Oct. 3, 2016---to Washington, Mo. and then Lone Elk Park:

Home sweet home, with it's new mailbox. 

When we weren't running to Dr.s, we met up with friends and relatives.  One day we drove to Washington, Mo. to visit one of Ken's brothers and sister-in-law.  We took the wine country route there.

It also is the route for some of the Katy Trail---a bike path made from an old train route.  Lots of cool stuff along the trail.

Surprising amount of wineries near St. Louis!  Who knew?!

 Lots of farmlands, too.

Our ride through the countryside to Washington, Mo., took about an hour.

Pretty nice ride

perhaps if we lived out here instead of closer to St. Louis I wouldn't have been so anxious to leave.

yet another vineyard.

 and another farm

not sure what this is all about!

After a nice visit and lunch, we headed back. 
Love the warm late afternoon light.

 Sunset along the highway.

There's an interesting park along I-44 on our way back from Washington----Lone Elk Park.  Although the sun had set, we were able to detour through there before all the light was gone.  Turned out to be a good time to go there.

 The critters were out and about.

Lots more elk on the hillside across the pond.

deer, too.

amazing how close you can drive near these guys.

There's even a bunch of buffalo there.

 one more deer before we headed out of the park and back on our way.

I've driven by this park a million times, but hardly ever take the time to drive through it.  Glad we did today!  Another interesting free thing to do in the St. Louis area.