My husband and I were discussing where we'd like to take the kids for vacation the other day when I had a brainstorm, "Let's go to Yellowstone," said I.

"Let's go to Wisconsin, " said he.

"Wisconsin?" said my mother later, "What's in Wisconsin?"

"That's what I'd like to know," said I in my immense ignorance.

Compared to the glorious scenery at Yellowstone, how could it possibly compare? I mean, there won't be any geysers, no elk and buffalo, no smell of western sage in the air...

Not to knock Wisconsin, but I've never been there, and in my ignorance I continued to bitch and moan to my mother about the change of plans.

But then I remembered the movie, The Great Outdoors, with John Candy. In the movie, he and his family had rented a log home on a lake in Wisconsin and it had looked beautiful there. There were bears, woods to hike in, lakes to swim in, and raccoons to eat your garbage.

At the time, I couldn't remember the movie's name, I just remembered the scenes. But last night, what should come on? The Great Outdoors. Hmmm, a sign?

So I did a bit of research on Wisconsin. I mean, it is shameful that I've been in northern Illinois for almost 14 years and haven't visited our neighbor to the north. So I had no room to talk when it came to moaning about the impending vacation plans.

Actually, Wisconsin looks lovely on the internet, and to be honest I can't wait to visit there next summer.

We will be staying near Hayward in the north-west part of the state. I am planning on taking a day trip to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and see Lake Superior for the first time. My husband and boys can't wait to go fishing for some small mouth bass, walleye and pike. Me? I'm not a fisherwoman. I'll just sit back on the water's edge and read a book or two.

So, I take back what I said before about there being nothing in Wisconsin. Whack me with a wet noodle, but I think I am really going to enjoy the northwoods.