A Day's Drive

Owings, SC

2012-01-10T10:56:00.001-05:00

Recently my friend Tim and I stopped in at the tiny town of Owings, SC looking for interesting things to photograph. It's been at least 15 years since I've driven through the town. It's as close to a ghost town as one might find nearby. And by ghost town, I don't mean dead town. It's actually being restored by a group called the Gray Court-Owings Historical Society.

After perusing their website, I realized we missed some other interesting sites such as those found here.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 25 miles

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Halfway to Habana Cigar and Martini Bar (The Cigar Boxx)

2012-01-08T10:46:00.000-05:00

UPDATE #2 (1/8/2012): Good news! H2H has re-opened although under a different name, The Cigar Boxx. Currently the establishment is primarily a cigar shop and lounge with a small beer and wine menu, but the owner tells me that they are expanding to the space next door to open a full bar with an extensive scotch and bourbon menu. He says this new section will be open in the next month or so.

The new location is 23 College St. in downtown Greenville.

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UPDATE: (2/13/11) While walking the dog last night I came across a disturbing discovery. Halfway to Habana is closed down! A note on the door said that "due to restrictive smoking policies [or something like that] that we had to close our doors," although the note does say they will be opening elsewhere in the downtown area. A couple times when I was there, the bartenders told me that the business upstairs from them often complained of the smoke.

Original Post from 2/13/10

A few months ago one of Greenville's finest cigar shops moved a few blocks down Main street to fill the space previously occupied by Latitude Restaurant. Their new space is much larger, contains a full bar and restaurant, and of course a smoking lounge. Cigarettes are not allowed in the establishment due to the city's anti-smoking ban, but cigars and pipes are welcome in this one bar as the result of a state proviso. The bar has a small, although excellent, beer list, an excellent wine list, 70 different brands of scotch, and of course a number of martini specials. A beer and a stogie is not a bad way to kill an hour or two on a snowy afternoon.

Paris Mountain Trail Service

2012-01-05T22:54:00.002-05:00

Want to give back? Here's a chance.
Greenville REI — Winter Trails Day Service Project

Date: 1/7/2012
Event Location: Paris Mountain State Park
Event Fee: Free

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (EST)
Partner Organization: FPMSP and Upstate SORBA

Description: Join REI and our partners at Upstate SORBA and Friends of Paris Mountain State Park for this Winter Trails Day Servcie Project. We will meet in the main parking area, across the street from the park office and make our way to the trail. Food and a giveaway will be provided to volunteers. Please bring water, sturdy shoes, long pants, work gloves and a warm jacket. Tools will be provided by the park. PLEASE PRE-REGISTER so we can make sure to have enough food for everyone.

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Distance from downtown Greenville: 11 miles

Searching for the Palmetto Trail

2011-10-01T20:46:00.004-05:00

The Palmetto Trail (not to be confused with the Foothills Trail) is the South Carolina equivalent of North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail. When it's completed it will stretch from the Northwest portion of the state to the Low Country. Currently only a few sections are completed.

Today I decided to check out one section called the Blue Wall Passage. The entire section is 14 miles so my plan was to hike half of it as an in-and-out today and then hit the other section in a couple weeks. So I drove to the quaint town of Landrum, where, according to the Palmetto Trail website, there is a large kiosk in the center of town where one can park. Turns out, there is not. Nor are their any signs showing where the trail is. Fortunately I had printed out the map they have on their website (there isn't one for purchase yet) but I quickly discovered that most of the trail in this section isn't really a trail yet. It's just a walk down the road.

So from there I decided to drive to another trailhead that is located at the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (F.E.N.C.E) which is a really cool place if you're into horses. Although not well marked I was able to find the trailhead located here.

From there I followed the trail until it came to what they call a pond. (Most of it was dried up but there are several boardwalks that stretch out through what is currently dry land that are kind of interesting looking.) Unfortunately the Palmetto Trail is no longer marked, so I wandered about the property a bit which has a lot of interesting things to see other than the dried up pond.

Eventually I figured out that the trail actually exits through the F.EN.C.E entrance and turns left down the road. 100 yards or so later it cuts left back up through the woods. So I took that trail about a half mile or so until it came back out to another road. From that point forward it follows a couple of roads back to Landrum but from what I can tell never enters the woods again for several miles.

On one of the roads someone had painted the image to the right, several times. I'm not sure what it was supposed to mean but it made me really hungry for fish and chips. Fortuantely, the Palmetto Trail runs right past an English style pub called The Hare and the Hound, located in the center of downtown Landrum.

After leaving Landrum I decided to see what else I could find so I headed toward Tryon and then on to Saluda where I stumbled upon a campground at Vaughn's Gap. Vaughn's gap is the western terminus of the Blue Wall Passage of the Palmetto trail. So next time I plan to go from there. In addition the eastern terminus of the Poinsett section of the trail can also be accessed from there. This parking area is located somewhere close to here. (Look for a small RV campground.)

Distance from downtown Greenville: 45 miles.

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New URL

2011-09-27T16:58:00.000-05:00

www.adaysdrivefromgreenvilleSC.com

I had to change the URL to this site due to the fact that Godaddy cancelled my account and I can't get in touch with a human being to be able to correct the issue. So the new URL has an "SC" at the end. Hopefully people will be able to find it.

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Old Time Fiddlin' Convention @ Hagood Mill Today

2011-09-17T08:00:00.003-05:00

Today from 11:00 - 4:00. See you there.

"Hagood Mill, on the National Register of Historic Places, is a functioning 19th-century water powered gristmill. Benjamin Hagood, an early settler of the Carolina Upcountry, built the original mill c. 1825. His son, James Hagood, built the mill at its present location in 1845 and it continued operations until the 1960s. Under the watch of the Pickens County Museum, the mill continues to develop. Visitors are welcome during daylight hours to picnic and hike on the 13-acre tract. The mill is open for tours and corn-grinding demonstrations on the 3rd Saturday of every month and by appointment for large groups." from Discover South Carolina

Distance from downtown Greenville: 23 miles

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PUBLIC INVITED TO MEETING TO DISCUSS REDESIGN OF PIAZZA BERGAMO SITE

2011-09-10T10:11:00.001-05:00

Well I was half right about my last post. There will be outdoor ice skating downtown this year, but it won't be at Piazzo-Bergamo. It will be down the street beside the Courtyard Marriot. Kind of a small space but it will be interesting to see how it works out.

If you're interested in what's going to happen with Piazzo-Bergamo there will be a meeting at McPherson Park this week to get community feedback on the project.

This is from city's newsfeed:

Sears Shelter at McPherson Park
100 East Park Avenue

Thursday, September 15 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
The City will host a public meeting, led by Civitas, an urban design, planning and architecture firm based in Denver, to discuss the redesign and revitalization of Piazza Bergamo. The goal of the project is to enhance the plaza area to both complement the private investment taking place around it and to create a new destination for downtown.

The purpose of the meeting is to engage citizens in the planning process and enlist the public's assistance in creating a unique urban space. At this interactive meeting, Civitas representatives will share concepts and ideas for designing public spaces for a variety of uses, and attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and offer their input.

Parking is available in McPherson Park behind the Sears Shelter in the lower lot next to the tennis courts and in the parking lot directly across the street from the entrance to the Sears Shelter. For more information, call the Public Works Department at (864) 467-8000.

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Distance from downtown Greenville: 0 miles.

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Big Announcement Tuesday

2011-08-26T22:07:00.001-05:00

Press release from the city:

Exciting Press Conference: Tuesday, August 30th
Join us this upcoming Tuesday, August 30th at 3:00 PM at Village Green, the large grassy area located on the corner of Main and Broad Streets in front of the Courtyard Marriott. The City of Greenville and Courtyard Marriott will have a press event announcing a new downtown winter tradition! You won't want to miss it!

I'm guessing there will be an ice skating rink at Piazzo Bergamo plaza.

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Ghost Bike on Swamp Rabbit Trail

2011-08-22T16:52:00.001-05:00

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What if Greenville?

2011-08-19T21:48:00.003-05:00

This is a really cool website. If you have an idea that would make Greenville better, submit an idea. Let's see what happens.

Click here: What if Greenville?

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New! A Day's Drive FORUMS!

2011-08-16T21:58:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of forums out there on the interwebs so maybe this is one too many but most of them seem to be either news/political or geared toward one specific hobby or interest. This blog gets a lot of hits from people looking for cool things to do around here so I thought why not start a forum so everyone who follows this blog can share some ideas?

So check it out by clicking here or hitting the forum button above.

If you dig it, sign up. If you think you'll use it but don't have anything to say at the moment, at least sign up so I know people are interested. I'll give it a few months and if it doesn't gain any traction I'll delete it. Like this blog, it's a freebie site, so I'm not looking to gain anything other than some participation and shared knowledge.

Let me know what you think.

Top Micro City

2011-08-15T20:39:00.000-05:00

Greenville has just been named top micro city in North America by FDI magazine.

"Greenville nabbed the top micro city of the future distinction with its targeting of advanced industries such as biosciences, R&D, and advanced materials. The work of local organizations is helping propel the city into the future. Clemson University sponsors an International Center for Automotive Research; NEXT supports a burgeoning entrepreneur population; and Greenville Works combines the assets of local, state, and federal organizations to support business."

