The Quirkyliciousness of Folly Beach

Folly Beach, S.C.

I always seem to end up at Folly Beach to walk the Edge of America on New Year's Day. The beach is exactly the way I like it - empty. I hope everyone had a good New Year's Eve. I went with a group of friends to SNOB on East Bay St. and enjoyed the first dinner seating which got me home well before crazy folks took over the streets. SNOB was great! What a treat. 

Pulling up for gas

Lake Marion, S.C.

Pulling up for gas. Luckily we didn't need any. 

What the heck is this sign doing in the middle of nowhere on a lake? I get such a kick out of these quirky sights that we paddled all the way around a little island to get a photo from the front. How funny. 

I had a perfect morning yesterday kayaking with my son. It was a cool weekend and none of the regular boaters ventured out. Birds were huddled under the trees as if they had forgotten that summer didn't last forever. I'd almost forgotten myself but this is sweet. I made a big pot of potato soup full of cream and bacon wickedness.

If the shoe fits

Ashley River, Charleston, S.C.

This is pretty cool.

My friend Andre is a Deacon in the Catholic Church and because 1) he used to work in the restaurant business and 2) he is the coolest Deacon around, he is very much in demand to perform weddings for the most interesting people in town.

This evening Matt Galvin from Coastal Yacht Charters and his fiancee Sarah, invited us out on their boat at the end of the day. We nibbled on cheese and sipped white wine while they discussed wedding plans. What was important? That the marsh be green and the river at high tide when they said their vows. Gotta love people who have their priorities straight. A simple sweet wedding at Lowndes Grove overlooking the marsh followed by a party with their loved ones.

New Board of Charming & Quirky

St. Philip & Line St., Charleston, S.C.

Charleston has a Board of Architectural Review that reviews changes to historic building but after seeing scaffolding in front of another one of my old favorite hand painted signs, I hereby declare the establishment of the Board of Charming & Quirky.

Folks, you are simply going to need to apply before you paint over signs that are so much part of the character of the lowcounty. I LOVE the hand painted "Home of the Hand Wash" sign. Aren't there days when we could all use a gentle hand wash?

It looks like we are all going to have to get up and go to work tomorrow after all. I've been loving all the rapture jokes and photos.

Anyone else find the Charleston Farmer's Market so packed that it isn't much fun anymore? I used to love the market but now it is almost impossible to walk through the aisles, food lines are too long and hoping to find a place to sit down for a bite is out of the question. Can the stalls be spread out a bit, please? Pretty please? I do like my fresh tomatoes and peaches but lately the whole thing just makes me cranky.

Charleston Girl painted the Folly boat for her wedding announcement! It's been a long, long time since I've done that.

Suzie visited one of my old haunts - Magnolia Cemetery.

Friskies has made an iPad game for cats. Why not!

Spoleto Festival tickets are out. Whew. Hard to believe it is that time of year already.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe they are repairing and repainting the Home of the Hand Wash sign. Have a good week kids!

Polaris Missile Drive By

Polaris Missile, Hwy 26, Charleston, S.C.

I was sitting on the passenger side heading up Hwy 26 yesterday and grabbed this quick shot of the Polaris missile that is visible around the Remount Rd. exit. This is a quick teaser for Eugene who intends to track it down and get a good photo of it this summer. I want to see it when he does!

Charleston Gardens, continued.....

Radcliffe St., Charleston, S.C.

I'm seeing the cover of Home & Garden. The shell is the perfect touch - just enough. Not too much. Tasteful.

St. George, S.C. - Mural Town!

St. George, S.C.

Mural town! No one guessed my last "Guess Where S.C.?" entry so I am adding some more of the murals that decorate this small town in South Carolina. I had featured it before in this entry about the train station mural. The train station was particularly cool because it featured the real people in the neighboring convenient store.

These are pretty amazing since rather than working with a large black wall, they include the switch boxes, doors and windows of the building. My impression is that the artist and his wife live in town and can't stop painting. Soon it will be a destination drive just because of the murals.

Here is his web site: Bibond Art

Guess What SC Town?

Murals, S.C.

Can anyone guess what small town in South Carolina this is? It is becoming well known for it's murals and I am guessing correctly this is the artist's home. He had a long flowing beard and looked up from mowing his lawn to wave back at me when I stopped to grab a picture. I love the tree that grows right through the roof. Neato!

Uhoh. Thunder and lightening, oh my!

God's Acre - Healing Springs

God's Acre, Healing Springs, Blackville, S.C.

Does God pay taxes? This acre of land on the outskirts of Blackville, S.C. is deeded to God Almighty.

The property includes a natural spring whose water has healing powers according to local tradition.

