I Prefer A Banana Seat & Sparklys On The Handlebars

You can't be in Upstate South Carolina very long and not see this sight! It's not something you'd ever see 15 years ago.

I'm certain that George Hincapie, a resident of Greenville and one of this nation's top cyclists, helped make Upstate South Carolina a popular spot for these athletes.

I took this photo on S. Main Street in Travelers Rest.

The Cafe At Williams Hardware

So it seems The Cafe at Williams Hardware has finally opened. Formerly a hardware store, this now serves as a gift shop and cafe. The Swamp Rabbit Trail backs up behind it.

The Cafe at Williams Hardware is located at 15 S. Main Street in Travelers Rest.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Brrrrrrrrr! Turn up the heat! It's been in the 20's the past few mornings here! Unless it's going to snow, I don't like this cold weather!

I snapped this photo of the frost in my yard, a few mornings ago. If you click on the photo, you can really see the ice crystal up close & personal!

Music Is Good For The Soul

The guys on this mural sure seem to think so anyway!

This mural is in the parking lot behind Horizon Music on the corner of Stone Avenue and North Main Street in Greenville.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Trans-Siberian Orchestra came to Greenville last weekend. If you've never seen this show before, you should make an effort to do so next year! It's a fabulous show!

Slater Mill

In 1927 "Sam Slater and Sons" built a mill above Travelers Rest. The area later became known as Slater. During World War II, the plant made the material for parachutes used by the Armed Forces. Both of my grandparents worked at this mill. Over 80 years later, this mill is still in use today

Slater Hall was constructed in 1931 and served as a recreational and social facility for the mill's employees and their families. It is one of the few remaining mill-related structures in Upstate South Carolina. It is currently undergoing renovation and is slated to be reopened in June 2009.

Slater Hall is located at 5 Whitney Street.

Table Rock

I truly believe I live in the most beautiful place in the world. This is Table Rock, located just 10 minutes from where I live.

I took this photo from Highway 276.

One Man's Junk...

...is another man's treasure. Some people would call this an antique store. Other people might call it a junk store. I myself have found a few treasures here over the years, so I think it's a pretty cool place!

It's located on Highway 276 (Geer Highway) in Travelers Rest.

Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes!

My Mom and I packed our shoe boxes and dropped them off yesterday! By now they are somewhere on their way on journey to wherever they will eventually end up...in a child's hands! If you weren't able to participate this year, keep in mind this opportunity for next year!

Many churches serve as drop off locations, but I learned that just this year, Chik-fil-a started serving as a drop off location as well. They also give you a free coupon for a Chik-fil-a sandwich!

They Call Me Mellow Yellow....

This piece of sculpture sits on Stone Avenue. It's yellow and it's on Stone Avenue. That's all I know about it. :)

Antiques!

I'm a sucker for these kinds of signs!

This is on the side of the Greenville Furniture Exchange Building on Poinsett Highway.

Travelers Rest First Baptist Church

I drive by this church every day and have really admired these wreaths on the door. I knew I had better stop soon and get these photos before they swapped them out for Christmas wreaths! Located on McElhaney Road, Travelers Rest First Baptist Church was established in 1913.

I Just Never Know...

...what I might see that will catch my eye. I think I'm training myself to look for weird and interesting things! This wall belongs to Palmetto Drum Company at the end of Wade Hampton Boulevard where ivy is (and was) once growing.

Lone Leaf

This lonely leaf was found on a Crepe Myrtle tree in my front yard in Travelers Rest.

Pink Bee

I was out and about on an errand for work recently and this storefront caught my eye. There are a lot of cool looking stores downtown these days. This particular one is on the West End. The Pink Bee is located at 105 Augusta Street.

Rainy Day

There weren't too many people out along the corner of Main Street and Beattie Place on Friday afternoon. Who could blame them though? It was the perfect afternoon to be at home under a blanket!

Who Knew?

I recently started noticing this pyracantha bush on the roadside on my way home from work. I always believed their berries to be poisonous. That's not true at all! Their berries are sometimes used to make jelly! Hmmm...wonder what that tastes like? I took this photo on Wayne Drive in Greenville.

Polkeeeee Dots

I have always loved this mailbox! I wish I was so crafty! I took this photo on Bradley Boulevard in Greenville.

Headlights In The Sky

Yes, my Mama did teach me better than to take pictures while driving down the road, but this was too cool of an opportunity to pass up!

Plus.....I really needed to get this photo blog up and running again!

I took this photo last night on my way home from work on North Pleasantburg Drive/Highway 291.

Operation Christmas Child!

Every year, I try to pack a shoe box (or two, or three) for Operation Christmas Child. OCC is a project of Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse. Every year in November and December shoeboxes filled with small toys, toiletries, and candy are collected and sent overseas to children who may otherwise receive nothing for Christmas. I can't tell you how much fun it is to shop for the items that go in the shoeboxes. I take a lot of time and effort picking just the right things. For about $15 you can fill a shoebox. They also ask that you put in a check for $7 to help with the overseas shipping or by using the online donation option called EZGive. So for less than $25 you can make a child smile. Last year, OCC collected over 7.6 million shoeboxes that were distributed in 95 countries. While I will never see the children that open my shoeboxes, I can only hope that I've made their lives, even if for just one day, a happier one. The mission isn't only to give toys and toiletries...according to their website the mission of Operation Christmas Child is "to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ."

Please visit their site!

Operation Christmas Child


The site gives step by step instructions on what type items to pack in a box and where to drop off your box. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me! November 17-24 is National Collection Week though, so we don't have much time!

Back Among the Living!

I'm back among the living, but I'm still behind as far as taking photos! Hopefully the blog will be up and running this week!

Dear Reader...

Due to some health concerns, I haven't been able to keep up with my photo blog. Hopefully I'll be up and about soon!

Travelers Rest United Methodist Church, Part II

I like these views of the door and steps.

Travelers Rest United Methodist Church

I love photographing churches and I love photographing Fall leaves! This made for the perfect picture! Travelers Rest United Methodist Church was established in 1893 and is located at 19 S. Main Street.

Getting To The Root Of The Problem...

Well...it's Election Day! Don't let the thought of long lines intimidate you! Make your vote count!

No matter who is voted as our President, I hope that he is able to get to the root of America's many problems.

I snapped this photo on Bradley Boulevard in Greenville.

It's Never Too Late...

Yes, it's November. Yes, I know October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Visit National Breast Cancer Awareness Month for more information. Shame on me for not not doing this post LAST MONTH!

By His Hands...

I snapped this photo in my flower bed in Travelers Rest.

For Every Door That Closes....

...another one opens.

I snapped this photo on the Rice Family Property in Travelers Rest.