Falls Park and Confederate Museum
By: Wally W Click on images to enlarge 
Mother Nature teased us during the week with some warm- sunny days but the weekend started out cold and nasty until Sunday. It was going to be around 60 in the afternoon. A great day to ride! (Actually any day is a great day to ride – some are a little more comfortable than others.) I waited until the mercury climbed into the low 40’s (about 10:30AM) before I headed west on Rt 150, went straight through the light in Boiling Springs and turned left onto RT 221A. Even though it was later in the morning, the road was deserted. Everybody was in church. I opened up the Sportster but all I could reach was about 92 mph. It’s not meant for speed! I turned right at Rt 11 and then a left at Rt 221 (Main Street in Chesnee). After about a mile, I turned in at The Bantam Chef. I knew that the owner, Dave, was there because one of his fabulous Studebaker collection was parked in his spot in front of the old gas pumps. I had not seen this car before – it was a four-door Avanti. I didn’t know that there were any ever made. I went inside to talk with Dave and he explained how he went to the factory to buy it in 1990 (only 90 were made). He really loves his Studebakers. I didn’t stay for brunch because I had a couple peanut butter & jelly sandwiches to eat at the park. I continued heading west on Rt 11 until I turned left on Rt 176 in Campobello, SC. After a very short time, I was going to turn right onto Rt 357 but had to stop at the intersection. A used car lot full of very interesting BMW’s drew me in like a magnet. I drooled all over them – the two M3 convertibles, the coupes, sedans and even the Z3. They all looked pristine. I took Rt 357 southwest until I turned right onto Rt 29 (Wade-Hampton Boulevard). It is a very wide 6 and sometimes 8 lane road that goes from Greer to Greenville. Traffic was getting heavier the closer I got to Greenville. I stayed on Rt 29 as it turned left into Church Street. After a few miles, I veered off to the right at Campdown Road and turned right onto Campdown at the stop sign. At first, I couldn’t see the sign for Falls Park but the second time around, I saw it in front of what looks like a large office building. I turned left into the parking area and parked. I took out one of my sandwiches and started to walk toward the bridge. It’s called the Liberty Bridge honoring the Liberty Corporation founder W. Frank Hipp and his family for their community contributions. I stopped on the bridge to admire the view and felt the bridge move under my feet as some people walked by. It was truly a suspension bridge. As I looked down at the people enjoying the warming early afternoon, the scene reminded me of early 1900’s (“Turn of the Century”) parks with everyone relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere. Families were walking down the paths while couples were enjoying each other – walking and sitting on one of the swings. Others were sitting and writing while others were lying on their blankets or playing Frisbee. It was like I was watching another time – not the 21st century! I snapped quite a few pictures to show Cindy when I got home. We have to come back and be part of the serene setting. I got back onto Rt 29 to head home but I was in an adventurous mood so I turned right onto Washington. I was going to take it to Rt 276 and then I85. On the way, I saw a sign for the Confederate Museum so I turned right at the sign. I had read about it but never visited it. I was in Luck. It was about 1:05 PM and they opened at 1:00PM on Sunday. I walked around back and went in the back way. As soon as I walked in, I knew that there were many spirits alive in that place. The library is extensive and there are many photos of the soldiers and of course Robert E. Lee. I took a lot of pictures as I walked through the many rooms of the museum. It was actually a residential home before it became a museum. It still has that homey feeling. I was able to get up close to the exhibits and see all the detail in the firearms and other weapons. I wanted to stay longer but I promised Cindy that I’d be home before 3:00PM so I left. I will definitely come back again so I can study the artifacts more closely. The Civil War has always fascinated me and I believe that if I were alive at that time, I would have fought with the South even though I was born a Yankee. I got back on Washington and turned right onto Rt 276. After a few miles of traffic, I turned right onto I85 toward Spartanburg. I really don’t like riding the interstates but sometimes it is necessary. I turned off at Rt 18 and made it home about 2:45PM. It was a great way to spend a beautiful Sunday!! Info:
Click here for more images and to download GPS file Published: Feb 1, 2010 Leave Comments |
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