Glenn @ Glen Helen

I needed to be at the airport to pick-up Glenn by 9am. So to that end, I got up somewhere near 630am. Downstairs I started coffee then completed both sit-ups and push-ups. Both were out of the way by 7am. I spent more time online than perhaps I should've, and consequently didn't leave for a run near 740am. I ran only three miles on what was another cloudy start. The temperature was about 45 degrees.

Back home by 815am, I was quickly off to the shower. I took Mindy some coffee. She planned to be up and showered by the time I got back from the airport. I'm thinking I was ready to leave for the airport by 840am, but not before checking on the status of Glenn's flight. Learned that it was delayed by 12 minutes. I had some more coffee and played around on the internet. In fact, Mindy was downstairs and showered even before I departed.

It was a quick drive to the airport. Any worry of a morning traffic snarl proved unfounded. Arrived just ahead of 9am. Instead of going directly to the terminal, I went for the cell phone lot. Having not been there before, I ended up waiting in the nearby McDonald's lot instead, but only briefly. There, I toiled with my smart phone looking for an updated status of Glenn's flight. After downloading the free American Airlines app I learned that his flight landed at 913am, or 13 minutes late. At 923am I tried his cell, but it went straight to VM. I waited another 5 minutes but then decided to make a pass by passenger pick-up just outside baggage claim. My cell rang as I drove by, but it wasn't Glenn. Instead, it was the XM Radio folks. No joy.

This time I headed to the real cell lot. I waited there another 5-10 minutes before trying Glenn's cell again. Now after 930am, I decided to drive by passenger pick-up once more. My cell phone rang again as I passed through, only this time it was actually Glenn, who shared that he had just walked out of baggage claim. Good timing. I pulled alongside the curb where we quickly loaded his bags in the trunk. He asked for a quick picture then we headed off for home.

It was a quick drive home too, but already near 10am. Dad and Tommy were already there, as our plans called for a trip to Der Dutchman for breakfast before heading further west to Yellow Springs and Glen Helen. We chatted briefly while enjoying a little more coffee.  We didn't leave the house until just about 1030am. Dad drove separately since he wouldn't be joining us in Yellow Springs. Glenn and Tommy rode with him.

We took I-70W to the route 142 north exit into Plain City driving just west of Darby Creek. Jacob was in the back seat giving his mom and Bella grief the entire drive. Arrived at Der Dutchman near 11am. Given the hour, we were given a choice between breakfast & lunch. Everybody had their heart set on breakfast. Our server warned that we had just a few minutes before they would be changing over the buffet. We hustled along to get out fill of the breakfast food. She told us we could enjoy both for an additional fee, but everybody quickly filled on the breakfast food. I was careful not to overdo it, though I did get a 2nd helping of hash browns and bacon.

Glenn and the others were disappointed that the Long John's were gone and expressed this to our server. Being a real sweetie, she went for two more from the bakery. We shared them just before heading out. I picked up the check.

As she often does, Mindy stopped in the bakery to get a dozen donuts as well as some of their homemade noodles. It had to be near 1145am when we headed out. We said our goodbyes to dad who was heading back home. We honked again at the I70E interchange and route 142. Dad headed east. We headed west.

Just as we had hoped, after 2.5 days of clouds and rain the skies were clearing directly to our west. A few minutes later it was sunny and gorgeous. Took about 25 minutes to get into Yellow Springs opting to take route 68 into town.

It was sunny when we pulled into the Cory St parking lot in Yellow Springs, which is right next to the local firehouse and with direct access to the Glen Helen preserve. Parking was free. With the sunshine, the temperature was ideal. We hiked eastward and down along the familiar old stream snapping lots of photos along the way.

We stopped briefly at the oak tree exhibit and then made out way to the preserve’s namesake spring. Spent a few minutes there before meandering over to the waterfall, bridge, and cave. Both kids exhibited eagerness to explore/hike. That did our hearts some good. After all, it was only a couple years ago when Bella would freak out in the woods. This time she went off on her own a few times, but never too far out of our site.

I was eager to find the raptor center nestled somewhere nearby in the fabric of the forest. I followed my senses which lead me right to it. After checking out a few of the screech owls on hand, I went for the others who were still hanging out down by the Little Miami.

We spent a good half hour at the raptor center – a refuge for several once injured birds of prey. Amongst their inventory were the aforementioned screech owls, barred owls, horned owls, barn owls, a bald eagle, and a host of hawks. Very cool, especially the creepy/spooky looking barn owl.

After leaving the raptor center we made our way back towards town, but with a handful of stops along the way. I’m guessing it near 230-300pm when we exited the preserve and made out way over to the Old Trail Tavern, a Yellow Springs fave of ours. It was built in 1827 and said to be haunted. Still some of the original construction. We were seated and served by Melissa, who we recognized from many of our past visits. Said we looked familiar too.

All the adults ordered beers, Tommy & I Avery IPAs, Glenn and Mindy each ordered stouts, though of a different make. Jacob ordered water and Bella Mt. Dew. I was still fairly full from the Der Dutchman breakfast. Mindy placed an order for three appetizers, including smothered fries, regular fries for Bella, and then some yummy deep fried green beans with wasabi sauce.

