OH THE PLACES WE SHOULD GO - BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA IN THE FALL

                                                 
TAKING A TRAIN RIDE THROUGH BLUE RIDGE IN THE FALL
(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

If you want a whole weekend full of train-riding fun, pack up your jeans and head for

Blue Ridge, Georgia.

This is such a quaint, lovely little Appalachian town located in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains.  You have never seen anything as pretty as the fall foliage in this area!  The colors are always totally amazing, and it is even more fun when you can take a seat on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and ride through the valleys and hills to gaze at it all.  The colors are so beautiful here that it has been designated one of the top five places to visit in the south to enjoy the fall foliage. 

The train ride follows the route of the Toccoa River and makes a stop in McCaysville before returning to Blue Ridge.  McCaysville, Georgia is an authentic mountain town where a blue line on the street separates it from Copperhill, Tennessee.  In this spot you can stand with a foot in two states at once.  These two little towns are known for being in the Copper Basin and have a rich mining history to tell.  There is a museum in nearby Ducktown, Tennessee that does a good job of explaining all this mining history.  We didn’t mine for copper, but found McCaysville to be a great place to visit antique and junk stores.  There are treasures hiding in those hills. 

The railway runs from Friday through Monday during September and daily in October.  Special trips include the annual Rotary Dinner Train and the Pumpkin Pickin Special.  See the details for these excursions by calling 877-413-TRAIN or visit the website at www.brscenic.com. 

One of my fondest memories is a trip to Blue Ridge with my parents on Halloween Weekend.  The town blocks off its streets and the merchants dress up in costumes.  Every doorway has free candy to give away, both to the younger and the older kids alike.  Hot apple cider and hot cocoa are offered at almost every shop.  The shops here are very novel and fun.   There is something unique for everyone on your list.  There are wonderful little restaurants sprinkled among the shops here and there.   
  

There are 106,000 beautiful acres of the Chattahoochee National Forest to explore in this county.  It is a fantastic place to take long hikes and the woods are loaded with gorgeous waterfalls.  There is rafting on the Ocoee River, or if you like calmer waters, there is Lake Blue Ridge and Morganton Point.  You will find lots of good fishing.  Fannin County is the trout Capital of Georgia.  Plenty of zipline adventures, established trails and horseback riding are available. 

We like to stay at The Blue Ridge Lodge by Comfort Inn and Suites.  It is pretty with a nice welcoming fireplace in the lobby, great continental breakfasts in the mornings, game rooms for the kiddies and nicely decorated clean and comfortable rooms for a reasonable price.  I promise you though, you won’t be spending much time at the hotel.  There is too much to do otherwise.

One of the most astounding things about this town, aside from the most important train and depot, is the local artist and craftsmen who live here.  There are a surprising number of very nice art museums and the town has a local theater community that performs on the weekends.  Don’t miss the Fall Arts in the Park event usually held in October.  There is also a national juried photography exhibit held at the local Art Center.  Visit www.blueridgearts.net for more information. There are numerous opportunities to hear live music by great artist, especially blue grass.  Festivals abound.  There is a fun Blues and BBQ Festival in September if you like to hear the blues. 

I’ve only given you a glimpse. 

When you arrive in Blue Ridge to ride the train all sorts of other fall adventures will jump out at you. 

What are you waiting for? 

OH THE PLACES WE SHOULD GO - A GREAT PLACE TO REST FROM ALL YOUR LABOR

VISITING GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

(Writing and photography 
by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Labor Day is upon us.  I can't believe it.  Football season has started and signs are everywhere that Fall is almost officially here!  It just happens to be my favorite season of the year, and I am always glad to stop on Labor Day and take a rest from my labors and ponder the exciting things around the corner.

What are you doing for Labor Day this year?  Will  you hit the road for a long weekend like most Americans?   We are not able to travel this year for many reasons, but don't you think for a moment that it did not cross my mind.  I know just where I would have been if things had worked out.   Don’t you wish you knew of a place not too far away, that is relaxing and yet full of fun things to do that are family oriented, interesting, not too crowded, a place full of fun things that will not break the budget?  Don’t shake your head and laugh….I happen to know just the place.
 
