Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me.....

Sunset image, taken a bit north of Springfield (IL) Wednesday evening.  On the way home froma  short trip to Chicago.  I rather like this one in panorama.  Check out larger version here. 

I'm way behind on posting (and processing).  Lots of images from recent trips (especially Denver).  Will try and catch up.

Centennial Cone Park, near Golden, CO

A fun spot I found one afternoon last week...  following "brown signs".  As usual, click on image for larger size.

The image above is from Elk Range Trail, just 200 yard or so from the parking area.

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The image below is looking down the valley that the Travois Trail follows.  I walked about 1/2 mile down this trail, down to about the center on the photo.  And "down" is the operative word, too.  According to Google earth it's about 200 ft vertical drop.  Which would be quite so brutal if it was't also over 7,500 ft above sea level.  We won't talk about how out of shape I am, either.

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Another image, about 1/2 way to where I turned around:

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And I'll finish with a panorama of the scene.  Click for large version:

Posted

I came across this spot on one of my afternoon drives last week, outside Golden Colorado.

Get Outta Denver Baby!

Just back from a short business trip to the Denver area.  This is about as close as I got to downtown, though.  Stuck in traffic on I-70 (due to accident).  Meanwhile, the best part about travelling in July is that the sun doesn't set until late.  I was able to explore the mountains a bit after work.  More photos to follow.

The title is in reference to the old Bob Seeger song.  Or, in my world, the cover version by Eddie And The Hot Rods...

Click on photo for larger version, or see here.

Bonded Contracting Company

I was returning from a short trip to Denver today (photos to follow, but here and here to start).  On a whim, I decided to turn right coming out of airport parking, and took surface roads part of the way home.

I thought this place was rather interesting...

Randomness #9624

Just a little something...  I notice these things.  And sometimes take pictures.  What ever can it mean?

Effected Corn Foeld

Just a little something I snapped this evening.  My son suggested the general direction of the effects.  And provided some yay/nay suggestions through the process.

Shaded

Just a little something I noticed...

Illinois Farm #9481

Driving from Nashville, TN to St. Louis area yesterday, we got stuck in a major backup.  Several miles of stop-and-go traffic.  On the plus side, the "Stopped" part gave me an opportunity to take a photo of an old farm.  Not a great image, not a very pretty day.  Sometimes you just have to make lemonade.  Covington, IL.

Well It Sure Gets Lonesome, I'm Walking By Myself...

For some reason, I woke up this morning with Wet Willie's song "Walking By Myself" in my head.  Certainly not a bad thing, but not sure why.  So this morning's commute was a genius playlest based on that song.  Gotta love it.  Here's the songs that started my day:

• Walking By Myself - Wet Willie
• Redwing - Grinderswitch
• Singing Rhymes - Marshall Tucker Band
• Nothin' Matters But The Fever - Sea Level
• Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey - Elvin Bishop
• Sold on You - Firefall

btw, the image was posted a couple of days ago at Happenstance...  but I thought it fit well for this.

Old Building #9434

A funky old run down building in Benton, KY.  I have no idea what it used to be, but it appears derelict now.  Larger version here.

Construction Zone

Just a little randomness, while stopped in traffic today...

Water Inlets, Mississippi Chain Of Rocks

It's been a while since I've photographed these.  Taken from the Old Chain Of Rocks Bridge, which once carried Route 66 across the Mississippi River.  These are inlet towers for the water treatment plant visible on the far (Missouri) shore.  Or WERE, as they're not in use any more.  The White one was built in 1890's, the tan one around 1915.

The river was quite high when this was taken (7/3).  It was about 31' in Alton (just upstream).  that's about 10' above flood stage, or "Moderate Flood Stage".  Still 11' below the peak during the flood of '93, though.

Here's close ups of the buildings, click on them for larger versions:

Twin Oaks Gas

Click for larger version

Another fading relic from old Rt. 66.  Along Chain Of Rocks Rd, between the Canal Bridge and the Canal Motel.  It seems that the place was recognizable as recently as late 2006 (here and here).

Taken on yesterday's excursion, along with this one.

Canal Motel

Click for larger version

The Canal Motel sits at the on Chain Of Rocks Rd, just west of Rt. 3.  This is along old Rt. 66, but here the emphasis is on "old".  But, it does appear to be open.  I did find a couple of articles indicating some issues with meth production...  There were 4 or 4 cars in the lot, it doesn't seem deserted.

There's another image taken alongside this one at Happenstance...