Source

And in addition Greenville has also been named 5th most affordable city by Business Week:

"Dining in Greenville ranges from local cuisine to popular national chains, according to the city'swebsite. After downtown, the Haywood Road area has the most restaurant activity and generates the most retail sales in the city."

Source

More Accolades for Greenville

2011-08-09T22:32:00.000-05:00

Greenville is in the national spotlight again. First we were just ranked as the 6th best place to live in the country by Relocate America. Link

In addition Greenville was just featured in Garden and Gun Magazine where American Grocery Restaurant was called the best restaurant in the world.

Rick Erwin's and Nantucket's Seafood Grill were just honored by Wine Spectator Magazine.

NPR also recently featured the city and Mayor Knox White in a six part series. Link

And Forbes Magazine just listed Greenville as one of the top 15 places for young professionals. Link

Navitat Canopy Tours

2011-07-25T13:45:00.000-05:00

A few years ago my mother, who loves visiting Costa Rica, told me about zip lining through the Costa Rican jungle. I was familiar with zip lines but had never heard of a commercial outfit offering anything like that. Since that time zip lining has moved from Costa Rica to other parts of the globe including Western, NC.

My youngest son is a great lover of zip lines so I've been looking for a good safe place to take him where he could soar hundreds of feet in the air. A couple weeks ago, my friend Godfrey who has an adventurous spirit told me about a place fairly close by.

Navitat Canopy Tours opened a year ago in Barnardsville, NC just north of Asheville. They are ranked as one of the top ten zip line outfitters in the country. They've been featured on CNN Headline News, in USA Today, the New York Times and on Good Morning America.

Their tour offers ten zip lines ranging in length from 250' to a 1000' (or something like that). There are also a couple of rappels from one platform to another and some really cool sky bridges to cross. The tour guides are top notch and safety is their highest concern. (Our guides were Rob and Blade - great guys.) Everything is checked and re-checked and the guides also offer a lot of interesting information about the flora along the way.

Sometime I'd like to check out their night tours.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 82 miles

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Appalachian Trail Journals

2011-07-23T14:08:00.014-05:00

Overmountain Shelter

If you like quirky stories and tall tales, then you probably enjoy, as I do, reading the kind of travel journals you might find at a Bed and Breakfast or in a room at a nice inn. Without a doubt though, the most interesting ones I've found are the trail journals I've found located in Appalachian Trail shelters. If you find yourself at one, I highly recommend taking the time to read it. A couple I came across recently had the following entries.

One from a guy claiming he had a two hour staring contest with a deer.

Another claiming a bear had just entered the campsite.

One by a guy claiming he was in a hurry because the "anti-sin" crew was on his heels trying to save him from eternal damnation.

The next one was from a group that simply wrote, "damn sinners!"

Another was from a group from the north. The writer spoke over and over about how many spiders and insects there were in the shelter. I thought that was funny. Yep, in the South there are bugs in the wilderness, and in the cities, and in our homes. That's just the way it is.

Another from a guy claiming that he and his pals had encountered a mountain lion in a pine tree that had bitten one of his friends.

Another entry was from an Amish family who claimed they had so much trouble finding fresh water that they had resorted to drinking their own urine.

Double Springs Shelter

There were lots of other interesting ones, most of them describing their encounters with wildlife and commenting on the peacefulness of the trail. Some regarding the weather and lots of advice on which springs were dry and which were not. There were several quoting Bible verses and just as many extolling the virtues of bonfires and liquor.

Silers Bald Shelter

Stan Murray Shelter

More Ghost Hunting...still no ghosts

2011-07-20T02:00:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned ghost hunting outings on this blog in the past and judging by my stat records that seems to be a popular topic (especially around October). Recently I went by a few more places listed in John Boyanski's Ghosts of the Upstate to see if I could spot something from beyond. (I have no belief in ghosts, so I really do it because I like the quirky history of these places not because I expect to see anything other worldly.)

Burke-Stark Mansion

On July 4th my friend Tim and I went down to Abbeville to check out several haunted locations, all of which were closed. Some due to the holiday, some due to the fact that Abbeville has literally become a ghost town. Practically every business on the square is closed down, despite obvious efforts by the city to revitalize the place. Sidewalks are freshly poured and new walkways have been added in the past couple years, but no one is around. The first place we arrived was the Burk Stark Mansion, which is a really cool place, and where the ghost of Jefferson Davis is said to reside. While on the grounds, we did find things a bit amiss. In front of the home we encountered something I never remember seeing before, an Eastern Lubber Grasshopper. An omen? Perhaps. He seemed to be pointing us to a dead body that almost went unnoticed. There in broad daylight, on the front walk of the mansion lay, God bless his soul, a dead squirrel. No obvious sign of death could be found. Hmmm....

Moving on we stopped by the Abbeville Opera House and the Belmont Inn. Both were locked and the Belmont Inn had a sign stating it was closed permanently (like almost every other business in town). Despite that fact, there was a TV on in the bar and I saw a figure dart from the room as I glanced in the window.

The following weekend I headed out the other direction. First I went by the Walnut Lane Inn in Lyman where a former owner, a maid and the owner's two daughters are supposedly haunting the place. It's a beautiful house. The owner was busy getting ready for a birthday party so we only spoke briefly and I didn't bother him with questions about his phantasmal residents.

Speaking of ghost towns, downtown Spartanburg has a rich history of haints. There are several dorms at Wofford, Converse and the School for the Deaf and Blind that are supposedly haunted and some private residences in town are also said to be haunted, but not having access to the inside of these places they weren't particularly interesting.

So I headed out to a haunted bridge where it's rumored two fisherman were killed by a beast that lives under the bridge and that the fisherman can sometimes be heard. After pulling over, I found getting below the bridge was a bit tough due to the overgrown vegetation and as I walked across the bridge (it's very small) a fellow came out of nowhere and asked if I was out of gas. I explained that I was just walking around so he drove on but then slowed and turned and came back my direction, at which point I got the distinct feeling I wasn't welcome there.

From there I drove out to Walnut Grove to visit Nesbitt Bridge where it's rumored that a female hitchhiker will ask for a ride but then suddenly vanish. The river below was far more impressive than the creek where the legendary beast resided at the last location. Again though, while walking across the bridge, a guy in a pick-up truck stopped and said, "How ya doin'?" I mentioned that I was just out taking photos (I don't want people to think I'm a nut so I don't mention the ghost hunting). "Just taking pictures huh?" he didn't quite buy it. We exchanged a few more lines and he finally seemed satisfied that I was harmless and drove off. I noticed he had a DNR sticker on his truck so maybe he just thought I was fishing without a license (although despite all the money I spend on fishing licenses I've never had anyone ask me to produce one).

View from Nesbitt Bridge

If you look closely at the photo to left you can see a stray hound on the island in the middle of the frame. Ghost hound?

And speaking of haunted buildings. I recently came across this next building in Tigerville. Surely it has some ghost stories attached to it.

If you're weird like I am and have some interest in visiting some of these spots be sure to visit local blogger Tom's Random Connections Blog and and download the KMZ file he created which makes finding many of these spots really easy.

Deserted Schoolhouse?

The Buddha and The Madonna

2011-07-18T13:41:00.003-05:00

15' Vietnamese homage to Madonna and Christ child located off of HWY 14 in Greer.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 20 miles

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15' Cambodian homage to Buddha located north of Spartanburg at the Spartanburg Buddhist Center of South Carolina. The center is still under construction but will feature gardens and performance space.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 32 miles

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Rockhouse Vineyards and Overmountain Vineyards

2011-07-16T12:19:00.000-05:00

My wife and I recently had an opportunity to swing by a couple of local wineries. The Rockhouse Vineyards was first on our list. Actually it was the only one on our list. Although tiny, they offer some really nice selections. We especially enjoyed the Cab Franc and the Meritage which we learned is a Bordeaux style red made in places other than the Bordeaux region. (Only wines produced in Bordeaux can officially be called a Bordeaux.) All of their wines are fermented in oak barrels.

Before leaving the owner suggested we stop by a place up the street that opened so recently that it isn't currently listed in any of the NC Wine promotional material and we were certainly glad we did. The Overmountain Winery specializes in white wines, all of which are fermented in steel barrels to give their wines a crisper finish.

Both are located on beautiful property in the hills near Tryon, NC. While exiting the Rockhouse property, we were met by several turkeys which we later learned are quite a nuisance to vintners because they knock the grapes off the vines and then eat them. (Seem to be a lot of turkeys around this year. I see them a couple times a month somewhere.)

These wineries are within rock throwing distance of Green Creek Winery which I've mentioned previously so you could easily make an afternoon of wine tasting in the area.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 48-55 miles.

Rockhouse Vineyards

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Overmountain Winery

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Green Creek Winery

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Local Live FREE Outdoor Music Opportunities

2011-06-23T23:48:00.003-05:00

There's a lot of live local FREE outdoor music available over the summer.

Reedy River Concert Series

Downtown Alive - Thursday on Main St. Greenville

Main Street Friday - On Main St. Greenville

Fridays by the Fountain in Fountain Inn

Music in the Woods at Paris Mountain

Great New Pubs In Town

2011-06-19T20:54:00.001-05:00

There are some great new pubs in town. Here's a quick run down.