If you haven’t spent a long weekend in Greenville, South Carolina, you don’t know what you are missing!  It is one of those little-known miraculous towns that you find hiding all over the south.  There are some pretty wonderful places to stay in Greenville, all within walking distance of relaxing and entertaining things to do.  My first choice of a place to stay would be The Pettigru Place Bed and Breakfast at 302 Pettigru Street.  This historic place is lovely, well managed and known for their delicious gourmet breakfast.  It is a charming house with lovely English style gardens and five luxurious rooms.  This B And B is only a short walk from Main Street, where there are quaint little shops and over 60 unique restaurants and coffee shops to try.  You won’t want to spend all of your time shopping and dining though, there are also many local art venues, museums and galleries.  You are very close to the campuses of Furman, Bob Jones University and Clemson and they always have many entertaining events, especially during football season. 

My favorite place in Greenville is Falls Park.  You can walk there from Pettigru Place.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better designed city park.  You enter through a lovely fountain entrance, and you soon cross the beautifully designed Liberty suspension bridge.  From that vantage point, as well as many others in this park, you can view the river and take in the views of two gorgeous waterfalls.  There are luscious trails everywhere, loaded with beautiful foliage and flowers, statues and uniquely designed cozy little nooks.  Be sure to take in the amazing old tree with the deep, deep roots that you can actually see.  The tree has  obviously been growing here for a long time.  The roots of this tree will make you quote poetry!  

Take your camera with you; there are many photo ops in this park.  Spend some time getting your exercise winding through the quaint sidewalks with little cafes and shops here and there  and stop occasionally to enjoy the many places to rest and relax in nature.   Every turn has an unexpected surprise. You will be going under, over and around so many interesting cozy little areas.   

As I mentioned earlier, there is a nicely designed outdoor theatre, and if you are lucky you might catch people gathered to listen to music, or poetry or storytelling.   I could go on and on, but you must just go there and see for yourself – plan to spend at least four hours just in the park.  It is a great place for a picnic. 

If you are able to pull yourself away from the park, walk toward Main Street and gander through the great shops.  Be sure to hit The Mast General Store, with its old fashioned candy jars and wooden floors.  Wander through the cobblestone alley ways and see what you can spot!  There are a few very nice “retro” second-hand stores that are full of amazing treasures and finds.  There are several cute boutiques, and some of my favs were The Good Earth, and Imagine Boutique.  You can shop for hours in this part of town.

Stop and have lunch here too.  Almost every restaurant is special in its own way.  I highly recommend Sassafras Southern Bistro, Smoke On The Water, The Chicora Alley, and The Brick Street Café.  Sassafras is a great place, more formal during the week, but they serve a nice brunch buffet after church on Sundays.  Smoke on The Water is very tasty and you can eat outside if you want to as you feel the flavor of this interesting town while you wait for your delicious meal.  If you go to Chicora’s, the food is Caribbean style.  I love to order Mom’s Mexican Salad, and if you go to the Brick Street Café, make sure you get some peanut-butter and chocolate cake for dessert. 

After shopping and lunch you might want to take in one of the many art museums.  I loved The Art Bomb.  It is a unique, upbeat and personal gallery in the older section of Greenville.  The local artists that work there actually live in the area and are bringing it alive again.  The people you meet there are very informative and interesting and this place houses the studios of wonderful artist! Be sure to wonder through the sweet little secret garden at the back of the museum.    There is another little gallery right next to an underground coffee shop in the main section of town that is also interesting which features many local artists.  Just walking down the street is an artsy experience in itself.  There are musicians and statues and painted walls and sidewalk art everywhere. 

Right in the heart of downtown Greenville lives the Heritage Green.  This is an urban arts and cultural campus.  It is located on College Street, just past Academy Street, just three blocks from The Hyatt Regency Hotel.  If it is a rainy day, you might want to step into the Greenville County Library where you could get lost in all the wonderful books, DVD’s, music and CDs as well as use their free online resources.  There is a play center for preschoolers, and a café and a used book shop.  You can also explore the largest local history and genealogy collection among public libraries of the South. 

