Issaqueena Falls, Stumphouse Tunnel, and Table Rock

This weekend's adventure was a drive up north to the western end of South Carolina. There is a place up there I have wanted to visit for a while now but never had the time. I managed to talk Yohann into going and Saturday morning we packed up the kids, a lunch, & our hiking boots, and we hit the road.

Our first stop was Issaqueena Falls. It is a beautiful waterfall located just north of Walhala. It is one of hundreds of great waterfalls that can be found all over the upstate. This one has an interesting history and legend about an Native American princess and her English lover.

Right next to the falls, just a few hundred meters away is Stumphouse Tunnel. It is one of several tunnels build by hand before and during the American Civil War. It was never finished. It seems that the railroad that intended to use them, the Blue Ridge Rail Road, ran out of money. The war may have also changed their plans. We visited it but I don't have any pictures. Have a look here for more information.

Here we are at the bottom of the falls.

Yohann and the kids under a ledge at the bottom of Issaqueena Falls.

Our last little tour was in Table Rock State Park. I love SC state parks. Table Rock is one I had not been to in over ten years. I hiked Table Rock once back when I was at Michelin School in my early years with Michelin. The plan was to get to another waterfall but we just didn't have enough time. We also didn't have the time or the energy to try the big hike this time either. Instead we did a little loop that took about an hour. There was lots to see including some amazing falls and slides. I hope to get back to Table Rock soon to hike to the top. Anyone want to come along? I'm thinking in the fall when the weather is a little cooler.

The kids enjoying the view. 

The boy and the girl playing on the rocks.

A good shot of the the father and daughter.

For those looking for more info on trails and hiking in South Carolina, I recommend the following site fro the SC Trails Program. It's a little dated but has lots of good information on some really neat things to see and do. Have a look.

Go Gators!

Last weekend was Divisionals for the summer swim league here in Greenville. That meant a meet with five teams and a whole lot of competition. There was also some pride on the line as Orchard Farms had been strong all summer. In the end we pulled it out and won another Divisional Championship, this time in the Purple Division. Here are a few pictures from the event.

It all started with a parade of the swimmers coming in to the pool. This year I got the bright idea to build a cardboard and papier mache gator as we are the Orchard Farms Gators. It seemed like a good idea at the time but it did end up taking on a life of its own in the end. I built the head, arms, and the tip of the tail (with some help from my visiting friend - Thanks Rob) and the neighbors put together the body. In the end he was about 18ft long and had a whole lot of character. I called him Ollie.

 Below are Isabelle and J.-C. with Ollie.

 Here are the younger girls lined up with the banner for the parade into the pool. The meet takes place over two days with the big kids going first and the little kids swimming on day two.

On the second day we decided to just bring in Ollie's head, arms and tail since he was a little unruly to get past the fence and we weren't sure the little ones could handle his whole body. That's me with the head.

The event went very well for all the swimmers. Isabelle qualified for Classics in all her events except one. That means a top 16 finish in the city for Breaststroke, Butterfly, Backstroke, and the 4x25m Freestyle Relay. There was a DQ in the Medley Relay but they would have won that one too.

The video we have isn't great so we only have pictures.

Off course at the end when they announce the winners everyone ends up in the pool.

This weekend is the big finish. Isabelle swims in Classics on Sunday and that will finish another summer swim season. I think it was lots of fun for everyone but I can't finish without thanking all the parents who helped out to make it possible. I also have to thank the coaches. Without them this simply would not happen. Enjoy the rest of your summer (I hope you can all relax.)

So Many Things To Do, So Little Time

Again, it's been a while since the last post. Since our trip to Connecticut and the robin in the backyard we've had lots of adventures.

Last week Isabelle and I had a weekend of camping with two other dads and their kids. Jane came to visit for the day along with some other friends and we all had a blast at the lake. I've yet to find a state park here I didn't like. Lake Hartwell State Park here in South Carolina was no exception. We took two walk in tent sites to get away from all the trailer campers and had a great time. There was good food and lots of time in and on the water. There was also a little mishap on day two but in the end we had a great time with everyone.

I don't have many pictures (we were having too much fun) but this was the view from the campsite.

Before that we had a huge weekend with the school yard sale, a baseball game and cook out, and the always entertaining Fete d'Ecole at Isabelle's school. The yard sale is always a great place to get rid of stuff and pick up some new things. We followed it up with the much anticipated baseball day.

We invited the school for an afternoon of learning to play softball/baseball followed by a cook-out. It turned into such a popular event that we had over 100 people! Everyone enjoyed the games and the weather cooperated. A few soccer games broke out near the end.

The Fete d'Ecole is always fun too with a concert, games, and lots of good French food. This year I manned the bouncy house again, but there was the all the usual games like the fish pond, the table tennis tournament, and even an angry birds game with huge cardboard boxes.

Here is a video and some pictures of some of the concert. You may need to turn up the volume on the video.

This last weekend was a little calmer but still very busy. Now that the pool is open (it has been since the first weekend in May) swim team is started with practices almost every weekday. We go to pool as a family most weekends. The water is great but it will soon be too warm. Imagine that!

Last Thursday the subdivision hosted the first swim meet of the summer. Isabelle did very well and is particularly strong in the backstroke again. I started my training to be a Stroke and Turn Judge. Below is Isabelle getting ready for the 100m team medley relay. I'm standing behind her looking very official.

This is a video of her 25m freestyle. It's a little shaky but you get the idea.

Sunday Isabelle gave us our Family Day gift. Instead of doing Father's Day and Mother's Day the school has the kids prepare one set of gifts for both parents. Jane got a fancy handmade picture frame with some cool art on it. I got a little poetry.

For those who can't read it it says:

Papa

Papa I'd like to give you a kayak with all the colours in the world.

Papa I'd like to give you the smiles of spring.

I hope your spring has been a busy as ours.

In the Nest

Things are getting busy in the nest but we suspect there is one less than there was a week ago. I guess that's how nature works. Either way there is lots going on. They are very loud and we expect them to leave any day now. Here is what it looks like in there.

 Taken May 2nd, with four little birds in the nest.

 Taken May 5th, with lots more feathers.

Again on May 5th, but this time only three in the nest.

Four New Additions

Well the nest has been very busy lately. We have received our foreign exchange teacher. Yes, a student teacher at the Ecole Francaise Bilingue is staying with us for two weeks while she does some practice teaching at Isabelle's school. It's good for us since it gets us out doing things we haven't done in a while. It also gives Jane lots of french practice.

Meanwhile the nest has seen four little birds hatch. They aren't exactly pretty, although Jane thinks they are cute, but I'm sure they will turn our just fine. It's awfully hot here with daytime highs over 30C but Jane has put out some water and the mommy bird seems to be very busy feeding the little critters. Here are some pictures.

The first day (last Sunday)

Today (Tuesday)