A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.
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” »
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” »
I went nearly a month between blog posts. For me, that’s unheard of. It seems that over the last year or so posts have been fewer and farther between. I could blame it on writer’s block, being busy, and a whole host of other things. While those things do come into play, I think I’ve … Read More “Housekeeping and Catching Up” »
Each year Alan Russell and I do an exploration on the Matin Luther King holiday. This got to be a tradition because both of us were available on a day when we didn’t have family obligations, etc. This is the first year since Alan has been retired, so this time he DID have MLK Day … Read More “A Wedge of Waxhaws” »
The first Lowcountry Unfiltered trip of the year is usually what we call a “swamp stomp,” a hike that takes us out into the wetlands of the lower part of the state. This year we decided to revisit a portion of the Palmetto Trail, this time on by bike. The Wateree Passage of the Palmetto … Read More “Biking the Wateree Passage” »
Twenty years ago I held my as the clock ticked from 11:59 to midnight. There was a real fear that this might be The End of the World as We Know It™. To me, that was just yesterday, and those memories are fresh in my mind. It’s hard to fathom that the college students in Laura’s classes were either born AFTER the year 2000 or were too young to have any experience of experience of the Y2K scare.
I can’t believe I haven’t posted anything here since Halloween. November was a blur, and December was upon us before I knew it. We have now entered the most chaotic time for professional musicians. This past week alone I’ve had either a rehearsal, a performance, or a group jam session every day. Since stores have … Read More “A Christmas Carol, Revisited” »
The story of a “Crybaby Bridge” seems to be a common trope in tales of the paranormal. There are Crybaby Bridges all over the country. Each bridge has a similar story. Usually, a distraught mother kills a baby by tossing it into the water below. Thereafter, any travelers crossing the bridge at night will hear … Read More “An Electric Crybaby” »
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.
Kouign amanns (pronounced “queen amahn”, are an incredibly decadent pastry from Breton. According to Wikipedia, it is described in the New York Times as “the fattiest pastry in all of Europe.” So, of course I like them. Instead of cake for Laura’s birthday, we decided to try to make them at home. The first time … Read More “The Queen of Kouign Amann” »