Random Connections – Page 24 – A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.

Finding Irish Music in South Carolina

August 16, 2018 Tom 7 Comments

I left a rich musical environment in the Pacific Northwest, wondering if I could find something analogous back home. All I’d been able to find before I left for Washington were song circles like the Pickens Flea Market, featuring old country and gospel, or bluegrass at the Oolenoy School. That’s OK in small doses, but not really what I was after.

When I got back to SC I started searching for music groups that might work and I found several events of interest. This week I tried out two different Irish music sessions – one at Ftizpatrick’s Pub in Greenville and one at The Stomping Grounds in Greer.

Paddling to Morris Island with Lowcountry Unfiltered

August 14, 2018 Tom 2 Comments

Paddling, Photography

We made it back to South Carolina in time for me to join my Lowcountry Unfiltered friends on their Second Saturday paddling trip. In Washington when we were packing for the return trip I made sure that the gear I’d need would be available for this trek, so when the time came I was ready. For this trip we would be paddling out to the Morris Island Lighthouse in the Charleston Harbor.

Cultural Re-Acclimation at Pickens Flea Market

August 9, 2018 Tom 6 Comments

Local, Music, Rambling

I’d only been away a year and I grew up here, but I was still suffering from culture shock. I’d gotten used to certain things in the Pacific Northwest and found some things (mostly behaviors) either odd or downright irritating. I decided what I needed was a full cultural immersion, so on Wednesday morning I headed to the Pickens Flea Market.

Settling Back in South Carolina

August 6, 2018August 6, 2018 Tom 2 Comments

Miscellaneous, Travel, Washington Sabbatical

A 3000 mile journey will really take it out of you. We got back into town on Friday and spent the weekend trying to catch as much downtime as possible. That’s kind of hard to do as we look at the long To-Do list that we have in front of us.

The Journey Home – Day 5, Indianapolis to Greenville

August 3, 2018December 26, 2019 Tom 1 Comment

Travel, Washington Sabbatical

Our last day of travel. By the end of the day we would be back in Greenville. Both of us were exhausted, as were the cats. We just wanted to get back home.

The Journey Home – Day 4, Minneapolis to Indianapolis

August 2, 2018August 2, 2018 Tom 2 Comments

Travel, Washington Sabbatical

Today was another long day of driving. We were still on new territory and adding new states to our travel list. After the long stretches of western driving, this route seemed downright crowded. We were both tired, so we kept stops to a minimum, and I didn’t take any photos.

The Journey Home – Day 3, Glendive to Minneapolis

August 1, 2018 Tom No Comments

Travel, Washington Sabbatical

Day 3 Map

So far we’ve been on roads that we have traveled once before, with some new stretches in Montana. Today’s trek took us through totally new territory and through new states for both of us.

The Journey Home – Day 2, Missoula to Glendive

July 31, 2018July 31, 2018 Tom No Comments

Travel, Washington Sabbatical

Today we drove from Missoula to Glendive, all in the state of Montana. It’s a big state, and we got first hand experience as to why it’s called “Big Sky Country.”

The Journey Home – Day 1, Samish Island to Missoula

July 31, 2018 Tom No Comments

Travel, Washington Sabbatical

We’re on our way! We left Samish Island at about 8:00 am to avoid the worst of the Seattle rush hour (didn’t help) and after a long, long day of driving we arrived in Missoula, Montana.

Last Days on Samish Island

July 31, 2018July 31, 2018 Tom No Comments

Miscellaneous, Washington Sabbatical

And just like that, a year is over and gone. Well, not quite a year. We arrived in Washington on the first of September and we’re getting back to Greenville around the first of August. It’s close enough, though. We’re now on the road and headed back to the east coast.

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