Country Roads of Kane County Illinois
Some people think Illinois is flat and boring but I find special beauty in the country roads, prairies, corn fields, and big blue sky. Lucky for me, I live where the suburban roads of Chicago meet the country roads of Kane County so I get the best of both the town and country … thus the name of this blog. And if you read my blog on a somewhat regular basis, you know that I’ve signed up to run the Naperville Marathon with my daughter this coming November. It’ll be my sixth marathon so I know the road of blood, sweat and tears that awaits me as I train to run 26.2 miles. Today I want to show you pictures from the country roads of Kane County where I do a lot of my running and marathon training.
This dirt country road is one of my favorites to run on. There’s no traffic to speak of, you can hear the birds singing, and the scenery is so simple and pretty. I love breathing the fresh air out here away from the traffic.
I love some of the shabby barns around these parts. You can find them in a range of colors from red to brown to white to gray … even blue. In my opinion, the more rustic and chippy they are, the more beautiful they become.
I wonder why we don’t have that same opinion of ourselves? The older and shabbier we become, the more beautiful we are?
Even the houses on this dirt road are quite charming. Tulips are starting to peek out all over the landscapes.
On the other side of the charming country road is this log cabin type home.
A variety of fences populates this stretch of rolling country road.
When I’m on my 8th, 9th, or 10th mile or more and feeling frayed around the edges, I appreciate pretty details like this country lamp and horse ornament. Focusing on the beauty around me takes my mind off my tired legs and aching shoulders.
Speaking of horses, there are plenty of these beautiful mares and stallions here in the country.
Some horses are quite curious when you run on by, while others lazily eat their hay.
A split rail fence contains a small pond. It’s so nice to see the grass greening up.
A crooked mailbox makes me think … was it hit by a tractor or by kids who just got their driver’s license?
White chippy barns! I wonder how farmers decide what color to paint their barns?
Here’s another statuesque white chippy barn with a light blue roof. You’ll notice the road is paved here because I turned a corner. One word of advice I’d like to give to anyone thinking about running long distance. Dirt and gravel country roads are softer for your feet and knees, but an asphalt street is softer than a cement sidewalk. So I avoid running on sidewalks when I can to save a little wear and tear on the body.
I just love this little rustic outbuilding. If I think this building is so cute with its severely peeling paint, why don’t I think my house looks good with peeling paint? These are the philosophical questions you ponder while running for miles on end by yourself.
At the end of the day, I’m always glad I went for a run. Especially a run down a country road. I try not to make excuses to not run because that never makes me feel good. To motivate myself when I’m feeling lazy, I just make myself get out the door and run just one mile. Usually by the end of that mile I’m ready and willing to keep going. And when I have scenery like this to enjoy, I come home feeling inspired … albeit tired.
Sharing this post at Open House Thursday, Be Inspired Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Sunday Showcase, Metamorphosis Monday, Tuesday’s Treasures, Barn Charm, Wow Us Wednesday, Party Junk
I do good to run 3 1/2 miles…you go girl! GORGEOUS landscapes there and your photographs are fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing!
Blessings,
Cindy
Good for you Jennifer. I bet that feels so good to be outside now to run!! Loved all the pictures. So pretty.
Kris
Didn’t know you were a runner – that’s awesome! One of my good friends, plus a couple of my cousins are marathon runners. Your photos are beautiful.
Gosh, I feel kind of guilty just sitting here while you’re doing all that running 🙂 What a lovely tour! Thanks so much for taking us along with you.
Jeanette
What a beautiful area you live in – loved every photo –
I’m with Jeanette – feel a little guilty sitting on my behind knowing you were actually running and taking photos lol
XOX
oh my goodness! I would love to run by this beautiful scenery! I adore barns! All kinds.
Thanks for sharing!
