Yellow Springs

I heard David and/or Anita up at what must've been around 6am. I fell back asleep until 710am. I'd given David the garage code the night before for easy access to my bike for his new morning exercise routine. They were both out for their exercise routine by the time I made it downstairs. As a result, I had the downstairs all to myself for about 20 minutes. I opted to skip calisthenics and instead moved directly to coffee and internet. I checked the status of Glenn's flight. The final leg between Chicago to Columbus was in the boarding process.

I think David was back first, though not 100% certain. He biked about 6 miles. I could tell right away that he's dropped some weight since their Labor Day visit. He seems pretty stoked about both the physical and psychological benefits of vigorous exercise. It wasn't too long before Anita was back and Mindy was up. Seeing Mindy up before 830am is a rarity on a day-off.

I headed out on a run at 835am. The sky was crystal clear and cool. I thought I might see Glenn's plane coming in since our home is in the flight path, but that wasn't the case. Often flights from Chicago come in well north of town then circle around Pataskala/Gahanna and then land from the east. I'm guessing that the case this time too. I ran only 3 miles and was back home shortly after 9am.

Our plan was to head to Yellow Springs once Glenn showed up. I'm thinking it was closer to 10am before he and Dad arrived. After a quick greeting, I snuck off to the shower. I'm thinking it was near 11am when we left the house. Offered the opportunity to join us but he declined. We all piled into the Pilot destined for Yellow Springs. For most part, everybody skipped breakfast. I had nothing more than half of a bagel and cream cheese. I thought about a stop at Bob Evan's on the drive out but didn't want to go all food coma before a hike either.

We didn't plan to hike that long. A walk through Glen Helen and visit the raptor center then lunch and beers in town. Over turned semi in the median had traffic at a crawl for about a mile between Hilliard and Mechanicsburg. Loosened up thereafter. Arrived Glen Helen just ahead of noon. Unfortunately, the parking lot isn't opened most weekdays. The alternative is to park off Corry St near the firehouse and bike trail. We've parked there a few other times. No biggie.

We found and used the public restrooms before treking off into the woods. With the fence now repaired, we weren't real sure where to best enter the park. We opted to walk a couple hundred yards to what looked like a private entrance. Jacob & Bella, however, went the old way along the fence eventually climbing over it. Turns out, there way was far easier than the path we took. We used sounds to zero in on one another. I worried that the direction all us adults took might be a bit much. Everybody made it to the main path with little difficulty despite having to leap a small stream and climb a couple muddy slopes. Soon enough we were back on the familiar Yellow Springs trail hiking towards the town's name sake spring.

The little waterfall that empties the yellow spring into the creek was flowing more rapidly than we've seen it before. Quite nice! Ahead a few hundred yards for the water fall is the actual spring - Yellow Springs. We took some group photos from there. From the spring we hiked through the woods to the Little Miami River slowly but surely making our way to the raptor center.

Not much if any signage leading to the raptor center. I stopped and asked for directions at an old day lodge we passed. Just another couple hundred yards up ahead. I knew it was close. Jacob was hungry and when he's hungry he can be a PITA. He'd been giving Mindy crap for a while. Same birds as our last visit. They have a number of rescued raptors, that included an American bald eagle, screech owls, horned owls, barn owls, red tailed hawk. I am most fascinated with the owls.

The sun took a few brief dives behind some afternoon clouds, and when it did, the temperature was noticeably cooler. I really was glad I wore my fleece jacket. While waiting on the others to complete their raptor center tour, David and I tossed fallen walnuts towards one of the raptor pens. Seconds later, one of the college volunteers came out giving us the dickens for our childish behavior. David muttered a rebellious retort but I don't think she heard it. In hindsight, we probably should've behaved. But nothing was harmed.

Jacob's pouting only intensified as we turned around for town. Kept on and on about how hungry he was. We still took our time taking in the lovely cites along the trail back, making sure to stop at the cave like feature just below a lovely waterfall along the Little Miami.

I'm guessing that it was near 230pm when we exited the woods and entered town. We had to climb over the padlocked steel gate to exit the park. I need to Google and find out where the real entrance is. We slowly made our way across the street to the Ye Olde Trail Tavern, an old pub built in 1827 that many say is haunted. We love it! Despite a light chill in the air, Mindy wanted to sit on the covered patio.

Can't recall our servers name. Mindy asked if Mo was still working there, I am sure fully expecting her to say no. We looked at each other in amazement when she shared that she did. In fact, she said she was expected to work later that afternoon.