Another feature of The Heritage Green is The Greenville County Museum of Art.  This is a wonderful museum that will take you a few hours to tour.  It is full of American Art and has a lot of the works of Andrew Wyeth and Jasper Johns. 

The Heritage Green area also hosts The Greenville Little Theatre.  If you are looking for rich, evocatively staged and costumed classical theatre that includes drama, comedy and musicals, this is it.  They stage at least six shows a year from Shakespeare to Wilde to Cole Porter. 

Don’t miss another area found in The Heritage Green; The Bob Jones Museum and Gallery.  It features a select portion of more than 400 Old Master paintings and hundreds of pieces of furniture and decorative arts are regularly on display. 

It matters not whether you are a real-child or a grown-up child, Greenville’s Heritage Green section of town has a wonderful Children’s Museum that is entertaining for all members of the family.  It is one of the largest children’s museums in The United States. 

If you love history, you will love the Upcountry History Museum in this same area.  It is all about the history of Upcountry South Carolina.  There is a great practice of the oral history lesson here.  Storytellers in costume abound and fascinate you.  Historical programs are presented here throughout the year.

You will want to get back to your room to rest up a bit before the evening's events begin.  Maybe dress a little more formal for the night life here, but you don’t have to.  This is a casual, very family oriented place, but if you feel like dressing up – that is great too!  When I say  “family” that includes those four footed friends.  The streets of Greenville are a wonderful place to walk your dog while you are window shopping, so get that in before you take your rest and clean up for dinner.

Ah, dinner!  What a wonderful choice of gourmet restaurants all in one little town.  I’ll only mention three of my favorite more elegant places to dine at night, and I’ll let you discover the rest. First on my list is:  High Cotton.  Be sure you go at night and get a window seat to enjoy the scenic view of the lights of the city and the river at night.  High Cotton features fine Southern Cuisine.  My next choice would be Devereaux’s.   It is located in a restored historical building and has a great atmosphere with excellent food.  Trio – A Brick Oven Café is also a good choice. with its wood burning ovens and gas lanterns.  If you are just looking for a good place to have a drink, try The Park Avenue Pub. Two other favorite restaurants are The Bohemian Cafe for an upbeat "friendly neighborhood" experience "where the world meets at the end of your street;" and Fonda Rosalinda's, where fresh authentic Mexican food is served in an elegant home-style manner. 

For great evening entertainment, always check to see what is happening at The Peace Center, it is one of the best designed performing arts centers I’ve ever seen.  It has been called “an acoustic jewel” by many musicians.  It is located right in the Main Street area, and is breathtakingly beautiful at night, where you can see the city lights twinkling across the river from the glass fronted rooms.  This is a place full of masters.  Tony Bennett has played “Fly Me To The Moon” on this very stage. The style of entertainment here could be anywhere from classical to country to jazz to blues to Broadway to pop.  Entertainers and event schedules are listed under The Peace Center’s web site.  There is a huge variety of shows and performances presented in Greenville in the way of the performing arts.  The local theater group called Centre Stage, presents Broadway and Off Broadway plays, dramas and musicals. The Greenville Little Theatre, previously mentioned is another local community theater group.  If you love the symphony, you must hear the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.  There is also a wonderful selection of events from The Carolina Ballet Theatre, if you are partial to ballet.  The arts are all alive here!  You will not be disappointed.  You might want to visit the Warehouse Theatre, or go to Café and Then Some for a fun and entertaining dinner/theater experience. 

Are you tired after all this fun in just one day?  You will be comfy and pampered back in your room at The Pettigru Place.  I hope you caught their wine and cheese serving this afternoon.  If you need a midnight snack there are drinks in the old fashioned ice box, and the endless cookie jar is never empty.

If you have the budget for it, you might want to stay in a different location each day of your visit, just because there are so many good selections.  Sounds like a lot of packing and unpacking, but you might enjoy the experience offered from staying closer to The Peace Center too.  The Westin Poinset is a very luxurious and historic hotel.  It has all the Southern hospitality and signature comforts you could ask for in the perfect Main Street location.  The Westin Poinset is the only four-diamond hotel in Greenville.  It was constructed by W. L. Stoddard in 1925 and has a 1920’s elegance and charm about it.  There is a romantic piano bar and a work-out room.  The Westin is known for having “heavenly” beds.  The Spoonbread Restaurant offers American Cuisine and a great breakfast buffet. 

