A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.
These past couple of weeks have been difficult with the loss of our brother-in-law. I’m trying to catch up on several posts. I was able to take a few kayaking trips during that time, mostly as a way to cope with stress. One of those trips was a full moon kayaking trip on the Saluda … Read More “Moonlight on the Saluda” »
This past week my brother-in-law, Jennings Putnam, passed away from complications of COVID-19. His passing on August 31 was sudden, and left our family with a profound sense of loss. Jennings was a native of the Warrior Creek area near Gray Court and attended high school at Gray Court-Owings while my father was principal. There … Read More “Goodbye, Jennings” »
A few summers ago several of my friends and I started doing what we called “Water Wednesdays.” We would pick a different venue each week and try to get out on the water. Since then several of my paddling friends have retired and in this time of social distancing, it seemed like a good time … Read More “Social Distancing on Water Wednesdays” »
The Second Saturday of August meant time for another adventure with my friends from Lowcountry Unfiltered. Matt and I bounced a few ideas around before settling on The Jungle, a section of Lake Moultrie featured as part of the Berkeley County Blueways. It was a new venue for us, and turned out to be a … Read More “Exploring The Jungle of Lake Moultrie” »
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” »
The border between Georgia and South Carolina is made up completely by water. Most of it is the Savannah River and the lakes formed by damming said river. However, there is a small section formed by the Tugaloo and Chattooga Rivers. I’ve paddled most of these bodies – the Savannah, Clark Hill Reservoir, Lake Russell, … Read More “Border Lakes along Georgia and South Carolina” »
Here it is mid-July and I haven’t written anything on this site since late May. I seem to have lost my motivation. I actually thought about abandoning this 15-year project completely, but I’ve got too much invested in it. Part of my problem is the “can’t get caught up” syndrome. I get behind on posts … Read More “Paddling in the Time of COVID” »
Our Second Saturday paddle for March turned out to be the First Saturday this year. With all of the Coronavirus scare, that was probably a good thing (though kayaking is an excellent way to socially distance). For this trip we decided to check out a new stretch of the Edisto River. We would put in on Penny Creek and take out at the historic Willtown Bluff. Along the way we would see the remains of old rice plantations and some beautiful scenery.
Well, the world got really weird all of the sudden. I thought with all of this lockdown and virus I’d be able to catch up on blogging. Didn’t happen. I’m still here, but between the anxiety, depression, and learning to cope with a new reality I just haven’t been able to write. I have a … Read More “Surviving” »
Scary times. Never can I remember schools being shut down world-wide for a contagion. Toss in a divided populace and you’ve got total chaos. I’m getting tired of the phrase, “…out of an abundance of caution…” but I understand the science behind social distancing and precautions. Others think it’s just some sort of political ploy. … Read More “COVID-19 Update” »