Pedal, Stop, Shoot. Pedal, Stop, Shoot.

*************I shot the first five photos above with my new camera in our backyard and on the screen porch. My memory card recorded at least twenty-five images as I wandered around the backyard and practiced using the unfamiliar features of my upgraded Sony Cybershot.

This afternoon, I grabbed my now familiar camera, hopped on my bike and rode north and west of here. The near-professional quality photos (humor me please) were taken at Preservation Park which sits on the mighty, muddy Rock River.

Years ago, the dilapidated brown building with the red trim was a drive-in restaurant called the Toot 'N Tell. Back when Lon and I were dating, it was a popular place, locally famous for its car hops and great burgers. Across the highway sits another eating place originally called the Golden Point. The name and ownership has changed but I noticed the old name is still visible on the face of the building under the carport.

I sensed someone was watching me as I was standing with my bike, waiting to cross the highway. I looked over my right shoulder and sure enough a good friend of mine, literally larger than life, was smiling in my direction from the huge billboard along Hwy 51. I figured, what the heck, I'll take a picture of his picture and include it in my photo shoot post for today.

The next bunch of images captures objects of interest along Hwy 51, Townline, Walters and Afton Roads. From Afton Road, I cycled east onto Newark Road and then up Elmwood Avenue.

The final two photos belong in a separate post because they hold endless memories for me. I'm including them here because pedaling through this extremely familiar area was part of my experience today. Although they were abandoned recently, I grew up in the houses pictured here on Elmwood Avenue. I've written in the past about the little white house where my parents, both older brothers and I lived until Dad built the bigger house next door.

Eventually, there were seven of us in the family, my parents, four boys and me (the favorite daughter and sister). If you believe I deserved that inevitable and lofty regard, then you're not well-acquainted with me. After Dad died and Mom moved to an assisted living facility, the property was sold in 2001.

There's so much to see out there in this great big world we live in and so little time. I'm not complaining; I'm content in my world as I navigate it my way.