While on a roadtrip, I love all of the “little stops” along the way… yes, all of those stops that make the drive longer than it needs to be!!! This time it was the “SCENIC OVERLOOK” sign that drew me in… but then… my hopes & dreams were dashed!!! Still beautiful around the sign… but no overlook to be seen!

I love a good roadtrip!
And I “might” occasionally try to snap a photo out the window?!
Allegedly.

Sometimes you get the photo you want…
and sometimes other things get in the way?!

And sometimes… that might even make the picture better?!

Blow it hard & make a wish…

With a string of cooler days, it’s so nice that some of the magnolia flowers in my neighborhood have been hanging around a little longer than normal. Such delicate flowers… all it takes is a strong breeze & these could all start falling down!!!

Woke up to rain this morning… but with April Showers come… ummm?…
DANDELIONS!!! And I’m here for it.
Might be a weed… but still a colorful sign that Spring is here!!!

So nice to see the star magnolia trees blooming again. One of my favorites every year. Such shame they only stick around for a short time.

Still a bit chilly, but bright blue skies sure help when highlighting these beautiful forsythia branches. Always a welcome sight as Spring is finally blooming all around us!

These large cocoa beans are pretty darn cool at the Chicago Botanic Garden… still growing & ripening in the tree. Right there on the side of the trunk & branches??? And yet I prefer my chocolate processed with sugar added. Keep it “dark” but add some sugar. Thank you very much!

And while the floral beauty was indoors, Spring is in the air & it was perfect for a stroll through the mostly dormant gardens at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Sure, there was still snow on the ground… but that’s just Spring in Chicago! I was just happy to be outside playing in nature again!

And while the Orchid Show was the main reason I went to the Chicago Botanic Garden… you still can’t miss the arid cactus room. So many cool textures, patterns & symmetry going on in there. Impressive every time!