A beautiful blue sky day… perfect for road-trippin’ down thru Central Illinois. And spotting my “favorite barn” along the way… as I’ve been watching it slowly decay since my college days!

Today was the perfect day to get out on my bike (again) to enjoy the STUNNING weather today. Clear skies with not a cloud in the sky! I had already ridden the lakefront for my sunrise ride… but my afternoon ride took me further north. Always excited to stop by the BAHA’I HOUSE OF WORSHIP in Wilmette… towards the beginning to my ride. I always think that this is one of the most amazing architectural buildings… an innovation back in the 1920’s when it was built with pre-formed concrete panels. Considered by some to be the world’s most exquisite ornamental concrete structure. Agreed. No matter how many times I ride past… it AMAZES me every time!!!

Beautiful sunset lighting during the “Golden Hour” at ART IN THE BARN… after a very successful Day One in Barrington. Looking forward to another good day tomorrow in the Lower Barn in Booths E4&E6. Come spend your Sunday with us… 10:00am-5:00pm.

Seems like every time I drive down Route 55 I’m drawn to this weathered old barn. I’ve been watching it slowly fall apart ever since I went to college in Central Illinois. It has become a roadside tradition… as we watch time pass with every roadtrip!

Just a little Texture Tuesday in the neighborhood.

Everyone’s “favorite “ barn on a road trip in central Illinois!

So there’s this building in Anchorage… didn’t really care what it was... but I was TOTALLY enamored by the side of the building COMPLETELY covered by these amazing slabs of stone!!! You know I love a good texture… and I love some good nature… so put them together?! Brilliant. Plus, a “few” of something is fun… a “multitude” of something is FANTASTIC!!!

My favorite barn along I-55 South… weathered, sun-scorched & falling apart. But I love it!!! I’ve been watching it “evolve” over the years all the way back to my college days at Illinois State. Last time I saw this barn the cupola had finally slide off the roof. Good to see someone cleaned that up… but left the rest of the barn for us all to enjoy!

Today was crazy-BEAUTIFUL!!! It started with early morning rain… but once that passed through, we got sunny skies, gusty winds & temperatures of nearly 80-degrees!!! Perfect for a wonderful bike ride along the lakefront… except for maybe the gusty winds??? Regardless, the skyline looked great, the sky was bright blue & the lake was STUNNING!!!

Urban sunset with an old train bridge silhouette over the river.

And just a few moments later… it changes so quickly!!!