Ukraine and Us

It has been a while since we have added a post to our site - mainly because we have been sticking close to home in recent weeks.  We have had a number of family and civic obligations that kept us tied up but then, along came "Mother Nature" and restricted our activities even further.  I am adding some photos of our yard during the "snow days" and, while I know it is not very impressive for some of you folks, here in the 'Sunny South' any frozen precipitation we get is cause for comment!!  But - even though our activities have been limited lately, it wasn't just the snow that compelled me to write.

Moe Wants To Be Your Neighbor

KC Thinks Something Is Up!

We have watched with growing apprehension as our brothers and sisters in the Ukraine have struggled with conflict in Kiev and other spots around the country.  I don't even pretend to understand the causes for the conflict even though the pressures created by the need for financial assistance - whether it is from the EU, Russia, the U.S., China or elsewhere - is always stress producing and seems to be the reason for many problems around the globe.  I am not going to weigh in on one side or the other in the conflicts that have escalated in recent days but I will repeat the admonition I have voiced in talking about the Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Turkey and the other tragic places around the world where conflicts continue - please try to remember that we are fellow travelers on this tiny galactic island.  Please look at each other with the thought that your roles, positions, physical locations or philosophies could very easily be reversed in a heartbeat.  Try to give each other that most precious gift - the gift of understanding and the desire to treat others as you wish to be treated.  It can work folks!!!  We've gotta try.  It has broken our hearts to see lives forever disrupted because we can't seem to understand how to reach out to each other.  Remember, folks, the important thing is not how we are different but how we are alike.  I simply wanted to let every one of you who have been a regular part of our SCTravelersX3 team - and even those of you who are brief visitors - that we will be praying for you tonight and that we hope you will remain safe and free in the days ahead.  See ya.

Tell Ya What We're Gonna Do ... !!!

Well, Christmas has come and gone, Old Man 2013 has gone slinking out the door, Young 2014 has leaped onto the scene with a bang and we are now in the midst of the coldest weather we have had in years.  No, I'm not about to jump into the "global warming" debate but - hey - its REAL cold out here in greater metropolitan Ridgeway.  I just hope it will stay cold enough to kill off about a zillion or so Pine Beetles and to give our spectacular peach crop the kiss it need for that extra sweetness.  As you have probably figured by now, being beset with a touch of cabin fever, I'm in a bit of a loquacious mood so it's time to talk adventures!!  A couple of posts back we talked about some of our budding "Geocaching" experiences.

Front and Rear Views " SCTravelersX3 Geobuck"

Official Geocaching Logo

I hope that if you read the posts you took the time to find out a little more about this interesting pastime.  I have been amazed by the number of people who regularly engage in geocaching (there are more than 2,200,000 geocaches around the globe) but equally surprised by how few people we know have ever heard of it!!  If you haven't - but you are interested - just go to this link: Official Geocaching Site   Well, as we mentioned, we are still waaaayyyyyy new to it but have already found that it is an enjoyable and intriguing way to find out more about the world around you.  One feature of most geocaches is the fact that they contain small items that can be retrieved and swapped for something comparable.  Makes it more of a "treasure hunt."  So - we thought we would develop a unique item we could leave that would also add to the fun a bit.  There are lots of variations in geocaching including just plain toys; "trackables" (items that are meant to travel to a specific point with assistance from kindly 'cachers' along the way); and geocoins that can be bought, sold or traded.  We developed what we are calling "Geobucks."  It will be a small, plastic-laminated card showing the "SCTravelersX3"( with a QR code leading to the blogsite) on one side and, on the other, a scene from one of our trips.  Now here's what some might call the 'weird part."  We are going to announce on the blog site that anyone who finds five of the "Geobucks" can write to us, noting the location in which they were found and telling us what their favorite charity is - and we will send a donation of $5.00 U.S. currency to the charity on their behalf.  I'm sure we'll have lots of kinks to work out as we go but we have already begun leaving the Geobucks in caches we find.  Here's hoping you will run across one (or, better still, five!!) as you take up geocaching and that your favorite philanthropy will benefit from your adventurous spirit.  Keep an eye out for the brightly colored wording on the right!!   See ya.

