Five Hours, Two Languages, and Going Way Back in Time

The University of Wisconsin Geology Museum is a real gem (pun intended, as always) in the community as students provide a guided tour through the rocks and minerals of Wisconsin and the collections University Professors and students have gathered from around the world.

Stan, the T-Rex offers a cheerful smile as you enter the room where some ancient creatures have been re-built.  A Mastodon discovered in a creek bed by some kids in 1897 stands impressively above the visitors.  There are brilliant colored rocks and crystals and some rocks from out of this world when you take a moment to check out the meteorite collection on display.

 It's been years since I collected rocks, but I suspect you, like most kids had some kind of collection of rocks growing up, and if you did you will enjoy this display.  The museum is tucked into a first floor corner of the academic building for Geology and there is a 'window' on actual work done by students on items that could someday join the collection.  You can find it across from the Union South building on campus, the biggest challenge may be finding a parking spot.

From there, we headed east to the Chez Nanou.  It's a fairly new place for lunch on Madison's near-east side.  A cozy place to enjoy a quiet conversation and linger over an elegant menu that changes by the week.

This was my first French restaurant experience and it did not disappoint.  The chef, speaking French, came out to greet us and a couple of other times to check on our food during the meal.  I liked that, it lent some authenticity to the meal.

For my lunch, I decided it best not to go too far afield and ordered the Crepe Caramel Beurre Sale and what was described as Delicious French Hot Chocolate.

The delicate crepe with a dollop of real whipped cream and drizzled with salted caramel was outstanding.  The whipped cream was all the embellishment it needed and created a wonderful sweet lunch.

The Hot Chocolate?  Whoa, this is, by far, THE BEST Hot Chocolate ever made!!!

Not kidding - if you like chocolate at all - you need to get to Chez Nanou for this alone.  It comes with its own dish of whipped cream and at first glance looks like other cups of hot chocolate you may have enjoyed.

But at the first sip - you will be sold.

It's like drinking a melted chocolate bar, a bar of very good chocolate that trips over the lips and into the mouth like the ultimate sweet treat.  It is amazing and each sip is as good as the one before.  Enjoy - you won't need a second cup, but tell your friends to order their own since you won't want to share this delight.