Week 10

Day 64 - October 18 - Lake Norman, NC Area

We stayed close to camp today for more rest and relaxation.  But, right outside of town, we located Murray's Mill.

 

We literally had to hunt this covered bridge.  It was set way off in the woods.   Bunker Hill Bridge, ca. 1895



 

Then we spotted this cute little mural in the town of Sherrills Ford.

Day 65 - October 19 - Travel Day to Seneca, SC where friends, Pam and Frank live. 

But before we left, this little guy, Northern Mockingbird, was hanging out on the fence.



 

We're in North Carolina, but I swear this looks like a Georgia Peach water tower!!



 

Day 66  - October 20 - Seneca, SC Area

We met up with Pam and Frank last night and had good conversation with them and the family.  Today we're off to the Clemson vs. Virginia Tech football game, my first ever college football game!  And what a great time it was.  The tailgating crowd below was set up in the distance.



 

Pam and Frank have a reserved spot for tailgating and we proceeded to set up about 9:30 am.  It's always "beer thirty" when tailgating!!  Frank and son Frank are on the left.

 

The tailgating crowd chowing down.  Pam and son Frank are on the right and daughter Leslie on the far left.

 

Pam is the "queen" of tailgating.  She did a super job of preparing the party.  Yum, Yum.

 

Larry, Pam, Cathy and Frank

 

Noon game start.  Look at all that orange.



 

It was Military Appreciation Day and was told this was the best game of the year to be at.  I'll tell you the story of this football player, No. 83, a little later in the blog.

 

Action on the field.

 

These young men and women are being sworn into military service.

 

More action on the field.

 

As part of the half time show, both team bands performed together in honor of military families that have lost someone in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  The people along the sideline are those family members.

 

In rememberence of those lost.

 

The MetLife Blimp.  Did you see us on TV???

 

The scoreboard

 

Every time Clemson makes a touchdown, the Tiger and the Corps do that number of pushups.  By the end of the game they did 38 in a row.

 

Pam and her "Sammy Watkins" T-shirt.



 

The story of No. 83 is a very heartwarming tale.  Rodriguez, No. 83, and a fellow soldier made a promise to each other that after they returned home from Afghanistan, they would both try to play football.  In some type of fire fight, Rodriguez's friend didn't make it and the two pilots shown below rescued Rodriguez and others that day.  Rodriguez came home and walked on the Clemson team.  He was honored this day as part of Military Appreciation Day, carrying out the flag at the beginning of the game and being able to thank the pilots that saved his life.  It was a very moving moment this day.



 

Pam and Larry enjoying the game.  Even Larry has on orange!!

Cathy and Pam having a blast!

Cathy and Larry having fun!!

The Tiger performing the winning pushups.

Pam enjoying the Clemson win.  Final 38-17



After the game we tailgated for a bit longer.  By the way, a South Carolina speciality is boiled peanuts.  Apparently you have to acquire a taste for them, cuz Larry and I thought they tasted like beans!!

 

 Day 67 - October 21 - Seneca, SC Area

 

Today after lunch we all went for a drive in the countryside.  This is the view from the Whitewater Falls hike.

 

 

Whitewater Falls

 

Pam and Cathy

 

The fall color is alive in the mountains.

 

View from Sumter National Forest

 

Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel - an incomplete RR tunnel for the Blue Ridge RR Company of South Carolina ca. 1856

 

The tunnel was filled with about 1/2" of water on the sides.

 

Issaquenna Falls

 

 Day 68 - October 22 - Seneca, SC Area

 

Today I rode with Pam, her mother-in-law and Leslie to take Leslie back to college in Columbia.  Here is Leslie and her grandmother in her dorm room. 

 

Katelyn (Leslie's roommate), Pam and Leslie

 

Day 69 - October 23 - Seneca, SC Area

 

Today I had an appt. to get my hair cut then Pam and I toured around Clemson and Seneca.  This is the clock tower on the Clemson University campus. 

 

And another building on campus.

 

Pam had never been to the Seneca RR Depot before, so of course I drug her over there!!

We had a wonderful time visiting with Pam, Frank and the family.  We thoroughly enjoyed the game and all the hospitality the Lamson-Scribners bestowed upon us during our stay in the area.  Looking forward to the next visit.

 

Day 70 - October 24 - Travel Day to Stone Mountain, GA

 

Until next time.