On the road - Wells Japanese Garden, Newberry

Wells Japanese Garden, Newberry, SC    

We stopped for lunch in Newberry, SC and looked for the Japanese garden. We found it, a small sweet triangle of peaceful green on a roadside not far from City Hall.

The garden features a Temple, Torri Gate, Moon Bridge and Tea House. The posts of the Tea House originally held up the balcony at the Newberry Opera House prior to renovation of that structure in 1930. The site was totally closed off during World War II because of vandalism for being a Japanese style garden. The Wells Japanese Garden has been a City park since 1970. Reportedly, the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco influenced Fulmer Wells when he was studying in California.

On the road - Travelers Rest

Sharing Library, Travelers Rest, SC   

What a happy surprise Travelers Rest was on our ride home from Greenville yesterday. We pulled up for a break and spotted this cute little reading park on the edge of a very active bike path. The bike path was on the route of coffee shops, boutiques and cafes and I suspect went all the way to the Furman University campus. It felt like a vibrant small town and I googled to discover that it is listed as a on of 15 of America's Coolest Small Towns. High five Travelers Rest!

Travelers Rest, SC (Population: 4,750) Travelers Rest gets its travel-mag-ready moniker from the pioneer days, when travelers followed a trail dotted with the occasional tavern or inn. But the town offers not only restful, comfy lodgings but also world-class outdoor activities.

Edit: I learned that the bike trail is part of the 19 mile Swamp Rabbit Trail that connects Travelers Rest to the city of Greenville. This is grand!

Campbell's Covered Bridge

Campbell's Covered Bridge, Landrum, SC    

I had a last minute quick escape from Charleston and headed upstate towards Greenville, SC with a friend. We had a lovely walk in Greenville, dinner by the Reedy Falls and this morning visited Campbell's Covered bridge. What a sweet spot!

Constructed in 1909 Campbell’s Covered Bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in the State of South Carolina. The 38 foot long, 12 foot wide pine structure that spans Beaverdam Creek was built by Charles Irwin Willis. Locals believe that the bridge was named for Lafayette Campbell, who at the time of the bridge’s construction owned 194 acres in the immediate area. The bridge and surrounding acreage is presently owned by Greenville County and has been transformed into a passive park where visitors can picnic, explore the foundations of the old grist mill and home site, wet their feet on a hot summer day in Beaverdam Creek, and learn about the area through interpretive signage.

Team sponsor

Dragon Boat Charleston    

Some of our Dragon Boat team members were fundraising and asked if I knew any businesses that would sponsor their team. They were raising money by selling team shirts and promised to list their sponsors on the back of the shirt. Tada! I hadn't made any donation to cancer prevention yet this year so now Charleston Daily Photo blog is an official team sponsor! 

Reaching to the sun

East Bay St., Charleston, SC 

The design in the wall framed the ivy nicely.

I stand firmly opposed to all the fun things that go on while I am at work. Hmmmph. I am speaking of this event from which I have no pictures because I was locked up in a building working all day:

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – About 15 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Joint Base Charleston will fly in formation over the Ravenel Bridge on Thursday, May 25.

And tomorrow, of course are the opening ceremonies for the Spoleto festival that I have never seen because they are always midday on a Friday. Boo. I need to retire.

Magnolia Blossom

Magnolia Blossom, Charleston, SC   

I've been good for nothing lately recovering from a mean chest cold and crashing with a book when I get home from work. I started a historical novel about rural New Zealand farm living and read and read. Each time I finished a book Kindle offered me the next in the series and I curled up in my recliner and read four of them straight through. If you want to know anything about birthin' babies or raising cattle in New Zealand I am your gal.

I finally got back out on my regular walking route and was treated to this beautiful Magnolia blossom.

Hope everyone stayed safe and dry through all this recent rain. It does make me glad that I don't live downtown anymore. I remember checking the tide chart to plot my route home. 

Ending Petlessness

EcoSphere

I smiled last fall when we noticed huge billboards in Portland, Oregon that promoted "Ending Petlessness" but now I have my own pets! I don't have to rush home to feed them or take them out for walks. Inside the glass globe is a totally enclosed ecosystem - a complete, self-contained and self-sustaining miniature world encased in glass with tiny shrimp swimming around. I will admit they weren't eager to pose for my camera. The little pink blur in the center was one of them swimming by. 

EcoSphere: Inside each EcoSphere are active micro-organisms, small shrimp, algae and bacteria, each existing in filtered sea water. Because the EcoSphere is a self-sustaining ecosystem, you never have to feed the life within. Simply provide your EcoSphere with a source of indirect natural or artificial light and enjoy this aesthetic blend of art and science, beauty and balance.

