Leroy Oakes is a beautiful forest preserve in Kane County with big red barns and historical buildings. In the early morning it’s peaceful and serene. A bike and running trail winds its way through the idyllic property and this is the location where we start our long marathon training run every Saturday.
As you drive down the winding road into Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve, this big red barn greets you as you reach the parking area. Every year, the Great Western Half Marathon starting line is right next to this barn.
The big red barn has a charming, shabby appearance with all its windows boarded up.
It’s in good condition and all the grounds around here are very well cared-for.
The big red barn is situated next to another wonderful old barn with amazing details, but I’m saving those photos for another day.
The foundation on the big red barn is similar to the foundation of our circa 1875 home so I wonder if this barn is as old as our house.
Seeing all the greenery after our long winter really lifts my spirits.
I’ll be seeing a lot of this big old red barn over the summer while training for my marathon.
It’s nice to have lots of scenic eye candy when you’re running for miles on end.
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Wonderful barn and the one behind looks just as good! Definitely lovely eye candy while you’re running!
Love the color and the size of this barn. Great shots.
It’s a beauty! I love the shape and the condition. That stone foundation is really nice.
Love those old barns.We have many of those around us too.So many are abandoned it is very sad!
xx
Anne
Love these old barn photos! I am saving this to my Pinterest folder for old barns and churches.
Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos
http://decoratedchaos.blogspot.com
Wow – this is a beauty! I especially love the last 2 shots – peeking behind the tree, and with the pretty pond in the foreground.
Beautiful! I always love your pictures.
Beautiful! I love that last shot!
best to you as you train and take in all this beauty at the same time. i love these old barns and cannot believe how many disappear daily.
smiles.
michele
I love old barns, they are slowly leaving the landscape and I hate that. What a rare beauty!
I love those old American style barns. We don’t have them here, so I love seeing yours.
oh just beautiful!
That is a beauty indeed, Jennifer. And I love that there is another one next to it. Enjoy the day! Pam
About 10 years ago the fire department did a controlled burn on the old barn here, as well as an old homestead. I was the only one who didn’t want to see it go. We took what we could from it which of course wasn’t enough old barn wood to keep me happy and stocked.
Bliss
I’d be a slimmer woman if I merely WALKED in the vicinity of these beautiful barns as I would wander for hours, taking in their artistic wonder! Thanks so much for sharing!
Poppy
You have the most beautiful things to look at when you are running and training for your marathon. This old barn is a beauty.
Cynthia
What a fantastic place!
How beautiful! I love barns, which is funny since I grew up in the suburbs and never set foot in a barn until I married my husband from Indiana! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous pictures, and good luck on the marathon!
I’m a runner too….I would LOVE running along that route. What state are you in…Texas here, so my summer runs are very early before the sun gets too high and hot. thanks for sharing!
Fabulous barns, and shots! Thanks for sharing them.
My barn(s) for this week can be seen here….
Noteworthy Musings – Barn Charm #136
absolutely wonderful captures of this very beautiful barn WoW =)
I love barn photos, and yours is gorgeous! Reminds me of when I was a kid, sleeping in my horse’s stall the first day he was delivered. Really special. Thank you!