Merry Christmas World!!

Well Gang, it's that time of year again!!!!  Yep, a time when many of the folks on our planet spend time reflecting on events that took place more than 2000 years ago and thinking about what it all meant.  This will not be a long post but I have been thinking about all of you a lot in recent weeks.  The folks who have tagged along with the SCTravelersX3 over the last few years have been from a pretty wide range of countries and we are deeply thankful that you have been with us.  You come from countries with varied philosophical and religious backgrounds and that is great.  But, here's the deal gang.  Regardless of what country you come from; no matter what the political or philosophical orientation of your leaders is; despite whether your country is wealthy or having difficult economic times, we are all fellow travelers on this little blue planet!!!  In order to have the best life possible, it is important to recognize that we need each other - even if we've never met or never will.  So - here is my prayer for all of us.  I pray that we will have the intelligence to see the crucial nature of the relationships between peoples, nations, and geographic locations;  .... that we will realize it is only through a cooperative, shared effort to make life better that we will fulfill our potential as a species; ..... that we can, somehow, acknowledge that treating others as we would like to be treated can create the potential for a world of peace and harmony.  Our lives are short but the wonders that lie at our fingertips when we take the time to look for them are miraculous.  Please look around, hold hands with each other, hug occasionally and recognize that, flawed as we are, we can be a pretty good bunch to hang out with!  Merry Christmas, everyone!!  We look forward to future travels together.  See ya.

The 20th Annual Boykin Christmas Parade!!

Let’s talk history – and – 'Americana,' gang!!  In the last few posts we’ve talked about some of the historical figures from South Carolina’s colorful past including two (General Thomas Sumter and Dr. Joel Poinsett) whose final resting places can be found just off S. C. Highway 261 in Kershaw County. (Our route home from the beach.)  The city of Camden, one of the most famous historical locations in our state and one we have mentioned before, is also nearby, in the same county.  Well, near graves of Sumter and Poinsett is the tiny town of Boykin, S. C., population 100 as of the 2010 census.  Think of that!!!  A town that is even smaller than our beautiful Ridgeway – by more than 200!!  Anyway – for the last twenty years, Boykin has celebrated the season with their own Christmas Parade.  Because of the quirky, tongue-in-cheek

Boykin Spaniel Eyes 'Queen'

nature of the event it has gained enormous popularity in the midlands area of our state and we knew it was going to be quite an event when we entered the huge parking area close to the parade route. One of the unique features of the parade is the presence, each year, of the “Fatback Queen”!!!  Although that celebrated beauty appears in female finery complete with ‘haute-redneck-couture’ with make-up and jewelry trimmings, it is played by a “chosen male” (usually a dedicated hunter) who is – to say the least ‘all man’, … uh .. with the exception of his/her appearance on this special day.   Well !!!! Turns out that one of the former “Fatback Queens” was none other than the son of SCTravelerX3 Sherwood!!!  Since this was the twentieth edition of the parade, all of the former beauties

