The City of Big Quacks

Though NOT lives in the south now, occasionally he tries to escape north, so when he had the chance to visit Wisconsin and Chicago for Thanksgiving, he jumped along with J.J. and Russ as they flew north. 

One of the reasons for the trip was that Russ had received a postdoctorship at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

While there, though, NOT almost became more than a visitor, he also almost became lunch to Sue.

Sue is the most complete skeleton for Tyrannosaurus Rex and the pride and joy of the Field Museum.  Lucky for NOT she was looking the other way and didn't see him. It looks like she could run a lot faster than NOT could fly. Whew!

Another secret about NOT is that he can't fly too high by himself. But he loves looking down on the world, just like his other avian friends, so in his case, he is known to jump airplanes, balloons, or to try for tall buildings. And Chicago fit the bill perfectly, with the tallest building in the United States - the Sears Tower. 

He surveys the land with Russ and Gary Minton.   Looking down he sees the Field Museum, only this time it looks a lot smaller.

And on the other side is the Hancock Tower. NOT is confused - isn't there one of those in Boston? 

The city started to overwhelm NOT, even from on high. Luckily it was time to get out of the city and head into the heart of Wisconsin.  Heading over to the Dells (where he had been once before), not and his friends decide to do some gambling at the Ho-Chunk Casino. 

And he learned about the circus in Wisconsin, though he was disappointed to find the only freak show around was Russ and J.J.

But he did get to ride the ferry across the Wisconsin River - part of the regular route for travel down the highway there. lots of cars on this ferry, which is a designated historical landmark. Unlike NOT. 

And what would a visit to Madison be without a visit to the state capitol?

And, who would have guessed it!, the home of the University of Wisconsin. NOT hid very quickly when he found out that it was the home of the Badgers. He didn't want to become badger grub.

Photos by J.J. Kwashnak

Last Updated December 2001