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Welcome to Illinois. This is a bit
different from my usual first impression of the state, and is far from the
Interstate. The place is dotted with farms, and small towns.
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The great countryside, is made even
more impressive by the changing colors of the fall season. These bluffs
and rolling hills are evidence of the changing course of the Mississippi,
now several miles to the west. This landscape was sculpted by the river
when it flowed through these parts.
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A view of some of the rolling fields
of the great Illinois farmland. This is rural, pastoral Illinois, nothing
like the urban sprawl of Chicago, many miles to the east, or the southern
grandeur, many miles to the south. This is pure midwestern culture, and
scenery.
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A look down the hill, and out across some fields, with the October flames
of the fall trees in the foreground.
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This is a scenic road, and a scenic
area, and the State of Illinois has set up a number of rest areas, and scenic
overlooks here. Parts of this area are owned by the State, and are designated
as a state park. These particular photos are taken from a tower, built as
a vantage point from which to view the miles of rolling hills, and farmer's
fields below.
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A look out at the fertile fields,
the rolled hay, the grazing animals, and the storage silos, shows where
the real wealth of this state came from. This is why Chicago came to be,
and why the rest of the cities sprang into existence --- abundant food. Without
these fields, and others like them, we would still be living in caves.
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A look over carefully tilled, and
managed fields. If you think about it, there is something magical about being
able to get land to produce food.
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A very pastoral setting, with farm,
rolling fields, tree planted wind breaks, and grazing animals.
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A long look off into the distance. These fields,
and the people who work, and own them are what the country is all about.
Out here, cities seem unreal, and unnatural.
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All of the colors of the rainbow (well, perhaps
not blue) are visible in the tops of the trees below.
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The scenic River Road, twists around the hills,
and heads south where, some miles off, it will rejoin with the Mississippi.
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Passing through the small town of Hanover, Illinois.
There are many such places, here on the River Road, and throughout the country.
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Leaving Hanover, and entering a changing part of
the road. The farms and field will soon be replaced by bluffs, and by the
river, as the road twists to the west, to meet the Mississippi.
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