Upon departing our festive birthday celebration
for Daddy in Atlanta, Judy and I headed to
Greenville, SC for the Mother's Day portion
of our trip. We had the good fortune (again)
to get a deal on lodging by inquiring at the SC
Welcome Center. We were able to stay at the
fabulous Westin-Poinsett Hotel for half price.
Here's the view from our fifth floor room,
looking down on the geographic center of
downtown Greenville.
The Poinsett has an illustrious history since
its construction in 1924. It underwent a 20
million dollar renovation in 2000 and has been
restored to its former grandeur, with all modern
accommodations. It is Greenville's only four star
hotel, and one of the state's finest.
You don't see shoeshine stands like this any more.
I remember seeing them as a child in Atlanta,
but nothing this elegant.
Click here to read some of the hotel's history
and about its National Register status. There
is plenty more to read about if you search it
on Google. Scenes like these marble staircases
and finely crafted banisters were on every hand.
At the elevator, the old postal letter box
was still in place, so letters could be dropped
from the ninth floor or anywhere else. If
anyone wrote letters any more (I know some
special people that do, and they read this blog!).
An advertising bill from the hotel's heyday
The fabulous grand ballroom was the scene
of a Mother's Day brunch when we arrived.
Its classic design stands out, even in a city
full of venerable works of architecture.
Joel Poinsett, for whom the hotel is named,
was an ambassador to Mexico in 1825, but
is more famous for the unusual plant he
brought back. Later named the Poinsettia,
of course!
I'm sure his family is proud of him for much
more than having a plant named for him, so
read about it all below.
Though Sunday was a rainy day, Judy and
I did like everyone else. Equipped with our
umbrellas, we set out to stroll several blocks
of Main Street. There were countless interesting
shops and restaurants. One I'll mention is
O.P. Taylor's, a one-of-a-kind toy store that
is every child's fantasy-- if they have plenty
of money! Another I must include is Handi
Indian Cuisine, where Judy and I enjoyed
Bewali Chicken and Chicken Korma, respectively.
The rainy weather was no surprise. It matched
the forecast we had seen for days. And it looked
as if it would rain out our planned Monday
morning walk. But NO! After a light breakfast
in the hotel coffee shop (delicious scone and
English muffin), we followed the beloved trails
of Falls Park for an hour and a half, with no rain.
Many pictures will follow, and if you haven't
been following my blog very long, I have
more extensive pictures from our trip two
years ago HERE.
The rains of the previous day had the
Reedy Creek churning and roaring.
Here's the first of our pedestrian bridges.
This area is a focal point for community
gatherings. Two years ago we saw a wedding
taking place in the old textile building pictured.
Beyond this bridge are the largest falls,
which once turned the turbines of two
great textile mills.
This would have been a convenient shelter
if it had rained on us.
From above the falls, a view of Liberty Bridge.
This 355 foot suspension is supported on only
one side by two 90 foot towers which lean
downstream at a 15 degree angle. It is the
only bridge of its kind in America.
Let me insert a nature picture. I don't know
what is going on here. Is it a centipede eating
an earthworm, or an earthworm reproducing?
I'll try to find out.
Further downstream are more falls.
Under the Liberty Bridge.
A view of the suspension cables.
Moving downstream on the paved path.
Several shades of hydrangeas.
The Swamp Rabbit Trail we were following
goes all the way to the Greenville Zoo. We
weren't going that far, but we went further
than on our previous visit.
A purple morning glory peacefully coexists
with the invasive kudzu.
And yes, I do mean invasive!
I love the old stone masonry that was part
of one of the original mill sites.
This scene in a memorial garden in a secluded
part of the park reminds me of The Secret
Garden, a favorite children's book of mine.
I love to imagine where steps lead.
On our walk back, we ascended Liberty Bridge.
And some friendly strollers took our picture.
We're home, back into something of a routine,
and with a passel of fond memories from
Daddy's birthday and a great stay in Greenville.
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