Pinecrest Azalea Gardens

Pinecrest Azelea Gardens 04-16-2011I owe the Pinecrest Azalea Gardens an apology. When Mother and I went searching for them in 2011, we arrived late in the day and late in the season. The light didn’t do the plants justice, and we were a little past the peak of the blooms. I happened upon the pix tonight and turned to the Gardens’ website to see the 2014 schedule.

Drat! The site said the gardens would be closing May 20. “See you next spring.”

It’s in the vicinity of Oak Ridge, but isn’t the easiest place to find. Check out the website for directions.

Photo gallery of past-their-prime blooms

Click on any photo to make it larger, then use the arrow keys to move through the images. Maybe I’ll get there at the right time next spring.

Matt’s Midwestern Meanderings

Barn near Oak Ridge by Matt Steinhoff 08-07-2013_7925Son Matt, Sarah and Malcolm made a pilgrimage to Cape to help Mother kick off an early Birthday Season (the real one isn’t until October, but school is out in the summer). He knew I was going to be busy packing and truckin’ on down the road, so he loaned me some pictures he shot while driving between Cape and St. Louis. I figured it was time to dust them off since a Facebook friend was looking for barn photos.

This barn was taken near Oak Ridge. Click on the photos to make them larger.

We’re in Illinois?

Kaskaskia Island 11-09-2012_9025Sarah was surprised to find herself in Illinois without crossing the Mississippi River when they went over on Kaskaskia Island from St. Mary. (OK, I cheated. this is my photo taken last fall.)

On the road

MO roadwayby Matt Steinhoff 08-07-2013_7905I thought this looked like the bottomlands on the way to Kaskaskia, but Matt swears it was near Chester.

Immaculate Conception Church

Kaskaskia Church by Matt Steinhoff 08-07-2013_7888They got to see the Liberty Bell of the West and the Immaculate Conception Church, founded in 1675. The church has had a tough time with floods over the years, but it always comes back.