Tag Archives: Dayton Ohio

Big Day On The Homefront

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If you live in America, today is a big day. The Presidential election has finally arrived.

If you don’t live in America, you’re probably watching this election with some degree of stress as well given that our choices at the ballot box play a role on the world stage.

Here’s my advice to you: vote and then find something useful to do. Personally, I voted days ago because I always worry that something will prevent me from doing it in person and I wasn’t missing this one. I have a busy workday ahead of me followed by a hair cut after work. I will welcome the distraction and hope that it’s enough to keep my mind free of worry and stress. 

If you can, I suggest you find some way to achieve the same goal. Go for a walk. Better yet, go into nature for a long hike and time with the squirrels. Turn on some good tunes and use that nervous energy to clean your house or organize a closet. 

If you voted, you did your part. Now it’s out of your hands so let it go and try focusing your attention on something that will improve your day or someone else’s. Worrying won’t make it better.

PS – The above photo is from a 1943 era cabin that once housed WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service). You can see this cabin and many other interesting things at Carillon Park in Dayton. Approximately 100,000 of these WAVES volunteers helped to win the war and I always find comfort in this cabin. I like this scene with the flag.

Market Photos

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Weekend markets are a fantastic place to people watch and to take your camera for a walk.

You’ll find good food with a side of inspiration.

Friendly pets.

Things you didn’t know you needed.

Pops of color.

Sometimes we even see things that draw us in. This little girl was transfixed by this beautiful mural and it made me smile.

If you think representation doesn’t matter you most likely are well represented in the world. What a lovely moment for this little one and for the rest of us who enjoyed her quiet fascination.

These photos all came from Second Street Market in Dayton, a place I hope to visit again this fall. A morning of people watching and some time at the Dollar Book Swap sounds awfully appealing. Then again, there are many things I haven’t done over there. Perhaps I’ll try something new!! Regardless of what else I get into, you’ll definitely find me at Second Street, looking for all the things I didn’t know I needed to see!

The Dixie Drive-In

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The Dixie Twin Drive-In opened in Dayton in July 1957. On Saturday morning, almost 66 years later, I went to this closed theater just to see their fabulous mid-century sign. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Drive-in theaters once dotted the American landscape and are pure Americana. Unfortunately, times have changed and most are gone. Luckily, there are a precious few hanging in here in Ohio and I’m glad to say this is one of them.

They still operate April through October with two movies per screen per night. Plus, they host the Paris Flea Market on Sunday mornings. Who knew you could visit Paris from Dayton, Ohio on a Sunday morning?

Their slogan? “Watch movies. Be thrifty. Get rad.”

Fantastic!

Here’s another look at that amazing sign. It’s in good shape for its age.

Plan your trip to the Dixie today!

First 2023 Adventure Day

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Yesterday brought a break in the No Spend Challenge for a little Adventure Day. I intended to stay home and use the time to do a couple of projects, get some rest and read. But the forecast for sunshine and 41 degrees was simply too tempting to ignore.

Instead, I set off early and headed to Dayton to hike at Aullwood Audubon where I visited the trolls or the forest giants, depending on what you call them. It was 21 degrees and the weather app said it felt like fifteen but I was so happy to be in nature I did not care.

Then I hit up the Waco Air Museum in Troy.

And, I needed lunch so I found a fantastic little diner nearby. It was cramped and busy so my pictures are all awful but the food was delish and I really liked it there. I will tell you all about it soon.

And I mostly window shopped at Antiques Village but did score a couple of good deals. This is one of my favorite antique malls so I couldn’t leave town without a stroll through.

It’s funny because I was so happy at home and focusing on my January No Spend Challenge that I never felt deprived. However, this day that was heavy on experiences and light on spending was just what I needed. I felt more like myself than I have in a long time.

It was a long day but I would have stayed out longer. We are probably lucky that I didn’t continue West when I found myself on the National Road. Don’t think I didn’t contemplate running away from home to the great state of Indiana!

Along the way, I chatted with people, looked at some interesting things and even saw a mink in the wild. So check back to hear more and to see more pictures!

Tree Doors

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Doors capture my attention everywhere I go. Fancy or plain, it makes no difference. While I notice and photograph doors often, these are the most unusual ones I’ve had the pleasure to see in person.

You’ll find them on the entrances at Aullwood Arboretum near Dayton. I wrote about it this fall when I visited the forest giants (or trolls) that were created by artist Thomas Dambo. You can read that story here.

It’s a beautiful trail system with a nice nature center that I imagine is lovely to visit all year. It was especially pretty in the fall and I’m scheming to see it in snow this winter.

Meanwhile, if you visit, pay attention to the doors when you enter. They’re pretty fabulous.

The Tale Of Three Forest Giants

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Once upon a time, in a magical land called Dayton, there lived three forest giants. Bibbi, Bodil and Bo were made of reclaimed wood by a man with the soul of a poet and the profession of an artist.

On Friday, an adventurer named Brandi, from a land not far away, went on a quest to find them all.

You’ll find these three giants at Aullwood Audubon north of Dayton. The truth is Aullwood is a spectacular place to visit even without the artwork. Woods, prairies, streams and meadows provide amazing habitat for all sorts of creatures. Trails meander here and there, exploring nooks and crannies, reaching into places that resemble a storybook picture.

The artist behind the forest giants is the world’s leading recycle artist. Thomas Dambo is a native of Denmark who uses locally sourced materials to create his sculptures. You can read more about him here.

If this story sounds familiar, that’s because I told you last year about visiting another location that is correct to hosting Dambo pieces. You can read about that here.

It’s a beautiful walk to reach all three sculptures and it’s not strenuous. I believe it’s about a three mile loop unless you’re like me and wander off a good bit. I regretted not packing a lunch and having a picnic somewhere. I’ll do that next time.

If you go, take note there’s also a nature center and an educational farm where you can meet some animals and explore.