The Vagabond Kinions: 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.