Going Green?

Our travels in South Carolina included a stop over in Greenville, rated one of the top places to live.

In our travels we are trying to explore these options for relocation. The winter cold and the Midwest mediocrity is really getting to us.

We fear the cure for cabin fever is near.

Kitchen and Eating  Areas

We chose a nice little B&B in the downtown area to stay. To be more specific the West End. The Swamp Rabbit Inn, was a delightful surprise.






Lounge

Very playful modern design with unusual amenities. Like full kitchen privileges stocked up with breakfast do it yourself items, a honor bar at $5 a drink with top shelf selections, weber grilling, games and library, electronic locking devices that they can be remotely change and good wifi and a Kerig coffee machine in our room.

One of three patios/decks to hang out.



The Owl Room

We always enjoy meeting other travelers and this type of hostel was very amicable for visiting.



Falls Park on the Reedy in heart of downtown

Located within walking distance of the beautiful downtown park and just off the Swamp Rabbit trail for biking.

We loved the spring blooms in Feb.

We noticed right away the smell of good food and flowers everywhere. It was a very enchanting experience.

Sculpture everywhere you walked.

We also found an exceptional amount of sculpture and galleries.

Carver/Sculpture Grainger McCoy

The Greenville County Museum of Art has the largest collection of Wyeth artwork. We also were pleasantly surprised by their visiting artist exhibition.

Downtown Distillery



Smoke on the Water restaurant

 For rest of short stay in Greenville, SC we went to a the Dark Corner distillery for a tasting tour and delighted in the variety of BBQ options at Smoke on the Water for dinner.


We certainly could see ourselves here. Everyone we met greeted us and were enthusiastic about living there.




Our list of must haves for our next home:

Feel like we are on a foodie tour.
Inspiration by artists and music all around.
Exposure to learning new things and taking classes.
Access to walking places, bicycling and nature.
A international airport close by.
Good medical care.
Reasonable cost of living.
A place all our friends would like to come and visit us.

If you know of a place, please share we will put it on our list to visit.





Tybee to Santee

Carolina Jasmine

View from cabin 10

Another cabin, this time in Santee State Park.















Pier cabins offered surrounded views of Lake Marion. Opportunities to fish and catch views of birds.

Saw Herons, Coots, Mallards, Osprey and Snakes, Turtles and Alligators.

Santee State Park-Cabins on the Dock

A nice stopping point to reflect and rest.

Bald Cypress knees


A day visit to Congaree National Park.

Largest remaining old-growth bottomland forest in North America.




Congaree National Park

Did the boardwalk tour plus a few extra miles. Fortunately the mosquitos weren't out in full force.


Lucked out on the meter scale today

Beaufort and Beyond

Sheldon Church Ruins

Lots of stops along the way in South Carolina.

Old Sheldon Church Ruins 
Beautiful place for photos, many are buried here dating back to the 1700's.

Carolina Cider Company

Carolina Cider Company
Next a flavor stop for preserves, jams and local treats

Kazoo Factory Tour

The Kazoo Factory
Part of the factory tour in Beaufort, SC was to build your own Kazoo. Did you know the kazoo was invented in Macon, GA. Saw lots of antique kazoos and unusual instruments.





Angel Oak Tree

Angel Oak Tree
A stop at the largest know live oak tree.

















Charleston Tea Plantation
The only American tea plantation, just outside of Charleston. Nice little plant tour with video and lots of tasting. Did you know tea plants can live up to 100 years. Just the new growth is harvested and they can get almost a dozen cuttings in a season.




Tea plants



Charleston City Market

Charleston, South Carolina

A short stop at the city market for a little shopping and lunch before we get to our next destination.



Basket maker



We had to try the boiled peanuts

 

Savannah and the Surrounding Areas

Crabbing Area

From Museums to Mother Nature, there was lots to see and do.

Pin Point Heritage Museum
 A 100 years of history of  Gullah/Geechee, the First generation of freedmen worked and lived in this community along the water. Now transformed into an educational center.










Gullah is the language and Geechee are the people.











Live Oak Avenue a mile and a half long














Wormsloe State Historic Site
A 1700's Colonial plantation for Pomegranites, Rice, Mulberry's for silk  and then Cows.



Original Structure of Tabby

They provided a very informative tour guide.

Learned about the art of Tabby construction, building materials of oyster shells, lime, sand and water. Extremely strong, able to withstand canon balls.



Recreated Wattle and Dab Camps

View over Jones Narrows



Old Rice Field Trunk

Savannah Wildlife Refuge

Drove the 4 mile road through the refuge hoping to catch some wildlife.

Of course aligators



Bird?



Savoring Savannah

One of our must do's was to visit the city of Savannah.

Did you know John Muir camped out here!

We of course took a stroll through the cemetery.







                                                                                                  










Enjoyed the  spring blooms.









Visited an old church.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

Forsyth Park

A perfect day for the park too!

Area Homes

Waving Girl at Riverside

River walk along the board walk.

 

 

 

and of course some local cuisine.



BLT-fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese.

Tyme on Tybee

 

Blogging a great way to Take Your Memories Everywhere! We spent a week discovering this barrier island conveniently located just outside of Savannah Georgia.




We upgraded to a cabin in Riversend Campground, since we left HaRVey behind. Glad we did it, was pretty packed with RV's since the Oct. Hurricane had closed many state parks in Georgia and up along the coast.


Our cabins was very basic, we needed to bring everything from bedding to dishes and there was no cooking inside. But we have a little electric plate and had a grill and fire pit to use between eating out.











We could enjoy a little breakfast alfresco with Shitakes from the farmers market or even fry up some fresh oysters from the local market.








They even had nightly programs, a pot luck, movie night "The Lorax" and music jam by the campfire. A nice way to meet fellow travelers.

The next weekend they are hosting a Vintage Trailer gathering. Some were already arriving.

North Beach on Tybee

It's not a very big island so we could walk just about anywhere. Just minutes to Savannah River Beach for a sunset or the Atlantic Ocean for a sunrise. Very clean beaches except for all the Canon Ball jellyfish that wash up during the tides.

Canon Ball Jellyfish






Tarapin turtles at the Marine Museum

Crab Shack very entertaining place

From light houses to marine museums. We also ate our way around the island.

Bubbas for drinks a few hushpuppies on the docks

Best fried oysters and watermelon margarita at AJ's

Shrimping Boats at the docks

Shops at Tybee Oaks

Shopping was also a form of entertainment.
Not your usual touristy junk, just junk of a different kind.


Lots to look at

Bike for rent include cooler cups



Tybee Oaks Chili Cookoff

 

Other places to stay?

Good night Tybee Island, GA