1. The Velo Fello a Publick House, located under the Mellow Mushroom is an English style pub that has an extensive bottle selection, 5-6 things on tap and interesting food options such as Chicken Pot Pie, Fried Green Tomato BLT Po Boys, Bratwurst, Falafels, etc. They also sell absinthe.

2. Nose Dive, A Gastropub, located in the old "O" space next to the Poinsett Hotel. They have a great menu and six rotating taps. Everything I've eaten there has been good.

3. The Art Bar, is located on Main Street between Washington and McBee. I can't vouch for this one because they don't seem to be open very often, but I've been inside and it looks promising. Hopefully the food is better than their website.

4. And my favorite new place is the Trappe Door, a Belgian Bar that looks like a monastery. Located in the basement of Barley's, they offer 6-8 rotating taps of Belgian style beer plus countless bottled Belgians. They also have an extensive wine list, great upscale menu, and they serve absinthe as well.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 0 miles

USA Cycling National Championships

2011-05-27T06:19:00.002-05:00

In addition to the Highland Scottish Games and Freedom Weekend Aloft, the USA Cycling National Championships will be taking place in Greenville this weekend as well.

Official Time Trial and Road Race Championships
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Individual Time Trial Championships presented by Duke Energy
Defending Champion: Taylor Phinney, Team BMC
Distance: 20.7 miles
Start Time: 11:30 am
Location: CU-ICAR
Estimated Finish Time: 1:30pm (awards immediately following)
Ancillary Events
US Handcycling Series, Individual Time Trial: 8:30 am
Stars and Stripes Challenge, 'Ride Like the Pros' (top fundraisers): 9:30 am
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Stars and Stripes Challenge
Fundraising Ride (various distances, including century ride)
Benefits Greenville Hospital System Cancer Center
Start Time: 8:00 am
Location: Greenville County
More Information: www.p3ride.org
Monday, May 30, 2011 (Memorial Day)
Road Race Championships presented by TD Bank
Defending Champion: Ben King, Team RadioShack
Distance: 115 miles
Start Time: 11:00 am
Location: Downtown Greenville
Estimated Finish Time: 3:30 pm (awards immediately following)
Ancillary Events
Stars and Stripes Challenge, 'Ride Like The Pros' (top fundraisers): 7:30 am
Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital US Handcycling National Criterium Championship: 11:30 am
Duke Energy Kid's Races: 12:30 pm | Download Registration Form
Greenville Hospital System Health & Wellness Expo: 10:00 am to 3:30 pm

Race Maps
2011 Time Trial Map
2011 Road Race Map

Freedom Weekend Aloft

2011-05-24T18:40:00.000-05:00

Freedom Weekend Aloft comes back to Heritage Park in Simpsonville this weekend.

Schedule

Distance from downtown Greenville: 17 miles

Greater Greenville Scottish Games is back

2011-05-24T06:49:00.000-05:00

The Greater Greenville Scottish Games, will begin Friday evening at 6:00 PM with a parade down Main Street, followed by a Ceilidh at the Peace Center amphitheater, then will continue the following day at Furman University.

Location: 34°54'12.56"N 82°25'6.61"W
Distance from downtown Greenville: 5 miles

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Art Bomb 10th Anniversary Spring Show

2011-05-19T15:13:00.004-05:00

If you didn't get enough art last weekend at Artisphere, you have a chance to meet some of the finest artists in Greenville this weekend at the Art Bomb's 10th Anniversary Spring Show.

When: May 21st from 6-10 PM.

In addition to great art you can enjoy some free wine, beer and music from the Fine Art Ramblers, one of the hootenanniest bands around.

Facebook Page

Distance from downtown Greenville: 1 mile

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The Slow Food Market at McDunn Gallery

2011-05-18T13:11:00.001-05:00

This looks like a great new addition to Greenville. Starting tomorrow, every third Thursday the Michael McDunn Gallery on Rutherford Rd. will host an organic farmers market with produce provided by local farmers. It's located just up the street from the SC Farmers Market.

Opening Thursday May 19, 2011, from 2-6pm on the front lawn of the McDunn Studio & Gallery, North Main Street and Rutherford Road, Greenville SC.
"Food as Art/Art for Food"
---Greenville SC, USA. McDunn Gallery is working with Slow Food Upstate to establish a Slow Food "Earth Market" on our large front lawn at the intersection of North Main Street and Rutherford Road. Thank you to everyone who turned out for the Slow Food Market presentation. We had a great crowd and enjoyed the conversation. The market will be an ongoing process of discovery and learning, from the farmers to the consumer. Thanks again, to Janette Wesley, Renato Vicario, the Slow Food board, Whole Foods, and so many more who give such extensive effort to make good food available!
More info.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 2 miles

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Top of the Hops Beer Festival this weekend

2011-05-17T16:56:00.000-05:00

Greenville had a small beer festival a few years ago but it fizzled out after a couple years. Last year Tom Davis of Thomas Creek Brewery brought in back, bigger and better than ever. The 2nd annual Top of the Hops Beerfest is back this weekend.

Top of the Hops Greenville Beer Festival will showcase the growing popularity of craft beers from around the country and the world in a relaxed and friendly environment. Patrons will receive a commemorative sampling mug and have access to unlimited, two-ounce sampling of over 150 craft beers in the Green's Discount Beverages Beer Garden, the Abita Beer Garden, the Yuengling Beer Garden, and the Blue Moon Beer Garden. The festival will also feature the Samuel Adams Brew University Education Area where patrons will enjoy beer seminars such as Cooking with Beer, Food Pairings, How to Brew Beer and other beer education sessions. Come enjoy the mass of craft beers with live music and fun games like cornhole.

Date: May 21st
Time: 2-6 PM
Location: Carolina First Center

Distance from downtown Greenville: 3 miles

Artisphere

2011-05-14T21:36:00.000-05:00

This may be the best Artisphere to date for the following reasons:

Despite the stormy forecast, the weather has been great.
The ratio of real art to kitschy "booth art," is leaning far more towards the real art side.
The live music is better than ever. There are far more artistes with original music as opposed to the old R&B, country and beach music cover bands of the past. I caught three bands today who were all excellent. (Elonzo, The New Familiars, and Cory Chisel.)
Most importantly, NO MORE STUPID TICKETS! Now you can buy food, beer and wine with cash. And get this...you can now buy wristbands and beer at the same booth at the same time. No more standing in line for a wristband and then a second line for booze. Wonder if the rest of the downtown events will follow suit?

Kudos to executive director Kerry Murphy!

Foothills Trail

2011-04-24T12:02:00.007-05:00

The Foothills Trail is one of South Carolina's long distance trails, meaning that it takes more than one day to walk from one end to the other. The trail is 76 miles long, starting at Oconee State Park and ending at Table Rock State Park.

Several miles of the trail hug the north side of Lake Jocassee. It also follows several rivers and streams including the Whitewater and Chatooga Rivers. The Toxaway river dumps into Lake Jocassee at one junction and both Whitewater Falls (the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi) and Laurel Fork Falls (as well as several smaller waterfalls) can be reached via the trail.

Maps and guidebook can be found here.

These folks have a nice trail journal of their through hike of the trip.

Bridge over Whitewater River.

Virginia Hawkins Falls

Suspension bridge over Toxaway River

Toxaway River just before it meets
Lake Jocassee

View of Lake Jocassee.

Lower Whitewater Falls

Laure Fork Fal

Urban Farm Tour

2011-04-15T20:37:00.008-05:00

This looks interesting:

Greenville Urban Farm Tour
Saturday May 7, 9 am - 5 pm

Hosted by Greenville Organic Foods Organization

Come see fantastic examples of how city residents are practicing sustainability by growing their own food and implementing energy efficiency.

The self-guided tour will showcase urban farms, edible gardens and energy efficiency located within 10 miles from downtown Greenville.

Rain or Shine!

Over 25 sites to visit and learn about:

vegetable and herb gardens
water catchment
backyard chickens
beekeeping
composting
alternative energy
vermiculture
community and school gardens

Plus Complimentary Workshops

Interested?

Buy tickets in advance!

Redeem your ticket and tour map, select your route, start and end time and visit as many sites as you wish.

See you on the tour!

Greenville Development

2011-04-02T19:51:00.000-05:00

Now that the economy is picking up, it's nice to see a lot of new things developing around town. New side walks are being installed as part of the city's promise to have a sidewalk on every street. The city has recently added a new foot bridge in Cleveland Park so that it's no longer necessary to cross McDaniel to get from Falls Park to Cleveland. They've widened the walking paths, fortified the river banks and upgraded fences and landscaping.

Downtown there are three lots that have been empty for years that now have major construction occurring. Here, here and here.

The Kroc Center is well underway, here.

A 10 million dollar project has been approved for the Piazzo Bergamo Plaza and adjacent lot.

The Swamp Rabbit Trail continues to expand, the latest proposal being an extension to run through Pleasant Ridge Park, where it has just been announced that a new zip line will be installed. Swamp Rabbit Master Plan

Church Street in the future?

It also appears that the city has finally started construction of the Haynie-Sirrine master plan, which is a long overdue update to one of the entrances to the city.

