Thatched Roof, Revisited

As promised last March, I am posting a summertime photo of the thatched roof with the goat weathervane from La Crosse's Friendship Gardens.  The hanging flower planter on the side of the shed was both beautiful and fragrant!

Speaking of Goats

Because of the popularity of Al Johnson's restaurant (see my post for 7/26) - the goat theme is prevalaent around Sister Bay.  These friendly looking rustic metal sculptures were gracing the entrance to one of the many shops along the main thoroughfare.  Almost wanted to take one home with us, but they were not for sale!   

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant

Another institution in Sister Bay is Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant (the double-door shown is the entrance). An old-style family restaurant that is best known for their Swedish pancakes with lingonberries, they also offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a wide variety of menu items. One of the main attractions is the building's quaint grass thatched roof which occasionally has goats grazing on the top!  Legend has it that each morning at the goat farm, they open the flat-bed transport truck by the goat barn, and any interested goats who wander up the ramp are taken to the roof for that day.  They are never forced - so if no goats show an interest, there are no goats on the roof that day.  Unfortunately - that was the case for us the day of our visit. Be sure to watch the entertaining little video on their website that gives the history of the place!