Random Connections – Page 90 – A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.

A Trip through the New River Gorge

August 22, 2013May 16, 2014 Tom No Comments

August 12, 2013

Laura had never been to West Virginia. I had only crossed over the border in the mid 1980’s just to say I had been in that state. We really didn’t know much about the state, except that there were coal mines somewhere. A couple of Laura’s colleagues are from West Virginia, and before we left, had told us that there were some places we really needed to check out.

With the meteor expedition having been a bust, we decided to head on up into the mountains and cross over into West Virginia. We drove through a piece of Virgina on the Interstate, roughly repeating our trek from last summer when we headed up for Katie and Aaron’s wedding. However, instead of turning northeast toward Roanoke, we headed south…maybe. On the same road we were headed south on 81, but north on 77. It was a geographical oddity.

Perseids on the Blue Ridge Parkway, with a Side Trip to Mayberry

August 21, 2013May 16, 2014 Tom No Comments

Science, Travel

August 11, 2013

We hadn’t given the new Mini a proper shake-down road trip. When we got the Audi we took it completely across country, driving from South Carolina to somewhere north of Seattle. We didn’t have the time nor energy for such an adventure this time (Well, at least one of us didn’t :-)) so we decided on something a bit shorter.

It was time for the annual Perseid Meteor Shower. We figured the perfect way to christen the car would be to take it up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and try to find a bit of dark sky to watch for them. From there we would do some free form road tripping, hoping to wind up in Washington DC by the end of the week.

I had scouted a few potential sites on Google Earth, but there was no way to tell if there would be dark skies. So, shortly after lunch we set off, having somehow managed to pack our gear into the tiny trunk of the Mini. We wanted to make tracks, so we took the Interstate straight on up to Gastonia, then headed off toward Blowing Rock, where we hit the Parkway. We drove with the top back, enjoying the breeze.

There were quite a few clouds, but for the most part it was sunny and the day was spectacular. We pulled off at several overlooks, many of which looked like like they would work for meteor viewing. I didn’t take many photos along the way, though.

RIP, Haus Edelweiss – Again

August 21, 2013May 16, 2014 Tom 2 Comments

Restaurants

Once again, Haus Edelweiss is closing. The following message was posted on on their Facebook page. it was also attached to their front door… It reads as follows: Dearest Patrons of Haus Edelweiss, We write this to you with heavy hearts. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control we must close Haus Edelweiss. Since the … Read More “RIP, Haus Edelweiss – Again” »

Welcome, Jack Marshall!

August 21, 2013May 16, 2014 Tom No Comments

Family

One of the reasons we headed to Washington DC last week was to see my niece, Katie, who was expecting her first child early September. Well, little Jack wouldn’t wait that long. So, welcome to the world, Jackson David Marshall, born August 20 at about 3:30. Mother and baby are doing great. Jack was 7lbs … Read More “Welcome, Jack Marshall!” »

The Beer Commercial Float

August 19, 2013May 16, 2014 Tom No Comments

Paddling

This trip almost didn’t happen. Actually, it was supposed to have happened back in July, our traditional date for the annual Lowcountry Unfiltered Rope Swing and Beer Commercial Float on the Edisto River. However, the second Saturday in July had the highest river levels seen on the Edisto in years. It was a no-go. Even delaying a week didn’t help. The river stayed at flood stage, so we were forced to seek out an alternate trip on Lake Marion.

So, we decided to try again in August. The second Saturday came, and the waters were still high, but no so much as to make the trip impossible. I got up early and drove on down to the meeting point at Givhens Ferry State Park. Two new guys, Jim and Dan Hill, were there waiting for me. Soon the rest of the guys showed up. We redistributed boats, then drove up to our put-in at Mars Old Field Landing. Ultimately, there were nine of us on this trip – a good number. John Nelson turned on his charm and drafted a young lady to take our group photo.