A couple of new sports bars have opened downtown. One, that I can't remember the name of is located across the street from The Corner Pocket. The other, The Carolina Ale House, located on Main, has a really nice upstairs section with large glass windows and a ceiling that is removed when the whether is nice so the dining area becomes roof top seating. The Nose Dive, a gastropub, has just opened across from The Ale House.

One block north, there is a sign for a new place called The Art Bar which is to open soon. On the back side of that building The Beer Exchange recently opened which offers every beer imaginable for take out. What I'm most excited about though is the opening of The Trappe Door, a Belgian bar and restaurant opening in the basement of the Barley's building, which should be opened any day now.

Next I think Smiley's Acoustic Cafe needs to expand into the empty building beside it and install a large deck out back where they offer live music daily throughout the warmer months. Smiley's if you're reading this, if you build it we will come.

XPERIENCE Greenville: The World's First Immersive Event

2011-03-16T20:49:00.005-05:00

Two days and counting. What is Xperience Greenville? I don't know but I plan to be there. Something about laser lights and ninjas. How can you go wrong with ninjas?

From the team that brought you Google on Main!

If you experienced or heard about Google On Main (the nighttime event that landed Greenville in Time Magazine, Newseek, The New York Times, and countless other media publications), you might be interested to know that the same crew of young techies is teaming up with top dj’s, musicians, and performance artists from around the southeast... and they’ve invited a few other “Visitors” to take part.

Something BIG is about to go down that may put Greenville back into the national (or intergalactic) spotlight. On the 1-year anniversary of Google On Main, Xperience (a not for profit event) is here to shine a spotlight (or perhaps some lasers) on this amazing community and the incredible creative and artistic talent that’s emerging here.

Prepare to be amazed, inspired, and exhilarated. Greenville, it’s time to rise and shine... again!

http://www.xperiencegreenville.org/

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Return to the Green Returns

2011-03-02T07:37:00.001-05:00

Return to the Green is moving across the street to the Peace Center amphitheater this year. The forecast currently predicts a sunny 65 degree day.

Return to the Green

Start Time: 1:00 PM Sunday, March 13, 2011
End Time: 6:00 PM Sunday, March 13, 2011
Location:
Peace Center Amphitheater and Wyche Pavillion
300 S. Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
Description: Each March, the Cara Club sponsors an annual family celebration of Irish culture for the community.
More Info: Click to open URL
Contact: Marty Flynn
Telephone: 864-525-8319
Admission: Free

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The Remains of Runion

2011-02-21T20:21:00.001-05:00

In the early 1900's Runion, NC was established as a logging town located between the Laurel and French Broad rivers.

Today, a 3 1/2 mile hike along the Laurel will bring you to the remains of the town. The trail runs along the former rail line so it's very flat. The Laurel, is a beautiful river and there are several campsites along the way.

Directions

Distance from downtown Greenville: 92 miles.

R.I.P. David Brannock - 1957-2010

2010-12-03T21:23:00.000-05:00

In my last couple posts I mentioned a Saturday afternoon drive that ended in Hendersonville at the Blue Note Grill. When I first arrived at the Blue Note around 4:00, I was the only patron. So the bartender and I discussed kayaking and camping and fishing and gardening and miscellaneous other things. After awhile the owner of the Blue Note, David, showed up. I noticed that his signature waist length pony tail was missing. He said he felt he'd finally gotten too old for it. He poured a cup of coffee and then he and I spent a couple hours discussing music, food, craft beer, and the revitalization of Hendersonville. He showed me his new menu and asked for suggestions. We discussed how vinyl records are making a comeback. He mentioned his wife and kids. He was proud that his youngest only had a semester of college left. After his second cup of coffee, as if on cue, the bartender, Jim, poured him a Speckled Hen, clearly a ritual. Eventually other patrons arrived. A woman named Amanda. A Swedish fellow named Bo. Couples and groups of couples. Laura Blackley, host of Local Color on WNCW performed with the Swayback Sisters. As the house filled, Dave made the rounds and treated every patron the same way he always does, like we were all old friends.

Two days later David passed away in his sleep. There will be a celebration of his life this Sunday at the Blue Note. More details can be found here.

Campbell's Covered Bridge

2010-11-30T15:22:00.009-05:00

So I unexpectedly found myself alone the other day, something I really needed, so I went for a drive, not really sure of where I'd end up. Where I ended up can be seen in my last post, but the first stop I made was at Campbell's Covered Bridge. I had never been there before, but people talk about it like it's something worth seeing. I guess if you're into bridges it's worth a stop and it's not far from Poinsett Bridge which I've blogged about previously. Personally I think the covered bridge at Dupont State Forest is more interesting.

There's a lot more information about it here.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 25 miles

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The Blue Note Grill

2010-11-28T15:15:00.001-05:00

I've previously mentioned that one of our favorite hangouts is the Back Room at the Flat Rock Wine Shoppe in Flat Rock, NC. Well they recently moved a few miles north to downtown Hendersonville into a great historic building. They have the same great menu and same extensive beer and wine list. (They're currently serving Highland's Cold Mountain Winter Ale on tap.) But they have a lot more room and best of all they have live music every night with no cover charge.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 39 miles

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TreesGreenville Turkey Day 8k 2010

2010-11-13T13:00:00.005-05:00

The last couple of weeks I've enjoyed helping to plant trees with an organization called TreesGreenville. This is one of several organizations I've discovered through the Hands on Greenville website. As the name implies, the organization plants trees in the area, mostly through the use of volunteers. It's run by a couple of really nice, knowledgeable, laid back people named Joelle and James. The first time I volunteered I learned a lot about how to properly plant a tree, which explains why I haven't always had such great luck in the past. I had similar learning experiences when I've helped plant vegetables at the Project Host Soup Kitchen garden and when I've done trail construction with the Sierra Club. So in addition to helping the community, there is a personal gain involved in these activities.

On Thanksgiving Day TreesGreenville is hosting an 8K run at the ICAR facility as a fundraiser. So if you can run further than I can, and you need an excuse to get away from the extended family on Thanksgiving morning, you might want to check it out. You can sign up here.

DATE & TIME
Thursday, November 25th, 2010 -9am - Turkey Day 8k; 8:30am - 1/4 mile Toddler Trot. Please see the bottom of the page if interested in registering for the Tot Trot.

LOCATION
Hubbell Lighting within the CU-ICAR business park. Hubbell Lighting is located at 701 Millennium Blvd, Greenville, SC 29607.

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Rattlesnake Lodge

2010-11-01T23:44:00.000-05:00

In the early 1900's a fellow by the name of Dr. Chase P. Ambler built a stone summer home for his family near Asheville. He sold it in the 1920's and unfortunately the lodge burned down a few years later. You can read the details here.

Some of the remains still exists. Reaching them can be a short uphill hike from the location below, or you can do a longer hike (16 miles round trip) by starting at the Craggy Garden parking area and taking the Mountains to Sea Trail east. This is a beautiful hike with great views.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 87 miles.

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How to Get to the Blue Ridge Parkway from Greenville

2010-10-24T12:47:00.007-05:00

Parkway in the distance as seen from Mountains to Sea Trail - Oct, 2008

I keep getting hits from people Googling something to the effect of "how to get to the Blue Ridge Parkway from Greenville" so I thought I'd put a post up about the various ways to get there.

The quickest and easiest is to take Hwy 25 to I26N to exit 37 and then follow the signs. It takes about an hour.

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If you're going north on the parkway you may want to keep going past that exit to I40E and take exit 44. That way you'll bypass the section that runs through Asheville which isn't that interesting (plus it's the only section I've ever seen anyone get pulled over for speeding on the Parkway - and yes I was the one pulled over).

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Another option is to go through Brevard via 276. That's a nicer drive but takes about an hour and a half. It puts you near the Pisgah Inn. An even nicer drive to get to this entrance would be to head up HWY 25 through Flat Rock.

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A fourth option if you want to get to a section further south is take 276 to Hwy 11 to Hwy 176 to Hwy 215. This puts you near the Middle Prong Wilderness and Shining Rock Wilderness, not far from the Devil's Court House.

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Fall for Greenville

2010-10-05T20:54:00.000-05:00

Fall for Greenville starts Friday and it looks better than ever. One of my very most favorite musicians, Jason Isbell, will be opening the festival. I've seen him live half a dozen times, mostly while he was with the Drive By Truckers but also once or twice with his new band, the 400 Unit, and he always puts on a killer show.

There are dozens of other entertainment options at the festival as well.

Here's a little taste of Jason performing one of his songs live:

Distance from downtown Greenville: 0 Miles.

Waterrock Knob

2010-10-03T07:53:00.001-05:00

Waterrock Knob is one of the highest points on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's the 16th highest point east of the Mississippi. From the parking lot, it's a short but steep hike to the top. Even if you're not a hiker, it's worth the stop. Once while there I was standing above the clouds.

There are 40 peaks in the southern Appalachians over 6000 feet. There is a club designed to honor those who hike all of them. If you're inclined to do so you can reach several of them from this location.

