There are wonderful afternoons awaiting in Youngstown for anyone who is interested

EDITOR:

On Saturday afternoon, I laid down the book I’d been looking at, turned off the TV and said to my wife, “We’re going for a ride.”

As she started to ask I said, “You’ll find out.” She looked at me a little later as I turned on to 680 North, and again when I exited at the Glenwood sign. We’d both grown up on the South Side. (We are in our 80s now.) But a smile appeared when I took the Mill Creek Park exit.

When we were younger, we spent much of our time here, she ice skating and me hiking.

As I went down the hill, my foot eased up on the accelerator, and my body relaxed. No more speeding cars on the freeway, and no one on my bumper.

Crossing the bridge and turning right we moved slowly along the lake, remarking on how high the water was. As we neared the dam and the falls there I had to stop to take a picture.

We were soon moving up the curving driveway toward the parking lot of the Fellows Gardens.

Though it was crowded, we soon found a parking spot and were on our way to the beautiful building in the center of the gardens.

There were many people present, milling around, waiting for a wedding, so we continued on to the lovely area where the roses are.

Everything was decorated in the fall mode and exciting to see. We noted first a new path that had been built since our last trip. It was so well designed and of such quality that we were thrilled with the effect. As we walked along there were no bumps or humps, just a very nice even path. At the end was the gazebo. It too was decorated. The sun had come out by now, and it was a pleasant afternoon.

Returning to the center we entered the automatic doors where we saw the bride being fussed over by her attendants, and I would have taken a picture except my wife said it would be rude.

Outside, on the veranda, we could see an amazing view of the lake, surrounded by a forest of trees, beginning to change colors. We then went up the elevator where the view was even more spectacular. The clouds reflected in the lake creating a special effect we hadn’t seen before.

Coming down we strolled around the outer concourse noting the YSU penguins on guard there. One of them had a wonderful painting of the old mill, but I took a picture of the other one, covered by flowers. On the way out we went into the gift shop, and had a nice talk with the lady who works there. All in all it was a wonderful afternoon.

Thanks, Youngstown. We enjoyed it.

ART AARON

Poland