Illinois River

Taken during a ride this past Tuesday. The weather here has been exceptional for August: refreshingly cool days and near chilly nights! The Illinois River is not what I would call a "majestic" river, but in this image, the river looks pretty good!

Taken during a ride this past Tuesday. The weather here has been exceptional for August: refreshingly cool days and near chilly nights! The Illinois River is not what I would call a “majestic” river, but in this image, the river looks pretty good!

a little morning glory

Taken at a favorite spot alongside the Illinois River on one of my early bicycle rides. In other news, I may not post for a while as I am heading out to Montana with a team to minister at a camp for kids in the foster care system in grades 3 through 12. This is the second summer we are dong this and we are looking forward to loving on the campers.
Taken at a favorite spot alongside the Illinois River on one of my early morning bicycle rides. In other news, I may not post for a while as I am heading out to Montana with a team to minister at a camp for kids in the foster care system in grades 3 through 12. This is the second summer we are doing this and we are looking forward to loving on all those kids! Hopefully I will be able to sneak in a post or two. Take care everyone!

Ent-ish

Ent-ish

Middle Earth is one of my imagination’s favorite destinations. Every now and then I see something that reminds me of a world filled with Hobbits, Balrogs, and, where Gandalf the Grey is setting off fireworks.

good morning

good morningA beautiful Friday morning for a ride… so I did!

untitled

Not quite sure what to call this image of the 5 Mile Bridge in Illinois. I am
Not quite sure what to call this image of the 5 Mile Bridge in Illinois… ideas?

under the bridge

Just in case you were wondering what it looks like underneath 5 Mile Bridge, here ya go!
Just in case you were wondering what it looks like underneath 5 Mile Bridge, here ya go!

Illinois River Bridge

Illinois River Bridge

I posted an image of this bridge here. This is a favorite destination on a hike that features the I & M Canal, and a train tracks. The bridge spans the Illinois River and I think it would be cool to climb those stairs…. it would also probably break some local ordinance or law! So… why not??

5 Mile Bridge

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Before I post a couple of portraits I wanted to share another shot of what has become a favorite spot of mine to photograph. I have posted other images of 5 Mile Bridge here, and  here. I have been riding my bicycle quite a bit this year, and this bridge is about 14 miles from my house. This bridge – and the barns nearby – is special to me. I love the sense of history and forgotten tales that I find here. The old barns particularly point back to days when the prairies were a little younger, and life a bit simpler. I use this bridge to remind me that I have committed to pray for a family, so, it has become a kind of sanctuary on my journey. Finally, it’s the whole process of riding that I just love: seeing the country go by, the wonder of how a familiar place can take on such varying characteristics and feel so different as the weather and seasons change, and yet remain familiar, and therefore somewhat comforting, each time I visit. And that’s enough of my musings for today…

My ride

By now me and old TREK here are good buddies. We have covered lots of miles and he has never let me down.
By now me and old TREK here are good buddies. We have covered lots of miles and he has never let me down.

rails

We live near the I & M Canal (http://www.canalcor.org/CCA_Hist.html: 96 miles of engineering, history an hard work. It is a great place to take a hike or enjoy a bike ride. When I go with my son we take a little diversion and climb along a train tresse pictured here, and follow the tracks to neat bridge that will show up on this blog soon.
We live near the I & M Canal (http://www.canalcor.org/CCA_Hist.html): 96 miles of engineering, history and hard work. It is a great place to take a hike or enjoy a bike ride. When I go with my son we take a little diversion and climb alongside a train bridge pictured here, and follow the tracks to another bridge visible in this image at the end of the rails. That bridge spans the Illinois River. When I’m here, time slows down a bit… and that’s a good thing.