Extol April-May 2018 | Page 37

EXPERIENCE Mount Saint Francis Center for Spirituality 101 St Anthony Drive Mt St Francis 812.923.8817 The drizzle had fizzled by the time lunch was done, so we headed up to the Mount St Francis. It has been a few years since I had been there, so I was looking forward to walking the grounds and paths. I was worried about the gray day and the lack of color in the woods, just a few weeks shy of trees blooming, but again was surprised after getting out of the car and being greeted by vibrant, yellow Easter lilies and beautiful, dusty pink Lenten roses. The Cordelier Park Stations of the Cross and Grotto path right off the parking lot was sprinkled with the yellow lilies standing out amongst the gray and brown. Along the path to the stations of the cross were charming, flat tableau sculptures done by school children cast in bronze, and the stations were marked with large wooden signs, bridges and statues of St Francis of Assisi. Just off the stations’ path and down in a gulley, we come across a beautiful sight of a reclining St. Francis, sandals a few feet away, gazing at a spring. The bronze statue by Guy Tedesco is surrounded by lilies and, despite the sound of traffic on the road across the hill, gives this feeling of quiet and peace and contemplation. After a few moments of reflection, we head back toward the parking lot to take Peggy’s Path. Paved and winding, the trail leads down to the lake with decks and docks reaching over the water, a huge fire pit and shelter house, and rows of canoes. The lake and path were quiet today, though the water was like glass. Behind us, the buildings and field looked like a Wyeth painting, the wind moving the yellow grass and the buildings off in the distance. We made our way back toward the main campus, peeked in the windows of the ceramics studio and Mary Anderson Center, which offers pottery classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, and headed to the car. LET OUR PLACE BE YOUR PLACE Hob Knob Coffee Co. 3700 Paoli Pike #12 Floyds Knobs 812.728.8239 www.hobknobcoffeeco.com We deserved a bit of a treat after all that walking, and even though I am trying to watch what I eat, I like to make deals with myself. I just walked a couple of hilly miles, and I ate really good at lunch, so if I share something sweet it doesn’t really count – right? We found Hob Knob Coffee at the bottom of the hill and ordered in-house roasted coffees and a delicious cheese Danish. The place was homey, and the huge coffee grinder is an impressive piece of machinery. The owners were super friendly, and our coffees were perfectly brewed. Both were a great caffeinated and sugar-high ending to a day we thought would be a wash. We love surprises like that! PARTY ROOM AVAILABLE! Book or cater your Holiday event today! 2441 State Street New Albany (812) 944-9999 www.tuckersaf.com APRIL/MAY 2018 : EXTOL 35 /TuckersAmericanFavorites