Praise The Lard and Pass The Biscuits

After leaving scenic Lake Lure, NC, we traveled to beautiful Lake Greenwood (with 27 miles of shoreline) in Cross Hill, Laurens County, South Carolina.  Although the area seems to be somewhere in the middle of nowhere, it is probably one of the nicest Class A motorcoach resorts we've visited, Lake Greenwood Motorcoach Resort.

RV and I lived in Columbia, South Carolina, for a couple of years, but never took an opportunity to see this slice of "Americana".  We enjoyed day trips to Greenwood, Anderson, Clinton, Newberry, Abbeville and Laurens, South Carolina.  Each town revealed a unique personality, and lucky for us we arrived in the middle of the harvest of many summer vegetables, so we have definitely enjoyed eating lots of local grown summer fruits and vegetables.   

We enjoyed several side trips, but one will always stand out in both our minds.  Grits and Groceries Cafe, in Belton, South Carolina, turned out to be a beautiful country drive and culinary treat on our day trip to Anderson as well as Abbeville.  Bikers, hikers, tourists, locals, etc., go WAY out of their way to travel to this small hamlet.  You've "arrived" when you get to the big chicken at the crossroads of Belton, SC, and before you get back into your car you are welcome to cross the road to feed the goats.  Everything is homemade, handmade and homegrown.  

Grits and Groceries, Belton, SC

It was a nice coincidence we arrived in Greenwood, SC during the Festival of Flowers.  

Greenwood Festival of Flowers 2012

South Carolina exudes Civil War history; however, there is a famous Revolutionary War-era National Historical Site in the city of Ninety-Six, SC (this battle did not end in our favor).  Remnants of the Cherokee Path as well as other vital Native American roads are still preserved in this area.

Ninety-Six, South Carolina NHS

We are heading northwest to Atlanta for the next couple of weeks.  Lauren and Chris, our youngest daughter and son-in-law, are in the middle of lease/construction negotiations to open her chiropractic office in Suwanee, Georgia - Suwanee Spine and Wellness Center.  We look forward to seeing them fulfill a dream they both have worked very hard to achieve.  We'll update you on their progress in the next couple of posts.  

RV and MH 

Take care and safe travels.  

YOU CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE!

After thoroughly enjoying our time in Alabama, it's time to move around and spice things up a little.  Not spicy, but dicey, when you're heading through the Cherokee National Forest to Murphy, NC, in a 40' diesel pusher with a tow vehicle.

RV There Yet?

Rivers Edge Campground in Murphy, NC, was perfect for us...but getting there was a real trip!  On the way we passed the site of the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Rafting venue in Ocoee, GA. 

Ocoee Whitewater Center - Site of 1996 Olympics

No problem until an 18-wheeler meets you on a curve.  We were assured it was a lot better than it had been in the past.  My guess is that the rocks have been shaved by many trucks and rock slides.  This part of Georgia and western North Carolina is one picture postcard after another.

Rivers Edge Campground - Murphy, NC

Our neighbors putting their baby to bed at Rivers Edge

Rivers Edge Campground was developed with big rigs in mind, and while we were there a group of Shelby Cobra owners were having a rally in Murphy, and several of them stayed in our campground.  Aren't those cars a little loud?!  Classic cars and motorcycle rallies are well suited for this area ... plenty of beautiful places to drive on day trips.  
  

Going through the Gorge!

I think RV may be rethinking his route 

Guess we'll stick to being spectators from now on

We took advantage of the beauty around us to enjoy such places as Blue Ridge, GA, Nantahala Gorge, and Andrews, NC, but the interesting history was found in Murphy.   Murphy is the county seat of Cherokee County, so you can imagine their museum is packed with the history of western NC. 

My jaw drops when I think of everything in this museum!

Time to leave such a peaceful place...how are we going to get out of this gorge?!  We're headed northeast toward Lake Lure, NC for a couple of weeks of guess what....to practice...."The Fine Art of Doing Nothing".  Anyway, our trip was uneventful and beautiful.  Our next home for a few weeks is in the Hickory Nut Gorge, NC area...featuring Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Bat Cave and Gerton.  Side trips to Hendersonville, Brevard, NC (enjoyed the annual  White Squirrel Festival in Brevard, NC), Asheville, Tryon, Rutherfordton and Fletcher.  We also met our friends Paul and Linda Hardin in Gaffney, SC one afternoon for lunch.  

We stayed as guests of Jim and Joyce Maddox at one of the most beautiful RV resorts in North Carolina - Apple Valley Farm, near Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure.  This beautiful RV resort has about 45 sites on a lake, and it doesn't matter what time of the year you visit, it's drop-dead gorgeous.   The weather was perfect and there is always something scenic to enjoy.

Apple Valley RV Resort - Lake Lure, NC

  

Apple Valley Farm RV Resort - back of Clubhouse

Leaving Apple Valley Farm

We left North Carolina and said farewell to a very beautiful and tranquil setting.  We enjoyed seeing lots of deer, beavers, chipmunks, rabbits and an unbelievable assortment of song birds.    Our next stop is an ideal day drive for us, about 150 miles, to Lake Greenwood, SC (and that's pushing it)!