A Study in Contrasts — Conversations Across America

I mentioned yesterday that the landscape was becoming ex-urban, with agricultural land and residential development right next to each other. As we skirted the far outer reaches of the Chicago area today, this contrast was even more stark . We went through long stretches of purely agricultural land . . .

interspersed with open parkland and forest preserves.

Then we passed through a few small towns, including Sycamore, Illinois. The main street of Sycamore was a showcase of turn of the century houses.

Finally, at the end of the day, I rode bicycle paths through planned suburban developments.

The contrasts did not end there. Less than a mile from the end of the ride (at a McHotel right next to a major freeway), I passed through wooded parkland along the DuPage River.

But the bridge in the background carried so much traffic, that I could neither cross to the bike path on the other side of the road, or ride on the road. I had to walk a quarter mile on the grass shoulder until I reached a controlled intersection.

Such is life on the border of the big city.

The variety of landscapes left plenty of rooms for barns, and Illinois redeemed itself from its dismal showing yesterday. Here they are.