Also a good choice is The Marriott Courtyard in Downtown Greenville with its contemporary décor and modern architecture.  You can enjoy winter ice skating in the new rink here and there are bicycle rentals available year round.  Rick Erwin’s Seafood Nantucket Restaurant is located in this hotel and offers great food.   This hotel sponsors Greenville’s Signature Experiences Tours.  They have some amazing things to tell you about planning a long vacation in Greenville, and they know exactly what is happening when.  Well worth checking into, just for the package options available and the not so common suggestions. 

These hotels might be a little pricey, but think of the free experiences offered in this area.  Almost everything is free once you get here, except for meals and performances and a place to stay.  It just might budget out for you.  For example Falls Park is free, on Wednesday nights you can take in a free movie experience from Fidelity Investment’s Moonlight Movies.  Classic movies are shown in Falls Park under the stars.  It is perfectly fine to bring your lawn chair, blanket and a cooler.  At intermission lay back on your blanket and take in the show of the stars from the night sky.  Both events are absolutely free.  The window shopping is free.  The hiking trails and waterfalls are free.  The open markets and festivals are free.  Music on the streets is free. 

If you really enjoy this place, and who wouldn’t, you might want to plan to come back in October for the St. Francis Fall For Greenville event.  It is a world of tempting tastes, sights and sounds and aromas from one end of Main Street to the other. This is only one of many planned events held during the year. 

So what is another good place to stay?  Keep to the downtown Greenville area and enjoy The Hyatt Plaza for a night or two, it is a beautiful place right in the center of the city.  The really great thing about this, among many other wonderful things, is that you can walk right outside the door to experience the BB And T Main Street events.  These are the weekly music series on Main Street that continue for 28 weeks from March to September featuring jazz, blues, oldies, and soul music.  There are little tables right outside The Hyatt in front of a courtyard with a beautiful fountain where you can enjoy the concerts as well as your morning coffee and paper. 

There are always colorful sights and enchanting smells at the TD Saturday Market.   You will find the freshest farm produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses, seafood and other specialties.  They are all locally grown.  Have a gourmet cup of coffee; enjoy the live music and interactive events.  Learn about lifestyle tips at “It’s More Than A Market” which features a weekly educational chef demonstration. 

Tired of walking?  Take the trolley.  Downtown it is free, compliments of The Greenville Drive.  The city operates and maintains two trolleys.  They are a lot of fun to ride and very convenient.   

September is the beginning of the apple picking season in this part of the country.  Come enjoy the whole experience. Great orchards abound and are happy to see you.  Visit the famous ball park and see a great game, maybe you will even see the ghost of “Shoeless” Joe Jackson.  Go to the Greenville Zoo.  Experience the Chautauqua Festival that is a journey back in time where you can hear the story of the Civil War as told by those who were there.  History is alive here; how many times can I say that?  There are more than 500 historic sites marked and ready to be explored.  Visit Lake Conestee and have a natural outdoor experience.  Take a tour of waterfalls in the area, there are many! 

Follow The Swamp Rabbit’s Trail to Travelers Rest.  There are a million other trails too.
The Highlands are only a few hours away, but now that is another story.  Charleston is not too far away either, neither is Myrtle Beach.  You won’t want to leave Greenville though, save those destinations for another day.  There is enough to do here without all the driving.  Rest, play, relax, enjoy!

I think you get the idea, I’ve only given you the tip of the iceberg – you must go to Greenville, South Carolina and check out this wonder of the South.  Happy journey!

SEASONS - THE KING IS IN THE FIELD

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Oh, how I love the writings of King Solomon in The Song of Songs! In Chapter 6, verse 3, I can read my favorite words from his writings; "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine."  

When written in the original Hebrew language the first letters of each word form an acronym that spell the month of Elul.  This is the Hebrew month that will be coming up in 2016 beginning with the civil calendar date of September 2nd.  

