Saturday, June 14, 2008

Bessie the Beacon

The celebration of Bessie's return to her urban pasture by Del Taco in Janesville today has now come and gone.

Here's Bessie in her corral prior to her facelift and apparently relegated to solitary confinement prior to her move:


She has been moved a spot very near where she grazed for many years, and will still welcome visitors to our wonderful city.

It's really remarkable how so many people have used Bessie to identify Janesville as they pass by, especially on the interstate. A couple of years ago, my mom and I traveled to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. On our tour we met an incredible couple, Karin and Ian from Edmonton, Alberta. When we were in Portugal having a drink or two (or three....or four) at the bar, we got talking about how my mom and I were from Wisconsin. Karin and Ian mentioned that the one thing that stuck out to them about Wisconsin was a place where they could buy awesome cheese and that it had a big cow out at the entrance. Of course, that big cow turned out to be our beloved Bessie! Here I took her for granted as a landmark, and yet, she's an international ICON! I love Bessie all the more as a result!

Thankfully she wasn't bastardized with any alternative decoration, but rather remained true to the glorious Guernsey she was meant to be, and that she can continue to be the beautiful beacon she is!

Welcome back, Bessie!

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