Tag: bridge

a little bit of new york in my life, part 1

I have been on a three month sabbatical that will end at the end of July. One of my goals during this time was to spend time in New York with my dad and siblings. My previous post came out of my time in New York. In all the years spent growing up on Long Island, and then years going back to visit New York – we have lived in the Midwest since 1988 – I never walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. So, I decided to take a stroll on that beautiful bridge. Here is what I saw, part 1. Thanks for stopping by.

matthiessen state park

A collection of Fall beauty from Matthiessen State Park. This park features canyons, hiking trails, streams, and waterfalls. It is a jewel in the midst of the plains of the Midwest. Thanks for stopping by!

great day for a hike

We moved to our current home in Illinois from Michigan back in 2004, but it’s not the first time we have lived in Illinois. We first arrived in Chicago-land back in 1988. However, it wasn’t until we came back in 2004 that we discovered Matthiessen State Park.

The day started out with the typical refrain of cold, low, gray clouds, but Mr. I-Can’t-Seem-To-Get-The-Weather-Report-Right promised clearing skies and it came to pass that a beautiful, mostly sunny afternoon emerged.

One of the things I love about each of the it-feels-like-hundreds-of-times that I have visited this park is that it is always new. It’s like discovering and exploring for the first time, each time.

And I love the quiet… the sense of calm…

I am glad I made time to reflect… walk… listen to a waterfall, or the water gurgling over rocks and a stubborn oak leaf…

Thanks for stopping by.

happy february

Happy February to you. Happy February to you. Happy February, happy February, happy February to you! It’s a new day. Make it a great one.

ottawa bridge

Enjoyed a beautiful day on two wheels. Stopped for lunch at Allen Park along the Illinois River. Have a wonderful weekend!

a boy on the bridge

I have a totally massive respect for portrait photographers. I find it challenging… however, I am happy with how these turned out. Thanks for stopping by.

marseilles motorcycle 4

Here is the view from the bridge, looking upriver (East) at the Marseilles Dam. You can see that the water level is high from recent heavy rains. (To see a larger version, just click on the image.)

marseilles motorcycle 3

You can walk on some of the bridges that cross the Illinois River.

marseilles motorcycle 2

South of the small downtown of Marseilles, main street goes over the Illinois River (the bridge on the right) just west of the Marseilles Lock and Dam (on the left.) The Illinois Waterway connects the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico via the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. This is one of a series of 8 locks, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, that control water flow from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River system.

george washington bridge

Sorry for the silent blog 🙂 Life has been busier than the usual crazy and, my dad recently had double bypass surgery. So, two days ago, I took a road trip back home to be with my parents. He is doing quite well and will be home tomorrow. In the meantime, hope you enjoy one of my favorite bridges in New York.