Leaving Indiana

I begin my journey Tuesday, May 31, with visions of new lands and new adventures. But in no less than 50 miles I've already had to stop the car and photograph numerous vistas, several red barns and at least two oddities that made me brake hard and turn the car around for a better look.

It is a conspiracy of the home lands to impress upon me its enduring majesty. Curve after curve of rolling hills and fertile fields that are so pleasant to behold burn into my retina. Farmers are plowing the fertile soil, machines are cutting hay on a hot day under cotton candy clouds.

I give in. Getting to the state line should be an easy 2-hour drive, but I roll into Illinois as the sun sets, wired and elated with the sights I've seen. Indiana has put on a grand show and reminds me it's a place worth coming home to when this journey ends.