Fair Play & Long Creek Sept 2015

Two weeks ago (September 11), we took a drive to Fair Play, a little town south of us.  Bob had seen an ad that lake view  RV lots were for sale there.  The sale was to begin Saturday, but we thought we would get a sneak preview.  Although we are not thinking of moving at this point, we wanted to see what was being offered.  The land was gated, but we were able to get a glimpse of it.  It doesn't beat where we are now.  Just down the road from where the lots are is the Army Corp of Engineers Fairplay Recreation Area. It would be a nice place to have a picnic.

The following week (September 17th) , we decided to drive north to Long Creek to check out the apple orchards.  We weren't sure if the apples were ready, but it is a nice ride.  Several of the orchards had u-pick signs up, but since Bob isn't able to get around well, we opted to stop at one of the apple stands instead.  We first took a ride into Georgia, across the Chattahuga River, then a short drive in the country before stopping for apples.

The property where the RV lots were for sale.  The lake is behind the trees, so lake views are questionable, and probably the sites would be small.

                      The swimming area at the Fairplay recreation area just down the road from the RV lots



That pole and the swimming area barricade are usually in 6 feet of water.  Lake Hartwell has been more than 5 feet below full pool for several weeks now.







 Even though the water level is low, the views at the lake are spectacular.

Fun signs on the way back to Townville

                                                   Hmm...maybe we are in Kansas, Toto!



             A glimpse of the Chattahuga heading from GA to SC on US 76 the following week

                               An unexpected sighting...a llama in one of the farm fields

                    The fields were filled with yellow flowers...love this scene with the farmhouse and

mountains in the distance.

I bought some Fuji, Granny Smith and delicious apples and a jar of her home made sugarless apple butter.  She said she makes it with golden delicious apples and cinnamon.  Haven't tried the apple butter yet, but the apples were crispy, sweet, and juicy.

Apples ready for bobbing...just add water!

 

 





 







 





Central Historical Museum and Heritage Gardens, Central Sc Sept 2015.

A  brochure of South Carolina gardens  in our area mentioned the heritage garden in Central, SC, a small town near Clemson.   About 2 weeks ago, we took a trip there.  The museum, which was the home built in 1893 for  town  merchants Jeptha and Minnerva Morgan is open only on Sundays, but we planned on visiting the gardens known for its  tranquil atmosphere.  However, the gardens were not handicap accessible, so Bob stayed in the car while I took a brief stroll around the grounds.  Again, bronze sculptures were every where.  This will be another place that we will have to re-visit  once Bob can walk again.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The brochure invites you to  bring a book and enjoy reading it in the garden or on the porch of the Morgan's home. Hope to do that another day.











 

First Wheelie Outing August 27, 2015

Bob's ankle surgeon prescribed a wheelchair for Bob, which was delivered Wednesday, August 26th.  With the help of a neighbor, I loaded the chair into the back of my SUV, and on Thursday, we made our first outing with it.  Destination:  Pendleton Library, a branch of Anderson County libraries. 

On the same property as the library is the remnants of  the Tanglewood Mansion, a home that was built in the 1830's and owned by the Sloan family.  It burned down in 1908, was rebuilt in 1910, and again burned to the ground in 1970.  The land and remaining structures were then donated to Anderson County's library system.

After a photo shoot at the mansion, and visit to the library, we took a ride to Twin Lakes campground, an Army Corps of Engineer's park where we stayed last November.  Lake Hartwell is down five feet, but we still enjoyed the views, and were delighted to see a doe with her fawns as we entered the park.

 

As noted in other posts,  Anderson County has a love of brass sculptures

Not an easy feat, but he appreciates being off his feet

All that remains of what was once an elegant residence

We couldn't figure out why the detached structure had bars on the windows, and there was no historical narrative to explain why.

Wikipedia says the home had large rooms, but it wasn't evident in the ruins.

A few weeks ago, the red banks at the island across from the boat ramp would have been under water.

 A doe and a fawn were across the road from this fawn.  We thought it was unusual that Mamma Deer would have allowed her babies to get separated.  Later, we saw that they were together again in the woods, but we couldn't get a picture.