Click here to learn a bit more history!
A lovely walk up a boardwalk to view the damn and river provided spectacular views! Want to know a bit more history? Click on the link below the video!
The river separates both South Carolina and Georgia as a natural border/state line. It’s a free venue and a wonderful place to enjoy the evening, the scents of nature are pleasant and overly abundant!
My youngest brother came for a 2 week visit and, of course, a walk with coffee breaks had to be included! It’s always a joyous time to spend with loved ones with a bean buzz and fresh air. The sites and venues are always an added perk as well.
While here in the Upstate, I wanted to share some of the local awesome adventures with him…and he smiled the whole time. His smile lightens up the whole world and he is a fun, handsome guy (but I might be just a bit biased, being his sister and all!)
The photos are captioned of the places we attended. The conversations were endless!
A lovely day, sitting out on the veranda with a friend/brother and enjoying two of life’s greatest pleasures–coffee and ice cream.
I enjoyed trying something new–a Mayan Mocha…bursting with steaming flavors of mildly spicy chilis and robust brewed beans, it was a huge treat for me–mixing spices and flavors together that I had previously never had blended together. My brother enjoyed a regular latte and enjoyed the frothiness and flavor as well as he is Classic Cookie and Cream Ice Cream cone.
While the coffee and ice cream are superb, the conversation with my brother was amazing. We caught up on items, discussed hopes and dreams, laughed, told cheesy jokes (the only kind I know, of course) and spent several hours just having fun together in the comfortable outdoor seating. The Cafe boasted faux lawn under the table, which added a nice touch and color.
Adventures are always more fun with a friend and brother.
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A Sunday Drive to a major vacation (anything over 7 days in my book) all require a bit of planning and forethought, even whilst winging it. Why? Well, no one particularly cares for being caught “with their pants down”.
Thus, here are a few tips that I think are helpful and I use them myself.
A tunnel to…. nowhere! The train tunnel remains as an incomplete project but it’s very fascinating, rich in history! Located just outside of the city of Walhalla, Stumphouse Tunnel was initially meant to be a train tunnel, but it was never completed.
At one point, Clemson University even used the tunnel as a forum for aging their famous bleu cheese (Clemson University Bleu Cheese and Bleu Cheese products are still available for purchase at local venues, groceries stores and such).
The more indepth history can be seen in the photos and via the videos attached. I hope you enjoy!
Chili’s roasted, cilantro, diced onions, freshly grilled chorizo and Alpastor, my mouth was already watering even before I could order at the window from the cherry red food truck.
The proprietor doesn’t speak any English but with my improving Spanish language skills, I ordered 8 tacos, 2 chorizo, 4 Alpastor, and 2 Asada–with 4 ramekins of salsa, 2 mild, 2 picoso (hotter) and guess what, my language efforts earned a gold star! I received exactly what I ordered and desired (it’s a true struggle when developing language skills to convey a genuine message when ordering food.)
I delivered said order to my Sweetheart’s house, and much to my delight, his Guatemalan Grandmother even approved and ate 2 of the tacos!
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History comes to live in a graveyard and the history is richly embedded here at St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) here in Walhalla, South Carolina. Founded by a German emigrant in 1853 (which makes it older than my home state; Colorado was indoctrinated as a State in 1876).
The German Emigrant who founded the church wanted to create a place of worship for new and incoming fellow Germans, I am speculating as a way of integration and for creating a foundation for their lives in the new world (just as my opinion); what creates a better sense of belonging than a community of faith?
According to the historical marker (signs that are posted frequently around the Southeast, which is boundless in its history), the German Emigrant was General John A. Wagener. The history of his efforts and settlements can be read in the photos below.
The one particular headstone that really caught my attention was the one bearing the name Martin Luther Waldt. Why? Well, Martin Luther is the great German Reformation leader, creating what is now known as the protestant Church. While his intention was to reform the Catholic Church, noting such things that we are saved by faith alone (versus penance) and nailing his 96 Thesis to the doors of the castle church door at Wittenburg. His intent was to reform, not to split, but severance of the two did happen, creating the two factions we now know.
A Little Video allows one to hear at least the toll of one bell (I wasn’t quite quick enough to get the full set of bells tolling for 5 p.m.) When I was younger, my parents had taken me and my siblings on a family vacation to Germany (my first time being abroad); I often heard the bells chiming. I asked my mother why they rang so often, and her answer has stuck with me ever since, as I often sang along with the hymns or music that the bells performed. My mother said, Anna, those bells are chiming for you. Every time the bells ring, I can’t help but think they are especially for me, as if magically they knew I was there to hear them. Finding this graveyard created a full circle, so to speak, for me, having German heritage and being Lutheran, this happy happenstance couldn’t have been more perfect.
The winds blow here in South Carolina (nothing like what Wyoming and Colorado get for winds, sweeping across the plains but still, it’s windy!) The winds make me sneeze like a fiend and my eyes water, so what is a girl to do—make tea to help!
While I am not a doctor or an allergist, I personally have found that a good, strong cup of tea really does help me and helps keep me hydrated!
I chopped up a 3-inch section of fresh ginger root, putting it on to stew for about 20 minutes on a low simmer, adding 2 bags of Tazo Organic Baked Cinnamon Apple Tea (which was purchased at a buy one get one free special at the store) to the pot. I added a drizzle of honey to my mug and enjoyed! Yes, I even eat the stewed ginger bits when the cup of tea is empty!
The warmth and the aroma, flavor, is amazing! P.S. The pot is enough to share with friends and family.
A happy happenstance for me, while searching for something completely unrelated, I learned that a waterfall wasn’t far from where I currently live-which is outstanding. So, what is a girl to do? Go on an adventure, of course!
Naturally, I wanted the adventure to be easily done and mindful of my pocketbook, so I packed a little picnic for myself, including some bottled water and goodies that I enjoy, but nothing too heavy as I did have to carry it with me!
The parking “lot” is a pull off from the main road, circular around a chopped down tree with brush growing in the center; parking is limited but the trail head is easily accessible from anywhere in the parking lot.
While I have been swimming a lot more these past 10 months, the hiking/walking trail was a bit much and my calves are now mooing (I have never understood the cliche of calves “barking” when they clearly moo, whether they are on your legs or baby bovine.) The 2.2-mile (total distance) hike along the “moderate” trail (which seemed a bit more daunting than moderate, in my opinion) definitely challenged me today, even though my backpack only weighed about 7 pounds.
A few botanical signs along the trail made stopping and enjoying the tidbits of information along the way so much more enjoyable; I also enjoyed the information as an education is always welcome. A few of the botanical tidbit signs are available in the photos below, as well as some photos of the trail and adventure!
Happy Adventures! Here is also a link to a short video taken of the Waldrop Stone Waterfall as well.
