Day Trip into Georgia Jan 27 2017

On past trips into Georgia, we noticed an indoor flea market in Clayton that is open Fridays through Sundays.  We have been meaning to check it out, and today seemed like a good time to do so.  Clayton is a short distance, about 50 miles north of us, traveling on scenic US 76, which makes it a very enjoyable drive.  The flea market was more of an antique/collectibles mall, and although there wasn't anything that caught our eye or wallet, we had fun looking.  After that, we drove south on 15/US 23, stopping at Tallulah Gorge before returning home.

Dogs on leash or in carts were allowed in the mall, so Roscoe got to have a chance to go junkin', too.

 

At least the owner of this van in the parking lot calls it as he sees it.

Can't go too far in Georgia or South Carolina without coming across "bald" peanuts

The sign at the restaurant at the scenic over look of the gorge.  Bob and I stopped here at least 25 years ago.  It was a nice surprise that the roadside café was still in business.

The gorge, formed by the Tallulah River,  is about 2 miles long, and as the sign read, over 900 feet deep.  It is considered one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia.

Professor Backman, in 1883, was the first person to walk a tight rope over the gorge.  It wasn't until 1970 that another person successfully repeated the feat, the famous Karl Wallenda, founder of the world renowned circus act The Flying Wallendas.  We were content to keep a respectful distance from the cliff edge!

 

   

First snow of 2017 Jan 7

Weather folks were right on this time.  It snowed during the night and into the morning.  We woke up to a light dusting, probably less than an inch, but white stuff none the less.  As the day progressed, a lot melted, but the temperatures will be in the teens tonight, so we are expecting icy conditions.

 

 

 

 

Meet & Eat in Georgia Dec 29, 2016

Bobby and Valerie, my brother and sister-in-law from Largo, Florida, were in Tucker, GA, for a week's stay, visiting my niece and great nephew.  We planned on getting together for lunch in Hartwell, GA.  It was only about a 40 minute drive for us, and about an hour and a half for them, but they wanted to see that part of the state.  They plan on putting their home in Florida on the market after the new year, and once it sells, move to Georgia.  Per the Hartwell Welcome Center spokes lady, The Table was a good family eatery, so we met there.

 



Bobby and Valerie in Hartwell.  We hadn't seen them since February. 

Valerie and Owen. Valerie is modeling the infinity scarf I made for her for Christmas.  She's turned it into what I called a "scart" (scarf and hat) using it to cover her head and ears, too.  Great idea, Valerie! 

After lunch, we drove to one of the recreation sites near Hartwell Dam.  Lake levels are down here, too, as can be seen by the rocks in the water in the distance.

Valerie, her dog Honey, Owen, and Jenna decided to walk off  lunch.

We hope there will be many more chances to get together once Bobby and Valerie move up.

 

 

 



Flat Rock, NC Dec 21, 2016

Most of the "getting ready for Christmas" is done, so we thought we would continue our weekly road trip outings.  An article appeared in the paper about Flat Rock, NC, and it looked like a good place to visit.  The noted poet, Carl Sandburg, moved there from the Midwest in the late 1940's when he was in his 60's.  He bought a 200+ acre farm, and lived in a a beautiful home built in 1830 on the hill top, and his wife started a goat farm.  Descendants of the original goats are still cared for there.  The town also boasts a historic church, St John in the Wilderness.  The area is also noted for its apple orchards, when in season.  It was about a two hour leisure ride through pretty countryside, and worth another visit when apples are ready for picking next year.



 A distant view of the Sandburg grounds and house from the park entrance.

According to the news article, tours of the home and farm are available, but we didn't see any information about them.  We didn't intend to take a tour today, so that was just as well.

 There was no charge to walk the grounds

It's easy to see how a poet could be inspired in an idyllic setting such as this.

Not far from the Sandburg home is St John in the Wilderness.  First built in 1834 as a private chapel for the Baring family, the church was deeded to the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina in 1836.  Flat Rock, nicknamed the Little Charleston of the Mountains, grew as the low country folk came to the mountains to escape the heat and malaria found on the coast, and soon became "the" summer meeting place for prominent families from South Carolina, Georgia and New Orleans.  

 



Many famous persons are laid to rest here including 3 signers of the Declaration of Independence and the general who lead the Bataan death march in World War II.

 Red velvet covers seat cushions and is used as floor runners.  The box pews bear engraved plaques claiming seats for the prominent families  who were the early parishioners. 