If you are a hiker and you're good with navigation and don't mind serious bushwhacking, you can have quite an adventure hiking to Mount Lyn Lowery, another 6000 footer where a 50' cross has been erected. There's also an amazing homesite for sale there, which would probably be the highest residential site on the east coast. To get there, when you get to the top of Waterrock, look to your left and you will see a faint little overgrown trail. Follow that trail a couple miles to Lyn Lowry and you'll have some great views along the way, assuming you don't get lost. Even if you do, you'll still have some great views. To say the trail is overgrown is an understatement. Below is a shot of one of the clearest parts of the trail. See that light green area, that's the trail. It gets much worse and you will get turned around and you will get cut up from all the blackberry bushes you have to trudge through. I ripped my pack and my pants.

There are no printed maps of the "trail" and there are no blazes or signs. Other people have left ribbons marking the way and they're fairly accurate but the bushwhacking makes for slow going.

You can find more details and download on-line maps here.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 98 miles

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Greer Oktoberfest

2010-10-01T20:41:00.000-05:00

See ya there: Greer Oktoberfest

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2010 12:00-9:00pm
DOWNTOWN GREER, SOUTH CAROLINA

Entertainment for the day includes performances by the Channelheimer’s Oompah Band, Walhalla German Dancers, Dan Witucki’s Heimatland Musikanten, Al Ulle and the Dueling Slovenians, and the Foothills Oompah Band.
Traditional lederhosen and dirndl, the authentic dress, is encouraged for the event.
Festival goers should expect their mouths to melt from the array of German foods and desserts that will be served. Menu items include Bavarian white sausages, leberkaus, knackwurst, bratwursts, fresh baked pretzels, German funnel cakes, kettle korn, spaetzel, chipstix, glazed nuts, German chocolate cake, Black forest cake, and much more fantastic foods will be sold anywhere from $1 to $5.
Not only is the Greer Station Oktoberfest centered around German themes, it is embracing local artists and celebrating their creative works. Local artists will be displaying their creative pieces all day in downtown Greer. Work on display includes everything from oil paintings, ceramics, photography, woodwork, jewelry and much more. Festival organizers are encouraging people to come and support these artists and delight in each unique piece.
The official festival beer will be the “Spaten Oktoberfest,” which is the world’s first Oktoberfest beer, created in 1872 for the Munich Oktoberfest. It will be featured at two locations within the festival – the corner of Randall and Trade Street and the corner of Victoria and Trade Street. The festival will also have Thomas Creek, Budweiser and Pepsi products.
ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
Main Stage12:00 - 4:00pm Channellheimer’s Oompah Band
5:00 - 9:00pm Foothills Oompah Band
Beirgarten Stage
12:00 - 3:00pm All Ulle and the Deuling Slovenians
4:00 - 5:30pm Walhalla Oktoberfest Dancers
6:00 -9:00pm Dan Witucki and Heimatland Musikanten

Distance from downtown Greenville: 12 miles

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Greenville - A good place to live

2010-08-10T20:12:00.000-05:00

Fortune Magazine recently named Greenville as one of the top places to retire. This comes on the heels of a feature article on Greenville appearing in US Air's in-flight magazine. Meanwhile Charleston is named one of the Top American Towns in this month's addition of Outside Magazine and was recently named the number two vacation spot by Conde Nast. Asheville was recently named Beer City USA and (along with Brevard) was named one of the best cities to raise an outdoor kid by Backpacker Magazine. Considering that these places are all within a day's drive, Greenville seems like a pretty good place to live.

Otter Creek Water Park

2010-08-05T10:31:00.000-05:00

I'm not a big fan of water parks or amusement parks. Something about standing in line for 30 minutes for 30 seconds of thrill just doesn't work for me but the kids seem to like it. I recently took one of my sons to Northside park where a new water park has opened called Otter Creek and with the current heatwave some readers might find it to be a nice diversion. It's kind of hard to find information on it on-line but it's a nice place. Definitely for kids as the deepest swimming area is only 3 feet deep but they have three slides and a wade pool and one of those fountain deals the kids can run around under. There's also a snack bar. I can't remember what the entrance fee was but it seems like it was about ten bucks for swimmers and two dollars for non-swimming parents.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 12 miles.

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Patriots Point

2010-08-01T23:05:00.003-05:00

Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant currently contains an aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown, and a submarine, the USS Clamagore, for public tour. A battleship, the USS Laffey is also on tour most of the time but is currently in North Charleston at a shipyard for dry dock repairs. The Yorktown contains a number of aircraft and a newly installed Medal of Honor museum. One of the nice features of the tour is the ability to have a home cooked lunch in the mess hall.

The Point is currently in dire need of federal support. Rep Jim Clyburn has introduced legislation to get the needed funds to keep the ships a float and open to the public. You can read more here.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 215 miles

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Bele Chere this Weekend

2010-07-21T21:59:00.000-05:00

Bele Chere, the best street festival around takes place this weekend. While there you may want to check out the recently opened Lexington Avenue Brewery, a really cool, funky microbrewry or if you're in the mood for exquisitely good Italian food, try Cucina24 on Wall Street.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 63 miles.

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Flatrock Cinema

2010-05-03T20:24:00.001-05:00

Flatrock Cinema is a nice little second run theater about forty-five minutes from Greenville. In addition to the standard movie snacks they also offer beer, wine and "dinner" (although dinner is microwaved burgers or hot dogs). If you want a more upscale dinner you might want to check out the Flatrock Wine Shoppe's Backroom right next door, or for something cheaper the Flatrock Village Bakery across the street is an excellent choice.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 35 miles

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Rocks and Ropes

2010-04-09T21:26:00.008-05:00

Downtown Greenville is in dire need of a good rock climbing gym. At one time there were two, Urban Crags and Rocks and Ropes. Urban Crags closed down years ago and Rocks and Ropes has now moved from Main St. to the Blue Ridge area, but it is now open for business. Seems to me the new Ray Kroc Center would be a good place for a rock climbing gym (and a skate park).

Distance from downtown Greenville: 14 miles.

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Google on Main follow up

2010-04-07T14:44:00.006-05:00

I just read on the Random Connections blog that Google is hosting an internet poll to see which city is most deserving of the new Google Fiber. You can actually vote once per day until the polling ends. Follow this link:

From the City of Greenville newsletter:

Saturday, March 20, 2010

7:30 PM

Meet behind The Peace Center

Google is looking for one city around the country to invest billions of dollars in order to try out experimental ultra-high speed broadband internet. Come show your support for why they should select Greenville! The event will include thousands of people with LED-powered, Google-colored glow sticks walking in "fiber" lines into Falls Park and forming the letters "Google." Helicopters and national media will be filming the event from above. Let's make Greenville shine!

Click here to sign-up.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 0 miles.

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Linville Gorge

2010-04-06T21:06:00.005-05:00

Linville Gorge, called the Grand Canyon of North Carolina by some, is a rugged and remote area just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Linville, NC. There are several trails that descend into the gorge to the Linville River. It's a truly amazing wilderness area but remember that if you make it to the river, you have to climb back out.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 110 miles.

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Top of the Hops Beer Festival

2010-04-03T21:36:00.001-05:00

Holy cow. Are you kidding me? Greenville is actually hosting a brewfest again? Yep. I've been pushing for a Greenville Beerfest ever since the two year old Greenville Beerfest closed shop several years ago. Now I see Greenville is hosting another beerfest. If you attend, make sure you spend time at my friend Tom's booth.

Click here for the details. Top of the Hops Beer Festival

Distance from downtown Greenville: 0 miles.

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Worley Cave

2010-04-01T21:03:00.000-05:00

Worley Cave is a wild and relatively untouched cave located on a farm in Bluff City, TN. The owner of the cave allows exploration of the cave with a qualified guide.

Mountain Adventure Guides offers reasonable prices for qualified guides.

This isn't like Lurray Caverns. It's totally non-commercial. It is unspoiled and very deep. You will get very dirty, rip your clothes, climb, slide and be expected to walk through an underground river to exit the cave. You will also have a blast.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 161 miles.

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God's Plan

2010-03-27T10:50:00.000-05:00

Seems to be a lot of proselytizing on Main Street lately. From street preachers screaming hellfire and damnation to wide-eyed young people wanting a "moment of my time." Makes for good street theatre I suppose. Recently I was checking my e-mail in front of Fall's Park when a white van came screeching up beside me. Next thing I knew I was surrounded by several twenty-somethings holding religious tracts who were all piling into the van like they'd just pulled a bank job.

For some reason, I doubt the claim on the front of this Hummer.

St. Francis Mud Run

2010-03-25T20:05:00.001-05:00

I got word back that registration is already closed for Art Loeb extreme hike I mentioned in the last post, but this sounds like a good time.

Join us for the 6th Annual St. Francis Mud Run on

Saturday, May 1, 2010!

Extreme Hike for the Cure

2010-03-24T20:44:00.005-05:00

I've mentioned a couple times previously one of my favorite trails, The Art Loeb.