Red barn color was warmer in winter since it absorbed the sun’s rays and Farmers added ferrous oxide, otherwise known as rust, to the oil mixture. Rust was plentiful on farms and is a poison to many fungi, including mold and moss, which were known to grown on barns. These fungi would trap moisture in the wood, increasing decay. Having a red barn became a fashionable thing. They were a sharp contrast to the traditional white farmhouse. Red was the color of favor until whitewash became cheaper, at which point white barns began to spring up. Painted black or some other dark color to help heat barns up, which aids in the drying of tobacco. More than you ever wanted to know about barn colors…right? LOL
Great photography!!! I enjoyed the tour down the country road.
Mary Alice
Jennifer, I love the beauty here so much tranquility. I can see why you love to run here. I enjoyed this tour very much, thanks for sharing this with us. Enjoy your runs.
Cynthia
What wonderful old buildings. The scenery is gorgeous. Around here, one field looks the same as another.
Amen! I love our sweet Illinois. I find beauty in a flat, just plowed field showing the black soil we have downstate. Sometimes I tell my husband “I need to go for a drive and see the corn fields” I think he must think I am crazy. Congrats on your running!
ohhhhh, thanks for taking us along on your run. i love it. the white chippy barn with blue roof just made my morning, and i’d love to see it in person. best to you as you train. i think a marathon is in my future, though i never imagined i would ever want it to be. thus far i have only been a spectator watching my husband.
best.
michele
Thanks for the trip down the country road I really enjoyed it. I live in a small town but I sure miss the country roads.
Bernice
Beautiful country, reminds me of southern Ontario where I grew up. Patty/BC
The pictures are beautiful… I loved running with you and I guess it’ll be all the exercise I do today!
Hello and welcome to FF…you photos are just lovely…gorgeous country scenes!!
loved the photos, especially the first one!
Such a beautiful place to run. I agree, the first mile is the toughest. It takes me a mile to get loosened up! I don’t think I could do 26 miles but good for you. I’m cheering for you.
I enjoy your blog~
I loved your pictures and the story that went with them. This reminds me of home where I grew up. I guess I’ll aways be a country girl at heart. 🙂
Barns, Horses, and Fences – what could be prettier! Lovely photos.
I loved going on this run with you! (I’m not a runner so doing it through you is good). I agree with you on shabby barns – they are the best! You have a whole selection on beauties.
What a wonderful series of photos….love the variety shown.
Jennifer, I commend you for your faithful training for the marathon. I couldn’t do it for sure. You have a beautiful place to do your training. I love rural roads like this with the charming barns, farms and homes. It looks very pretty there. Have a great day! Pamela
You found lots of interesting barns and beautiful scenery to photograph on your runs.
Ok. You did it. You made me miss my running, Jennifer. lol! I’ve been so very busy shoveling mulch the past few weeks that it’s been my workout for the day. 🙂 But I miss running my country roads in the morning light, so I’m going to get back to doing it! 🙂 Thanks for the nudge – and for the beautiful photos, too! I adore old barns and I’ve got to tell you – we have an old red hip-roofed one a couple hundred yards from our back door. It’s been slowly falling apart since we moved here 7 years ago. We’ve decided to bite the bullet and invest in residing it. Hubby first insisted on red. I balked and whined about wanting it white (more shabby chic, ya know…lol!). Then he saw Martha Stewart’s barns at her home and said how nice they looked….WHITE! lolol! Guess what color we’re siding ours in now. hehehe!!! We’re keeping the original barn door track system and going to ask them to build wood barn doors to keep some “character” in place. I can hardly wait to look out my door and see a pretty white barn out there!!! 🙂
Keep up the great running routine you’ve got going, girl! I’m so proud of you – and I thank you for your continued inspiration! ♥
xoxo laurie
WoW! Great Shots =) Now, I get the name of your blog, very fitting. My brother runs marathons in Texas… Good luck =)
These are great shots. I live in Elgin, in Kane County and am looking to photograph some old barns. Could I trouble you to message me about what specific rural roads these were on? I’d be really grateful to minimize my search! Thanks!