Starting Out
Every journey begins with a first step, and every road trip with a
first day, and those first few familiar miles. Passing through Wisconsin,
and Illinois almost had the feel of a daytrip. As with my trips to Yellowstone,
and the mountains of the West, it was a meeting with the Mississippi River
that made me feel that I was on my way. This meeting occurred at St. Louis.
Even so, this is still considered to be a part of the Midwest, these days,
though to many, Missouri is considered to be a southern state.
|
|
My first rest stop, just after crossing out of my home
state of Wisconsin, and into Illinois. I have been to this stop many times,
on various short trips, and weekenders; but this time it is different.
I stop. pick up a map, and a few things to read, and prepare to hit the
road.
|
|
I love rest stops, and always feel strangely at home, within
their bounds, no matter where my travels might take me. There is a comforting
consistency to these places, wherever they might be.
|
|
A wind farm, in Illinois. I have also seen these in Wisconsin,
and a couple of other states. It is one of many sources of alternate energy
being tested.
|
|
The corn cribs, fields, and harvesting gear of a more conventional
farm.
|
|
A farmer's field, out in Illinois. Much of the Midwest
looks like this, once outside of the cities. This is the flesh, bone, and
spirit of the country.
|
|
One of a number of farmsteads that dot the quiltwork of
the countryside.
|
|
Approaching St. Louis. Now I feel as if I am coming to
the west, if not the Southwest. For most of the colonial period, and much
of the post colonial period, this was the frontier.
|
|
|
Coming across the river brings the visitor into the West,
the state of Missouri, and the city of St. Louis. Quite a few transitions,
for a mere few miles of pavement.
|
|
A look at the skyline of St. Louis. This is about the best
view that I was able to get, coming down the freeway. On a future trip, I
hope to visit a while, and get to know the place.
|
|
For several decades, this was a source of aircraft (in
particular, the F4 Phantom), and an in industrial powerhouse. Before that,
it was a center of commerce, and a jumping of point to the frontier. Now,
sadly, this is the most violent city, per capita, in the country, with a
population of less than half of what it had once been..
|
|
A bit over half way through my first day, and here is where
the excitement starts to come in. This is where I begin to feel as if I
am leaving the Midwest. Seeing signs like this, make you feel as if you can
go anywhere.
|
|