Lock 20, Hennepin Canal

Lock 20, Hennepin Canal

A colorful autumn day at lock 20 of the Hennepin Canal. This canal connected the Illinois River to the Mississippi River, and was the first major construction project in the United States to be entirely made out of concrete - not cut stone.

The canal was used from 1904 until 1951. There are plans to make 50 miles of the canal navigable again - including three or four locks.

Red Covered Bridge

Red Covered Bridge

A drive over the Red Covered Bridge in north central Illinois was the perfect start to a crisp, Fall morning. Built in 1863, the bridge continues to support traffic in Bureau County, Illinois- one vehicle at a time.

Red Covered Bridge
The bridge spans 149 feet across Big Bureau Creek, and is on the National Register of Historic Places

Golden Canopy

Golden

Even though the morning was overcast and a bit wet, the color of these trees was amazing. A golden canopy lining the way to Lake Michigan.

I could only imagine how this would have appeared if the sun was out that morning.

A Helping Hand

A Helping Hand

Photography grip for the day, Mike hands Chris his camera after waiting for him to climb up a dead tree for a better view of the surroundings.
The grass was almost four feet tall, and while we stayed on the animal trail (so we didn't kill or harm any plants), an unobstructed view was only possible if one got a bit higher off the ground.

Higher for a Better View

Higher for a Better View

Even at the top of a 100 foot tall sand dune, the view can be obstructed by trees and the tall marram grass.

Chris climbs up a dead tree to obtain an unobstructed view of the Fall color in the valley between the dunes.

Reflecting

Reflecting

A boy gazes into the reflecting pond at the Marshall Field grave site at Chicago's Graceland Cemetery.

Marshall Field was one of Chicago's department store pioneers.

Pinnacle

Pinnacle

The boys climbed to the highest dune for a panoramic view of Lake Michigan to the north, and the colorful, forested dunes.

Not a trek for the lazy!

Last Waves of September

Last Waves of September

A surfer catches the last waves of September 2012. Not exactly legendary for it's surfing, the Indiana shore of Lake Michigan provides ample wind and waves for exciting surfing, kite surfing and wind sailing.

As long as the water remains unfrozen, kite surfers are often seen December - February despite the bone chilling temperatures.

Autumn at Chicago's Graceland Cemetery

Autumn at Chicago's Graceland Cemetery

Perhaps it's due to the warm winter and early spring, the dry summer, or both - the leaves are changing color a bit early this year.

The lagoon in Chicago's Graceland Cemetery is bordered by the colors of autumn. The memorial to Potter Palmer can be seen on the opposite shore.