The things you find…or not

When we were planning the Oconee area of South Carolina, we knew this area had its share of waterfalls. The reviews said that they are beautiful but can be a bit remote. They lied, they’re a LOT remote. There were a couple of the trails where being half mountain goat would have been a distinct advantage. But they did tell the truth about them being beautiful. We even came across an added bonus, but more on that in a minute.

First up, Issaqueena Falls. These falls were super simple to find and navigate to. In fact, they were about three miles down the road from the campground we were staying in. Now, if only some of the others were that easy.

 

June enjoying Issaqueena Falls

Right in the same little park area of the Issaqueena Falls, is the Stumphouse Tunnel. It was started in the late 1800’s and was going to be a railroad tunnel, until the work stopped right about the time of the Civil War due to the high cost of tunneling. So they just abandoned it. It’s now a tourist attraction and you can walk into it as far as a big fence about 100 yards in.

The day we were there, a group of college students was filming scenes for a movie titled ‘The Tunnel’. I think I remember them saying it was based on a Kurosawa film, but I don’t know which one. They were very nice about letting people in while they set up for different shots. The main actor guy was really cool when I asked for a pic.

Quiet on the set!!!

Indiana Jones? He was very nice to let me take a pic

On our way back out of the tunnel, I couldn’t resist. They had been setting up a shot right at the tunnel entrance and were getting pretty close to shooting a scene. So just as we came into the light we were pretty close to where they were setting up. So I fired off my very best pose, and loudly said “Here’s Johnny!” (in reference to the movie Shining), and they all laughed. The director guy laughingly replied that I should get over to makeup and he’d make me a star. Oh well, opportunity missed.

The next set of falls we went to is called Yellow Branch Falls. This was our first taste of challenging hiking. Three miles round trip along the sides of some pretty steep hills. But it was more than worth it. As you can see.

 

Watch Your Step!

Why move it? Just cut out a section

Yellow Branch Falls

We then went to King’s Creek falls, and the trail from hell. Not all that long in distance, but pretty tough hiking. At one point we had to go over a massive log that was laying across the trail and down into a pretty deep gorge. It wouldn’t have taken much to take a really nasty fall. (It would have been very appropriate to post a “Slippery when wet” sign). But again, it was worth the work as the falls are beautiful.

 

Mountain Goat Trail!

Kings Creek Falls

Our last falls were the WhiteWater Falls. These falls are actually in North Carolina, but just by a little. It was an easy walk to get to the upper lookout, but to get the really good shots, you had to go down (and back up) 154 steps. Let me tell you, that will definitely get your heart pumping!

 

This was the easy shot!

This was the Cardiac Arrest shot!

We also tried to find a set of falls called Spoonauger Falls, but never found them. We must have hiked two miles looking all over the place for them, but with no luck. (Turn right at the falls sign after you cross the creek. Yeah, not really helpful.)

Mango

Outside mornings.

I have a favorite thing when it comes to camping. It doesn’t really have a name but I’ll call it outside mornings.

 

We had an outside morning on last Friday. It was beautiful start to the day. We were sitting outside with our coffee and tea. There was a slight chill yet in the air but nothing a soft flannel shirt and slippers can’t fix.

 

I think it’s a combination of the smells and sounds. In the site next to us, those folks were in a tent and their fire was going already. I love the smell of a campfire and if there’s bacon simmering in a cast iron skillet, even better. Close your eyes for a moment … I bet you can smell that bacon.

 

For sounds, well honestly, there are very few and that feels amazing. Birds mostly, some crickets, a few leaves rustling here or there, children in the distance with an occasional scream of delight (or cry). A car door, maybe a car going by. And voices. I can’t make out the conversations, but I imagine it’s important stuff like one egg or two, over easy or over well and did you remember to bring the ketchup.

 

We haven’t had the chance to do this yet on this trip. It was the first morning we’ve been able to sit outside. Our last site for example was in a gully and there had been a lot of rain at night. Our site was muddy and wet the whole time we were there.