Sherwood And Beautiful Grandkids

were invited back to participate in this year’s event.  So – how could we possibly NOT go???  So the SCTravelersX3, along with our great friend Libby, joined Sherwoods extended family to provide support for the 'Fatback Queens'.  But it also gives us the opportunity to show you a bit more about places to which we have introduced you and to share some more of our state’s interesting aspects - including the wonderful, fun-loving residents of rural South Carolina.  Boykin is perfect for this for many reasons – one of which is the fact that it is the home of the Boykin Spaniel, the “State Dog” of South Carolina; a breed which was developed in this tiny location by Mr. L. Whitaker Boykin.  Several rustic, historic and fascinating businesses and churches, several of which were founded in the late 1700s,  remain in operation in Boykin to this day.  Also of interest was the fact that although General Lee surrendered his Confederate Army at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, General Potter, the leader of Union troops in Kershaw County, did not get the word and he continued efforts to crush local troops.  On April 19^th, during a battle at Boykin Mill, Lt. Stevens of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment was killed - becoming the last known Federal officer to die in the War Between The States. The site of that battle was near Boykin Mill, which was established in 1792 and which was one of the key reasons a community developed in this area.  Located in space formerly occupied by the mill, the "Mill Pond Restaurant" offers very high-end dining and reservations need to be made well in advance. If one of the tables with a view of the mill pond is requested the wait could be weeks.  The grounds around the restaurant and mill are quaint and charming with the old dam site, the unique drive-wheel used for power, and the covered bridge over the millrace some of the special features.  It is easy to let your mind transport you back over the years to a time when grain milling and lumber sawing along with sales of all kinds of agriculture supplies and products were thriving here.  For now, though, let's rush forward in time to the Twentieth Boykin Parade.  As I said, it has gained a reputation for 'quirky' but - believe me - this is a serious parade too.  Of course there are always dignitaries and "VIPs" to be given preferential treatment - including parking for their pickups.  This is probably one of the most 'laid-back' events you could possibly imagine, folks, but - don't be misled.  The number of spectators for the parade in this tiny community of 100 was estimated to be nearly 14,000!!!!  Can you imagine that???  It would

Reviewing Stand and Parade Route

take forever to properly describe the floats, tractors, animals and folks that make up the parade so I'm going to try to add a number of pictures of the sights we saw. 

S.C. National Guard

There were numerous men and women

Camden's Newest Anglican Priest

representing every branch of our
military forces - from every era of our history.  And - there were folks there to show that it was not only horses and mules that could provide outstanding transportation.

Llama Power

I mean - hey!  How often do you

Brahama's Love Christmas Too

Wateree Ramblers

get to see a man riding a Brahama Bull when the bull was not trying to completely dismember the rider?  Well - at the Boykin parade you got to see one who not onlly got along quite well with his human partner, he even took a 'bow' in front of the reviewing stand. There were musicians of all kinds - including a really good parody of the guys from the movie "Brother, Oh Brother Where Art Thou" by the "Soggy Bottom Boys" and some really excellent Bluegrass music by the "Wateree Ramblers."  There were individual singers, choral groups and gospel groups from civic clubs, schools and churches - including representatives from the Swift Creek Baptist Church (established 1787)

The King Lives!!!

who were awesome!  But - how can you have music and not expect "The King" to show up.  Yep, Elvis '...was in the building ..."  His entourage consisted of a whole contingent of the "Marching Mullets", each one sporting that 'interesting' hair style!!  And, of course, there was no shortage of floats with a "hunting" theme - including a fully functional "duck blind" created and added atop a float!!  And the hunting dogs were everywhere - only fitting in the home town of the "State Dog."  I'm not sure what the exact count was but I heard that there were approximately 100 floats entered in the parade.  If so, do you realize that would be one float for every resident of the town?  Is that amazing or what?  So much to see and so little space to write about it!!!  But we definitely have to make room for what was unquestionably the most popular float in the parade (not counting Santa, of course) - the "Fatback Queens" from the first twenty years of the parade!!  I'm here to tell you, folks, it was ... uh .. amazing?,  startling?, strange?  Yep, all of the above.  But, the guys who created the "lovely" (?) queens were some of the best sports you could hope to have for an occasion like this.  Their high-energy performances for the entire length of the parade (nearly two miles!!) delighted and amazed the throngs lining the route.  I can assure you - you are not going to be a "Fatback Queen" with any kind of 'ego deficiency!!'  (By the way - the ..ahem.. 'Lady in Red' to the right was 'Our Guy!'  Interestingly, as we were working on this post, the evening news broadcast on the state's largest television station had an extensive report about the parade.  The spectators included people from throughout South Carolina - and - from all over the globe.  There were people there from a number of other states and several young ladies from Madrid, Spain were effusive in their appreciation of the parade, the crowds and the genuinely warm atmosphere that permeated the crowds despite the cool temperatures.  We'll bring this post to a close with a few additional scenes from inside the "Company Store" and the Boykin Grill.  Folks, if you are in the neighborhood of Boykin, S. C. in December of next year you really owe it to yourself to take in this amazing Christmas Parade.  It is something you will talk about for a long time to come and something you will be happy you attended.  We hope you enjoy these scenes half as much as we did.  See ya.

