SOUTH CAROLINAS

7/7-8

Hey there Campers,

We travel in the rain as we roll into South Carolina to Cairy and Charlene Lester’s home in Fort Mill. It is so good to see family. The girls, Cierra and Catrina are doing well. They are both in college. I cannot believe CC is in grad school and Catrina is going to her 2nd year. Wow. Time flies. We had a great dinner where Cairy turned us on to bulgur wheat.  Charlene used it to make haystacks that were really good. I thought it was Morning Star Crumbles. Trust me this was better. Ok. I am sold. Got to get this from Amazon. UPS man Juan fire up that truck.

The old folks (I mean Cairy) decided we needed to walk off dinner.  So we headed to the river. Now ya’ll know Lo is not going to walk that far. Cairy convinced him to just see the swing at the Catawbas river. He did. Cairy made sure he carried Lo a chair to set in until we got back. The river walk was beautiful. People actually kayak on the river. I was questioning if they had any licky, lickys around. You know the snakey kind since we were in the south and near water. Cairy reassured me that it was summer so not likely. Yep, I am not convinced so I was watching where I stepped.

 

Cairy drove us around to see all the new buildings and attractions that had sprung up since we were here last. They have a Velodrome where Olympians come to train. A BMX track and houses where only dirt was last time. This place is really hopping. So if you are looking for a job North/South Carolina is one of the fastest growing areas in the US. 

OK. Remember I told you I am not trusting where those licky, lickys were. We go to this area where a wedding venue is. It is a very pretty site. But…..I notice on the tree there is a sign that states “Caution, watch out for snakes.” Are you kidding me. No way would I ever even go to a wedding at this place. HELLO. If you need a sign, that means they are there. Cally girl stays away.

 

We return home and friends Cherlyn and Donald come over to spend time catching up with us.

On Sunday, Charlene is off to a wedding. No not at the licky, licky place. So Cairy takes us sightseeing. To the countryside we go. We head to the birth place of Andrew Jackson at Andrew Jackson State Park. We start the tour with a local teacher giving us a tour of a one room school. They had desks that were over 200 years old. Most know school was held during non planting and non harvesting times. You could have kids from 5 to 18 years old in class together. The parents came to school at night time. Books were kept in a sack that hung on your back. This kept the books in good condition so you could pass along in your family.

 

Cairy and I found it very interesting that they had an actual report from the 1880’s that detailed how many white and black teacher and students were in the area. This is amazing for the south since everything was suppose to be separate but equal. But we have to remember this was during Reconstruction. 

We proceeded on the museum. Did you know some people say Andrew Jackson was born in North Carolina? He says he was born in South Carolina. I guess it all depends on which story you believe. He was born in the Waxhall region. This plays a big part in his life. His father dies 3 weeks before he was born. He and his brothers join the Revolutionary War. He and his brother Robert were capture by the British and held prisoner. Because he was a child they eventually sent him his brother home. He lost both brothers and mother in the war.

 
 

Andrew had his mothers Scottish-Irish ambition and determination. He was a teacher, lawyer and statesman. He was called “Old Hickory” for his toughness in the war. He fought many duels.  He became the 7th President of the US. He did make some major changes in America in cleaning up the presidential office, started a new banking system, etc. The one thing he will be remember for is, In 1838 and 1839, as part of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy, the Cherokee nation was forced to give up its lands east of the Mississippi River and to migrate to an area in present-day Oklahoma. The Cherokee people called this journey the "Trail of Tears," because of its devastating effects. (History.com) He was also a strong proponent for slavery. We have actually visited his home in Nashville.

OK. History lesson over. We got to go see the train museum. I love old trains that show there true beauty.

Last but not least. We had to check out the confederate statue at the courthouse. All I am going to say is it’s time.

Well Campers, until next time.

Lo & Bren