A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.
This past Sunday I was privileged to attend the Farewell Reunion of Jack’s Pickin’ Parlor at the Belton Depot in Belton, South Carolina. For fifteen years Jack Ellenburg provided a place for musicians to gather and share Bluegrass, Gospel, and other tunes in a free, family-friendly environment. The Pickin’ Parlor closed in 2014, but its … Read More “A Farewell Reunion for Jack’s Pickin’ Parlor” »
Thursday was going to be a spectacular day and I was bound and determined to take advantage of it. I ran through my list of local paddling venues trying to decide where to go. I settled on a new place that wasn’t too far away that I’d been wanting to explore. I launched from a … Read More “Paddling with Cicadas Below Hartwell Dam” »
Some days are just absolutely perfect for paddling. This past Saturday was one of them. It was a Second Saturday, which meant a trip with Lowcountry Unfiltered. This particular Saturday we would be heading back to Sparkleberry Swamp, but the goal was to explore a new section of the swamp. There would be only three … Read More “From Sparkleberry to Packs Landing” »
The Temple of Health was a stage coach stop in upper Abbeville County. It got its name from a set of springs that were purported to have healing properties. Here are the links to information within the podcast… Blog posts: Script for this episode The theme music for Carolina Ghost Towns is “Summertime” by LesFM. Other … Read More “Carolina Ghost Towns – The Temple of Health” »
Ferguson was a lumber town founded an the banks of the Santee River by the Santee River Cypress Lumber Company. All that’s left of the town is on Ferguson Island in Lake Marion. Here are the links to information within the podcast… Multiple blog posts: Script for this episode The theme music for Carolina Ghost … Read More “Carolina Ghost Towns – Ferguson” »
NOTE: This post was delayed a bit because I came down with a nasty bout of Covid. I’d gotten half the post written when it hit, but didn’t feel like typing or anything else. Feeling much, much better now, so here you go… It had been a long time since our gang of miscreant paddlers … Read More “Edisto River from Sullivan’s Landing to Martin’s Landing” »
Kingville, or Kingsville, was a major railroad junction in lower Richland County, South Carolina. It served as a support center and hospital for Confederate troops in the Civil War. The town was destroyed by Sherman’s army, but rebuilt by freed slaves. Here are the links to information within the podcast… Original blog post Script for … Read More “Carolina Ghost Towns – Kingville” »
This week’s episode is about the town of Andersonville. Not to be confused with the infamous Confederate prison camp in Georgia, this Andersonville was at the confluence of the Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers, where the Savannah River begins. Here are the links to information within the podcast… Original blog post for this episode. Script for … Read More “Carolina Ghost Towns – Andersonville” »
Each year I try to do a photo expedition on the MLK holiday. This tradition got started years ago when I was still working in the schools. MLK was an unexpected Monday off and I hated to waste it. I’ve been retired for quite a long time now, but I still try to do an … Read More “MLK Ramble 2024 – Mayesville and Salem Black River Church” »
I hadn’t been to Lake Jocassee all season and I really wanted to head up there. At the last minute I decided to go this past Sunday. I had planned for a simple trip – no GoPro, no deck back, and not even any lunch. It turned out to be simpler than I though, but … Read More “Exploring the Wall at Jocassee” »