My husband and I were in Cologne, Germany, last May, waiting in a long line to use the public restroom. The staff of our Rhine River Tour had warned us we’d need tokens (worth around $.50), so we’d gotten a few. A man at the head of the line dropped a token into a slotted box. A gate slowly opened, admitting him into the restroom building. This was taking forever, and we only had a few minutes before we needed to return to the bus, which would take us back to the ship. We couldn’t be late.

I could have been taking in the area's rich atmosphere: the historic buildings, cobbled lanes, and the Cologne Cathedral with its beautiful stained-glass windows, spiritual statues, and priceless artwork. I could have been admiring the nearby Stolpersteine stones, memorials to victims of the Holocaust, and appreciating the German artist who has laid over 70,000 of them. But right now, I can only focus on my need to use the bathroom and the inconvenience of this long line. 

To calm myself, I mentally list all the amenities near my home in the Dells that don’t require a “token.”

Adults can indulge in a free visit to Wollersheim Winery & Distillery, as picturesque as the winery we visited on this tour. Friends and I could stop for dinner at Baraboo’s Tumbled Rock, the outdoor cafe that rivals the German cafe where we had lunch, and I wouldn’t have to worry about getting charged for a glass of water, which isn’t the case in European restaurants.

We’ve taken some scenic hikes on this tour, but it’s hard to top the Dells’ River Walk where, free of charge, visitors are treated to a view of the Wisconsin River with its impressive bluffs. They can walk their dog along the path, stop at the game table to play chess, rest on a bench, and scope out the best places for selfies or landscape photos.

Back home, within a twenty-mile drive, we have four nearby state parks– Devil’s Lake, Mirror Lake, Rocky Arbor, and Roche-A-Cri. I have an annual admission sticker, but otherwise visiting them would only cost $3 for a daily pass. A family could spend the morning exploring a park and the afternoon at Baraboo’s free zoo at Ochsner’s Park. Their prairie dogs are worth hours of free entertainment.

I’ve seen some impressive sights in Europe, but for only an hour’s drive to Madison, friends and I can enjoy a free visit to the Henry Vilas Zoo, our magnificent State Capitol, or, if we go on a Saturday, we can take in the atmosphere of the Dane County Farmer’s Market. It’s hard to imagine an excursion that could top an afternoon driving through the Baraboo bluffs with their glorious fall colors and a stop at an apple orchard for fresh Wisconsin apples.

It was finally our turn to use the restroom. My husband dug in his pockets. His face paled. “I must have used all the tokens.” I looked at the long line of people behind us. If we left to get tokens and had to get back in line, we’d miss the bus.

“Here you go,” a fellow traveler who overheard us said. He handed us each a token.

“Wow,” I said. “Thank you.”

My face flushed at the act of kindness. Freely given.