A Brief Reflection on 'Coincidence'

Hi Gang.  I was reflecting on some of the stuff we shared last week and, particularly, my comments about "serendipity."  It seems as though we are always finding connections between people, places and events that take us very much by surprise.  When we were talking about the "Poinsettia Christmas Tree" we saw at Brookgreen Gardens we talked about the life of Dr. Joel Poinsett and the fact that he is buried not far from the grave of General Thomas Sumter.  (Which we visited on one of our 'geocaching' expeditions.)   I also mentioned that General Sumter was one of several individuals shown in a portrait of General Francis Marion which hangs on the Senate side of the U. S. Capitol Building.  I started thinking about that portrait and went back and studied it a bit more.  The picture - entitled "General Marion Inviting A British Officer To Share His Meal," - shows seven men standing around a table containing recently roasted sweet potatoes; one of whom is a young African-American man.  One of the things I found fascinating about the painting was that the young black man has been identified as Oscar Marion, a slave owned by the Marion family, but also reputed to be a close friend of Francis Marion since childhood.  Numerous accounts of Marion's military career record that he was steadfastly accompanied by Oscar throughout the Revolutionary War.  While the story of Crispus Attucks, the young man of both Native American and African American heritage, is fairly well known (he is generally felt to be the first American casualty in the Revolutionary War), not many other African-Americans have been recognized for their service during the revolution.  Well ... on December 15, 2006, President George W. Bush recognized this African-American Patriot in a proclamation expressing the thanks of a grateful nation.  Fascinating - and only a mere two hundred fourteen years late!!  There are lots of biographies of General Marion (The Swamp Fox) and therein lies yet one more 'coincidence.'  Perhaps one of the most popular early books about the general was one by the author and publisher Mason Locke ("Parson") Weems.  In addition to books about General Marion, Benjamin Franklin and William Penn, Weems also wrote one of the most popular biographies of George Washington.   It was Weems who reported (and many say 'created') the legend of Washington's famous "I can not tell a lie" confession to his father on chopping down a cherry tree.  But wait - we're just getting to the serendipity part!!!!  Weems was born in Maryland, made his home in Virgina and traveled throughout the colonies writing, publishing and selling books.  On May 23, 1825, however, he died of unknown causes in .......  ta da ..... Beaufort, South Carolina!!!!!  (A place you visited with us about a year ago!!)  How ironic that all of these historical threads seem to come together to form this incredible tapestry!!!  Is this an amazing world or what????  See ya.

The Ordinary Miracles of Our World

Wow, gang, it would be hard to top the "Night of a Thousand Candles" for wonderful things to do during

