1-12-17  off to Knoxville:

After some debate, we had decided to leave on Friday the 13th and spend the holiday weekend with Tim and Faith.  I think Ken was just using that rational as an excuse for staying in ST. Louis a little longer then we "needed" to.  But the weather made it necessary to leave on the 12th instead.  They were calling for a huge ice storm to hit on the 13th.

We did hit rain in Illinois---as always!  But it was above freezing and the farther south we went, the warmer it got.

It was quite foggy, too.

Good old Mid America airport near Scott AFB in Illinois---build it and they won't come!  I don't know how old this airport is now, but it's hardly ever used.  I was surprised to actually see a couple planes here this time.   I understand you can get flights to Punta Gorda, Florida, from here for about $49@way!

 Back to looking for barns to shoot.

Seagulls?!?

 some colorful dead crop.

 These guys caught me off guard, thus the hurried photo---buffalo!   Actually a small herd of them.

 The historic Southern mansion turned visitors' center in Paducah.  We talked about stopping here and checking it out, but missed the exit, so just continued on.

a lake along the way.

back to barns.  Can't see some of them in the Spring-Falls seasons with all the trees leafed out.

a barn with air conditioning.

another one with air conditioning.

 and another.

 this one appears to have a few old patches done to it.

another hidden away one.

We had planned to stop in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and have breakfast with my brother and his wife, but he was at meetings with DCFS (Department of Child Foster Services---or something like that) about his latest 15 year old foster child.  This kid who the "system" thinks is doing well ended up stealing their car a couple days later and wrecking it while under the influence of drugs.  No wonder there aren't many foster families!

Got into Knoxville before the kids got off work and hit a few shops while we waited for them.  Then settled in for a 4 night visit with Tim and Faith.  We had a great time!