Elul's acronym, "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine", illustrates this concept; its first letter, aleph, stands for "I" (in Hebrew, "ani") – and the second letter, lamed, represents, "my Beloved's" (in Hebrew, "ledodi") - God. The meaning of this verse is that of being “face-to-face” in expressing one's love for another. This is the idea that the heart of the giver is entwined with the heart of the receiver and vice versa. There is a reciprocal relationship of this love. Each one has the other's heart.  One cannot help but think of the soon coming return of Christ and wonder how much longer it will be before He returns for His Bride, the Church.

On this last month of the Hebrew calendar, many of us try to focus on the past year of our lives.  

It is a time to bring before our Beloved our misdeeds, mistakes, and wrong actions so that He can show us how we can make changes for the new year to come.  

I have come to look at this act the same way you would look at preparing for a wedding.   How do these shoes work?  What veil should I wear?  Is my dress ready?  What should I keep?  What should I change?  What about all of this is in keeping with my heart for my beloved?  Have I spoken to the groom about everything?  

 If you are engaged to be married, you need to discuss all the skeletons in your closet before the wedding.  You wouldn’t want your loved one to discover these from someone else, or to be surprised and hurt by them after your marriage.  You need to confess everything that your future spouse might not yet have heard about you, so that you will know for certain that all past mistakes are forgiven and forgotten, and you are safe with the one that you have chosen to live your life with.  You MIGHT just be surprised at what they know that you don't know they know!  You would, of course, promise them never to revisit these things.  With the love between the two of you, it is possible to begin a fresh new page of life.

This is how I have learned to speak to my Beloved, Jesus, during the time of Elul.  He knows I am not perfect.  He loves anyway.   

In The Song of Songs Solomon speaks of the conversation that is held between two lovers.  

They are not afraid of one another.  

They are comfortable enough in their love that they can speak of their faults and mistakes.  

They are humble enough and so much a part of each other that one can come to the other and ask forgiveness for things done wrong because this one knows that anything they have done will have an instant effect on the other.  No sin is a sin all alone.  Every sin we commit hurts our Beloved.  

This is a time for the healing of this pain.  Healing begins with honesty and confession.  

Healing always comes before joy.

Elul is definitely a time to say “I want to change for you and never put you through such pain again.”   The honesty, love, truthfulness of this confession only makes the bond of love stronger.  The stronger the bond between lovers, the less likely it will ever be broken.  

It is a time of the weaker seeking strength from the stronger.  There will be encouragement that comes from the stronger lover that will change the spirit of the weaker lover from sadness to joy, from being ashamed to being confident and sure of their love.  

Together they will be capable of things they could never achieve apart from one another.  

All of the conversations in The Song of Songs seem to be very relational.  This is the state we should be in during Elul, a relational state, totally in tune to the desires of the One we love the most, looking to see what He will show us, listening to hear what He will tell us.  

If we are out of step, He will help us pick back up on the beat of the dance through the rhythms of life.   

It is a time of bearing our soul to the only One who truly understands our souls.  He truly loves us as we are, and accepts us with all our flaws; even enough that he would die for us and all our imperfections;  but He has a loving desire to help us change into the person that He created us to be.  

When we seek His face and ask His forgiveness, He loves us, flaws and all.  He reaches out to us to pull us up and help us to change.  

One secret to knowing how to change is that of dwelling on the words of the scriptures that tell us; "I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine.”  If you divide this sentence down into two parts you begin to see they each represent a different aspect of our relationship with God. 

The first part:  “I am my Beloved’s” alludes to our main thoughts during Elul, to cry out to God, to communicate our love and loyalty to Him.    This is our speaking.  

The second part; “and my Beloved is mine,’ hints to God’s activity toward us in this time, in which it is possible for a divine revelation to descend upon us from above.  This is our listening.  Good communications involve both speaking and listening.

We speak joyfully to our Beloved during this month, not simply because we are about to begin a new sacred year, but because God is shining forth his attributes of mercy toward us.  

We know that we need to use this time to atone and work on our selves, and God empowers us to do so when we approach Him seeking forgiveness.  

