A Country Ride

Sunday we drove 35 miles each way to Sycamore, Illinois. Neighbor Pam suggested I get out of the house. She would bring the dog and Rocky clambered aboard, too. So, we set out in the SUV for a Sunday adventure.

Traffic was moderate as we headed through the far western Chicago suburbs toward where the country used to be. We did find it, pretty much where I thought it would be, but more people and cars than I remembered from before.

Once on Ill. Rte 64, we continued to amble into farmland. Corn as high as you could see, and as far as well. The sleeping giant of Illinois soils had grown crops and stood tall and proud. Very healthy looking. If pollination occurs on schedule and rain comes to soak the crops, it looks like a bumper harvest this fall. [This was before the Monday storms that blew down trees and buildings to the east; wonder what happened to the corn!]

Two-lane roads are the only choice here. Once narrower 50 years ago, they were added onto and patched to accommodate larger vehicles, farm equipment and harvest transports. The old concrete underlayment still exists and provides the rhythmic clippety clop. The humpy ride paralleled the rhythm. That context sent me to memory land of nearly 60 years ago when my folks drove me from New York to Illinois for college, Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. The roads were narrower then, still of concrete and uneven to the core.

As we passed rolling green farmland, the expanse and green impressed us. Small towns still too small and unprosperous remained from yesteryear. Financial prosperity extends farther out only as suburbia continues its growth.

After a time we entered Sycamore, a quiet yet motivated community. On the eastern outskirts is a golf course, golf driving range, a restaurant and a drive through hot dog and ice cream shop. We stopped for a lunch.

First impression was unmasked locals. Visitors like us were the only masked customers at the business. Oh, the staff wore masks and couldn’t have been nicer or more welcoming. Once the orders were filled, we ate in the car with the AC on and out of the sun. Tables were available, both in sun and shade, but the other diners with children running around remained maskless. So we played it safe and remained isolated from them.

Rocky seemed too quiet and somber, so we headed home after eating. The ride was, of course, the same as the ride out, but this time the sun was at our back. Traffic was more pronounced as the day had progressed.

We arrived home knowing that we had crossed a threshold that had held us back for over 4 months. Rides were now possible again. We could venture out and feel safe, at least to see the countryside if not to mingle with other people.

Now to plan the next excursion. Modest, to be sure. But a trip none the same! Maybe more than 70 miles roundtrip?

August 13, 2020