I ate a few of the deep fried green beans and then a couple smothered fries but that’s it. I stuck with the one beer, too, since I was driving. The others each had a 2^nd beer. Mindy shared that she had a great buzz by the time we settled the check and headed out to walk/shop.

Stopped in the nearby shop with the cut glass bowls outside. Mindy picked out a couple cut glass purple coasters for purchase. Funny thing is, I was just showing them to her when she showed me the two she already had in hand. I quickly bored of the store and headed out to walk along the main street, which is never boring. Half the fun is the people watching.

Mindy hoped to replace her organic peace sign t-shirt that Frankie’s chewed. She didn’t find one. We headed out of Yellow Springs north on route 68 towards I70E around 4pm. We promised the kids, especially Bella, a stop at Young’s Dairy for some ice cream. We’ve been by a few times but hadn’t ever stopped. We all headed in for some ice cream.

Most of us got ice cream cones as big as our heads. I had something like fudge chocolate chunk. Young’s Dairy is a huge operation complete with a humongous pumpkin patch, petting zoo, corn maze, etc. We hung out by the pumpkin wagon and petting zoo for a while eating our ice cream. It was closing in on 5pm when we finished up and headed for home.

Tommy, Glenn and Mindy all dosed off during our drive home. Both kids read from the rear seat. I was fighting a case of the sleepies for a brief stretch but snapped out of it as we neared Hilliard and finally home.

The plan was to pay a visit to Barleys but not before a nap. Glenn headed up to the guest room, Tommy to the sofa, and Mindy to our room. The kids headed out to play after first walking the pug. I downloaded pictures and played on the internet. I was very happy to see the stock market had a banner day. Initially, I thought I’d nap too but never did. Instead, I used the time to bring my blog current.

Around 705pm I headed up to wake Mindy. I woke Tommy & Glenn a few minutes later. Tommy was snoring like a chain saw from the sofa. And Glenn was sleeping so deeply that I startled him. Both kids opted to hang at the neighbors and skip a trip to Barley’s. At first it was only Bella, but Jacob convinced his mother that he would be too bored being the only kid there with us. Mindy called Chrissy to see if it was OK with her if Jacob hung out at their house. Yep.

We left for Barley’s around 740pm. Tommy opted to drive separately so he could head home from there. Mindy rode with him. Glenn rode with me. Glenn and I arrived first, and immediately ran into Bob & Mary Ann hanging out on the patio. We hung outside for the first 5-10 minutes before heading in to get beers. Mindy and Tommy were 5-10 minutes behind us. Bob & Mary Ann shared that they had unwittingly sent off a care package for Glenn a day or two prior. Worried that it might get snatched off his porch before his return, Glenn promised to phone a friend to intercept it.

Finally inside, I ordered one of the new Fortune Teller Imperial Porters. Glenn went with a Sam Adams Double Pumpkin. Mindy opted not to drink anymore after having two beers earlier. She’d serve as out DD. Tommy had the same as me – the Fortune Teller.

Spent some time talking with Doug, Jamie, and Jamie’s lovely daughter, Stephanie ( I think that's her name). Also hung with Steve Wonn, grandpa Tom & Steve, Lil Bob and Carol. Calvin was in, too. Hadn’t seen him for a while.

We hung at Barley’s with all our peeps until 11pm or so. I drank three beers. Glenn picked up the Barley tab. Thanks Glenn!

We walked to the neighbors to fetch our kids once at home. I took a beer. We could hear Bella’s loud voice still playing outside. Her voice lead us around front of Chrissy & Kenny’s place. That’s where the kids were playing, out front. In the garage were Kenny, neighbor Mike and Ivan. Chrissy was already in bed asleep. Ivan was toasted - wobblin’ and bobblin’. Chattier than ever too.

As the story goes, he came over to take Kenny out for boss’ day. Appears Ivan was the one that got buzzed. Kenny apparently called Ivan a cab even before we got there. Slipped him a $50 to pay the cabbie once home. The cab pulled up a short time later and Kenny walked Ivan out and loaded him into the front seat. Funny to us, Ivan immediately started honking the cabbies horn. Made him get out and in the back seat. Wise move! Not exactly sure why, but all of the sudden the cabbie refused to take him. Made him get out. Said he was too drunk. What? Really? Wasn’t that the purpose? Ivan staggered back to the garage. Kenny tried reasoning with the cabbie but to no avail.

While Kenny phoned the cab company to complain, Ivan leaned against a table and ladder Kenny had resting between his normal parking spot and Chrissy’s SUV. Yep. Ivan fell back knocking both the ladder and table into the rear driver’s door of Chrissy’s SUV. We quickly helped Ivan up and Mindy pulled the stuff away from Chrissy’s car. Oops! Two significant dents and an ugly scuff. Chrissy would not be pleased.

Around midnight we gathered our kids and headed for home. I joked about having another beer just before bed. Mindy quickly reminded me of my tendency to have one beer too many. This time I was only kidding, but she made a good point.