Rosendale – Just
Rosendale Wisconsin is a well known speed trap. One might argue the definition of a speed trap. One can not argue that Rosendale writes a lot of tickets for a town of its size. For the record, I travel through Rosendale on a regular basis and have never been stopped. The speed limit drops through town, but signs are placed prominently. If you get a ticket in Rosendale, you have only yourself to blame.
There is a reason that Rosendale enforces speed limits. Imagine the horror of this 13 year old girl. It was a foggy morning near Rosendale. The bus stopped to pick her up. A car behind the bus stopped behind the bus. She watched as a truck slammed into the car and pushed in under the bus. There were 4 people in the car. They all died. One of the students on the bus died. All that little girl could say was “The bus stopped, the car stopped, the truck didn't”. 5 people died. She saw it. It didn't need to happen.
Rosendale is on the shortcut from Oshkosh, WI to Waupun, WI. It cuts a few miles off of the trip. It is typical for anyone from the Fox Cities from Oshkosh to Green Bay to use WI state highway 26 when traveling towards Madison, or anywhere southwest. They may be heading towards Saint Louis or Des Moines of parts past there. It is the most efficient way to go. Needless to say, for a town of 1,063 people it has a disproportionate amount of traffic running through it.
The history of Rosendale is full of traffic fatalities. It has had an ambulance accident that claimed the life of a young neo natal surgeon. It has had haz mat spills. It has had meat renderings spilled all over its roads. If they ask me to slow down, I will. I am their guest. It isn't a bad town. I often spend the night in Rosendale. Tabbert's restaurant at the south end of town has plenty of room to park. You can wake up to a nice hot breakfast at a good price. Stop in for their lunch or dinner specials and you will be treated to a good meal at a good price.
I have parked there and ridden my bicycle on the Rose – Eld trail all of the way to Fon Du Lac. It is a good trail about 2 miles north of Tabbert's. There is a sidewalk so walking or running from Tabbert's is easy and safe. Tabbert's does not open until 06:00 and I am typically up before then. No, problem it is a short walk to the gas station for a cup of coffee to go until the restaurant opens.
There are Rosendales everywhere. As truckers we may view them as a hindrance. We have to slow down and they impede our progress. We need to realize that all of these towns have histories and people. Start thinking that we are traveling through their home. As a guest we should obey the house rules. then the bear won't get you. Disobey them often enough and we won't be invited back. We will all be forced to take the long way.