The above sketch-map is presented, not a gem of art or a thing of beauty, but simply to show the advantage of Lake Madison's  location with reference to the leading cities and town of South Dakota, Western Minnesota, and Northwestern Iowa. 

The Lake Madison Chautauqua attracted people from all over the upper Midwest, especially from South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.  Using MapQuest, ask students to choose 10 cities or towns and determine the driving directions to Madison.  Record the distances and driving time below.