"Road to Peoria"

These pictures were taken from the car on a road trip to Peoria , IL. The car was moving but some of the pictures turned out great. Let me know what you think... Illinois sure is flat!!

The clouds were very cool in the picture above...

Bodega Bay... the land of the birds!!

I have returned from another amazing trip to Northern California. We made a stop in Bodega Bay where the Alfred Hitchcock movie "The Birds" was filmed. Although the weather was eerily perfect for how I'd imagined it would be after seeing the film, it definitely didn't make for great lighting for my pictures. Oh well! Below are a couple of pictures of the church and one of the school house from the movie. The lower level of the school house is now a visitor's center for the film with a gift shop in the classroom from the film. The upper level is a residence... The remaining pictures are from down by the docks in Bodega Bay... The town totally lived up to my expectations of it... not much has changed!!

Another picture with my hubby hidden in the picture... :)

Carmel and Monterey Bay...

This was taken on a stroll down Monterey Bay... the waves were huge... sea lions everywhere...

This is a picture of a fabulous restaurant, Casanovas, in Carmel by the Sea. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is just adorable... if you're ever out there definitely check it out...

Pigeon Point Lighthouse... northern California...

As we drove along the California coast from Santa Cruz up to Half Moon Bay we came across this historical lighthouse perched up on the bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is called Pigeon Point lighthouse. There's a hostel, some real cute little cottages, next to the lighthouse that you can rent for pretty cheap. The view is amazing. The day we were there it was quite windy and somewhat overcast which created sort of an eerie setting... the waves were crashing up against the rocks... being the only ones there certainly added to the ambiance. I loved it!

Some kelp on the beach a couple miles up the road...

Paso Robles Vineyards... so beautiful!

I'm back on blogger!!! I have so many great pictures to share... I just spent 3 weeks in northern and central California and was lucky enough to spend some time in Yosemite National Park and in the wine country of Paso Robles. I'm looking forward to taking you on an amazing ride through the breathtaking sights that I was so lucky to see... Below are just a few fun pictures to start... the first is at the Justin Winery in Paso Robles. Their wine has an international following and has won many awards. They supposedly put Paso Robles on the map... that's what the locals told us.

Great picture of some well behaved cats at the Whalebone Winery...

Paso Robles vineyards...

So sorry...

for not posting lately. I've been swamped with homework. I will be back in full swing with lots of new pictures in about 3 weeks. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Fall Colors at Starved Rock State Park, IL... Amazing...

These pictures were taken during our hike through Starved Rock State Park this weekend. It was amazingly beautiful... I will continue to post more picture from there throughout the week. We have so many to show...