Well this sounds kinda cool. Extreme Hike for the Cure

WHO:	All adventure and outdoor enthusiast
WHAT:	In just one amazing day, you will hike the 30.1 miles of the famed art Loeb Trail in Pisgah National Forest while you help raise money towards a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF)—this country’s most fatal genetic disease among children and young adults.
WHEN:	Friday, April 23—Sunday, April 25, 2010

WHERE: Art Loeb Trail
Pisgah National Forest
Brevard, North Carolina
WHY: Through your participation in Extreme Hike for a Cure, you’ll experience adventure, accomplish a once in a lifetime goal, make new friends and add tomorrows to the lives of thousands of CF patients.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities contact Dede Brand at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 704.321.7852 or dbrand@cff.org

For more information on CF or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, visit www.cff.org.

Disk (Frisbee) Golf Courses

2010-03-23T11:21:00.003-05:00

Recently, one of my sons and I were trying to remember where all the good disk golf course are around here. These are the only ones we could remember.

Timmons Park - This a good one although it was recently re-routed and is a bit confusing toward the end.

Simpsonville City Park

Holmes Park

Gower Estates Park

Here are a couple more I found on-line that I'm not familiar with.

Century Park

Foothills DGC

I'd love for people to chime in and offer others they know of, both in Greenville County and in the surrounding counties.

Update: Hat tip to Otis for the following resource. Upstate Disc Golf Courses

Mojitos Bar and Lounge

2010-03-21T10:44:00.004-05:00

My wife and I had a very pleasant lunch at this West End restaurant recently. The place is owned by a Cuban entrepreneur who moved from Miami to open a business in Greenville. I'm no expert on Cuban food, but I can personally vouch for their Cuban sandwich.

A little more detail is given here and here.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 0 miles.

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Fernwood Nature Trail

2010-02-27T20:02:00.000-05:00

The parks were packed last weekend with the spring weather. If you head down to Cleveland Park in the near future, be sure to take a stroll on the Fernwood Nature. The Sierra Club spent Saturday morning cleaning it up and adding mulch.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 0 miles.

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Japanese film series at Furman starts this week

2010-01-31T12:40:00.000-05:00

Japanese Film at Furman - Film Series
Click here for a full description of all films

All films will begin at 6pm and will be followed by a short lecture.
The first 3 films will be shown in the Patrick Lecture hall in the Townes Science Center. The April 20th screening will be held in the Burgiss Theater in the Univ. Center.
All screenings are free and open to the public.

Feb. 2, 2010 - The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On
Mar. 2, 2010 - Departures
Mar. 30, 2010 - Dear Pyongyang
Apr. 20, 2010 - Ghose in the Shell: Mobile Armored Riot Police

Helping Haiti Rescue Efforts

2010-01-13T22:50:00.000-05:00

No scam here. This is for real. If you'd like to donate to the relief efforts in Haiti you can do so by texting the word Haiti to 90999 from your mobile phone and you'll be billed $10. If you're suspicious you can check the following State Department site for confirmation (last paragraph).

http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ha/index.htm

Slideshow of Haiti Destruction - Warning: Very Graphic

Indigo Blue Website

2010-01-05T17:04:00.000-05:00

I don't do this very often but here is a new blog that seems like a good compliment to this one.

http://indigobluesc.com/

Kings Creek Falls

2010-01-02T16:56:00.001-05:00

Just up the hill from the wild and scenic Chatooga River is Kings Creek Falls. This is a good one to catch on the way to Spoonauger Falls and Ellicott's Rock.

Park at the Burrells Ford Campground parking lot, then take the Foothills Trail, near the entrance to the parking area, to the falls. They're not hard to find. On the way back to Greenville, you might want to check out Isaqueena Falls and Stumphouse tunnel.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 66 miles.

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Happy Holidays

2009-12-22T13:20:00.000-05:00

Triple Falls

If you're looking for snow it's not hard to find. The roads to Dupont State Forest are clear. My sons and I saw practically no one there yesterday. Great way to spend the solstice.

Webcams

2009-12-19T09:08:00.002-05:00

Given the weather conditions I thought a link to some regional webcams might be of service to my faithful readers.

Greenville Webcams
South Carolina webcams
Great Smoky Mountain National Park webcams
High Country Webcams

Linville River Log Cabins

2009-12-05T17:58:00.001-05:00

I've mentioned previously the village of Linville Falls, the Linville Gorge and Linville Caverns. Nearby a new set of cabins are now available for rent on the the Linville River. All cabins are located right on the river.

Linville River Cabins website.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 144 miles.

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Happy Turkey Day

2009-11-26T06:00:00.006-05:00

I captured a picture of this lady on Nov. 1st near Hemphill Bald. I saw about forty turkeys that day which I thought was rather apropos considering the date.

Share the Road

2009-11-21T09:54:00.000-05:00

I'd like to make an appeal to my cycling friends. If you're going to slap a bumper sticker on your Subaru asking others to share the road, please heed your own advice. If your fifty member cycling club is winding up Hwy 178 at ten miles an hour, you're not sharing the road. If you're riding down the middle of the Blue Ridge Parkway with ten cars behind you, you're not sharing the road. You may have the same legal right to be there, but that doesn't give you the right to be rude and make everyone else wait on you.

On the other, to my motorist friends, although it may at times be tempting to run some of these self-absorbed folks into the grass, it's probably something we should make an effort to avoid. (Save that temptation for the Floridians who drive like they've never seen a curve in the road before.)

Share the Road

Mount Mitchell

2009-11-16T17:11:00.004-05:00

Update: I finally had a chance to see the new upgrades at Mt. Mitchell this weekend. The new lookout tower is really impressive.

Mt. Mitchell Restaurant is the highest restaurant on the east coast, located on the highest mountain east of the Mississippi. The menu ranges from burgers to mountain trout. The dining room overlooks the mountains. Since this is located in a state park there is no beer or wine offerings. If you want a similar dining experience with a more upscale menu and a great wine and beer selection, travel down the Parkway another hour to the Pisgah Inn. (Watch out for the Parkway police officers so you don't blow a needless 100 bucks as I did yesterday.)

Mt. Mitchell in November.

The state park offers great (although very strenuous) trails and a few nice tent campsites. If you’re looking for an easy hike try the Balsam Nature trail. It’s a beautiful trail and only a mile or so round trip. If you’re looking for something more strenuous try the Camp Alice or Old Mt. Mitchell trails. They are much easier going down the mountain than they are coming back up it.

Mt. Mitchell is located in the Black Mountains, which contains 18 of the highest peaks on the east coast. Several of these can be reached via the Deep Gap trail (also called the Black Mountain Crest Trail). The three peaks seen here are Big Tom, Balsam Cone and Cattail Peak. Just behind me a couple hundred yards up the trail is Mt. Craig, the second highest peak on the east coast. All four of these peaks are over 6500’. Deep Gap is one of the most beautiful trails you’re likely to find near Greenville, but is very strenuous. Fortunately the temperature, in theory, should be about 20 degrees cooler than in Greenville (3.5 degrees per 1000’ in elevation).

At this elevation the weather and temperature change rapidly so remember to take a variety of clothes with you. Also, it’s a good idea to call ahead to make sure the park is open.

Location: 35°45'53.49"N 82°15'55.02"W
Distance from downtown Greenville: 92 miles by Google. The best route though is I26N to I40 to 17, then hop on the Parkway for the rest of the drive.

This picture shows the damage from a recent storm on Bald Knob Ridge trail located about a half mile from Mt. Mitchell State Park. There are a couple hundred trees such as these down in this area, several of which have destroyed a campsite and covered the trail, so camping could be hazardous.

Asheville Film Festival

2009-11-12T20:00:00.000-05:00

The 7th Annual Asheville Film Festival started tonight. This is a great little film festival. All the venues are within walking distance of each other and within walking distance of plenty of nice restaurants and drinking holes. There are also a number of workshops offered for free. I've got a short film screening there Saturday evening at the Fine Arts Center lower theatre. (I had a feature film screen there a couple years ago.)

Click here for more info.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 61 miles

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Open Studios Returns

2009-11-06T21:46:00.000-05:00

Greenville Open Studios is a weekend event which opens the studios of local visual artists to the public. The event, scheduled for November 7-8, 2009, showcases artists at work in their studios.

Hours:
Saturday, November 7, 10am - 6pm
Sunday, November 8, Noon - 6pm.

Location
Distance from downtown Greenville: 0-15 miles

Green River Narrows Competition

2009-11-06T20:56:00.018-05:00

One of the the top paddling competitions in the country takes place tomorrow (Nov. 7th) on the Green River. The race starts at 12:00 noon.

If you'd like to watch the race here are the direction to the trailhead. There is about a two mile hike in from there.

From Greenville, take Hwy 25 to I26 west.

Take Exit 53 and go right on Upward Road.
Go 1.5 miles and go right on Big Hungry Road (after brick church). (This is where it gets a bit confusing.)
Take first Left on Big Hungry Road.
Take first Right on Big Hungry Road (DON'T TAKE first Right on Gallimore Road.)
But continue 3.1 more miles
Park in unmarked pull-off on right.

From there Just follow the crowd. Bring food and water and be prepared to scale down the side of the mountain to get to the river. It's well worth the effort. Check out the image here:

Update: These images are from today's race. 11.7.09

Distance from downtown Greenville: 45 miles

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Best Main Street

2009-10-28T22:43:00.000-05:00

Main, St Greenville was just voted one of the top main streets in the country by the American Planning Association. From their website:

Main Street in downtown Greenville attracts residents and visitors alike with bustling foot traffic seven days a week, day and night. Once lined with numerous vacant buildings, Greenville's long-term commitment to planning and plan implementation during the past 30 years has turned Main Street into a magnet of commerce and social activity that is now expanding into neighboring areas. From its storefront displays to historic buildings, dozens of restaurants and Falls Park, Main Street offers a nexus of opportunities in a unique and remarkable setting.

