Autumn Adventures

Autumn Adventures have begun...  Yesterday marked the first day of autumn, and the weather was glorious.  It also happened to fall on my birthday.  You couldn't have asked for a more picture perfect day!  

Even had a parade in honor of my birthday!

(Actually, Homecoming kicked off ) 

Took the day off today.  Extended birthday celebration...

Drove out to Jim Edgar Panther Creek Wildlife Area.

Surprised to see harvest has begun.

I don't remember harvest being this early in a long time!

"I was in the midst of a prairie!  A world of grass and flowers stretched around me, rising and falling in gentle undulations...What a new and wondrous world of beauty!  What a magnificent sight!...How shall I convey to you the idea of a prairie?"-Eliza Steel 

The Big Bluestem grass is gorgeous!  Up to 9ft tall.  I can't imagine traveling in a covered wagon across the prairie through grass this tall! 

Goldenrod in full bloom

 

   

Love the chartreuse color of the Rattlesnake Plant.

Purple Coneflower 

nearing the end of it's life, but still beautiful.

 White Indigo Plant pods

 Lovely Black Eyed Susan flowers in full bloom.

 Panther Creek Valley Scenic Overlook

Dogwood

Troy and I ended our morning adventure with a walk through Lincoln's New Salem Village.

 Tobacco plants

Take some time to see the beauty around you and have your own Autumn Adventure!  

Chi-Town

The family recently had a get away weekend to The Windy City.  We love Chicago!  I love the sights and sounds of the city.  People hustling and bustling, but also finding time to enjoy their city and their loved ones.

First stop The Art Institute of Chicago

It was an honor to see Monet, Van Gogh, Georgia O'Keefe, Renoir, Surat, and so much more. 

Van Gogh Self Portrait

American Gothic

Georgia O'Keefe The Sky Above the Clouds IV

Could have spent hours there.

Walked up and down The Magnificent Mile

Ate Garrett's Popcorn

The best popcorn ever!

Shopped a little, but just enjoyed one another and the scenery...

Lake Michigan

They have these head planters up and down Michigan Ave.  This is the Walgreen's head.

Millinium Park Bean

Buckingham Fountain

Water Tower

Took an Architectural Tour of the Chicago Riverfront.  Beautiful examples of  Art Deco, Post Modern, and Modern Architecture.   Couldn't have asked for better weather!  75 degrees! 

Have a great weekend!