Gal-Gone-Camping

Hello Friends!

Finally Fall!

After enduring what may be have been the hottest September on record, Fall is finally here! I hope everyone out there is enjoying it–I certainly am!  I just got back from an awesome weekend trip with one of my dearest childhood friends in the whole universe; am still sore from laughing so hard! She told me about this place in Ohio she had visited while working in Dayton; said I should check it out.  So, along with her, I did!

Colorful Town & Country

Yellow Springs is named after an actual spring that runs through a natural iron deposit, giving the surrounding rock a goldish-yellow color.

However, the town bears the same name and is just as colorful as it suggests. Someone (several folks I’d say) got happy with a paintbrush and painted the buildings yellow…and red and blue and pink and purple and green…making it vibrant, hip, inviting, fun, friendly and super cool!  There’s lots of unique shops and cafes with ivy covered structures and winding brick paths that lead you to the next hidden treasure.  The town is very artsy, eclectic and evokes a magical feeling.

I felt like I was in a fairy tale land; partly because of the beautiful, colorful surroundings and partly because of a store called ‘Little Fairy Garden’— then I saw dozens of bicyclists riding to and fro; indicating I was actually in a modern town.  Hmmm…very interesting, I had to investigate further, but after lunch of course–which was outdoors on the patio at Peach’s Grill.

I didn’t order peaches, instead, my friend and I opted to share pork BBQ loaded nachos and an order of buckeye bites–a.k.a. soft pretzels made to look like buckeye ball candy.  Both were awesome, but the buckeye bites were my fave–dipped in cheese!  Oh yea–you gotta go to HaHa Pizza.

Check out the mural on the side of the building depicting a Jackalope, Gremlin, the Loch Ness Monster and a flying saucer–featured in Dave Chappelle’s ‘Block Party.’ Legend has it you could once order “special toppings” on your pizza–hence the weird scenery on the mural–haha!  Chappelle is a resident here.

Star of Yellow Springs

Even though the natural spring is the main attraction in Yellow Springs, the star of the town is Mr. Eko–a 13 year old, 16 pound, solid black cat who calls Dark Star Book Store home.

While in the bookstore, I walked past as cardboard box and something caught my eye. There in the box was what I thought was a black stuffed animal…until it started to move!

This precious baby is the unique bookstore’s claim to fame and has become quite a celebrity in Yellow Springs. Folks come from miles away just to meet Mr. Eko.  His portrait is on the front of the building and the store even has book markers in his honor–a great souvenir! 

Hiking

Next on the agenda was hiking–so many trails to choose from! Right across from Peach’s Grill is a restored train depot building now serving as the Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce http://www.yellowspringsohio.org where you can pick up a map and all kinds of info. We ended up on the Inman Trail which is part of the Glen Helen Nature Preserve; featuring a beautiful hardwood forest, waterfall, rock cliffs/formations, an Indian burial mound!… and of course, the actual

Yellow Springs–where it is customary to drink from the spring (even though it tastes like iron). Funny, we used to have a water softener to take the iron taste out of our well water–now people come here to drink it!

Biking

We didn’t have our bikes on this trip but I wish we had because this is a mecca for cyclists! The Little Miami Scenic Trail is the 3rd longest paved trail in the US at 78.1 miles! Running through five counties in OH, it is a multi-use trail for bikers, hikers, walkers, runners, and a few horseback riders.  If we had brought our bikes we could’ve cycled 68 miles to Cincinnati!  I think we need to be in better shape to go that distance, but realistically, we could’ve ridden 10 miles to Xenia.  Bicyclists will love this trail and hikers will too because lots of hiking trails veer off from the paved bike trail–such as the Inman.

Must Stop At Youngs!

Our next stop was just up the road at Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm. OMG–this is a must do! http://www.youngsdairy.com

Fresh ice-cream, any flavor–including pumpkin, fresh hot cinnamon and sugar covered pumpkin doughnut holes, fresh cheese curds, and so many other freshly made fabulous fab foods–all eaten outdoors at the many picnic tables or under the big tent.  Of course if you want an actual sit-down meal there is the Golden Jersey Inn--a huge restaurant right on site.

The farm also features miniature golf, batting cages, driving range, hayrides, u-pick pumpkin patch, gift shop and much more. However, the best of all is the ice-cream!  So many flavors, but just as impressive is the smooth operation of how they get so many people through so quickly.  If the line looks too long and you’re thinking you don’t wanna do it–just watch and see how fast it moves.  When you get into the building there is a huge counter with about 10 or more workers taking your ice-cream order.  They herd ’em through like cattle! (pun intended)  There was a fall festival going on while we were there which made it a little more crowded, but what fun it was!  Something tells me this place is always packed regardless of the season!

