Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

On the road again

by 39 Comments

As some of you have figured out I’m away from home. I took an opportunity to spend a few days with family down in Alabama.

I couldn’t resist stopping when the wheat was golden in the morning light.

And though I could have flown and made the trip South faster, I chose to drive, because I love to drive and I enjoy seeing whatever there is to see along the way.

And to find a wheat field AND a barn…well….of course I stopped!

This trip went easier than my last trip in November. The road didn’t seem so long, nor the traffic so busy. Not to say there weren’t the normal amounts of stress getting through Indianapolis and Nashville and especially Birmingham Alabama.

I appreciated the art of a farmer’s tracks through rolling fields of grain.

But Sunday morning as I left my hotel in Bowling Green Kentucky I noticed the wheat fields were ripening and the early light was making them glow.

I’m just a sucker for an old barn.

All day Saturday I hadn’t stopped for a single photo. I even managed to resist the exit I’ve been lured into by photogenic barns the last three times I’ve driven down.

I went around a big country block to get this one.

So I thought it was only fair that I take thirty minutes and find a barn or two in wheat fields.

Eventually, last Sunday, I made it here to one of my happy places.

I hope you enjoy.

Author: dawnkinster

I'm a long time banker having worked in banks since the age of 17. I took a break when I turned 50 and went back to school. I graduated right when the economy took a turn for the worst and after a year of library work found myself unemployed. I was lucky that my previous bank employer wanted me back. So here I am again, a long time banker. Change is hard.

39 thoughts on “On the road again”

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  1. Carol
    June 3, 2025 at 11:17 pm

    I am happy you are in a happy place, because boy do we all need those these days. I stay holed up as much as I can and try to pretend the rest of the world does not exist. Working really hard on becoming an ostrich. Enjoy your time in your beautiful happy space, and maybe make more time for another visit this year.

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    • dawnkinster
      June 11, 2025 at 1:11 pm

      I have lots of images (of course) not only of my 5 days down there, but my trip back north. Of course here there is not so much time to process them. We’ll see what I get posted. Meanwhile in a couple weeks I have 3 nights booked at one of my favorite campgrounds up north. So far this year I’ve cancelled all my camping reservations due to stuff coming up. We’ll see if this one is a go. The other issue is the smoke from the wildfires…and the air quality up north. That might cause me to cancel as well.

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  2. Ann Hay
    June 4, 2025 at 12:27 am

    Oh my, I love the wheat fields and the barns. The lines and curves in the fields are fascinating. Ah, but the water … that lake would be my happy place too. Thanks Dawn. Yep, we all need that.

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  3. Rupali
    June 4, 2025 at 2:44 am

    Lovely shots of wheat fields. One to frame.

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  4. Suzanne@PictureRetirement
    June 4, 2025 at 8:20 am

    Thanks for taking us along for the ride. Beautiful. Enjoy visiting with your family.

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    • dawnkinster
      June 11, 2025 at 1:13 pm

      I had a nice time. Mostly beautiful weather, a couple kayak rides on the lake, a power boat ride or two with my brother on his lake. I have pictures too, once I have a moment to see them, to share with you all.

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  5. lois
    June 4, 2025 at 8:25 am

    You went around a big country block for that barn? I would have done the same thing–what a great photo.

    I know you are in a hurry to get to the lake house, but if you have the opportunity, stop in Birmingham. It is a wonderful city. Have fun in AL!

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    • dawnkinster
      June 11, 2025 at 1:14 pm

      Once upon a time, when I was a young professional living in the UP of Michigan my parents moved to Alabama, 2 hours southeast of Birmingham. I looked for work in Birmingham back then, thinking how nice it would be to live closer to my family, and I know my mother had high hopes, but I never found work and never moved there.

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  6. Debbie
    June 4, 2025 at 11:05 am

    I can totally see why that’s one of your happy places — what a stunning view of that lake! Yes, the barns and wheat fields are gorgeous, and I’m glad you indulged a bit to enjoy seeing them (even if that took you somewhat out of your way), but arriving at your destination must have made it all worthwhile. Too bad you couldn’t take pretty Penny, but sometimes — as I tell the Monk — a mama needs time to herself. For thinking, dreaming, and stuff. Enjoy your visit!

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    • dawnkinster
      June 11, 2025 at 1:16 pm

      There were moments, not a lot of them, but moments, when I wished she was there. Mostly because I think she’d really like the adventure and I missed her. But I also enjoyed waking up when I wanted to and not worrying about another being for a few days. She for sure would not have liked the hotel I stayed at on my way home…full of middle school kids running up and down the halls. Sigh. The hotel is the park I’m not sure she’ll do well with. I think I have to make a reservation at a hotel around here and test her.