 

Mango learned to love camping as a boy scout (I really did. I can remember having some epic campouts where we slept on the ground, froze to death, heat beyond belief, ate really bad food, rain, bugs, etc. Yep, epic times). I imagine his 10 or 11 year old mind was just as inquisitive then as it is now (inquisitive about what?). Our family did some camping too and it usually accompanied a canoe trip on a long weekend. As I watch those tent campers, only now can I appreciate all the work it must have been for my Mom to get ready to go and then again when we got home.

Our adventures here included chasing the perfect waterfall so there was hiking and lots of pictures taken. More on that in the next post. Oh, and a tunnel too.

Stumphouse Tunnel

 

Edna continues to be a perfect companion as we work our way around the Carolinas. We may be traveling in what tent campers call luxury, but we’re all the same during that morning cup of coffee sitting outside and listening.

 

-June

 

 

'Soda City', South Carolina

Today we spent the day wandering in Columbia, South Carolina, also known to the locals as "Soda City." Note that no inventing or manufacturing of soda ever happened here and that the nickname actually comes from an early abbreviation of Columbia, or "Cola."

We discovered a small park and this memorial to Jack Linwood Van Loan. His name probably won't ring a bell but the place 'Maison Centrale' might. Can you guess what it's more notable name is? 

This city likes its murals so any respectable adventure blog will include them. And what's not to like about a quirky statue of the world's largest fire hydrant? Standing almost 40 ft tall, it comes complete with signs that say "no dogs within 50 ft."

If you're a 90's music fan, you may recall that Hootie and the Blowfish are from Columbia, South Carolina. A rather unimpressive statue awaits any fan and thankfully it's a freebie. Their debut album Cracked Rear View was pretty darn good in my opinion. Can you name any of their tunes? Next trivia question - the band's lead vocalist started a solo r&b career, then later hit the country charts. Who was it?

I had my first ice cream of the trip and the butter pecan cookie waffle cone did not disappoint. Mango held off on the ice cream but did try a vegan sloppy joe that he said was very good. Needless to say, I don't need to worry about making dinner.

We wandered around Mast General Store and found a jigsaw puzzle we had to have then it was back to the campground just in time for happy hour. We were disappointed to learn that the campground is not renting out kayaks right now as we were looking forward to some time on the pond before we move on. But the 2 mile loop around the pond (last picture) is available if exercising makes it to the top of the priority list.

'Maison Centrale' is better known as the Hanoi Hilton. Van Loan was a POW there for 6 years along with fellow inmate John McCain. Darius Rucker was the lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish.

-June 

Jack Van Loan

Hootie and the Blowfish monument

Tunnel Vision Mural

Neverbust Chain mural

Neverbust Chain - created in 2000 by local artist Blue Sky

The 'Edge of America'

There is a place in South Carolina nicknamed the 'Edge of America.' Without googling it, do you know where it is?

We've spent a few nice days in the Charleston area. This has been on my bucket list for a long time and it didn't disappoint. It reminds me somewhat of Savannah with maybe a little New Orleans thrown in. We visited all the things on our list that we wanted to including City Market, The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, Old Slave Mart, King Street and of course Fort Sumter. Thankfully these places were open but the restrictions were reasonable.

Sweetwater Baskets

Our visit to this area correlated with Juneteenth so how apropos .. the end of slavery celebrated in a city where slavery once thrived. Did you know that 40% of all slaves entered the U.S. at Charleston? That slaves were once sold in the streets until that was banned and it needed to be done indoors? I wouldn't say those museums were fun but necessary to fully understand that time period and how important it was to Charleston. 

Slave Mart

We enjoyed browsing at City Market and saw vendors making sweetwater baskets. I had no idea that they command $250 and up though they are pretty cool. (No I didn't get one). On a more cost effective note, I did purchase a package of benne wafers and thought they were pretty good. 

We had a beautiful day for a boat ride and visit to Fort Sumter. I think $24 per person is steep to visit a free National Park but we did it. You may recall I have a National Park passbook and collect the medallions. (You know ... all the kids do it). 

We had lunch at Hyman's on Meeting Street. Now truly .. what is not to like about hush puppies and crab cakes? Mango also had buffalo shrimp which was really good. 