Learned Tricks While Boondocking

Evening was approaching quickly and since this was a no reservation type trip–we had none.  After calling nearby campgrounds just to learn they were all full, I decided to ask if the farm would let us park overnight in their extra parking field across the road.  Explaining that we had a great time visiting the farm, would be leaving the next day, and that my camper van–the Etta Mae II was self-contained, they obliged. Boondocking in Ohio again–whoohoo! I boondocked in the Hocking Hills area back in June during the HippieFest which I haven’t told you about yet–coolest event ever!!!

We stopped at a nearby Dollar General to pick up a few things and noticed they had firewood outside along with their summer stuff on sale–which included table top grills.  Since our “campsite” did not have a fire ring, it occurred to me that one of those small table-top grills could work as a fire pit, so I grabbed one for $14 bucks along with a $5 pack of firewood and back to camp we went. (Tip #1)

We parked in the big open field–great for stargazing, and relaxed as we witnessed a beautiful sunset.  The sound of activity from the farm was soon replaced by the sound of crickets and only a few other vehicles remained.  It was time to test the grill-turned-firepit!

A very small fire was all we needed so just a few pieces of firewood did the trick.  Even though fire starter and kindling was used, it still wasn’t burning very well.  I remembered I had a whole bag of wood shavings ($7.58 at Walmart) normal use–pet bedding; boondocking use–toilet absorption material.

I placed some shavings at the base of the fire and discovered another great use–an excellent fire starter/accelerant! (Tip #2) Love multi-use products!  Love words too–excellent accelerant–get it?

Clifton Mill, Top 10 Breakfast and Another Useful Tip

The next morning we traveled just up the road a ways to Clifton, a village in Greene and Clark Counties; population 152! Yep, that’s what I said–152. You all know I’m a country girl, but if I had to live in a town, this is the kind I’d pick–the less people the better.  The only thing that could beat that is a ghost town–which I love!

I had heard about this place before; as it is famous for a natural gorge and a historic grist mill. It’s a popular trip with a couple of bus tour companies in my area so I was excited to be here! There are several old buildings to explore in addition to the mill; one of about 50 original water grist mills left in the US. http://www.cliftonmill.com

First things first, though –which was breakfast! The Clifton Mill Restaurant is another big draw for this place and now I know why. I am seriously placing this one on my top 10 list for best breakfasts! Scrambled eggs cooked perfectly (fluffy), savory sausage gravy (more white than brown and not too thick), generous slice of thick flavorful ham (smoked), great coffee (strong), and big as the plate pancakes! Really–one will feed two people! Bonus Tip: Ask to see a menu while waiting for a table at any restaurant. This saves time cause you are ready to order as soon as you are seated.  Be sure to check out the gift shop. The most popular item is the Clifton Mill pancake mix which is made at the mill.  Wine is also available but they don’t sell on Sunday–which is the day we were there.  Guess I will have to go back!

Legendary Light Display!

Another big draw to Clifton Mill is the amazing Christmas light display.  As we stood on the deck of the restaurant, we could see miles of green cord lights strung up and down the river bank and around the buildings as they are getting ready for the big event which begins the day after

Thanksgiving and runs through Dec. 30th. I got it!–I will get in the Christmas spirit; come back here (not on Sun), grab some other kind of spirits and see the light show!

Clifton Gorge and More Hiking!

The trail to the gorge begins just a short distance from the restaurant.  It’s a good thing cause after a breakfast like that, I needed to get some exercise in.  The Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve is 268 acres of pure beauty, featuring rock cliffs, waterfalls, rapids and of course the gorge–which gets extremely narrow at one point.  The trail has several lookout spots that offer spectacular views of the Little Miami flowing through the narrow gorge.

One Last Stop…

We made one more stop on this trip–just down the road from Clifton at Peifer Orchards Farm Market.  Wow–they have it all here! This is going to be on my top 10 list for best farm markets! From fresh produce, jams, jellies, baked goods, seasonings, soup mixes, relishes, apple butter, homemade noodles, candy and confections of all kinds, honey, sorghum and much more including candles and other gift items–all so beautifully displayed.  http://www.peiferorchards.com Made me remember how much I loved the flower and gift shop business, but been there, done that…now I’m a blogger! It’s amazing how God will lead you from one awesome opportunity to another if you just let Him do the driving.

 

What a wonderful fall trip this was! If you are looking for an autumn getaway with lots to see and do, check out the Yellow Springs and Clifton, OH area. Or…make it a winter getaway and you’ll be able to take in the Clifton Mill Light Display! Whatever the season, this is a great destination.

Until next time, remember…DON’T WAIT TO LIVE!

See ya down the road,

Catrina