An Afternoon in Glen Helen

When I think of adventurers, my friend Emilynn tops the list. She also happens to be one of my oldest friends (we met the week of our tenth birthday – our birthdays are 11 days apart).

So when I found this place called Glen Helen, a nature preserve outside of Yellow Springs, Ohio online, I knew Em would be brave enough to check it out with me, sight unseen. We did take a small detour in the town of Yellow Springs because there was a book fair and…uh…I can smell the printed page from about ten miles away.

I think I exhibited enormous self-control by only coming home with one new volume, this little guy…

The personal inscription on the inside cover sold me…

Glen Helen is a kind of peaceful, special little place. This stone engraving was located on the edge of the preserve, tucked away under a tall, tall tree…it reads:

The earth smells old and warm and mellow,

and all things lie at peace.

I, too, serenely like here under the white oak tree,

and know the splendid flight of hours

all blue and gay, sun-drenched and still.

By

Helen Birch Bartlett

In memory of whom this glen was presented

to Antioch College in 1929 by her father,

Hugh Taylor Birch

We walked across the bridge and I was so taken with the many love notes scrawled on it. Here a couple of my favorites…

The whole preserve was beautiful and quiet and and full of undisturbed growth.

The man who took our picture by the waterfall told us to say “gorgonzola.” He caught me mid-word.

A seriously beautiful day. What about you? What did you do with your Saturday?

love, elizabeth

PS: I’ve recently had an attack of the decorating bug and decided to completely rearrange our apartment. Hopefully posting pictures soon!