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A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.

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Category: Local

Local items of interest from Greenville and Upstate SC.

The Allen Parkins Project

Posted on July 24, 2020July 27, 2020 By Tom 1 Comment on The Allen Parkins Project
History and Genealogy, Local

When I’m out exploring I’m easily distracted by roads with names that contain the words “School”, “Church”, or “Mill.” This is usually an indicator that there was, or possibly still is something historic and of interest on that road. For some reason, Parkins Mill Road in Greenville has escaped my scrutiny. Perhaps it’s because it’s … Read More “The Allen Parkins Project” »

Celtic Cosplay in Asheville

Posted on February 16, 2020February 16, 2020 By Tom No Comments on Celtic Cosplay in Asheville
Entertainment, Local, Miscellaneous

Since I no longer have a regular choir gig with rehearsals on Wednesday evenings I’ve been going to the Celtic jam sessions at the Stomping Grounds in Greer. I’ve been enjoying those so much that I’ve been looking for other outlets. So when I spotted that the Asheville Celtic Festival was happening, I knew I … Read More “Celtic Cosplay in Asheville” »

Exploring Underground Anderson

Posted on October 21, 2019October 21, 2019 By Tom No Comments on Exploring Underground Anderson
History and Genealogy, Local, Photography, Rambling

For many years I’ve known about the underground railroad passage in Anderson, South Carolina. The passage hints at a forgotten history and neglected part of the city. I’ve visited the entrances to the passageway several times, but just never got up the nerve to explore it by myself. This past week fellow explorer Alan Russell joined me, and together we finally got a chance to explore Underground Anderson.

Exploring Berry Shoals Pond from Tygerberry

Posted on September 28, 2019September 28, 2019 By Tom No Comments on Exploring Berry Shoals Pond from Tygerberry
Geocaching and Maps, History and Genealogy, Local, Paddling

For many years I drove over the bridge over the South Tyger River at Berry Shoals, looking longingly at the old steel trestle bridge downstream and the twin lakes of Berry Shoals Pond and Silver Lake. I wanted to explore the area. However, I was always in route to one of my schools or on some other school district business, so I never got a chance to explore…until now. Sadly, my explorations were cut short, all for want of a hat.

The Oeland Churches

Posted on September 5, 2019September 5, 2019 By Tom 1 Comment on The Oeland Churches
History and Genealogy, Local, Miscellaneous, Religion

For many years I was music director at McCarter Presbyterian Church here in Greenville. McCarter is a small church located prominently at the intersection of Pelham Road and East North Street, a spot it has occupied for the past 123 years. It seemed a unique little church in the bustle of a major neighborhood that somehow managed to survive.
But then I found out that it wasn’t unique.

Full Moon at Half-Moon

Posted on September 2, 2019September 2, 2019 By Tom No Comments on Full Moon at Half-Moon
Local, Photography

Last spring a guy with the unusual name of Beezer Molton contacted me about a photo. It turns out that Beezer is the owner of the Half-Moon Outfitters franchise. The Greenville store would be moving into a new store and he wanted a large print of the above photo to go into the new location. … Read More “Full Moon at Half-Moon” »

Journey to Nazareth

Posted on August 30, 2019August 30, 2019 By Tom No Comments on Journey to Nazareth
History and Genealogy, Local, Photography, Religion

I worked in Spartanburg county for fifteen years. During all of that time I never got around to visiting Nazareth Presbyterian Church. I knew it was one of the first churches in the area, having been established around 1765, but for some reason I thought that the building had been updated and no longer retained its historic character. I was wrong. When I had driven by it I had seen the new Family Life Center (a.k.a “gym”) and had thought that IT was the church, somehow missing the older building right next to it. While out doing some research on another project about church architecture Alan Russell and I finally paid Nazareth a visit.

A Visit with Sir Paul

Posted on May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 By Tom 1 Comment on A Visit with Sir Paul
Entertainment, Local, Music

Last August tickets went on sale for a concert by Paul McCartney at the Bon Secours Wellness Center in Greenville. I tried and tried to get tickets, but they were completely sold out within minutes. I told Laura about my failure. What I DIDN’T tell her was that I was able to go back online … Read More “A Visit with Sir Paul” »

Drumming at the Duck Derby

Posted on May 10, 2019May 10, 2019 By Tom No Comments on Drumming at the Duck Derby
Local, Music

Last Saturday was Derby Day. For Greenville that means it’s time for the annual Reedy River Duck Derby, where thousands of rubber duckies are set loose at the top of Reedy Falls downtown and prizes are awarded for the first ones through. I had never witnessed the event, but this year decided to join my friends Jeff and Lori Holland and Our World Festival to do some drumming as part of the festival.

Exploring the Broad River with Scott Withrow

Posted on April 29, 2019April 29, 2019 By Tom No Comments on Exploring the Broad River with Scott Withrow
History and Genealogy, Local, Photography, Rambling

During our Lost Communities course for OLLI someone said that they wanted to got with Scott Withrow, my co-teacher, and me on one of our adventures. We confessed that we had never actually gone on an adventure together, but independently had been exploring many of the same areas. We decided that it was time for that to change. We had both wanted to explore the Broad River area for the following class, so we decided to do that together.

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