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  7. Dakota/Caren/Cody
    June 4, 2025 at 3:31 pm

    You are one tough and brave woman to do all of that driving yourself!! Your photos are wonderful! Have a relaxing time and be safe traveling back!

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    • dawnkinster
      June 11, 2025 at 1:17 pm

      I love to drive, though I will admit now that I’m older and have experienced a car failure in a far away place with Katie in the car, I do worry more than I did as a younger person.

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  8. Linda Schaub
    June 4, 2025 at 9:51 pm

    The golden wheat fields and lush green grass make a nice color combo. That’s a lot of driving and now you can relax for a while. I see why it is a happy place for you, not only for the memories, but the beauty and stillness of it all. Safe travels home.

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  9. Retirement Reflections
    June 4, 2025 at 11:12 pm

    Beautiful photos! What a beautiful place to spend time with loved ones!

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  10. Prior...
    June 5, 2025 at 8:49 pm

    Dawn, I can relate to knowing when it is time to dry versus fly- and it sounds like you have a great trip. There is also a time to stop for photos – or trun around – and then a time to drive on thru and wait for picture taking later. And my favorite from this post – wow – really liked those artsy farmer’s tracks through rolling fields.

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    • dawnkinster
      June 11, 2025 at 1:25 pm

      One of the reasons I like to drive, and drive alone, is that can usually stop if I see something I can’t resist…like barns and fields or sunsets and mountains. Flying is stressful with all it’s mini deadlines. Hurry up and wait. Though I do concede I’d have more time down there if I flew v.s. spending two days driving down and two days driving back up.

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      • Prior...
        June 11, 2025 at 2:48 pm

        your reply reminds me that there are trade offs – and also, I like how you said “hurry up and wait” – because that has become the norm a lot lately.
        In fact, I flew in January and we circled the airport numerous times and that was only one more part of the waiting – so cheers to the perks of road trips – even with trade offs – 🙂

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  11. P. J. Grath
    June 7, 2025 at 6:05 am

    Enjoyed very much, Dawn, the amber waves of grain. Barn, too, but especially the fields.

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  12. Karma
    June 7, 2025 at 8:05 am

    That photo was worth the drive around the big country block – my favorite of this bunch. Enjoy your time in your happy place – I hope the weather is good to you.

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    • dawnkinster
      June 11, 2025 at 1:27 pm

      We had pretty good weather. A really good summer storm, which is so normal in Alabama in the summer…it was kinda of fun to watch. Plus my sister and I just finished a task outside when the storm blew in so the timing was good. I had two clear nights, too, to stand on the dock and watch the stars. All in all it was good.

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  13. Connie Elisabeth
    June 7, 2025 at 10:55 am

    What wonderful shits, I live a good drive through the countryside. ❤️

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    • dawnkinster
      June 11, 2025 at 1:28 pm

      I do too. I used to just take off and head up to central Michigan to find barns for a day. Then I sort of stopped when gas prices got higher and when I couldn’t figure out what to DO with all those barn images!

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  14. Lakshmi Bhat
    June 7, 2025 at 9:44 pm

    The wheat fields are beautiful. And so much hard work behind them.

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  15. Far Side
    June 8, 2025 at 11:33 pm

    Fun to see the fields already turning golden, the small grains here are barely up:) Enjoy your vacation!

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    • dawnkinster
      June 11, 2025 at 1:30 pm

      That’s one of the fun things about driving down there. When I go down earlier in the spring I get to see spring arrive in AL, with redbud and daffodils and then when I drive home I get to see the forest green up all over again with daffodils in their glory long after they’re done in Alabama. I saw corn and soy beans that were just little green nubs and further south the corn was almost knee high already.

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  16. sara
    June 9, 2025 at 6:25 am

    Such beautiful images. I don’t come across wheat fields very often, so these are a treat to see. Enjoy your time at the lake! What a great view to wake up to.

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  17. claywatkins
    June 11, 2025 at 11:34 am

    Looks and sounds like a wonderful place to be… I hope you have your puppy along with you… stay well and adventuresome. Peace

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    • dawnkinster
      June 11, 2025 at 1:31 pm

      I debated the puppy thing a lot and ultimately since husband was staying home I left her with him. She loves her dad, so it was no big sacrifice for her. But I DO intend to take her down there eventually. We might try a shorter trip that include a hotel stay first, as a test. She sure was happy to see me when I got back a week later though!

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  18. DailyMusings
    June 12, 2025 at 5:58 am

    Such beautiful images. The fields that seem to go on forever.

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