By tradition, Healing Springs got its name during the Revolutionary War. In 1781 after a bloody battle at nearby Windy Hill Creek, four wounded Tories sent inland from Charleston by General Banastre (the Butcher) Tarleton were left in the care of two comrades who had orders to bury them when they died. Luckily, Native Americans found them and took them to their secret, sacred healing springs. Six months later the Charleston garrison was astonished by the reappearance of the six men. All were strong and healthy.

You can stop at the Healing Springs Country Store for a picnic sandwich but don't make any cracks about the family picture of the Amish on the lunch counter - they are really Mennonites dressed up in Amish clothes. Yeah for sandwich making Mennonites with a sense of humor!

The water jugs in the picture belong to a gentleman from Aiken, Georgia who claimed drinking the spring water had kept him alive for twenty eight years. I scooped up a handful and drank it just to be safe.

Pulling up to the station, St. George, S.C.

St. George, S.C.

There is a cheerful mural of a train pulling up to a station facing the Mystic Gas Station & Convenience store in St. George, S.C. Entering the store, the shop keeper looked suspiciously familiar. He was clearly the model for the train engineer in the mural and was happy to don his cap to pose for a picture. Fun!

Camera Candy Christmas

No Trespassing Sign, Backroads, S.C.

When I write my book it will be about the delightfully quirky side of the lowcountry. The turn-the-corner-suddenly-make-me-happy scenes that you come across on the backroads. The thanks-for-letting-me-live-long-enough-to-witness this whackiness spots.

Does the owner of this country estate need the actual No Trespassing sign? I think not. I suspect the census takers will take a pass on this property.

Edisto Mystery Tree

Edisto Island, S.C.

Ssssshhh! It's a Mystery Tree.

I have to feature current decor of the Edisto Mystery Tree every summer. Here is the entry from last June.

It's better than a Christmas tree dressed for the season in summer finery. Someone clearly wades out with all the goodies to decorate it but to my knowledge they've never been caught in the act. Love it.

Hang on kids. The weekend is coming.

You know you are in South Carolina when....

Adkins Landing, S.C.

Sun Cured South Carolina Possum Fixin's.

Hop, hop, hoppin'.....

Charleston, S.C.

Living in an extended college campus may keep me awake at night but it does add bulk to my "Quirky SC" file. I took this one a couple of years ago but it is a seasonal favorite.

Now - go check out the entries in the Seattle Times, MasterPeeps Winners & Finalists Photos. I need to buy some peeps! Why didn't I think of this?

Greetings from Holly Hill, S.C.

Holly Hill, S.C.

Do you think he knows there is a pile of body parts behind him? Brave smile.

I think it was in Holly Hill. Definitely in the Holly Hill, Eutawville stretch.

Easter Wear for Fire Hydrants

Fire Hydrant, Charleston, S.C.

What is your fire hydrant wearing this Easter?

Brick yurts

Columbia, S.C.

I spotted these beautiful old brick structures just this side of Columbia, S.C. Aren't they great? Sadly they look too far gone to be repaired but they look like they would make perfect brick yurt homes.

Edit: Thanks to kind comments left below, pointing me in the right direction, here is a web site with information on the structures which are kilns for the Guignard Brickyard.

John C. Calhoun

Marion Square, Charleston, S.C.

Photography is about trying to see things from a different angle, right? No one could figure out what I was trying to take a picture of this morning when I spotted John C. Calhoun top of a giant lemon. Then he turned around and rode the Chick Fil A Cow.

I even have a snow dusted cloak shot.

From the back, John C. Calhoun always looks like he is flashing the city to me as he stands on top of his pedestal in Marion Square.

Damn Yankees

Old Sheldon Church Ruins, S.C.

I won't the the first, last or best photographer to take pictures at the ruins of Old Sheldon Church near Beaufort, S.C. The church has lain in ruins for over 120 years. The original church was built in 1745, Patriots stored gun powder in it during the revolution, the British burned it in 1779, and it was rebuilt only to be burned again by Sherman's men in 1865.

Googling around will bring up incredible photographs of this beautiful site. Look at these. I am here this evening to show you an angle you probably haven't seen, the "Damn Yankee" and "To Hell With Sherman" graffiti inscribed in the brick.

I know, I know. Graffiti is vandalism but I can't think of any more appropriate sentiment in this case.

G'night kids. Don't stay up too late. Tomorrow is Friday, hip hip hurrah!

God See

Charleston, S.C.

I've been hearing from people disappointed that I didn't get an overload of winter wonderland pictures in Charleston's recent snow, but c'mon people....you have to appreciate the gift I gave you in this shot. Marcheline was the only one who admitted it was going to cause sleepless nights.

"God See".

I went back the next day and pulled the board up to see if there was a hidden part of the message buried in the melted belly of the snowman, but no, that was it. God See.

I have no trouble padding the Quirky S.C. file. It will be my masterpiece.

Meanwhile, late walk around town. Black hat, black jacket, black pants, blacks sneaks. I look like a cat burglar in the dark. Don't stay up too late kids.