We ordered drinks and food. I went for a Green Flash West Coast IPA - yum! Mindy opted for the bottled Edmund Fitzgerald. Not sure what David and Glenn had. But I remember Anita going really big - a double Long Island iced tea. Shame shame! :) We slipped in a couple appetizers too - loaded fries and deep fried green beans with a yummy wasabi sauce for dipping.

I'd been craving the Ye Olde Trail Reuben for some time, so that's what I ordered. It came with homemade potato chips. They're really good, too. David ordered a fish sandwich, Anita, the portabella burger, Mindy, the fried bologna sandwich. I can't recall what Glenn ordered. Jacob had the Philly steak, and Bella, a personal pepperoni pizza. David & Glenn ordered 2nd beers. We planned on a stop at the Yellow Springs Brewery, too, so I refrained from ordering a 2nd beer even though David offered that Anita could drive us home. Lunch was superb. David kindly picked up the check. Thanks David!

On my way out of Ye Olde Trail Tavern, I bought myself a one of their t-shirts. Thinking back, I should've bought David one, too. Maybe next time. Next, we headed out to do some shopping. Mindy couldn't resist. She finally bought one of the purple glass bowls she's been eyeing for two or three years now. She also bought a deep purple shawl made from cashmere.

After leaving their she suggested a stop in Twisted Tines. She bought a cool piece of jewelry from the owners at ComFest and has been wanting to check out their Y.S. store ever since. We walked up & down the strip with me eventually agreeing to head back to the Pilot with our purchases while David, Anita and Jacob went for coffee and tea. Mindy and Bella went to check out more jewelry. Glenn came with me. We sat across the street from the Pigs Wings barbeque for 10-15 minutes waiting on the others. David, Anita and Jacob came along sooner than the other two. When we finally spotted Mindy and Bella walking along the strip, I could see that she had one of those beat boxes in tow. It looked like a big one, too. Cool!

We all loaded into the Pilot for the short drive over to the Yellow Springs Brewery located about a 1/4 mile up Walnut St. Wasn't that crowded. I'm guessing that it was around 430pm. Save for Anita and the kids, we all ordered beers. I went with their stronger, more citrusy IPA. Decent. David and Glenn each had two. I stuck with just the one. Not only was I driving, but we planned to have dinner and more beers at Barley's later, too. It was 530pm by the time we left Y.S Brewery and headed for home.

Easy drive. Lovely weather. Got home around 615pm. Mindy sent a text to Tommy, who was supposed to meet us at our house and go to Barley's with us. We wanted to make sure he knew we weren't yet home. We didn't hang at home too long. But during that brief time, Bella begged off to spend the evening with Makayla. They were going to the Davidson football game. Jacob asked if he could simply stay home while we all went out. We agreed. His only request was that we bring him home some food. Tommy showed around 650pm. We left around 705pm.

Took a group shot from the entrance. Asked for seating at one of the tall community tables. Mindy shared a Facebook message she received from mom asking where Charles was. Funny things is, we were wondering the same thing. He was a no-show. Truth be told, Tommy shared that he was working.

I had been thinking about having one of Barley's yummy Punkt's all day, but once we were there I changed my mind and instead went with the all too rare Three Floyds Gumballhead. Haven't had it on tap at Barley's for 7 or 8 years. Hard to get in these parts. I talked Mindy into having one, too. She didn't like it that much. She ended up giving it to me and went with a Punkt. Davd ordered a flight sampler but then switched to his tried and true Budweiser with 4 large olives.

Glen ordered some kraut balls. David & Anita loved them last time we were in but didn't want any part of them this go round. Apparently caused a gastrointestinal explosion that left a heavy, lingering fog.:) The Imber's showed up around 830pm. We sent them a text earlier while we were lunching in Y.S. Glad that they could get out with us. Introduced Bob & Mary Ann - David & Anita. Rick C. came over too. We hung together for another hour or two. With Mindy agreeing to drive, I helped myself to a few brews. Think I had a total of four at Barley's (2 Gumballheads, 2 Centennials). Not sure the time when we left for home. I know this, we had a most excellent time. Shortly before we left for home, David ordered a full rack of ribs. All these years frequenting Barley's and not once have I ever tried the ribs. This was the night. I was very impressed with them. YUM YUM! A bit messy though, for sure.

Mindy drove us safely home. And it wasn't long at all before both she and Anita headed to bed. David, Glenn and I stayed up listening to music and eventually heading out back to let off a firework. Boom - Wahoo! Mindy came down at one point and turned down our music. We had it whirling on my PC as well as my new Jambox. Thinking it was close to 1am when David suddenly upped and said he was heading to bed. What I found comical was that his sudden declaration came within seconds of deep belly laughter. Glenn and I weren't far behind either. Think it was near 1am.