Author: Tom

In Search of Edward C. Jones – Part 1, The Architect

Posted on By Tom 2 Comments on In Search of Edward C. Jones – Part 1, The Architect
History and Genealogy, Local
edward-c-jones-architect
Architect Edward C. Jones. Image found on Find-a-Grave.

Edward C. Jones was nowhere on my radar. His name was completely unfamiliar to me, which is odd, since I’m very familiar with so many of the buildings he designed. I knew lots about Robert Mills, Rudolph Lee, and other South Carolina architects, but for whatever reason, I’d not paid attention to Jones. That all changed a few weeks ago. John Nolan from Greenville History Tours posted a series of photographs featuring buildings that Jones had designed. Seeing them next to each other the similarities leaped out. I knew I needed to find out more about this architect, and the buildings he designed.

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Mid-Week Jocassee

Posted on By Tom 4 Comments on Mid-Week Jocassee
Paddling, Photography

Lake Jocassee with Bennie Waddell-113

Bennie Waddell and I have been trying to keep to our paddling schedule, even though we haven’t been able to make it work every week. Regardless of whether or not we can actually paddle that day (sickness, weather, conflict, etc., etc) I think it’s important that it at least be on the schedule. We’re more likely actually to hit the water than simply saying, “Oh we need to do X someday…” Wednesday the stars aligned, and we were both able to take the trip up to Lake Jocassee that we had missed last week. It was an excellent day of paddling.

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Bull Island with the Upstate Minis

Posted on By Tom 3 Comments on Bull Island with the Upstate Minis
Paddling, Photography, Rambling, Travel

Bull Island with the Upstate Minis-35

The Upstate Minis have been organizing some fantastic trips, lately, and I’ve been trying to take part in more of these. A few weeks ago Laura and I joined them for their X-Files Mystery Tour to PARI. This time, Jeff Goodman planned a trip down to the “Boneyard” on Bull Island to do some dawn photography. Sadly, Laura wasn’t able to go with us because of work. So, on Friday I swapped the Subaru for her Mini and joined the rest of the group for the drive down.

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Paddling to Ghost Island

Posted on By Tom 3 Comments on Paddling to Ghost Island
History and Genealogy, Local, Paddling, Photography, Rambling

Paddling to Ghost Island in Lake Hartwell-100

Bennie and I have been trying to keep to our paddling schedule, but the fates have been against us. On this last day of summer we had a nice trip to Jocassee planned, but then illness struck, and Bennie was unable to go. I had my boat loaded up, so I decided I’d head on out anyway, with a slightly altered itinerary. I have been wanting to check out the old Harrisburg Plantation Cemetery on “Ghost Island” in Lake Hartwell, so that’s where I set my sights.

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North Carolina Mountain State Fair

Posted on By Tom 1 Comment on North Carolina Mountain State Fair
Local, Photography

Western North Carolina Mountain Fair-160

It’s fair season! Somehow I completely missed the Upper State South Carolina Fair, but that’s probably OK. For years, though, I’ve wanted to visit the North Carolina Mountain State Fair in Asheville, but I’ve always missed it. I almost missed it this year, but I spotted that this past Sunday was the last day. Laura had work to do on Sunday, so I decided that this was the year that I’d make that trek.

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Paddling through Okefenokee

Posted on By Tom 3 Comments on Paddling through Okefenokee
Paddling, Photography

Lowcountry Unfiltered at Okefenokee-157

It was the second Saturday of the month and time for a Lowcountry Unfiltered Adventure. Wait. Didn’t I start the last post like that? Possibly, but the Saturday had actually arrived, and it was time to hit the water. I had spent a restful night in Waycross, Georgia, but now it was time to explore the waterways of the Okefenokee Swamp.

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Heading Down to Waycross

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Photography, Rambling, Travel

Waycross

It was a second Saturday, and our fearless leader Matt Richardson had put together an epic trip for our Lowcountry Unfiltered group. There was just one problem – it was on the verge of being too epic. Matt had proposed a 15 mile trek into the Okefenokee Swamp. While it sounded fantastic, it was at least a six hour drive from me, which would mean a two night stay. I’d have to leave on a Friday and get back Sunday. I had already committed myself to a cemetery tour in Columbia for Thursday night, and Laura had been down in Florida the previous weekend for Labor Day. It just didn’t look like the timing was right.

However, I decided that despite the craziness, it was an opportunity not to be missed. I decided that I would head down Friday and find a place to stay in Waycross, then camp Saturday night. It would be exhausting, but I felt sure the trip would be worth it.

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Lost and Forgotten Towns under South Carolina’s Lakes

Posted on By Tom 2 Comments on Lost and Forgotten Towns under South Carolina’s Lakes
Geocaching and Maps, History and Genealogy

Submerged Towns in SC Lite.001

Several months ago I received and e-mail from Kes Crumpler. Kes is with the Lake Murray Power Squadron, and asked if I’d be willing to give a talk to their group about ghost towns under South Carolina’s lakes. Since I’m no stranger to public speaking, I said, “Sure!” Although I was completely unsure as to what a “power squadron” was.

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