This is the time of us expressing our desire for complete atonement.  At the end of the time, when we reach Yom Kippur, that is the time He expresses His complete desire to atone us, so much that He died to redeem us.  He inspires us and arouses our spirits to awaken to His desires.

There is a beautiful Jewish parable that speaks of this very act.   It is printed below for your reading and meditation:

THE PARABLE OF THE KING IN THE FIELD

A King returns to his city following a long absence. The city's inhabitants stream out to the countryside to greet him. When the king enters the field a new phenomenon occurs. The field equalizes everyone who is found there. Now, for the first time, virtually everyone is empowered and permitted to greet the king. All partitions which usually separate him from the populace are nullified. The king, in turn, graciously receives each and every one. This phenomenon does not take place outside the field. For, within the capital, and surely within the palace, only select dignitaries can access the king.

Is this parable not a beautiful portrait of how Jesus loves us? 

He went up to Heaven to send His Holy Spirit so that we could communicate better with Him and The Father.  So many times when we pray, we are looking up to heaven, seeing him on a royal throne, knowing His kingly power is at work constantly redeeming us, but often it seems we are at a distance, further away than we want to be from Him. We tend to see Him like a King of a city who went away.  We know He is still in control. 

We know He still exists and is coming back, but then one day He does come back!  He walks through the fields of the city.  These are the fields where the common workers toil and labor every day.  This is where they have broken the ground, planted the seeds provided by Him, watered them, weeded them, watched the crop grow to be ripe and ready for harvesting.  The citizens are so proud of the harvest that is just ripe for the picking!  They can’t wait to tell the Master about how beautiful and bountiful it is; then they look up and see Him actually walking through the fields!  They are overcome with joy!  It is Him, The One they have been laboring for all along!  He had returned!  They run to greet him.


As the everyday ordinary people run to great their King who has come down to walk in the field, they all seem somehow the same.  

Their differences are not showing.  

No one is more important.  

No one voice is heard above the other.  

All are equal in the field.  

It is not formal here, like it might be in the royal palace.  No one is announced, or proclaimed.  They all just come toward Him, one at a time, each one special and unique, yet everyone sharing the same honor of greeting the King and having the King recognize them and speak to them of their own particular tasks.

 Here all feel free and comfortable to discuss the physical aspects of the harvest with the King.  Who would know more about harvesting than a King who is also A Creator?  Who could possibly know more about preparing for a good harvest?  

They drink in His advice.  

They sit at His feet to listen to His instructions.  

They freely admit their mistakes and short-comings to Him because they can look into His eyes and see how much He loves them.  It is not hard.  They are not afraid.  They all feel safe. 

The King looks happier here, in the field among the people of His city, maybe even happier than He ever looks on His Royal Throne.  He is glad to be here.  Is it not what He has purposed to do all along?  He is smiling and gracious and generous.  He uses the ordinary existence in the field to explain to all the important principles of His Kingdom and here in the field the lowest realms of existence are transformed into a dwelling place for a King.  

Everyone is excited to know that The King is in the field! 

It is the strangest thing to think about, but even when the King is walking through the field, the primary mundane matters of life must still be carried out!   

It is a time for pausing, but not stopping.  

It is a time of reflecting while still working.  

In our daily lives we concern ourselves with many activities that are not in and of themselves holy, but these things are performed “for the sake of the King.”  Now when we see the King walking through the field, He may stop and talk to us of our activities.   We find out that “little things” are very important to Him.  

He has noted everything, every action, every task that we have done during the times of the seasons before the harvest.  They HAVE mattered to Him.  

He has not overlooked us, or forgotten us when we could not see Him or reach out and touch Him.  He has noticed every little thing!   Suddenly we recognize that in seeking His will in all things, we have made a part of our world His dwelling place, a place where He may come down and walk with us, even in our imperfections, even into the day-to-day activities of “the field.”

Hence, to continue looking after the field of The King in the best possible manner, during Elul we chose to put special emphasis on study of the Holy Scriptures and prayer, because even while The King is walking through His field, we recognize that it IS His field and we honor Him by continuing on with our work for Him.