Have duct tape. Will Travel.

On the coldest day of January, Andy and I drove the backroads to Greer, Dark Corners and Little Chicago.

We were bundled up in heavy coats, gloves and boots. We had our thermos of coffee, charged cell phones and a full tank of gas.  We were prepared!

Or so we thought.

Somewhere outside of Woodruff on SC 146, we  heard a strange sound from the front of the car. It rattled, squealed and crashed. Then, we smelled the burning rubber.

Andy pulled off on a side road that was little more than a one lane graveled driveway.  (Must have been a party road because there were dozens of empty PBR cans.)

Turns out the casing of Andy’s running lights had detached and was rubbing against her tire. Intrepid travelers that we are, we temporarily put it back in place. We were so proud.

Less than two miles later, our fix became unfixed.

Finally, we found a country store that had duct tape. All was well once we used the tape to hold the casing in place.

Moral: Always have duct tape in your trunk!

 

 

 

How Does Your Garden Grow?

On a sunny day last winter Andy was inspired to create a garden in my forlorn back yard. We were working at my picnic table mapping out our next Off the I adventure.

Somewhere between planning the trip and finding a compatible calendar date, Andy said “I am going to help you fix your backyard.”

Andy said she would provide cuttings from her own gorgeous back yard. (I just love my Off The I friend.) She gave me a list of things to have on hand in the spring–potting soil, containers, hangers, etc.

Last week, Andy brought pots, a beautiful tile and dozens of plants she had cultivated over the winter.   She patiently taught me what each plant needed to survive. (Knowing I do not have my grandmother’s green thumb, she brought me plants that do well with a minimum of attention.)

After three weeks, my Andy designed garden flourishes!

Andy is a genius designer. Using an old chair, travel trailer steps and her own creativity, she builds the nucleus of a backyard garden. (All the plants are cuttings from her backyard as well as most of the pots and the tile at top right.)

 

 

From the Mountain

Kings Mountain State Park in Blacksburg  South Carolina was our first “Off the I” destination. Either named for King George III or for a family of early settlers–historians disagree–the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780 was a significant victory for the patriots during the American Revolution.

Historians and grammarians disagree about Kings versus King’s Mountain. For an interesting discussion, check out

Since the state park is adjacent to the Kings Mountain National Military Park, we visited the national park as well.

Never let it be said that Andy and Susan do not respect the doctrine of the separation of powers central to our federal system of government.

Good looking Visitor’s Center and the film is worth your time. Short walk to the battlefield.

We also respect the unsung or under-sung heroes of history. In addition, we are always looking for a connection to our home county of Newberry. James Williams, NOT the Newberry dentist, fit both bills… Read below for the REVOLUTIONARY WAR James Williams. Williams did not have the time to record his exploits nor the PR firm to write them for him as did Marion and Sumter.