Ohio’s Highlands Nature Sanctuary & Some Peter Pan Inspiration

I recently visited a place in Ohio I had never heard about before called Highlands Nature Sanctuary. The ranger explained that it had previously been closed to the public; at one time it required an actual permit to access the property, then a fee to enter. I can completely understand wanting to ensure the safekeeping of such a special place. It was the pandemic which inspired the committee to make the property accessible for free to the public. She explained that since the sanctuary had been so tedious to access in the past, it was likely the reason we hadn’t heard about it. She went further to share how the decision to shift from private to public access had brought so much joy into their lives, that seeing others experience the magic of the property confirmed they had made the right decision. If you’ve ever been there: lucky you! If you haven’t heard of it, I strongly encourage a visit… and if you plan a trip be sure to go see The Three Sisters, which are unusual arched rock formations along the Rocky Fork Creek.

Being at Highlands Nature Sanctuary makes you feel like you haven’t yet grown up, and if you’re a child, well, I can imagine never wanting to leave. I pondered staying forever a time or two ;)

The trails are beautiful, with satisfying views everywhere you look. Supposedly the spring and summer wildflowers are prolific; the site is a showy home for an impressive range of species in our state.

Since our visit, the story of Peter Pan continues to play in my mind. This is the exact thing that happened when I got the idea for Lacey Lou and the Ocean Blue… the vision of an orange fluttering speck traversing a vast blue surround turned into an absolute obsession. If this has ever happened to you, I’d encourage you to let your heart hold on and explore more: the why’s, the possibilities, and especially the greater vision that could be tugging at you.

This morning I took some time researching Peter Pan things, and goodness — I had forgotten just how much the story and its imagery impacted me as a child, and then again as an adult with its reimagined versions (Hook, Peter Pan and Wendy).

We are conditioned to believe, for some reason, that growing up means leaving behind the dreamy, playful, imaginative side of being alive. But there is great reward in being alive when you dream, and play, and imagine. Must we be so serious and refined, so poised and perfectly prestigious, so serious and professional… just because we are grown?

Of course there is a marked difference between immaturity and imaginativeness… between oblivion and conscious playfulness. In contemplating this, I realize that many people I admire have figured this out.

Consider this: when you were a child, you housed the same spirit who is still living inside of you this very moment.

Had you forgotten?

Let me help you remember. Here is a look at some stunning pieces of imagery used to promote the Disney films some years ago. The number of people involved in the making of these films and images is impossible to list here, yet I encourage you to take some time to explore the creators.

I’ll be taking some time out of my schedule this week to study the films and imagery. Looking forward to watching them and sharing more insight. Could this be the start of a new idea? I can’t tell just yet.

Hope you enjoyed this post! Are you a Peter Pan fan? I’d love to hear about the ways in which this story became a part of your life.

Bella.