This just after the AARP ranked Greenville, the second best place "to live the simple life."

In addition Relocate American ranks it as the the fourth best place to live.

The Swag Country Inn

2009-10-22T21:01:00.007-05:00

If you like to drink your first cup of coffee while watching the sunrise at a 5000' perch, there's no better place to do it than from Gooseberry Knob located on the property of The Swag Country Inn. The Swag was recently featured in three articles in the Asheville Citizen-Times (1) (2) (3) and voted the number two small inn in the US by Conde Nast Traveler (and number 72 in the world for all hotels).

The inn caters to hikers and lovers of seclusion. After passing through the gate, visitors drive two and a half miles through private undeveloped property to the top of the mountain. The inn offers 15 upscale, yet rustic rooms with wood burning fire places, outdoor hot tubs and amazing views. The rooms are literally a stone's throw from the most popular national park in the nation, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Meals are an event all unto themselves. Served family style and featuring food grown either on the property or nearby, Chef Brian Kimmet, keeps the guests well fed with creations matched only in the finest restaurants.

The good news for Greenvillians is that this sanctuary is less than two hours away.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 93 miles.

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John Tynan

2009-10-21T22:35:00.000-05:00

First Snow

2009-10-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

Twas a good day to be in the woods.

Twas also a good day to be above tree line.

The End.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 87 miles
Location: 35°20'25.57"N 82°52'4.05"W

Halloween Bible Burning

2009-10-14T21:16:00.000-05:00

This is just weird enough I may have to attend. I just read on the the Ashevegas blog that a church in Canton is planning to burn books on Halloween. Many of them include various non-KJV versions of the Bible.

http://amazinggracebaptistchurchkjv.com/Download99.html

Distance from downtown Greenville: 77 miles

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Lake Lure, NC

2009-10-13T20:29:00.005-05:00

Lake Lure is a quiet mountain lake where the mountains drop down to the water. It's deceptively large due to it's shape. The lake contains a variety of coves so it appears small and quaint. Several movies have been filmed at Lake Lure including Dirty Dancing, My Fellow Americans and Firestarter.

The town of Lake Lure contains several nice restaurants and is located next to the tourist town of Chimney Rock. Cabins, hotels, motels and campgrounds are all located nearby.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 64 miles.

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Help the Great Smoky Mountain National Park

2009-10-11T23:19:00.005-05:00

You can help the Great Smoky Mountain National Park earn a grant for renovation of park resources. Vote here.

Greenville HD

2009-09-30T19:04:00.001-05:00

Here's a local website readers of this blog might enjoy:
Click Here: Greenville HD

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

2009-09-12T19:42:00.003-05:00

September 26th, 2009 starting at 7:30 AM

More info.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 6 miles

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Spartanburg Gun Club

2009-09-10T18:44:00.001-05:00

I'm not a big fan of firearms. (Actually it's not firearms I mind so much as the irrational gun culture created by radical special interest groups like the NRA.) If you like the sport but have no desire to gang bang, rob banks, kill wildlife from a helicopter or abuse your second amendment rights, the Spartanburg Gun Club is a great place to spend the day.

Located on 110 acres near Croft State Park, they offer trap, skeet and sporting clays.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 42 miles.

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WNCW needs help

2009-09-02T17:47:00.005-05:00

The best radio station around is in dire straits after losing $200,000 in state funding. According to the Ashvegas blog, three people from WNCW were laid off this week.

I was just thinking that if everyone who clicked on my blog since January donated ten bucks, we could make up the difference.

If you're not familiar with WNCW, take a listen. It's not your standard NPR, that's for sure.

Listen Now

Headwaters Outfitters

2009-08-30T11:18:00.006-05:00

Offering:
Tubing Trips
Canoeing & Kayaking
Fly-Fishing
Canoe Camping

Located in Rosman, NC between Sapphire and Brevard, Headwaters Outfitters offers several different paddling/float packages on the French Broad river. They also carry a nice supply of fly fishing and paddling gear.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 47 miles.

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Mabry Mill

2009-08-22T13:24:00.000-05:00

Much like Hagood Mill, Mabry Mill is a step into the past. Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway in southwestern Virginia, the mill is open for tours. There are often volunteers on site working as blacksmiths, spinners, millers and demonstrating other 19th century occupations. On the weekends local bluegrass musicians stop by to play a mix of traditional tunes, folk and bluegrass music. A gift shop and restaurant are also located on the premises.

One of the things that I like about this particular mill is the intact and fully functional water flume that runs throughout the premises.

If you like old historic places like this but want something closer to home check out the Mountain Heritage Museum in Old Fort, NC, the aforementioned Hagood Mill in Pickens, the Cradle of Forestry in Brevard or the Roper Mountain Science Center here in Greenville.

Distance from downtown Greenville:231 miles.

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Art Opening Today, August 22nd

2009-08-22T10:43:00.004-05:00

From my friend Tim Speaker:

"On Saturday, August 22nd, I will have an opening at the Bang Salon in Greenville. The x/+ exhibition will present work found previously in the XTRMNTR series.

"The opening will be around 5, and will feature 3 live bands. Bitterman, Feeding the Fire, and the Dixie Ramblers will all rock the Bang. Come out and check out some art and listen to some tunes.

"Bang Salon is located at 1 Wade Hampton Blvd."

Distance from downtown Greenville: A short walk. (Across the street from the Handlebar.)

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Nature Find

2009-08-18T13:12:00.000-05:00

Check out this site. You just type in your location and it delivers you information about nature related events and locations.

http://www.naturefind.com/

Green Creek Winery 4th Annual Anniversary Celebration

2009-08-15T15:55:00.004-05:00

From the Green Creek Winery:

September 5, 2009
10am - 6pm

Green Creek Winery will be hosting our 4th annual Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, September 5th from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Free admission and parking, live music, local art and crafts vendors, a Blessing of the Harvest, a rose workshop (Easy Rose Care by Paul Zimmerman of Ashdown Roses at 11:00am and 2:00pm), a chance to win prizes if you dress up like Lucille Ball, and everyone is invited to stomp grapes.

Wine will be for sale by the glass or the bottle. For this anniversary there will be a 20% discount on all cases - September 5th ONLY. Great food will be available for purchase.

Don't forget your lawn chairs and blankets. No pets or coolers please.

Rant

2009-08-11T21:13:00.015-05:00

Allow me to vent briefly.

On a camping trip in March, while hiking the Art Loeb Trail, a friend and I found the defacement seen here at Tennent Mountain, NC (which I've written about previously). It was the first and only vandalism I had noticed anywhere near this vicinity.

A few weeks ago another friend and I were camped near Graveyard Fields and we came across a great campsite by a nice river located between a couple of waterfalls. Someone had built a really nice fire pit beside the river. Unfortunately in the pit we found seven or eight water bottles and beer cans, a condom wrapper, and a Bi-Lo bag full of something that neither of us were willing to investigate. So we were left with the task of cleaning up the site and hauling all of this out. To make matters worse, about two hours after setting up camp I walked back up the trail and noticed where three people had left human scat, uncovered, toilet paper and all, within about four feet of the trail, on the uphill side, about fifteen feet from the river. That's disgusting.

Yesterday I was back on Tennent Mountain and discovered where several young girls (judging by their 1990's names) had continued the tradition started by Jonfun and Devo. In addition I also picked up an empty water bottle and empty beer can (Pabst Blue Ribbon of all things) on the same trail.

So all of this has left me pondering a couple of things. First of all what the hell is wrong with people? Are they simply so self-absorbed that they don't care about anyone else or the natural settings they are in? Secondly, is it possible that somehow this little blog has helped to create these problems? I don't get a ton of hits but I did get 6038 unique visitors in 2008 and have 5300 so far this year. Is it possible that I actually led these people to these spots with my little postings? I sure hope not. My goal has always been to bring these great spots to the attention of people who will also appreciate them and protect them, not destroy them.

So if you read this blog and decide to explore these places please respect them. Pack out all trash, and pick up trash you see left by others. Make sure all fires are extinguished. Don't pee in the streams and rivers and if you have to squat in the woods do it at least 70 paces from any water source. Dig a hole first with the heel of your shoe and then cover it afterwards. And for godssake, if you're going to haul beer in at least take something more drinkable than Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Here are a couple of resources for anyone spending time in the wilderness:

Leave No Trace

Backpacker's Field Manual

How to Shit in the Woods

Michael Jackson's Great Beer Guide

And if Jonfun, Devo, Shashy, Sam, Ellen, Megan, Chloe, Kendall, Aubie, Abie, Kellie, Taylor, Sasha or Lexi happen to come across this, please redeem yourselves by contacting one of the following and offering to assist in trail cleanup and maintenance.