I've been a bit out of commission lately and have missed grabbing pictures of activities in Charleston. Meanwhile check out Vanessa Kauffman's great pictures of the Tall Ship Festival.

Grilled cheese for the win!

Cory's Grilled Cheese

Who doesn't like grilled cheese? It is the ultimate comfort food and no matter how easy it is to make yourself, it can still be tempting to order a really good version in a restaurant. Did you know we have a grilled cheese sandwich restaurant? Yes, we do! 

Cory's Grilled Cheese is in the James Island Shopping Center tucked away beyond the recently renovated Harris Teeter. They serve every version of grilled cheese sandwich you can imagine as well as letting you create your own. Fun fact - owner Cory has a tattoo of a grilled cheese sandwich on his arm. Funner fact - they host hard metal bands after hours as well as open mic and acoustic nights. It is definitely a character spot. 

Mother's Day memories

Perry home first aid station

I've mentioned that my father was a missionary school teacher in the hills of north east India for fourteen years of my childhood. My mother had graduated with a nursing degree from the University of Toronto and she quickly set up a first aid stand in our living room. We watched and learned and it was never a surprise to walk in the house and see one of my younger siblings washing and bandaging wounds. The healthcare provider was often younger than the patient! It's fun to tell people that I was a very young healthcare volunteer. My sister Sally wrote this: 

Mum introduced us to nursing at a very young age. Our home was open day and night to school children and anyone in the community who had need of patching up. She was a legend in our village, many who would never go to a doctor or hospital would let Mum take care of them and was my introduction to the importance of trust in our profession. I can remember Mum often strongly recommending that a doctor should be consulted, but when they refused she would do what she could. She was loved by many. We practiced nursing long before we were out of elementary school, looking after scrapes, cuts, skin infections before and after school, during recess and even meal times. We went with Mum on her visits in the community, seeing unimaginable sights, legs swollen with elephantiasis, fungating tumours and third degree burns covered with local remedies. We watched her give injections and when called upon, stepped up and gave daily injections. Three of her daughters, one granddaughter and grandson are nurses.

Mother's Day finds

Rutledge Ave., Charleston, SC   

In preparation for Mother's Day I am sharing a few related images I have collected over the years. Naturally I always assume that my children left them for me to find. I won't ask them. Why ruin the surprise?

Saying goodbye

Brothers saying farewell, Ontario, Canada    

My father lived a full life and I think we gave him a suitable farewell. He was one of eight siblings and he had eight children so the days were full of memories shared and stories told. He was a farmer, teacher, preacher, mechanic, carpenter, philosopher, gardener and beekeeper. He taught high school science, moved his young family to the hills of north east India to serve as a headmaster for fourteen years.

The service was very personal and it turns out I seem to be related in some way to half of Ontario. We were wrapped in love. I have so appreciated the many comments and notes and the chance to see so many family members and friends. My dad was buried in a historic, country cemetery and the photo shows his two brothers climbing the hill to his burial plot.

Back to reality in the morning!

RIP Donald E Perry

Donald E Perry

I am heading to Canada to bid farewell to my father. He lived a full and honorable life. Thanks Dad.

Perry, Donald E. – Peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday May 3, 2017 at Albright Manor, aged 90 years. Beloved husband of Dianne. Predeceased by his first wife Miriam in 1994. Dear father of Grayce Perry (Bob Norris) of Elora, Barbara Rose Perry (Gord McDiarmid) of Kingston, Joan Perry of Charleston, South Carolina, Shirley Perry of Edmonton, Sally (Fred Cleary) of Woodstock, Bob Perry (Elaine) of Dunville, Roger Perry (Catherine) of Beamsville, James ( Valariena – Syiemlieh) Perry of Shillong, and Jeffrey Canales. Also Dianne’s children Darlene (Rob) Knott, Jeffrey Knudsen, Suzanne (Nick) Komandanski and Patrick (Leoni) Knudsen. Also survived by 32 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Brother of Eugene Perry, Ralph (Joyce) Perry, Mabel (Richard) Taylor and Myrna Perry. Predeceased by Mary Wark, Charles Perry and Amy Halls.

Through the window

East West on East Bay, Charleston, SC   

The model of a development project looked like it was floating in air when viewed through the window of East West Partners on East Bay St. From what I can tell they are the developers working on projects at Ansonborough Fields.

Garden at Gaillard

Calhoun St., Charleston, SC   

I spotted these pretties in the Gaillard Auditorium garden. Who needs to exercise when you walk with a camera? I stoop, bend, crawl on my belly to get the angle I want.

Happy to come home to find that my heat & air gentleman fixed my dripping overflow hose while I was at work so I can use my air-conditioning this evening. It was a little toasty last night. It is nice to be a long term customer and get prompt service. Thanks Carolina Climate Masters.