The Stunning Landscape In Illinois That Appears As Though It Was Ripped From A Painting
By Linze Rice|Published November 24, 2023
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Linze Rice
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Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Growing up, small-town life often felt so desolate. I yearned for something bigger, and as an adult moved to Chicago and its suburbs. Perhaps unsurprisingly, coming home now fills me with so much more appreciation for the quiet life. I can much more easily see the beauty in the natural landscape, and how desolation can actually mean peace and solitude, something I think we all need from time to time. And this scenic drive through the countryside in Kingston, Illinois is the perfect place to take in nature all around you.
Kingston is a small village just outside the charming town of Genoa in rural DeKalb County. With a population that hovers around 1,000 residents, it's a tiny community with only a few subdivisions, a gas station, a post office, an elementary school, two bar/restaurants, and a garage that serves as City Hall.
Linze Rice
It's rural living at its finest, with miles of gently rolling farmland as far as the eye can see. Surrounded by corn and soy fields, most residents have to drive through the countryside to another town to get groceries, go to work, go shopping, or dine out. Fortunately, that takes you on a stunning cruise through the expansive farmlands.
Linze Rice
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Driving on Five Points Road, Pleasant Hill Road, or Annie Glidden Road will all take you from Kingston to bigger towns like DeKalb and Sycamore. But I always love to take in the panoramic views that I get during the journey — no matter where you look, you'll see barns, farmhouses, and a breathtaking landscape that looks straight out of a painting.
No matter the time of year, the drive from Kingston to nearly anywhere else is exceptional. though also treacherous at times, particularly with snow or ice. Just go slow and enjoy the view, which includes sweeping scenes of the sky above.
Linze Rice
There are no tall buildings anywhere in sight (unless you count a silo), so your view of the sunrise is never obstructed.
Linze Rice
Of course, my favorite time to take Five Points Road between Kingston and Sycamore is during sunset, when the sun casts a pinkish-orange glow across the fields. Whether the corn is in season or not, it feels like the road is cutting through a sea of green and gold.
Linze Rice
Even in the winter, the snow-covered landscape is marvelous. Whenever I'm home, I try to capture the cruise with my camera so the tranquil moment stays with me.
Linze Rice
So sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in this gorgeous scenic drive through the countryside in Kingston, Illinois. Stay updated by checking out the Village of Kingston website and Facebook page. Make it a day trip or weekend getaway by spending time in the surrounding communities of Genoa, Kirkland, Sycamore, and DeKalb, or check out the trails at Russell Woods. This small-town renovated cottage less than 20 minutes sleeps six and allows up to three dogs with no pet fee — making it an idyllic home base for some rustic adventures and relaxation.
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