6:38 AM and My Awesome Day Begins!

I finally make it out of the house after forgetting my camera, then the extra camera batteries. Back in the house and the dog needs to pee. The dog is out. Then the dog's leash run gets stuck on a deck chair. Problem solved and the dog is back in the house and I can finally leave.

I back out of the drive, turn on good tunes, and experience a 1/4 mile whiff of skunk funk balanced by the sweet smell of corn fields. I headed towards the hot air balloons in Chillicothe, Illinois, or so I thought. I had a few happy accident stops along my way and really didn't end up at Three Sisters Park until 8 AM, which apparently was too late to see any hot air balloons. While I was bummed about that, prior to arriving at the Balloon Fest entrance, I stopped at St. Mary's (the older church in the cemetery) in Kickapoo and took some photos of reflections of the cemetery in the windows, while focusing on a crucifix and stained glass inside the church.

I decided to follow Trigger Road and then saw a sign for another cemetery that I hadn't been to yet. Dickison Cemetery is in Radnor Township and was established in 1834 by Griffith Dickison. A small cemetery, but it had several uniquenesses that were photo worthy. I found a monkey and an unopened Budweiser toast to a gentleman who would have been a year older than I, but he passed in '07. I also found a lot of grass clippings all over my feet when I got back to my vehicle. They had just mowed and it was thick. The wildlife was also running crazy through that cemetery and it sort of startled me at first. I saw 2 deer, one being a buck that I mistook for someone spying on me until I investigated further and it moved. I also saw 2 frolicking bunnies and a squirrel.



Along 'this?' road, which I have yet to look up on a map, I also found Leslie Rutherford Park. I would highly suggest it for a family outing or a hike. Large fields and lots of trees and wildlife. I will definitely be back this fall. If you'd like to visit it, I'd suggest a map.

After basically doing a u-turn at Three Sister's Park, I decided to hit up the Farmer's Market on the Peoria Riverfront. It was starting to warm up and since I'm not one for temps above 75, I decided to make it a quick trip through there. I picked up some garlic and purple carrots, a bag of peaches and a loaf of French bread. With my purchases in hand, I tried darting back to my vehicle, but saw a few more photo opportunities and took advantage. I've always been attracted to what I refer to as the the fire escape building. I believe it is known by residents and businesses at 401 Water Street. I could walk around that building several times and see so many different camera angles or approaches that would make for a great photo. I limited myself to about 15 minutes of snapping shots and then booked it back to my van.





I had about another hour's worth of time before I knew I should be home because the kids would be done with breakfast and ready to swim and then I should be making the family some lunch. I took the backroads home, as I usually try to do when I'm alone and stopped at the most beautiful field I've seen this summer. I've passed it twice and I couldn't pass it up this morning. The colors speak volumes and just scream SUMMER! Despite the sweat starting to accumulate under my ball cap, I stood out there for a half hour and took in the view through my camera lens, but was eager and ready for some AC. The warmed up dash was now registering 85, ten degrees more than I can handle!





And because I've shared this field location with another blogger, who I consider a more accomplished photographer and still have yet to meet, I'm only posting two of my sunflower photos because she puts me to shame and I look forward to seeing more of her talent with this subject matter.