The Good Old South

This week JB and I hit the road for South Carolina. We've just finished another long winter and our thoughts are toying with warmer climates. So we booked a low-fare Travelocity flight to Greenville SC, used our accumulated credit card points for 7 free nights in a couple of local hotels, and off we went.

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Neither of us knew much about the South. And although we planned/hoped to lounge in front of a pool with the hot sun on our faces for at least some of the week, a weather forecast of rain and more rain found us exploring instead of lounging. We've gallivanted to Greenville, Hilton Head Island, and Charleston in South Carolina and Asheville North Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.

This is not in chronological order, but here's a few slices of JB and kj on the road in the beautiful old South:

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Every vacation should be lucky enough to start at the Crispy Creme donut "factory". This one's in Spartenberg, South Carolina. I had never had a Crispy Creme Glazed Donut hot off the line before. Here's important information: t a sign outside lights up whenever those donuts are being made and still piping hot. I 'm embarrassed to admit I had three and JB had two. And they were mouth watering awesome.

We spent our first three days in and around Greenville. My very best friend has family there who lovingly showed us their homes and around town. Greenville is a booming small city with incredibly affordable housing, ample land and space, and a downtown offering city culture and a state-of-the-art park.

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The first thing JB did when we checked into the Courtyard Marriott was display Ryan's photos along the dresser. Then we headed downtown and ate ribs and grits. I forgot my camera the first couple of days in Greenville, and we're headed back there the end of the week, so photos of this sweet little city will have to wait until the weekend. Suffice to say we then hit the road, always veering off the major highways in favor of back roads, first passing through the smallest town of Saluda--population 520--on the way to Asheville.

This was a 90 minute drive we stretched into hours. This was my first introduction to cemeteries that use artificial flowers to lovingly mark the graves. No gravestones--just a plaque in the ground and these silk or plastic flowers. We saw several cemeteries like this, so it seems this is the way it is in South Carolina.

On the back roads I always marvel at human creativity and ingenuity. JB and I were in stitches driving by Granny Boops and Pop-Pop's Cafe. Shortly after, we passed these hedges where someone used his/her hedge clippers to write "MR" between the hearts. Bottom line: There's no substitute for back roads!Oh, and don't have the time to garden but you want planters? How about following this idea: find a beat up trash can and plant ivy in it.

Between Greenville and Asheville lies the center of Saluda has with its 10 or so buildings--that's all. You can't blink or you'll miss everything. Enlarge this white building if you can and you'll find the police station and city hall side by side. The town may be small, but it's also classy. Properties were expensive, with lots of equestrian areas. This shot of ciders and tomatoes was in front of the small general store.

And these shots nearby. I thought "goodbye cool world" was a pretty cool way to talk about global warming, and this little grill and fountain restaurant took me back in time.

We were on to Asheville. This city known for its arts and "hippy-ish" influence was larger than I expected and very fun to walk through. We had lunch, shopped without buying anything, visited Ces' favorite Mast General Store, which was all she said it would be, and ended up in an independent bookstore where I finally bought a copy of Elizabeth Gilbert's "eat pray love". I have been reading it outloud to JB ever since when she is driving and we've decided we will finish the book exactly that way.

Lord, please forgive kj that she just cannot figure out, remember, or learn how to straighten these photos. She is pathetic and needs compassion for the time being......

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The drive from Greenville to Hilton Head covered took us from the northeast to the southwest parts of South Carolina. This was a four-plus hour trip we again managed to stretch into the whole day, and loved every meandering minute of it. Hilton Head is on the ocean, but that will wait until another time. For now, may I introduce one of the small towns in rural America-- Prosperity, South Carolina.

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The state is famous for its furniture. We saw lumber trucks and tree farms everywhere. But this truck had PREMIUM wood on it--you could just tell by looking at it. And the fire hydrant--another example of finding humor in all the wrong places.....

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Well. Now. JB and I are now at a fancier-type resort with weather forecasts insisting on thunderstorms for every moment we are here. My plans to lie by the pool for three days are being replaced by day trips and more gallivants.

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So. There will be a part II of this travel update: the ocean at Hilton Head. Savannah Georgia. And Charleston and Greenville South Carolina. By then it's possible Ces will help me straighten my photos so no necks will be twisted. For now, it's time for another breakfast and another day of eating out. Yipee.