2-27-17  On the road again... ---

Yep, another road trip to St. Louis.  But not for any Dr.'s this time---thank God!  This time it's to pick up our tax papers.  I was surprised when Ken said he was heading to St. Louis this week (when I asked him last week)!  He said he was planning to go pick up the papers, visit some friends in the hospital, then come right back----so I didn't plan on going with him.  But I woke up Monday morning and in a moment of weakness thought "why not go, too".  So after hastily packing a few essentials while he loaded the car, we were on our way.

Loving that much of the SR20 construction is almost done.  Still a long way to go, but it's a lot farther along then it was last year at this time.

 On the lookout for old barns again.

And seeing Springtime beginning to blossom in the South.

 I believe this was in Cumming.  We saw 2 of them, but wasn't fast enough to get the 2nd one photographed until we were on our way back.  Twenty five giant replicas of a chicken egg are located throughout Forsyth County.  Reminds me of the painted fish sculptures in Pompano, cows in Chicago, and the painted birthday cakes in St. Louis. 

 Probably the most horses I remember seeing in one place at any time.

 lots of cows kicking about---and a few donkeys.

 I thought this cloud formation was downright spooky!

 Loved the wood working on this barn!

 Cute little church

 Shortly after we got on I-75, we were slowed down due to this accident.   A car accident and it wasn't even being driven!

 Coming into Chattanooga.  Rain was predicted and we were about to hit it.

 the river in Chattanooga.

 interesting way the clouds were engulfing the mountains.

 And another driving mishap.  Chattanooga is always full of surprises.

 Another accident waiting to happen.  Glad it didn't happen while we were driving by!

 back to barns

 Ingenious use of a bike rack!  Wonder why I never thought of that!?

 less and less Spring blooms the farther North we got.

 But the skies started to clear up.  Turned into a beautiful day with beautiful clouds.

 Many of these barns I've photographed before, so I concentrated on the clouds this time.

 and animals---looks like a lot of baby cows here.

 I'm always curious why a farmer will leave a lone tree in their field.  It's gotta be difficult to plow around it.

 a green barn.

 I love this barn---especially with clouds like these.

 Don't remember seeing this one before---must be hidden behind leaves most of the year.

 another cool barn somewhere in Tennessee.

 and a few silos.

 even the newer barns are interesting.

 and colorful

 Still think this would make an interesting house.

 cows on a hillside.

 Finally in Illinois.

We made our usual stop in Mt. Vernon to meet my brother and sister-in-law for dinner about 5pm.  He had some interesting rather unbelievable news.  His last foster child (who had stolen his car and wrecked it while high on drugs) was released to another family.  Turns out the kid stole their car, too---go figure!!!  So he was finally taken to court---with his arms and legs shackled together----only to run from court, still shackled, and got away!  He turned himself in to a hospital 3 days later because he needed an inhaler (one of the meds the head of DCFS wanted to let him have control of so when he ran away he'd have his meds----I'm always amazed that grown adults can think like that!!!).  The judge didn't care that the kid stole cars---he is trying them as juvenile offenses; but for running away from his courtroom, that got the kid an adult offense.  Anyway, met the new foster child.  Seemed to be a very personable young man.  Wondered why he was in foster care, but didn't ask (more about him later!).
Finally got into St. Louis about 10 pm.  Another long day, but not bad.  I guess I'm getting use to that ride.