In the Native American tradition, Raven symbolizes energy flow that brings about change and creates new realities. During today's adventure, I came upon this work of art in which Raven perches in balance, reminding us of what is most important. Note the key as a symbol of open doors and the welcoming of positive change into our lives. (author unknown). Today was a positive change, a day with my family, a day off from work, traveling and exploring new places. Yellow Springs has been a destination for some time. and today was the day.
I counted the days until everyone arrived for the start of this Thanksgiving reunion. My family had "nested" Tuesday night, arriving from a variety of destinations. Miss J and Moe, Kate and Sean, Jen and Rich. Miss J prepared a fabulous dinner Tuesday night and Moe generously set up my web cam. (Many thanks to both of you) After much discourse and varied perspectives on how we should spend the day, we piled into our SUV (at the time planned!) and embarked on the day-trip to Yellow Springs. Seventy one miles, an hour and 27 minute drive, and we pulled in to Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve on Route 343 with 268 acres on the Little Miami River, post glacial canyons, dolomite outcroppings, scenic waterfalls and rapids. Just beautiful. We timed out for lots of pictures along the way. We found some of the best hiking trails I have experienced in Ohio. After a delayed flight and car rental from Cleveland, Rich joined us for the duration, but missed this beautiful site. Next stop Young's Jersey Dairy where the attraction is the ice cream. We lucked out as there were no lines and no traffic through Yellow Springs on the day before Thanksgiving. The strawberry ice cream was as good as it gets and a single scoop is a big serving! Our energy renewed, the next stop was the Historic Clifton Mill, a water powered grist mill, built in 1802. We skipped the home style cooking and the tour of the mill to see how stones are used to grind grain into flour and continued on into Yellow Springs. There were very few shoppers so we explored most of the shops with just a few breaks at Peaches for refreshment and hang time. Finally, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Winds. This was the prelude to Thanksgiving day. Wonderful family time. Precious memories. I have been very blessed this year to have all 3 daughters, son in laws, newcomer Rich, and of course the side-kicks Tucker and Skyler home for the holiday.
As usual, everyone had varied ideas about what we should do on this day-trip, from a trip to the zoo, to a movie or a visit to Amish country. It is not often we are able to all gather for a day excursion and I so wanted this to be a success. Now as I write this blog, I remember a quotable quote that I noticed in the Yellow Springs Coffee News.
"Don't aim at success--the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. for success, like happiness, cannot be pursued, it must ensue--as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a course greater than oneself." Victor Frankl
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