It's a Small World Afterall

            It continues to amaze me at how small this big world really is!

            We are spending the weekend in Springfield OH with friends met long ago during our days on Okinawa in Japan; Joyce and Gary W.  We re-connected with these two wonderful friends last year after Gary found me on Facebook.  Joyce and Gary spent Thanksgiving with us last year as all three of their adult children serving with the US Armed Forces were not home.   After a 20+ year break in times together, the friendship was re-kindled in about 30 seconds.

            Another very good friend, Kim R. also lives in Springfield, so we have an opportunity to see her also.  The amazing part of all this is that Kim already knew Gary and Joyce by virtue of dealings at her place of employment!  So, we surprised Gary and Joyce by inviting Kim to join us for dinner last evening without telling them they already knew Kim.  It was a wonderful surprise and a lot of fun when Kim joined us at the restaurant!

           

Williams Eastery

 And speaking of the restaurant; Joyce was anxious to show us very high quality burgers at Williams Eatery in Yellow Spring OH.  And I must admit, the burger was very good as was the company and conversation.

                                                                          

            After dinner, we walked along the Clifton Gorge, just a ½ mile from Gary and Joyce’s home.  More interesting geology in this area as Ohio too has been shaped and affected by glaciation.  The gorge is amazing and certainly a feature one would not expect when driving the back road here in southwest Ohio.  I’ve included a few pics and some information about the gorge:  

           

This 268-acre preserve protects one of the most spectacular dolomite and limestone gorges in the state. Registered as a National Natural Landmark in 1968, Clifton Gorge encompasses a 2-mile stretch of the Little Miami State and National Scenic River, just east of John Bryan State Park.

Geologically, it is an outstanding example of interglacial and post-glacial canyon cutting. At one point, the river funnels through a deep, narrow channel, which was apparently formed by the enlarging and connecting of a series of potholes in the resistant Silurian dolomite bedrock. In other sections of the gorge, cliff overhangs have broken off forming massive slump blocks scattered along the valley floor.

The shaded, north-facing slopes provide a cool, moist environment for northern species including hemlock, red baneberry, Canada yew, arbor-vitae and mountain maple. This is one of the most spectacular sites in the state for viewing spring wildflowers including the rare snow trillium.

            Joyce and Gary were also anxious to give me a gift for my upcoming birthday.  Some of you may know that I have a penchant for wearing patchouli oil.  Well, now I have my very own patchouli plant!!  With a very unique vase I might add!!