Blogs, random thoughts, travel

  • Cherished Places

    Huntington Beach State Park was the go-to beach destination for our family when we lived in the area.  Sunday evenings were a perfect time to visit.  All the tourists had either checked out of their hotels at 11 AM to drive back to Ohio and New Jersey or they had just arrived for a 3 PM check-in and were now looking for a place to eat their first all-you-can-eat seafood buffet of the week.  The beach was always deserted on Sunday evenings.  
  • Back to the Ultimate Outsider Challenge

    When Jenni and I purchased our state park pass in February 2021, we never imagined we would only be a third of the way through the forty-seven parks after two full years.  Of course, in those two years we logged nearly 30,000 miles visiting another forty states.  But it was time to get serious about checking off a few more South Carolina state parks.
  • A Waterfall for My Birthday

    As I sipped my coffee the morning of my birthday, Jenni asked if I had considered what I wanted to do to celebrate turning sixty, inferring the day was my choice.  I said I wanted to hike a new waterfall.  (Be careful of the offers you make a birthday boy!) 
  • Picking Up Trash

    When we joined the Friends of Bald Rock several months ago for a clean-up, we found huge amounts of trash including beer bottles, spray cans, and men’s underwear.  The work of the volunteer organization was obvious this time.  It was much cleaner. They have met monthly to keep the area more presentable and less of a target for litterbugs.   

  • The Sunrise That Almost Didn’t Happen

    Now I must admit I am quite out of practice when it comes to setting my alarm.  I’ve only had to do it a handful of times in the two years since I retired.  
  • Daaaaa Bearsssss

    Many of our friends want to come to our house to see the bears.  But it doesn’t work that way.  The bears determine their schedule and availability.  I assume they have other homeowners to entertain besides us. 

  • Planning for Spontaneity

    In order to be spontaneous, we have several lists on the kitchen counter in various stages of completion.  
  • When Is It Too Rough To Rough It?

    We don’t worry too much about forgetting something we might need on a trip.  Years ago people would say “there’s always a Wal-Mart nearby” but the more reassuring thought today seems to be that there is ALWAYS a Dollar General nearby.  On our last trip we tallied thirteen in two days.  
  • Week of Waterfalls

    [The ranger] assured us our Civic could handle the gravel road to the parking lot but not to think about traveling farther down that road.  Then she pointed out some simple to reach falls closer to the Blue Ridge Parkway and I pointed to a spot on the map and commented “that’s where we tried going a few years ago but got a hincky feeling about the directions”.  She suddenly had more respect for us and said “oh, you’ve been reading so-and-so’s book”.  
  • Lazy Man’s Guide to Northern Greenville County Hikes

    I don’t have a problem maneuvering the car just right and putting the window down for a clearer view.  But if I have to get out of the car, the view better be worth the effort.