Skip to content

Random Connections

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

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Photos
  • Resources
  • Other Voices
  • Post Archives

Purple Martins on Lake Murray

Posted on July 24, 2023July 24, 2023 By Tom 1 Comment on Purple Martins on Lake Murray
Paddling

This past weekend I joined two fellow paddlers for an excursion out to Bomb Island on Lake Murray to watch the purple martins. The trip also included camping on Wessinger Island. Parts of the weekend were absolutely amazing. Some parts, not so much. Chapin Burgess had set up the trip as a two-night event. Folks … Read More “Purple Martins on Lake Murray” »

A Session on Sessions

Posted on July 21, 2023July 21, 2023 By Tom No Comments on A Session on Sessions
Music

The following comment was made on Facebook group called “Dedicated to Old Time Music”… How to play backup guitar for old time, traditional bluegrass, Celtic , contra dance, Cajun and progressive bluegrass…  For traditional Bluegrass, simply play the chords you naturally want to play.For old time, don’t change chords unless absolute necessary.For contra dance, play … Read More “A Session on Sessions” »

Exploring the Wall at Jocassee

Posted on July 18, 2023July 18, 2023 By Tom 1 Comment on Exploring the Wall at Jocassee
Paddling

I hadn’t been to Lake Jocassee all season and I really wanted to head up there. At the last minute I decided to go this past Sunday. I had planned for a simple trip – no GoPro, no deck back, and not even any lunch. It turned out to be simpler than I though, but … Read More “Exploring the Wall at Jocassee” »

15th Annual Lowcountry Unfiltered Edisto River Beer Commercial and Rope Swing Float

Posted on July 17, 2023July 17, 2023 By Tom 1 Comment on 15th Annual Lowcountry Unfiltered Edisto River Beer Commercial and Rope Swing Float
Paddling

Fifteen years ago I joined a group of strangers I’d met online through photo sharing on Flickr to paddle a stretch of the Edisto River. I didn’t realize at the time how strange they really were, but over the years this motley crew has become some of my closest friends. That was an epic trip, … Read More “15th Annual Lowcountry Unfiltered Edisto River Beer Commercial and Rope Swing Float” »

Retirement Reflections

Posted on June 12, 2023June 12, 2023 By Tom 1 Comment on Retirement Reflections
Family

After 40 years of teaching at Furman, Laura has retired. She is now professor emeritus of chemistry. Laura came to Furman in 1983 after doing a post-doctoral position at the University of Colorado. She answered an ad in the back of a journal and was attracted by the statement “…and our students are a delight … Read More “Retirement Reflections” »

2023 Saluda River Rally

Posted on June 7, 2023June 7, 2023 By Tom 1 Comment on 2023 Saluda River Rally
Local, Paddling

This past Saturday I participated in the 13th Annual Saluda River Rally. This event is sponsored by Anderson County and proceeds go to support Special Olympics. This was the first time I’d taken part in the rally. Usually I’m either out in Washington or have another paddling event planning. I was glad things worked out … Read More “2023 Saluda River Rally” »

Washington Music Round-Up

Posted on May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 By Tom No Comments on Washington Music Round-Up
Music, Travel

We made a relatively quick trip out to Samish Island in Washington to check on our house and to see how our neighbors were doing. Most of the time was spent working around the house and relaxing. The main thing was that Laura didn’t want to be on the east coast right after graduation at … Read More “Washington Music Round-Up” »

Landsford Canal Lilies and the Catawba River

Posted on May 28, 2023May 28, 2023 By Tom 1 Comment on Landsford Canal Lilies and the Catawba River
Local, Paddling, Photography

I thought I had missed the opportunity to view the rocky shoals spider lilies for this year. I had seen social media posts about them with photos, but I was afraid peak bloom had already passed. Last weekend was Lilyfest at Landsford Canal State Park, so I hope I hadn’t missed all of the action. … Read More “Landsford Canal Lilies and the Catawba River” »

Paddling Up the Long Nose

Posted on April 1, 2023April 1, 2023 By Tom 1 Comment on Paddling Up the Long Nose
Paddling

We have rested near the water, Seen the fleck and shimmering- flow, Of the waters kissed by Nature, Lovely river Tugaloo, Where the Cherokee once rambled, Sported ‘mid the scenes so wild, Where the forest and the river Have the wood-gods oft beguiled. from “Occonneechee, The Maid of the Mystic Lake” by Robert Frank Jarrett, 1916 Since I’ve gotten my new kayak … Read More “Paddling Up the Long Nose” »

A Bates Old River Two-fer

Posted on March 27, 2023March 27, 2023 By Tom No Comments on A Bates Old River Two-fer
Paddling

This past week I had two opportunities to paddle the Bates Old River oxbow in Congaree National Park. For one trip we headed upstream into the deep cypress swamp, and for the second trip we headed downstream into the oxbow itself. Both trips were fantastic, each with their own characteristics. Each made me realize that … Read More “A Bates Old River Two-fer” »

Posts navigation

1 2 … 290 Next

Categories

  • EdTech (200)
  • Entertainment (202)
  • Family (122)
  • Gear (115)
  • General Technology (99)
  • Geocaching and Maps (208)
  • History and Genealogy (266)
  • Internet (144)
  • Local (453)
  • Miscellaneous (550)
  • Music (198)
  • Paddling (255)
  • Photography (780)
  • Podcast (6)
  • Rambling (227)
  • Rants (161)
  • Recipes (34)
  • Religion (48)
  • Restaurants (165)
  • Science (48)
  • Things Overheard (29)
  • Travel (412)
  • Uncategorized (129)
  • Washington Sabbatical (113)
  • Weirdness (60)

Recent Posts

  • Purple Martins on Lake Murray
  • A Session on Sessions
  • Exploring the Wall at Jocassee
  • 15th Annual Lowcountry Unfiltered Edisto River Beer Commercial and Rope Swing Float
  • Retirement Reflections

Recent Comments

  • Tommy L on An Irish Pub Roundup – Part 3, The Greenville Pubs
  • Thomas Toney on Orphaned Graveyards – Fellowship Church
  • Ron Chicone, Jr. on Purple Martins on Lake Murray
  • Jacob Braxton on About Us
  • Andrea White on Low Falls and the Chattanooga Star

Tags

blogging cemetery Christmas Columbia Edisto River edtech Entertainment family Flickr Florida Furman Furman University gear Georgia geotagging Ghost Town Ghost Towns Google Earth Google Maps GPS Greenville Greenville Chorale history Instructional Technology kayaking Lake Jocassee LCU Lowcountry Unfiltered maps Music North Carolina Paddling Photography rambling restaurant Restaurants review singing social networking South Carolina time-lapse Travel video Washington Washington State
September 2023
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
« Jul    

Copyright © 2023 Random Connections.

Theme: Oceanly by ScriptsTown