"Evening" by Paul Manship - 1938

December at the beach.  We walked in awe of the beauty of the art, the decorations and the commitment of the folks who keep Brookgreen Gardens forever fresh and new.  We saw so many things that took our breath away and we found ourselves using descriptive terms that you might think were 'over the top'; things like "miraculous" or "unbelievable" or "astonishing."  Were they miracles?  Y'know - I kinda think they were.  Yes, they were the products of humans with thought, planning, effort and anguish all going into the mix but what causes us to do all of that?  We often view our species as self-centered, frequently thoughtless and sometimes downright cruel.  Yet, periodically something inside of us makes us want to do things that are profoundly generous and thoughtful.  When something inexplicable causes us to act on the basis of pure love with no ulterior motive is that not a miracle?  I think it is.  And, you know what?  We are surrounded with other miracles that are so difficult to explain that it simply overwhelms us when we think deeply about them.  In our post the other day we talked about 'geocaching' and some of the treasures we found.  I forgot to mention one that was particularly interesting.  Our search on that occasion led us through the neighborhoods of Pawley's Island to an isolated patch of woods where we found the item you see over there on the left.  It was an actual carousel horse - right in the middle of nowhere!!!  No explanation, no reason.  In reading the comments about the cache we learned that no one knows how the horse came to reside in this unusual location but it has been here for many, many years.  Here's the thing ...  someone found it (or knew of it) and added it as a geocaching site.  Well, there is nothing of material value to be found when you solve the puzzle - but - I can absolutely guarantee that when you find it you will stop, look and break out in a big old grin!!!  Day after day people are given the gift of joy.  A miracle if I ever saw one.  And then - just as we returned from our adventures geocaching we walked out onto the deck and the scene above and to the right greeted us.  Whoa.  Tell me we weren't some of the luckiest folks around at that moment.  Later as we strolled along the serene, comforting beach I reflected on the miracle of the sea and the panoramic beauty that surrounded us.  And then - I paused and bent down to look at the beach surface beneath me.  What I saw was the scene on the right, above.  Look closely.  What at first seems to be just a mix of 'stuff' turns out to be hundreds, thousands of unique, exquisite shells.  And I thought - each one of those shells represents a living thing!!!!  How lucky we are to share our planet with them.  Those tiny things - and us??  Wow!  That led me to consider a sight we saw on the back roads we take when we make the trip down to the beach.  It is a heavily agricultural area and on our travels we saw a sight that was absolutely awesome; thousands - possibly millions - of Red-winged Blackbirds checking out the freshly mown fields for critters that had been uncovered.  When they landed, they turned the fields absolutely as black as night, from one end to the other.  And when they flew, they temporarily blotted out the sky.  Amazing!!!!  Driving through the farmland of the low-country we saw our old friend "King Cotton" being grown and harvested in gradually increasing amounts.  It was such a nostalgic sight.  The reason is - the fields of cotton we are showing here are but a tiny manifestation of the crops that were grown when we were children.  Then, you could ride for literally miles alongside continuous fields of this amazing crop!!!  And - in those early years you could see hundreds of people dragging their enormous 'cotton sacks' down the rows as they picked - by hand - that agricultural treasure.  Look at the cotton plants, folks.  From that little source will come the T-shirts, slacks, blouses, handkerchiefs and hundreds of other commodities we take for granted.  Miracles ... yeah, I think so!!!  But, here's the deal ... it is easy for all of us to look at the miracles of nature and kind of 'accept' them as part of the mystical universe that we never can get a really good handle on.  We tend to attribute a bit more natural 'goodness' to the living things that share our world with us and we put ourselves in a bit different category.  We tend to think that when we humans do something unique, or 'unnecessarily good' it is sort of an aberration.  Well, y'know what?  It might not be quite as simple as all that.  At the end of one of our busy days we headed over to that remarkable 'take out' store, "Get Carried Away", that we raved about so much during our last trip to Litchfield.  We decided to stop in at a coffee shop nearby, a place appropriately named the "Barefoot Barrista."  There we met some truly amazing people - people whose reason for being in business is unorthodox to say the least.  Shari and Blair (the actual 'barefoot' part of the team) have created a site where some of the most remarkable things you could imagine are happening.  I don't have the space or the time to cover everything in detail so I'll use a kind-of 'shorthand.' First - they are actually a "non-profit" corporation!!  Do you believe that?  Their reason for being in business is to promote sustainable resources, to help others promote their communities and to offer others a unique place to come together in friendship and support for each other.  From Native-American drum circles - to organizations that provide management support to churches throughout the country - to rock-music, jazz and folk music performers at every level.  You can find it all here - along with excellent meal offerings and virtually all the coffee drinks you could hope for.  Check out their web-site and, particularly, their calendar of events.  You'll be amazed.  The bottom line for us was, chalk up one more 'everyday miracle!!!'  We are so blessed to have met so many extraordinary people (... including you guys!) and that, in itself has to be yet another miracle!  So we'll close out this trip to the Carolina Coast and ask you to come back to join us for another adventure in the near future.  Hopefully, we'll be in touch before December 25th but, if not, we hope you have an absolutely spectacular Christmas!!!  See ya.