On The Way To And From Weston

On the way to meant getting there the fastest - heading to the four lane south of Maryville.

Just south of Hopkins, on a hillside a half mile or more from any other structures or roads, stands this barn. It has always fascinated me. Why was it built there? Was there once a house nearby?
I think I preferred the way it looked in the past, all weathered gray and forgotten. Though I'm glad to see that it is being preserved - so perhaps some future young dreamer will see it standing out there and wonder.

Getting off the interstate on to the hilly, twisting, two lane into Weston was a treat for the senses. Slowed down, with time to appreciate the fall colors, the white fences...

.....the pumpkins, flowers and corn shocks arranged around the barn, looking like a setting for Country Living Magazine.

Leaving from Weston, there was this old tobacco barn inside Weston Bend State Park, with the weathered, forgotten, air of bygone times against the blue October sky.

Bud, at the overlook with the Missouri River far below. Is he wondering what the Lewis and Clark Expedition thought of the area? Or thinking about his Great-great grandfather, Konrad, who made his way up the Missouri and thereon to Adams County Iowa?

Or maybe he was thinking about how lucky he was to find me? The overlook was a popular place for couples photos. We were just one of many while there.

We stayed off the interstate coming home, enjoying the weather, watching for photo ops. Bud spotted these two, looking back at us as we looked at them.

And a stop at a small, overgrown, cemetery turned up a surprising stone. But look what's even more surprising in the background.

Not the livestock you expect to see in the Midwest. These five were just part of the herd. They can be found just south of Grant City on the west side of 169.

Crossing the Platte. Almost home.

To our own little slice of heavenly fall color.