Beautiful chimes and wood beamed ceilings adorn the old church.  Although a historic site open to the public, the church still has an active congregation of about 400 members.

Next, a look-see in the Wrinkled Egg Emporium...

a photo with Santa...

and

and a bite of lunch at the Village Bar and Café (where we learned of hangover cures around the world)  made for the end of a delightful visit.   By the way, the Polish cure is to have "a beeg glass of peek-el juice".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early December 2016

Double Springs Fire Department hosted a pancake breakfast with Santa Claus the first weekend in December.  Gifts for the kids lined tables.  It was a very heartwarming time.   Unfortunately, the man responsible for making this event possible passed away recently and no one has as yet picked up the reins to keep this tradition going.

 

Double Springs is in the south west portion of Townville

Breakfast consisted of two pancakes, a sausage patty, oj and choice of coffee, hot cocoa or milk for $2.50.

Each child could pick any toy or his or her choice. None of the kids were rude or greedy.

It will be a shame if this event won't be continued.

 

After breakfast, Bob and I checked out a new indoor farmer's market near Double Springs.  Perhaps it was because it had just opened, or because there were so many other things going on around town, but there weren't many vendors and even fewer lookers.

 

That evening, Bob and I went back into old Anderson to celebrate the 31st anniversary of our meeting each other (which was actually December 4th).  It was a rainy evening, so we didn't walk around much.  We first went to Earle's Place, but we didn't like the bistro like décor and menu, so we went across the street to McGee's Irish Pub and Grill.  It wasn't very crowded, and had a nice warm atmosphere.  To our delight, caroler's came through and sang a few Christmas songs.

 









 



Townin' Around November 2016

After our trip to Georgia, Bob once again had a flare up of "indigestion".  After a trip or two to the ER, it was confirmed that his gall bladder needed to be removed.  It was severely infected which resulted in ecoli bacteria in his bloodstream.  Luckily all was caught in time.  He spent Veterans Day under the knife and the next day in the hospital with heavy doses of antibiotics.  It took a while for him to recuperate, but he is back to his usual busy self. With that and Thanksgiving and then Christmas on the horizon, we did not do a lot of exploring.  But here are some photos of this and that.



  Thanks to Roscoe and his daily walks, we get to enjoy the beauty of the campground.

The drought and the need for water for the power generators have dropped lake levels by 10 feet.

Roscoe doesn't care about the leaves or lake.  He wants to know where the squirrels are!

Well, Roscoe, while you are out for a stroll, they're on our deck...

using the covered bbq grill like a tanning bed!

 

For my birthday,  Bob treated me to a night on the town in Anderson.  By then, Christmas lights and decorations lit up Main Street in the old downtown section.

  We had not been into town at night.  It felt kind of magical, kind of like the feeling of going into New York City....

....like stairways leading down  into subways...

and ice skating at Rockefeller center...if you use your imagination, that is. 

 

Weekend in Georgia Nov 4-6 2016

Friends we had made at Lake Hartwell, Jackie & Carl, had moved near Waynesboro, GA, earlier this year when Carl's job relocated.  We had promised to visit them, so we made reservations to camp for the weekend at Magnolia Springs State Park, about 20 miles south of where they lived.  It was our first outing with Roscoe, and he did really well.  Friday Jackie & Carl came to the park for a brat cookout.  Saturday Carl drove us around to see the nuclear power plant where he works; we stopped at an antique mall in North Augusta; and that evening they treated us to dinner at a sportsmen's lodge called Flat Creek.  Sunday morning, we drove back home.  We were able to take state roads most of the route, so it was pleasant traveling, and less than 200 miles each way.

 

The spring at the park is supposed to flow about 4 million gallons of water a day.  During the Civil War, the land was used as a prison stockade known as Camp Lawton.  The camp was short lived, being constructed, occupied, and abandoned over a period of 3 months in 1864.  At one time, it housed over 10,000 Union soldiers, who had no more than 44 square feet each in which to live.

RV and tent sites are available as well as rental cottages.  Boating is permitted on the lake.

The campsites were quite spacious.

There are numerous picnic sites and group shelters available.  Hard to believe at one time this place had been a used as a prison. 

Two of the new cooling towers at  the Vogtle nuclear plant where Carl is a crane operator.

Carl and Jackie in front of the antique mall

Bob and I on the back deck of the Flat Creek Lodge.

Part of the lake at the lodge.  

The restaurant had a rustic décor.  Carl joked that it served squirrel stew, but the menu  had steak and seafood dishes.

Jackie couldn't resist a bear hug as we left the restaurant!