Cadillac Jack's South Carolina Trip Diary

I got this from Cadillac Jack's Blog.

The cameras. The flashes. Paparazzi?

Surely not – Have I been found in Charleston at the 21 East Battery Bed and Breakfast nestled behind the Edmondston-Alston House (deep sarcasm here)? I can see them peeking through the wrought iron gates… some daring enough to take a couple of extra steps down the cobblestone drive to strike for a closer shot.

Folk’ snapping away day and night – but, it was not intrusive. Quite the contrary. I found it very interesting.

Pulling out onto the main drive, now outside the gates with the shutterbugs looking back at the Carriage House just beyond a live oak which nearly swallows the estate, I ask Innkeeper Julie as she waves us off home safely to Atlanta about the prestige and uniqueness and interest in the home.

Her answer will surprise you as much as it did me.


But first… our weekend journey through the Palmetto State begins in the Upcountry of South Carolina.





THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
MID-DAY
I grew up in the Carolina’s. I was familiar with the city of Greenville. Passed through many of times while traveling back home to Charlotte on Interstate 85. I must admit most of the time it was a quick bite to eat (kid friendly, of course) or to top off the tank.

I looked forward to an afternoon of discovey with my wife Donna. Kids at home with Nana. The drive is 2 hours max. Straight shot up 85. It’s a beautiful afternoon. The sun is shining and the sun roof is rolled back. Miranda Lambert’s new CD is blasting and we’re relaxing and we’re laughing and I am as in love with my wife as the day we first met.

AFTERNOON
We check into the Westin Poinsett on South Main Street (Greenville’s only 4 diamond hotel) and we decide to waste no time and waste no sunshine and dart back out the door for some exploration. Visit their website

I learned that Greenville is a city with plenty of stuff to do with the kids (in addition to the many parks around town or green space and trails and the Liberty Bridge at Falls Park on the Reddy River – more on the Falls shortly). Check out the Greenville Zoo (Visit their website) and the new kid’s museum “Children’s Museum of the Upstate” (Visit their website).

A smoothie from the Brew & Ewe on West Broad Street was the perfect complement to our afternoon stroll which continued past the Heritage Green (considered downtown Greenville’s cultural centerpiece) the Peace Center (my dad has attended several events here and he says it’s great for comedians and great for concerts too – it is also the home of the Greenville Symphony) and then to Falls Park and the Reddy River Falls.

Falls Park is the heart of the City’s Riverwalk Park system and is home to Reedy River Falls and the Liberty Bridge which stretches 380 feet across the falls plus two amphitheatres and a beautiful public garden.

NIGHT
My dad was able to drive over from Asheville, North Carolina to join us for a great dinner at Soby’s (Visit their website). “Soup” our waiter told us that the menu had just changed – the chefs mix it up about every quarter to keep it fresh. We discovered and savored delicious and creative dishes inspired by rich, Southern traditions and infused with new, International flavors. Our table was soon filled with Cornmeal Fried Oysters, Soby’s She Crab Soup, a couple of BLT Wedge salads (with a delicious very creamy Blue Cheese dressing). Entrees included Soby’s Meatloaf with Maple Creole Mustard Glaze (dad), Seared Scallops with a sweet corn and bacon risotto (Donna) and I chose Braised Beef Short Ribs and I didn’t even use a knife! The ribs are braised with Thomas Creek Root Beer BBQ Sauce.

Remember me mentioning that the menu is tweaked occasionally? On the last menu the ribs were braised with Cheerwine – a favorite soft drink of mine (not available in Atlanta) that I enjoyed three ways while in South Carolina for the weekend. In a can from the Flying J Truck Stop off I-26 in Columbia. In a cold bottle from the Moon Pie Store in Charleston and from a fountain over ice at the Krystal in Aiken on the return home.

Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms

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I got to hear Joel speak at Furman about green space and farming. Check out his website. http://www.polyfacefarms.com/

Newman Farms Pepper Bacon

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Let's help out Georgia farm flood victims.

Photo of Joe Reynolds and Judith Winfrey by Heather Anne Thomas. Farm photo by Judith Winfrey.

Recruiting an Southern Foodways Alliance (SFA) Skillet Brigade: Project Georgia

A number of our SFA friends and family were affected by the the recent flooding in and around Atlanta. SFA member Judith Winfrey, of Love is Love Farm in Douglasville, Georgia, writes:

Storms like these are a good reminder that we always need to support our local, family farmers. Buy directly from farmers at farmer's markets as often as you can. It's a risky job, sometimes, and farmers need you behind them.

Ours is not the only Atlanta farm feeling the impact of this "weather event." We know that the Bray Family Farm, Cane Creek Farm, Fairywood Thicket, Hope's Garden, and Split Cedar Farm suffered losses and damage as well, and suspect that there are others. Please reach out to those farmers if you know them and offer what you can.

Now is the time for Skillet Brigade action. SFA-ers can help with relief in one of several ways. For those in or near the Atlanta area, SFA board president Angie Mosier will be in touch about work opportunities. There are also fundraising relief efforts that you may support:

October 5-11 - Rosebud is hosting a week-long dine out to raise money for the Georgia Flooded Farms Relief Fund. Dine at Rosebud anytime between Monday, October 5 - Sunday, October 11 and a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to this important fund.

October 11 - Woodfire Grill is having a 4 course dinner with wine pairings to benefit Love is Love Farm and the Georgia Flooded Farms Relief Fund.

October 13 - Pig Pickin' at the Farmer's Atlanta Road Market to benefit farmers affected by the flood. They'll be cooking Berkshire shoulders donated by Gum Creek Farms in a La Caja China cooking box. 100% of all donations in exchange for food will be given to farms as they recover from a total loss of crops and livestock from the flood.

October 17 - The Peachtree Road Farmers Market is selling Jim N' Nick's BBQ plates from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Peachtree Road Farmers Fund.

More events are added daily, so check back with Slow Food Atlanta often.

We know that not all of you can hop in your car and drive to Atlanta easily. For those outside of the Atlanta area who wish to help, Slow Food Atlanta has set up a fund to help Georgia's flooded sustainable farmers. All contributions to this fund will be tax deductible. For more information, visit www.slowfoodatlanta.org. Or click here to donate now.

The SFA thanks you, in advance, for your support of relief efforts.

Fried chicken with waffles

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Caw Caw Creek Country Prosciutto

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$4 Friday at Soby's on the Side

All sandwiches and salads are $4 - today and every Friday at Soby's on the Side.

What a deal - hard to beat that for lunch today! Call your colleagues and friends and meet at Soby's on the Side. Dine in or carry-out and enjoy your lunch and the Fall weather on the patio at Soby's, if you'd like. For more information, please call 271-8431.

Also, if you're making plans for tonight, don't forget that "Rockfly" will be playing at the Soby's Block Party - music starts at 8 pm- no cover. For more information, please call 232-7007.