Soaking Up More Southern Charm Before We Point the Compass Northeastward

  As our time in this park starts coming to a close, we are realizing more and more that, no matter where we are staying or for how long, we will find amazing treasures. Some will come in the form of fun or adventure. Some will be rich in historical value. Others will be pure beauty for the sake of beauty.     

  Still, some of this most valuable treasure will be found in the people we meet. We are seeing, more than ever before, how a blend of rest, work, play, excitement, relationship, exploration, fun, and an occasional emergency can be worked into our daily lives, as God allows, to shape and mold us. We don't know how long the moving about will continue. It might be short-lived, or it might be for many years. Part of the excitement is not knowing all of the details. 

In the meantime, we strive to see sights and meet fellow journeyers as we move along the path set before us. 

We introduced a few of the fellow journeyers previously and stated that we would definitely be visiting with them again. We are so excited to see that happening and are sure it will continue. We have been able to spend time with Brian, Ruth, Ralph and Kim here in Lincolnton, and we do not take these few days for granted. It has been awesome getting together with them again and experiencing our relationships growing.

                        

Abbeville, SC

As we savored this time spent together, we took one early afternoon to investigate charming Abbeville, South Carolina. Packed with browsing fun, this city offers, as one of its highlights, The Abbeville Opera House.  More than a century old, this relic is South Carolina's official state theatre. It was a treat to be able to walk through and explore at our leisure.

                    

We were also able to delight in opportunities such as wandering through bakeries, eating a delicious lunch at Indigenous Underground, and shopping at Crate and Quill Vintage Market & Gifts. This was a fantastic few hours of downtime downtown fun.

Clarks Hill Lake

A built-in geography lesson is another advantage of moving so much. Maps have become an important part of our daily lives as we investigate where we are, where we are headed to, and all the places in-between. Clarks Hill Lake is one of those points of interest lately. This lake is one of the largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River. It covers over a thousand miles of territory in shoreline, and both South Carolina and Georgia get to claim its beauty, recreational fun, and quality fishing opportunity.  It does go by two names (one federal and one in Georgia) since 1987 when Clarks Hill was renamed after Strom Thurmond, a South Carolina senator. Georgia retaliated shortly after, so, although many disagree, the lake is now known as both Clarks Hill Lake and Lake Strom Thurmond. 

In spite of the controversy associated with its name, the lake is one of the most beautiful whether viewing from Georgia or South Carolina. We've done both. It's been quite rewarding.😊🚤🌅🐤

The Savannah River is seen here as the dotted line throughout marks the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina.

 

Lake Greenwood

Although we're sort of partial to gorgeous Clarks Hill Lake, Lake Greenwood in South Carolina is another fantastic spot. We headed to Lake Greenwood State Park to take advantage of a raft-launching opportunity before it was too late, and, boy, are we glad we did! This park includes the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, 125 paved sites, a small fishing pier, a nature trail, and more.  The lake claims 212 miles of shoreline, some of which are appreciated daily by the many who call it home. It is a popular residential and retirement choice adding a bonus to the lake's beauty. 

Although these guys weren't phased, the quickly changing weather convinced us to row to shore and get back on dry land.

Anderson, SC

Named after American Revolutionary War hero Robert Anderson and known, in the past, as the Electric City, this town has more daytrip fun than we expected.

 Just taking time to walk through the Anderson County Museum was worth the hour and ten-minute drive. More than 25,000 items are available to discover, and all are beautifully displayed in an amazing 12,000 square foot gallery. It would be hard to believe that there is anything related to Anderson County that could not be found here. With so much to see, we enjoyed taking our time to wander through the exhibits.

While in the area, we just had to see more of South Carolina's state parks, so we headed to Sadlers Creek State Park and took in a view of Lake Hartwell from the fishing pier.

And Calhoun Falls State Park, located along the shores of Lake Russell, was one more must-see for the day.

Museums and state parks are definitely fun but, guess how we wrapped up our time in Anderson.                                                                                                                                                             We, of course, had to play at the amazing park there. Here is a glimpse of the town's brand-new KidVenture playground😎⬐

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Thanks for sharing with us some of the places we've visited while staying along Georgia's eastern border.  Stay tuned for more!😁