Two Lane Adventure to Ohio – Sunday, May 12th 2019

We spent the night at Parkwood RV Park and Cottages, when we got ready to pull out this morning I spotted a gem! Just across US 301 from the exit of the park is a place where the “American Pickers” would love to stop! It is My Cousin Vinny’s Bargain Barn, which is officially an antique furniture store, though the owner, Vincent Castellano, calls it a “junk store.” The store, a two-story structure surrounded by scattered outdoor merchandise, or junk. Vinny came to Georgia from New York and he has operated the store for about 15 years.

Less than a mile down the road from our overnight location, we came to US 25. That is the road we will follow for all of today. US 25 goes generally north route through the cities of Statesboro, Millen, Waynesboro and finally Augusta, where it crosses the Savannah River into South Carolina. The overall majority of the route is four-lane.

Millen is only minutes from the Ogeechee River and has been a regional hub of transportation in Georgia since 1854 when the railroad came to town. Cotton Avenue is an excellent example of a railroad commercial district. The Central Railroad Company built a line between Savannah and Macon via Millen in the 1830s; a north-south line from Millen to Augusta built by the Savannah Railroad in 1852 turned Millen into a major trade post. Two major depots located along Cotton Avenue indicate the significance of rail transportation in Millen. Both built in the early 1900s, one is currently in use by Norfolk Southern and the other houses the Millen-Jenkins County Museum and Chamber of Commerce. As many as fifteen trains passing through Millen daily.

Millen is also home to one of Georgia's most beautiful state parks, Magnolia Springs State Park, which is known for its crystal clear springs that flow at an estimated nine million gallons of water per day. That water flow puts our Crystal Springs to shame! During the Civil War, the area now encompassed by the park, was known as Camp Lawton. A stockade held Union soldiers captured as prisoners of war. The site was selected due to the abundant water supply. Between August and November 1864, Camp Lawton was planned, built, operated, and eventually abandoned. Despite its brief tenure, the prison held over 10,000 soldiers and was said to be the largest prison in the world at the time. The stockade was closed in November 1864, and its prisoners routed to other camps as General William T Sherman’s army closed in during his infamous “March to the Sea.” In 2010, archaeology teams from nearby Georgia Southern University uncovered parts of the stockade wall and artifacts from prisoners. Presently, archaeologists and historians continue to study this historic property to uncover more details about the camp and its occupants.

Waynesboro is in Burke County and may best be known for one of its oldest traditions, hosting some of the largest field trials for bird dogs in the world. The pastime has earned Waynesboro the title, “Bird Dog Capital of the World”, a bragging rite that is heralded from the water tower to t-shirts.

Since 1903, enthusiasts have flocked to Burke County with their very best pointers and setters to enter them in competitions hosted throughout the county. Back in the early 1920's, some of the state's elite, could be found among those at the Anthony Wayne Hotel celebrating the latest derby winner. Today, a steady stream of owners and trainers head to Burke County each January to compete in the derby, shooting dog and championships run there throughout the month.

Hephzibah, is a unique name for a town. The name was taken from the Bible, where Hephzibah is a poetic name used by the Prophet Isaiah to refer to the City of Jerusalem in the Old Testament. While we were stopped at a light in this little town, I snapped a photo of pretty road side weed flowers.

In Augusta, Georgia there is a great deal of downtown revival of older neighbors. The colors they paint their houses are pretty spectacular too!

We entered South Carolina from Augusta, Georgia, by crossing over the Savannah River, on US route 25. There was no “welcome to SC” sign … so, a picture of the river will have to do!

The highway continues to go north through downtown North Augusta, South Carolina connecting with I-20 just outside town. The road offers beautiful tree canopies over the road. US 25 goes northwesterly through the cities of Edgefield, Greenwood, and Greenville; going due north at Travelers Rest to the North Carolina state line.

As we entered Edgefield, SC, we noticed it was a well maintained small town. One of the most historic inland cities in South Carolina, the Edgefield Town Square has remain mostly unchanged since the early 1800s. The most noteworthy features of the square are the brick courthouse (circa 1839), the oldest weekly newspaper in South Carolina, moonshine distillery, and the Old Edgefield Pottery studio.

The Israel Mukashy Building is now the Edgefield General Store. This old-fashioned store features an original soda fountain for hand-dipped ice cream, milkshakes and fountain drinks. Wine, beer, frozen casseroles and a variety of gifts are also available. It boosts about the town’s claim to fame on its wall … it lists all 10 governors that hail from Edgefield.

It is home of the National Wild Turkey Federation. It celebrates this with several large turkey statues along the streets of downtown. With names like ‘Ten Governors’, ‘Heritage Corridor’, ‘Billy’s Super Store’, ‘Turkey Shoppe’, ‘Crouch’s Ace Hardware’ and ‘The Patriot’, formerly known as ‘The Monument’, have been hanging around on the streets since 2008. In 2014, all the turkeys disappeared, concerned citizens learned they were getting fresh coats of paint and a more durable finish to ensure they withstand the elements.

This area is also home to the Edgefield County Peach Museum. Edgefield County believes it is "The Peach Capital of the World." It has a remarkable history of agriculture and peach cultivation. Be sure to pick up some local peach products and check out the roadside produce stands and farms!

US 25 is part of the South Carolina Heritage Corridor, called the Discovery Route. The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor is a Congressionally designated National Heritage Area of the National Park Service. Since 1996, they have been committed to preserving and promoting the natural, historic, and cultural assets of a 17-county area of South Carolina. The Discovery Route links many significant historic sites and settlements, including mill villages, courthouse towns, battlefields, and military sites. There is a Nature Route too, it begins with the waterfalls and mountains of Table Rock and the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and winds along the western part of the state, including Lakes Russell and Thurmond, and the Savannah and Edisto Rivers, down to the ACE Basin and the coastal plain.

Founded in 1872, Lander University is a co-ed, state-assisted, comprehensive, regional, four-year university in Greenwood, S.C. With approximately 3,000 students, Lander provides degrees in liberal arts, science, business, education and nursing.

I love looking at the remnants of days gone by. Try to imagine what this was, a house?  A roadside business? Part of a Farm?

 

I bet this neon was beautiful in its day!

Every time I see a remote control car track, it makes me think of Majestic Oaks. Those little car enthusiasts built an awesome track in the storage area for their fast cars. This is an RC track in South Greenville South Carolina. S&B RC Speedway is one of the premier off road R/C car facilities on the East Coast, S&B R/C Speedway races 1/10 and 1/8 scale gas and electric remote control vehicles. When you see all the red dirt, you might think it should be in Georgia!

The state line on US Route 25, between South Carolina and North Carolina is on top of a mountain! My picture of the sign is lousy, but the views are spectacular! US Route 25 overlaps with part of the Appalachian Development Highway System, which is part of Appalachian Regional Commission. Passed in 1965, the purpose of it is to generate economic development in previously isolated areas, connect Appalachia to the interstate system, and provide access to areas within the Region. It is here that we are crossing the Eastern Continental Divide at an elevation of 2,130 feet.

The final section of Route 25 we traveled on, is a “Highway of Heroes.” We have seen Blue Ribbon Highway signs before, but this one was extra special with the red, white and blue touches.

We arrived at the Asheville East KOA, our home for the night. We had on and off rain all day, but once we got set up … the rain came and stayed for a while. Good night to snuggle with a good book! See you all tomorrow!