South Carolina

On Wednesday last, Tom, Judy, and I arrived back in Minnesota from our trip to South Carolina. The journey home was uneventful except for a two hour delay at Atlanta Airport due to runway construction at Minneapolis/St. Paul. Still, we didn’t find the time long as we had lots to talk about our marvelous train trip and, particularly, our time with Adam, Sara Beth and their children, Joseph, Kallsen and Parker.

I think of how nice it must have been for Tom and Judy to see their family and their grandchildren again. It was nice for me; I can only imagine how it must have been for them. I am eternally grateful to them for sharing this marvelous trip with me and for giving me the opportunity to be part of this great family.

Three years ago, a journey to America was the furthest thought in my mind. Now as I sit here in Atlanta, I try to make sense of it all. Because of my chance meeting with Judy and ultimately with Tom and the rest of their family, I am now in the middle of my second trip to the USA in one year. With their help and, of course, with the help, and encouragement to make this trip, of my family in New Jersey, I have been to Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. In addition, this time our epic train journey on the way to see Tom and Judy’s family in South Carolina took us through Indiana, Maryland, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina South Carolina, Ohio and of course, Georgia. If my math is correct, I make that 16 states I have visited or touched on during my two visits.

It was a marvelous experience to make the train journey to South Carolina to see Tom and Judy’s family. The journey consisted of three stages but Judy is doing some great posts about that, so I will refer you to her blog to read all about it.

For my own part, during the time leading up to the train journey, I was secretly hoping that perhaps we might get to travel some way on the train called the City of New Orleans which is immortalized in song by Arlo Guthrie and, again, by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. It was not to be however, the nearest I got to the City of New Orleans was seeing its arrival time at Chicago Amtrak Station. Not travelling on that train though was no disappointment, the Empire Builder and Capitol Limited served the purpose very well and gave us a most enduring experience. Again, I urge you read all about it here on Judy's Blog.

Well, that's it from me. I will now leave you in Judy's cabable hands to tell you all about our trip to South Carolina. I would however, like to thank Adam and Sara Beth for the marvellous time they gave us while we were there. I would also like to post a few pictures taken on our drive to Atlanta Airport as Adam took us to catch our plane for home.

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Beautiful Minneapolis

You do not have to visit exotic places, or stray too far from your own doorstep, to find beauty. Here are pictures I took from the passenger seat of Judy's car on our way to and from Church this morning. I think they show the beauty of Minneapolis as it displays the varied fall colours.

Day at Stumphouse Tunnel

On Sunday Adam and Sara Beth took us on a picnic to Stumphouse Mountain. Stumphouse Mountain is rich in American history and folklore. It is close to Issaqueena Falls – a beautiful 200 foot cascade on Cane Creek in the Stumphouse Tunnel Park northwest of Walhalla in South Carolina.

Beautiful South Carolina countryside on the way to Stumphouse mountain

Another beautiful sunrise

Legend has it that an Indian maiden, Issaqueena, rode to the nearby fort to warn of a pending Indian attack and then escaped from pursuing Indians by pretending to leap to her death over the falls, but actually hiding beneath them. Near the Falls is Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel. The tunnel was started in the early 1850s as an attempt (unsuccessful) by the railroads to burrow though 1.5 miles of solid granite mountain, hoping to link Charleston to the Midwest. After 6 years of chipping and drilling with hand tools and black powder, lack of money and the Civil War brought work to a halt. Most of the workers were Irish immigrants that were following their dreams to America. They worked twelve hour days, six days a week with only sledge hammers, hand drills and powder.

Joseph enjoying the day at Stumphouse Mountain

Well, that was a long time ago, Stumphouse Mountain was much kinder to us and we spend many hours in the glorious sunshine exploring the paths and walkways that wind their way through the picturesque mountaintop.

Judy on one of the the many bridges that crossed the Issaqueena brook

It was a terrific way to spend our second day in South Carolina. The children and adults alike had a great time; the picnic of roast beef and other meats Sara Beth prepared was delicious.

Joseph in a nice setting near Issaqueena Falls

Later we explored the uncompleted Stumphouse tunnel- and awe inspiring site as the following pictures illustrate.

Tom and Judy entering Stumphouse Tunnel

Inside Stumphouse Tunnel

Sara Beth, Kallsen and Parker

Judy and Kallsen enjoying the cool waters of the brook

Issaqueena Falls

First day in Clemson, South Carolina

Little village somewhere along our train ride

Judy enjoying breakfast on the train

The indomitable but kind hearted Gwendaline, our hostess aboard the Amtrak. She gave me a bear hug and her pen - as a souvenier - on our last encountger with her before arriving in Washington DC.

Tom aboard the Amtrak

Historical Harpers Ferry located at the confluence of Potomac and Shenandoah rivers on our way to Washington DC

Near Harpers Ferry

Shenandoah River

George Washington Monument, taken during our layover in Washington DC

Street scene Washington DC

Capital Hill, Washington DC

The best breakfast in town is at Betty's Hungry House Cafe. off Ram Cat Alley

Adam after he had met us from the train at Clemson

Sunrise over Keowee Lake

Keowee Lake

Judy in the early morning sunlight at Keowee Lake