Fort Sumter

The campground we stayed at was quiet and uneventful. It was a 25 minute drive from downtown and worked out well for adventuring. Probably wouldn't stay there again but that's another whole story. I've taken up writing reviews of campgrounds and restaurants. I have a collection in Yelp called Mango and June and am at 48 reviews written. I haven't been as faithful with campground reviews, 39 to date but we've been to 74. Yes, I'll get better at that.

So, the Edge of America? Folly Beach on Folly Island. It's a tourist trap not unlike Tybee Island. We had a really nice afternoon. We walked the beach for awhile til our paid parking expired. On the Mango and June beach scale it rates a 5.2. (You have to remember we live across the street from best beach in Florida so the grading scale is quite steep.)

Next, we're on to Columbia and another national park. 

And we're back.

Back out adventuring in Edna that is.

Brunswick, GA

Before you start talking about social distancing, mask wearing and all that other stuff - yes, we are careful and will head home if a serious second wave of illness strikes.

That said, this trip starts out all about the Carolinas. It will be much more than that but we plan to cover both South and North Carolina in depth. Lots of bucket list items here for me ... Charleston, the Biltmore, waterfalls and white water rafting. Yes - we are going to do a rafting trip.

So we are armed with cameras, day packs and lots of ideas of things to see and do. I saw that City Market in Charleston is reopening today, yay! There will still be things that are closed or have limitations but we will enjoy this trip despite those little blips. It's our third big trip and we both think we've mastered what works well for us. 

Now, if I can only remember to turn off the a/c when I turn on the new Cuisinart oven, we'll be golden!

-June

Voyage 3.0 (Non-Beta)

Hurry up and wait….hurry up and wait…..

That’s kind of what it has felt like in the last few weeks. We got back from the 3.0(beta) trip all charged up and ready to jump off on the real (3.0 non-beta) trip. Well, not so fast there skippy! There’s the small issue of the non-negotiable to-do list that needs to be completed. Damn….

Yeah, we came up with a list of stuff that needs to be completed before we can go. None of the items are anything huge, they just all need to get checked off the list. Stuff like:

-       Permanently mount the command center on the wall

-       Semi-permanently mount the sand dollar clock on the wall

-       Get Edna an oil change

-       Fix the very small crack in Edna’s windshield (no clue when that happened)

-       Sanitize the fresh-water tank/system, again

-       Clean out some outside storage bins

-       New curtains

-       Rethink the cabover storage setup

-       New serpentine belt for Edna (more on that in next entry)

-       Fix the jeep towing cable (more on that in next entry)

-       Etc, etc, etc……

You might be able to tell who came up with each item and many are not show stoppers. But a list is a list so we daily try to check off at least one thing off. In reality, dentist appointments are a priority so once those are done next week, we’ll be ready.

So, you might ask, ‘Mango and June, where are you headed on this trip?’. Well, that’s a very good question. And when we get there, we’ll be able to answer that for you. Yeah, even we don’t know for sure. We aren’t sure of where we’re headed or for how long. We have a vague idea to generally head in the direction of Atlanta for a while and then possibly back over towards the east coast. That is just about how much we have planned so far.

We spit-balled a little about maybe heading north up to probably Illinois, and maybe Wisconsin. After that we might go back up into the Michigan Upper Peninsula. Or maybe take the ferry from Wisconsin over into middle Michigan. After that it gets really hazy. We talked a bit about maybe doing part of the Kentucky Bourbon trail, Graceland, and maybe even hitting some of the old-time baseball parks. Assumes of course that there’s baseball this summer. It’s always been sort of a lower level bucket list item to go to as many old-time ballparks as we can. Yeah, I know, major league excitement (pun intended).

Ok then, so when do we leave? Again, a very good question. The answer? We’re not totally sure. We keep pointing at this or that date, but it seems to change by the next day. We will definitely be on the road by the end of June. Just how much before is an open discussion. We are dragging our feet a tiny bit so to allow things to open back up again. A lot of campgrounds are just now starting to allow RV’ers back in again after the virus issues.

We will start getting back into the groove of blogging more frequently again. Kind of got out of the habit a little as there just wasn’t much to talk about. Unless you want to hear about the TV shows we’ve been binge watching (yeah, I didn’t think so). But things are starting to ramp back up again so the entries will start happening again.

-Mango