Read More “The Beer Commercial Float” »

A Bridge to Nowhere

August 12, 2013May 16, 2014 Tom No Comments

EdTech, History and Genealogy, Paddling, Photography

Sparkleberry Swamp Altered — Sparkleberry Swamp

Somehow I found myself taking one last course for certification this summer. I’m taking one of the PBS Teacherline courses online. The course is on Dynamic Media and Digital Storytelling, a subject with which I’m already quite familiar. However, I just needed the course credit.

The course itself is been…so, so. There’s been more time spent on “Educationese” and gobbledy-goop catch phrases that I used to detest, than on actual digital storytelling.

Even so, I did manage to put together a decent (in my opinion) project. My digital story was entitled “A Bridge to Nowhere”, and it’s a summary of a previous blog post about the controversial Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Connector, a proposed bridge from Lone Star to Rimini across Lake Marion.

The 12 minute video summarizes the history of the Santee Cooper area, and briefly touches on the controversy. I used photographs I’d taken from several paddling trips to lakes Marion and Moultrie, coupled with GoPro video. I filled in with a few maps, newspaper clippings, and historic shots to complete the video.

Life Faster than the Documentation Thereof

August 12, 2013May 16, 2014 Tom No Comments

Miscellaneous

It happened again. Video projects, course work, new camera gear to review, family promotions, paddling trips on the Edisto, Perseid Meteors, Segway tours, and mountain driving – life seems to be happening faster than I can tag it with a blog post. Add to that sporadic Internet access over the next several days, and it … Read More “Life Faster than the Documentation Thereof” »

Multiple Mountain Meanderings

August 3, 2013May 16, 2014 Tom 1 Comment

Family, Photography, Rambling

Blue Ridge Parkway-1 — Devil’s Courthouse

Three times this week I have made treks northward, crossing the Blue Wall into the mountains of Western North Carolina. Two of those trips covered similar ground. Only one was in the new Mini convertible. All three covered ground I’ve traversed recently, so some of the photos may look a little…familiar.

Monday – Picnic at Davidson River

Last weekend Laura’s sister and mother were with us. The weather looked good for Monday, so we decided to take a trek up to Pisgah Forest for a picnic. We had done this trip with Laura’s cousins a couple of years ago, and her mom had loved the sound of the Davidson River rippling past our picnic area.

For this trip we loaded everyone into the Subaru and first headed up Highway 25 toward Hendersonville. We took a brief detour through Tuxedo, then turned toward Flat Rock. At Flat Rock we took Little River Road toward Crab Creek westward, toward Brevard. The weather was clear and spectacular, with large fluffy white clouds and blue skies.

Goodbye Audrey, Hello Mini

July 28, 2013May 16, 2014 Tom No Comments

Miscellaneous

The unusually wet summer has not been kind to our convertible. Twelve inches of rain in one week wreaks havoc on an un-garaged vehicle that already had leaky seals. When we got back from Florida the car was drenched, and all of the electrical systems were fried. It was finally time to look at a … Read More “Goodbye Audrey, Hello Mini” »

Lone Star Barbecue, Mercantile, and Ghost Town

July 24, 2013July 25, 2013 Tom No Comments

History and Genealogy, Photography, Rambling, Restaurants

We have a tradition of looking for a good barbecue place after our paddling trips. This was no different. Our target for this outing was Lone Star Barbecue and Mercantile. However, this was a two-fer – lots of good food and a chance to explore one of South Carolina’s ghost towns.

Lone Star, the Ghost Town

It started with a bit of miscommunication. The rest of the guys had never been to the town of Lone Star, and thought that the barbecue place was in the town proper. So, once we loaded up the boats, they set off, with me following, toward the town. What they found was the ghost town that I knew. All that is left of Lone Star is the old freight depot, moved from its original location, the large brick Masonic building, and two dilapidated stores. Across the tracks was a small convenience store that may or may not have been open. No barbecue anywhere in sight.