May 2012

Tuesday, May 1

We left Roebuck, SC.  On the way to our next destination, we stopped along the highway to take a picture of "The Peachoid"  in Gaffney.  When we were in Gaffney a few days before, we were not aware of this water tank because we came into town from a different direction and didn’t see it.  It is supposed to be the most photographed water tank in the U.S.  It’s painted to match the various kinds of peaches grown in Cherokee County, using 20 colors and 50 gallons of paint.  

We set up at Bass Lake in Salisbury, NC.

Wednesday, May 2

Because my knee was hurting quite a bit, we spent a lot of time trying to find an urgent care facility to have it checked out.  The doctor thought that it was just sprained.

Friday, May 4

We went to the Mill Village Museum in Cooleemee, NC.  The woman who is usually at the museum to greet people, was not able to work that afternoon and the town historian was filling in for her.   We received a lesson on the effects of the Civil War in the South, history of the textile mills in the South, and the history of this mill (built in 1890‘s) and the village of Cooleemee.  The house used for the museum was once the mill manager’s home.

We also walked over to a mill house and it was set up as it would have been in the 1930’s.  The Cooleemee Mill closed in 1969.  This was different than other museum stops -- getting the information from an historian who loves to share his knowledge is so much better than reading signs for the information or watching a documentary.  

From there we stopped at Sloan Park near Mount Ulla, to see an 1823 grist mill.

Our next stop was at Patterson Farm, Mount Ulla, where Kent picked strawberries.  My knee was still bothering me, so I let him do all the work.

We’ve had fresh, locally grown strawberries starting in Louisiana in December, and then Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and now North Carolina.  If we buy strawberries in a grocery store, we have to check where they’re from because “everyone” carries California strawberries--you know, the variety grown in Watsonville that are great for shipping but have little, if any, flavor.  We’ve had locally grown strawberries that are better, or as good as, what you get at the roadside stands in the Central Valley of California.  We’re enjoying this long strawberry season--December to May.

Saturday, May 5

In Rowan we saw an old stone house built in 1766.

Sunday, May 6

For worship service we went to the W. Innes St. Church of Christ, Salisbury.  After lunch we went bowling.

Tuesday, May 8

We moved to Sycamore Lodge in Jackson Springs, NC.

Wednesday, May 9

Went bowling.

Thursday, May 10

Seagrove, NC is the handmade pottery capital of the US.  We visited the North Carolina Pottery Center and learned about the history of pottery making in NC.  

Handcrafted pottery in this area has been made in the same traditions for more than 200 years.  The pottery display shows items from  some of the current local potters.

  

The Seagrove area has about 100 pottery shops and galleries.  You would think that we would have been able to find a potter who was actually working with clay -- but no we didn’t.  One place we were referred to, the potter had a sign on his gate “Closed - Gone Fishin.”   Another place, the potter and his wife were painting their building and cleaning up the area getting ready for tourist season.  We did check out a couple of shops just to look at pottery and saw a lot of beautiful pieces -- but not practical for our lifestyle.  I had always heard of “throwing” clay and “firing.”  But the potters, at least in this area, refer to it as “turning” and “burning.”

Friday, May 11

We toured the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, Fayetteville, NC.

Sunday, May 13

We attended the worship service at the campground.  In the afternoon we went to the Town Creek Indian Mound.  This is North Carolina’s oldest Historic Site.  The ceremonial center is a reconstruction.  Right over the entrance to one of the huts was this black snake (yes, it was alive). 

Wednesday, May 16

We went bowling.

Thursday, May 17

We left Jackson Springs and spent the night at Walmart in Roanoke Rapids, NC.  

Friday, May 18

We arrived at Wilderness Presidential Resorts in Spotsylvania, VA.

Saturday, May 19

A Civil War re-enactment (The Battle of Harris Farm) was being held in Spotsylvania so we decided to attend.  We had time to hear a speech by "President Jefferson Davis" before heading to the battlefield area.

There was an announcer who explained the movements as it pertained to the Battle of Harris Farm. 

Sunday, May 20

We attended worship at Chancellor Christian Church in Spotsylvania.  Then we went back to the re-enactment area.

Tuesday, May 22

We went to Fredericksburg and had lunch at El Paso Mexican Restaurant.

Thursday, May 24

We went bowling.

Friday, May 25

We left Spotsylvania and put the fifth wheel into storage in Waldorf, MD and spent a few days with Danielle, Josh and Megan before flying to California.

Sunday, May 27

We attended Hughesville Baptist Church with Danielle & Josh.  

Monday, May 28

Kent and I kept Megan while Danielle and Josh went to a movie.

Tuesday, May 29

Danielle and I took Megan to a playground. 

Wednesday, May 30

Danielle took us to the Baltimore airport and we flew to Los Angeles for Brittnie's wedding.  Bob picked us up at the airport.

Thursday, May 31

Brittnie had her rehearsal and dinner.  Kent and I walked to Norm’s for dinner and then went for a walk around the neighborhood.

April 2012

Sunday, April 1

We attended Harvest Christian Church, Clarkesville, GA.  After church we stopped at Nora Mill Granary which sits on the Chattahoochee River and is an operational grist mill that was built in 1876.  It still uses the original grist stones that are powered by a water turbine, not a vertical water wheel.  It produces all kinds of corn and wheat based products.

Then we walked around Helen and had lunch at Alpine Hot Dog.  This is a view of the Chattahoochee River as it runs through town.