Sierra Club

Friends of the Mountains to Sea

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Conestee Foundation

Middle Prong Wilderness

2009-08-07T19:44:00.007-05:00

The Middle Prong Wilderness is a true wilderness area. Therefore there are no signs, no trail blazes, no kiosks, and no other human structures. As a result there are also very few people. I highly recommend it but only if you're good with navigation because even the best maps don't show all the trails that you'll come across. Most of the area is located at an elevation of 5500' or higher so even in the dead of summer the temperature is quite pleasant.

The area is covered in an abundance of wild edibles and wild flowers including blueberries, blackberries, queen Anne's lace, Daisy's, rhododendron, mountain laurel, flame azalea's, etc. Much of the trail is covered in a highland peat bog with hemlocks and spruce towering above, often reminiscent of the pacific northwest and smelling of Christmas.

There are also plenty of places to camp but water is sometimes scarce.

I'll let the following images speak for themselves.

Watch out for snakes.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 65 miles

Park here and take the trail across the creek and up the hill to the right.

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Old Fiddler's Convention

2009-08-04T19:36:00.005-05:00

74th Annual August 3 - 8, 2009
from their website:

Before the second weekend in August each year, lovers of country and mountain music leave their homes in time to be in Galax, VA for the Annual Old Fiddler's Convention. For some this means hundreds of miles of travel, while for others it will be a short trip from their nearby homes. Most of these people don't play music, and come just for the listening and renewing old acquaintances.

However, a few hundred come with their instruments to show their skill, and compete for the cash prizes which total thousands of dollars. But most of them would come without the prizes being offered. They want to see and be seen, and hear and be heard. The instruments vary from mouth harps in pockets to bull fiddles strapped on top of cars. Many of these musicians have played in most of the conventions since 1935, but this group is growing smaller by the year.

The Old Fiddler's Convention was originated in the spring of 1935 when a few members of the then new Moose Lodge #733 needed something to raise funds and promote publicity. In a newspaper item at the time it was stated that the Convention was dedicated to "Keeping alive the memories and sentiments of days gone by and make it possible for people of today to hear and enjoy the tunes of yesterday". The original purpose is held in the same regard today, and the sponsors feel that in some measure this purpose has been accomplished.

Two conventions were held in 1935, but by the last one that fall the indoor facilities had been outgrown, and the convention was moved to Felts Park, and has been held there each year since except when weather forced it indoors temporarily. One convention was omitted during World War II, due to limitations of travel.

The Old Fiddler's Convention has grown steadily until now each year people must be notified often that SRO is available in the park and room for parking is filled.

In 1965, a Saturday afternoon program was started to relieve the pressure on Saturday night. In 1967 NBC-TV covered the entire three nights and Saturday afternoon. A few years ago a Wednesday night performance was added. In 1999, Tuesday night competition was added. A Fiddlers' Youth Competition was added in 2000, which added Monday night to the schedule.

A unique aspect of the convention is the camping area where the musicians rehearse and try to get in tune. Some listeners and onlookers follow these bands around and lose contact with what's happening on the stage. Often dancers and players try out their abilities in the parking lot when they would not dare go on the stage.

Contestants must register in advance of the convention and there is no charge for registration. Some of these come from distant states and at times from foreign countries, but when they play, the tunes are usually the same that have been heard at the convention down through the years.

In the early years, the contestants came chiefly from Carroll, Grayson, and adjoining counties in Virginia and North Carolina. Now bands and individual performers come from the big cities, the college campuses, and every place where the old music is loved and played.

The promoters feel that the Annual Old Fiddler's Convention is fast becoming a tradition in country and mountain musical circles, and will do their best to continue bringing to you the tunes which have been handed down from generation to generation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The fact that many of the contestants are youngsters is encouraging, and we feel that the future of Folk and Country Music is secure.

http://www.oldfiddlersconvention.com/info.htm

Distance from downtown Greenville: 218 miles.

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Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa

2009-07-02T19:25:00.007-05:00

If you live anywhere within a day's drive of Greenville or Asheville, you owe yourself a trip to the Grove Park Inn. Built in 1913, the Grove Park has expanded from it's original structure to include two newer wings. Personally I prefer the rooms in the older wing. These are not only cheaper but cozier and more "inn-like."

View from one of the outdoor terraces.

The spa is a truly fantastic experience. You enter it through a hallway lined with stone walls, dim lighting, soft music and the aroma of eucalyptus. The spa itself is built to look like an underground cave. It features an indoor lap pool, a heated pool, hot tubs with waterfalls pouring hot water over you, a dry sauna, a wet sauna, etc, etc. Fires are burning in the various fire places inside and out. New age and classical music plays throughout, including under the water. No children are allowed and the spa limits the number of guests to a few dozen per day to assure a tranquil experience.

There are several restaurants within the inn ranging from moderate pricing to extremely upscale. There are many other amenities including a golf course, a gym, antique car exhibit, a great room with two enormous wood fireplaces and lots of places to find a private place to enjoy a drink and smoke a cigar.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 65 miles

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Skinny Dip Falls

2009-06-28T19:25:00.008-05:00

Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway on the Mountains-to-Sea trail, Skinny Dip Falls is a beautiful cascading waterfall.

The water is crystal clear. Unfortunately these images don't do it justice. To reach the falls, park at the Looking Glass Overlook located at milepost 417. Cross the street and take the connector trail to the Mountains to Sea Trail and turn left. You'll reach the falls in about a half mile.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 70 miles

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Cumberland Island National Seashore

2009-06-12T08:47:00.015-05:00

Cumberland Island National Seashore is the southern most barrier island in Georgia. In fact you can see Florida from its shores.

Like Bull Island, it can only be accessed by boat (or helicopter). A 45 minute ferry ride from the nearby town of St. Marys runs 2-3 times a day.

There are basically three ways to explore it - as a day tripper, as a camper, or by staying on the island's luxurious Greyfield Inn.

There is one standard "car" camping type campground which is about a half mile from the ferry dock. (Obviously you can't park your car there, but they do have carts to help you transport your gear from the ferry to the campground.) There are also four back country sites (even though their website says there are only three.) The closest (called Stafford Beach) is 3.5 miles away and contains a bath house with a cold water shower, and drinking water. (The water must be filtered, treated or boiled before drinking.) The other three sites are 5.5 miles, 7.5 miles and 10.5 miles away.

The island is teeming with wildlife, rivaling Shenandoah National Park. Wildlife includes armadillos, egrets, wood storks, rattle snakes, water moccasins, alligators, racoons, turkeys and 150 feral horses. (Several of these made frequent visits to our campsite.)

My sons and I came across this feral pig. The vulture standing by in the distance was one of five waiting for us to leave. Other creatures we encountered along the beach included various species of crabs and sharks.

We also discovered a couple of interesting items washed up on the beach including this meteorological monitoring device.

We also found the most pristine conch shells, scallop shells and sand dollars you can imagine.

The island has had residents for over 4000 years including some of the worlds biggest movers and shakers including the Rockefellers and Carnegies. (John F. Kennedy Jr. was married on the island.)

This structure is a former mansion now in a state of disrepair.

Warning. The ticks, mosquitoes, heat and humidity can get unbearable in the summer months. The island is truly an awesome experience but be prepared with plenty of deet and iodine tablets. Also, there are no lifeguards on the beaches. This is a wilderness area. Rip tides are a real threat. Know what to look for before entering the water.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 362 miles

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The River Garden Bed and Breakfast

2009-06-09T19:28:00.002-05:00

The River Garden is located on the banks of the beautiful and pristine Holston River. The innkeepers, Scott and Paula, have provided three rooms in their home so that guests can get a small taste of peaceful southwest Virgina countryside that they enjoy daily.

The Holston is a fisherman's dream. During a canoe trip down the river, we found no area where trout were not abundant. All of the rooms open to a large porch overlooking the river.

In addition, Great Blue Herons, Redwing Blackbirds, Canadian Geese, Wood Ducks, Humming birds and a variety of other birds are found in every direction.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 180 miles.

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A Tailor's Lodging Bed and Breakfast

2009-06-08T22:40:00.000-05:00

A Tailor's Lodging is located one block off Main Street in Abingdon, VA. The home was built in the 1840's by the town tailor. Although much of it has been updated, the owners have done an excellent job keeping it as authentic as possible. There are two rooms in the main house, one upstairs and one downstairs, and a large common area on the middle floor which includes a study, the kitchen, and a sitting room. The innkeepers, Rick and Susan, are very accommodating and generous, allowing guests free run of the place. They also offer great stories about the area.

An additional room is found in this cottage located next to the main house.

The house is one block from a bike rental/shuttle business and two blocks from the end of the Virginia Creeper Trail. The Martha Washington Inn is one block the other direction with the Barter Theatre located across the street. The Tavern is located about four blocks away and several other good restaurants are within walking distance.

Since Rick and Susan have regular jobs and don't live in the home, they don't offer a traditional breakfast. They will provide either a continental breakfast or a 10% discount for no breakfast. There is a great little place called the Trail Cafe one block away that offers some great breakfast options.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 172 miles.

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	WHERE:	Art Loeb Trail Pisgah National Forest Brevard, North Carolina
	WHY:	Through your participation in Extreme Hike for a Cure, you’ll experience adventure, accomplish a once in a lifetime goal, make new friends and add tomorrows to the lives of thousands of CF patients.