered by this weapon?

A few yards away was a familiar monument.  I’ve seen these in many small towns.  As a boy I saw a similar monument with a soldier standing on the pedestal, commemorating those from North Carolina who fought for the Confederacy 1861-1865.  The monument in my home town was also placed prominently by the court house.  The one here in Baraboo was topped by a Union infantryman.  I noticed the fine features of the face, a young male in the prime of his life, handsomely appointed with his uniform and rifle.  Having visited a few Civil War battlefields I know that the reality was much different than depicted by the memorial statues.  Monuments do not show the effect of grape shot or cannister on a young man’s body.  “Oh, when will we ever learn?’

I joined Laura and we entered the Cornerstone Gallery.  The gallery featured local artists and we learned from Rachel that Baraboo is central to a thriving arts community.  Work displayed around us was a rich demonstration of skill, of craft, and elegance of good taste.  We are drawn to galleries wherever we travel.  Art is a language of form and color that speaks to one’s humanity at a deep level.  We feel obliged to support those who dedicate their time to do good work.

Rachel assisted Laura to make a purchase.  I promised that I’d  mention Cornerstone gallery in my Baraboo story.  Rachel is a jewelry artist and you can appreciate her work at Personal Prints.

Would I visit Baraboo again?  You bet!