Jan 09 2009
Budget Travel–America’s Coolest Small Towns
If you know anything about my past, you know that my parents worked for the federal government and I spent 16 of my first 18 years moving around to six different locations in Germany and Italy. It was somewhat of a surprise and a dream to have my parents buy a house in Lodi, Wisconsin in 1996.
Never heard of Lodi? Don’t worry, most people haven’t. It’s a small town about twenty minutes outside of Madison with a population (according to the census of 2000) of 2,882. It’s the home of Susie the Duck, the winding Spring Creek, and Tom Wopat, “Duke” from Dukes of Hazzard. While it doesn’t have a movie theatre, a department store, or a dance club, it does have an enjoyable arts and crafts festival every summer, delicious fresh fish, and a peaceful lake with plenty of water activities to choose from.
Lodi doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, which is why I enjoy Budget Travel’s new travel writing contest about “America’s Smallest Cool Towns.” The magazine is asking for details about cool towns with populations less than 10,000—a happening art scene, choice restaurants, and interesting things to see and do. On February 2nd, voting for the finals will begin and towns will be selected as “America’s Smallest Cool Towns.” They’re not looking for “quaint…[or] country stores,” so keep that in mind when nominating your favorite small town…and be sure to check back for the winner!
Photo by Marco Ugarte, www.jenniferlprice.com