Monday, April 2

We moved to Pine Ridge Campground in Roebuck, SC.  After setting up, we called Rob and found out that he and Diane had taken Bob and Becky to Savannah and were on their way back.  

Tuesday, April 3

We went to Rob and Diane’s for the day.  Diane fixed breakfast.  Everyone except Rob went to Hatcher Garden in Spartanburg.

Diane, Bob & Becky, Kent

Wednesday, April 4

Spent the day at Rob and Diane’s.  Bob, Becky, Kent and I went to The Beacon for lunch. 

Bob, Becky, Dorothy

Thursday, April 5

Kent’s birthday and we spent the day with Rob, Diane, Bob and Becky.   Diane made a cheesecake for Kent.  Stayed late looking at Diane’s photos and our photos.

Friday, April 6

We ate breakfast at Bojangles and then took blueberry biscuits and pecan twists to Rob and Diane’s.  Stayed and visited until they had to take Bob and Becky to the airport.  

Kent, Becky (Kent's sister), Rob (Kent's brother)

Saturday, April 7

We had planned to go to the Spring Festival in Pendleton, but I was sick.

Sunday, April 8

After attending Resurrection Day service at Westview Christian Church in Spartanburg, we ate lunch at Billy D’s--really good food.  We stopped by Rob’s to pick up a package--Kent’s new iPad.  He spent a good part of the afternoon trying to learn how to use it.

Monday, April 9

We went bowling.  

Tuesday, April 10

We took the laptop to the Apple Store in Greenville to have it checked out.  On the way back, we stopped at the BMW Assembly Plant.  There was a small museum.  No photos were allowed inside the assembly plant.

Wednesday, April 11

We went bowling.

Saturday, April 14

Rob and Diane went with us to Belton for the South Carolina Chili Cook-off.  This is the first cook-off that we’ve attended.  To sample the chili, we paid a fee to get a wristband, a plastic spoon, and a card that was punched at each booth.  We were disappointed in the experience.  To start with, some of the booths ran out before we got their samples.    Something we learned was that the chili we were being served wasn’t necessarily the same as what was being turned in for judging.  There was one competitor that had really good green chili.  Most of the chili, we didn’t care for.  But then, maybe we should have given it more thought -- South Carolina and Chili??  But we had a good time. 

Sunday, April 15

We attended service at Westview Christian Church.  Rob and Diane invited us for dinner.  She grilled chicken breasts.  For dessert, she made key lime pie.

Monday, April 16

We went bowling.

Tuesday, April 17

Rob and Diane came for dinner.  I fixed triple onion chicken, salad, and garlic/cheese biscuits.  Kent did sweet potatoes and asparagus on the grill.  For dessert, I made a rustic berry tart (using blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries) and served it with ice cream.

Wednesday, April 18

Another day of bowling.

Friday, April 20

We went to Strawberry Hill, Cooley Farm near Chesnee.   It’s a 1,000 acre farm that grows strawberries, peaches, and blackberries.  They have an open air market where they sell their fruit and fruit products (jams, cider, bread).  We had strawberry sundaes at the restaurant where they serve homemade ice cream.  I tried something new--wet walnuts.  Wet walnuts are walnuts that are in a syrup--really good.  

Then we went to the Cowpens National Battlefield, the site of a battle fought on January 17, 1781.  Cowpens was one of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War and is considered the turning point in the Southern Campaign.

The Scruggs House is near the Cowpens Battlefield site.  The house was built around 1828 and has been restored by the National Park Service..  

Then we went to Gaffney and ate at Harold’s (DDD).  I had the chili burger and onion rings.  Kent had a chili burger, a chili dog, and chicken stew.  The burger is a meatball and not a patty.   

After we ate, we walked downtown to find the Gaffney Log Home.  A free concert was being set up on the street in front of the log home.  We visited with some of the people and then went to get our lawn chairs.  A group called iPan from Limestone College played steel drums prior to the main band.  We really enjoyed the steel drum music.  The other band was good, too.  People of all ages were dancing in the street.  It was a fun evening.

Sunday, April 22

Attended church service at Westview Christian Church.  Rob and Diane had us over for dinner.  Diane’s mother, stepfather, two daughters, a son-in-law, and 2 grandsons were also there.  We had hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, slaw, chips, and cheesecake.  It was a nice evening of visiting and getting to know her family a little.

Monday, April 23

When we went bowling,  we decided to buy me a ball, bag, and shoes as the shop was offering a beginner package.  The ball had to be ordered, but I got my shoes.

Tuesday, April 24

Rob and Diane came over for dinner.  Kent grilled a tri-tip and baked potatoes.  I fixed a salad, corn on the cob, sauteed mushrooms and onions, and strawberry shortcake.  Another nice evening of visiting.  

Wednesday, April 25

Another afternoon of bowling.  I finally beat Kent in the last game and got my highest score so far -- 135.  We had dinner at Ike’s Korner Grill.  The hamburgers were very good and the fries were from fresh cut potatoes.  This place was recommended by someone we talked to in Gaffney.

Saturday, April 28

We went to the Walnut Grove Plantation in Spartanburg for their Militia Day.  The plantation was built in the 1700’s.

During the Revolutionary War, it was an area where the militia trained.  So we had a lesson about the militia and watched a demonstration.

Sunday, April 29

We attended services at Westview Christian Church in Spartanburg.

Monday, April 30

We went bowling again.