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Just to the West of the property.  Our property line is just to the right of the small trees on the right. 

The boys checking out the flowers at the entrance.  Note the Golf flag in the background.  Owner loved golf and has a one hole course on the property. 

Part of the landscaping that the former owner has throughout the property.  Can you say "John Deere" Riding Lawnmover?

The northern most portion of our property.  The owner leaves a section of tall grass for rabbit nests, ground nesting birds, etc.  There must be about 20 boirdhouses on the land plus the owner says deer will come into the back yard.  Cool!

Master Bedroom

Utopia - A name give to the home by the former owners and we see no reason to change it!

Future site of the RR?  East side of House

Not too much longer till we get here.  We have spoken to the owners and there is a 100 acres behind us with a creek and pond that is owned by one of my old High School Teachers.  I am sure the kids will be getting lost a few times out there.  We are only a few miles from the North side of  my home town [5 minutes to shopping, the mall, the grocery store, etc.] 

Dusty day dawning

Three hours late

Open the curtains

And let the rest wait.

My mind goes running

Three thousand miles east

I may miss the harvest

But I won’t miss the feast.

Chorus

And it looks like you’re gonna

Have to see me again

And it looks like you’re gonna

Have to see me again

And it looks like you’re gonna

Have to see me again.

Illinois...oh, illinois.

South california

Your sun is too cold

It looks like your hills

Have been raped of their gold.

I should have come out

When I was first told

This lamb has got to

Return to the fold.

Chorus

Illinois-i’m your boy.

Flat on the prairies

Soil and stone

Stretching forever

Taking me home

’cause I’ve got a woman

Who waits for me there

And I need a breath of that

Sweet country air.

Chorus

Illinois-i’m your boy.

"Illinois" by Dan Fogelberg

Photo above was taken early morning on July 9, not to soon after I read a 3 page letter from my wife.  In the letter, she let me know that she wanted to move to Illinois.  She said that we should put an offer on "Utopia". I took a drive in the early morning and noted that is was quite foggy.  I went out to the local lake and took several photos of the sunrise on the lake.  This pretty much made the mood of the day, eh?

Running in the wrong direction

Isn't it a long way home,

People with the wrong intentions

Isn't it a long way home.

City, you are dying real slow

Country, you are calling me to go.

Smokestacks, I don't need you no more

I'm gonna fly...

To where the sky meets the land

And the living is not planned

And the children can laugh just

Cause they're living.

I'll send for you

If you ever want me to

But you'll have to find

A whole new way of giving.

Running from the noise and poison

Isn't it a long way home.

Wounded by a law man's toy gun

Isn't it a long way home.

City, no more shadows to be seen.

Country, all the sunshine you can dream.

Smokestacks spew your sour-smelling steam

I'm gonna fly.

To where the sky meets the land

And the living is not planned

And the children can laugh

Just cause they're living.

I'll send for you

If you ever want me to

But you'll have to find

A whole new way of giving.

"Long Way Home (live In The Country)" by Dan Fogelberg