We left Robbinsville about 11 am getting the usual late start. We wanted to have lunch at the Bantam Chef in Chesnee, South Carolina, but it would be a late lunch with a good three hours of riding to cover some 192 miles.
As we approached Asheville on I-40 the informational warning signs said that I-26 was blocked at exit 33. Sure enough, as we passed the interchange we could see the traffic at a complete stop on the overpass. Quickly we checked the GPS on the fly and decided to retrace part of our South Carolina Loop trip of 2006 passing by Chimney Rock and Lake Lure before heading south into South Carolina and Chesnee.
Here is another example of the GPS saving us. Just for your information if you travel I-40 or I-26 in the Asheville area, these two Interstates are famous for coming to a complete halt for even a minor accident. We have waited for hours to get moving again. Try to have an alternative route planned ahead of time to bypass these problem areas.
Racing down US-74A we almost forgot that this long straightaway suddenly turns into a series of swithbacks climbing to Hickory Nut Gap. There are no warning signs at all as you come into the first corner from the 55 mph straight. WATCH FOR THIS TRANSITION !!
As usual we got behind a slow moving car in the fun twistie section most of the way through Bat Cave and into Chimney Rock. It at least gave Nancy a chance to snap a few digitals.
If you haven't been to Chimney Rock you are missing a great attraction. SEE OUR LAST TRIP THERE
The last minute detour probably cost us a half hour or so, but it did get us off the Interstate which we hate and onto some good back roads most of the way into Chesnee. It was 3 pm when we arrived famished at the Bantam Chef. This backroads restaurant is another must visit at least once if you can. Just to see the memorbilia on the walls is worth the stop.
I had an Eagle Burger all the way with fries and Nancy had the more nutritional Turkey Burger with vegetable soup. As hungry as I was I still left most of the fries on the plate. We sat in our special Tail of the Dragon booth under the roadsign we gave to the Chef on our last visit. After a few photos we took off for Columbia, our first "hainted" stop.
We were in no particular rush so I decided to put the GPS on shortest distance rather than fastest time setting. We were off through some real goat trails as we headed more or less south.
We skirted Gaffney, passed through the historic downtown of Cowpens, and then hit Clifton and Glendale. This backroad took us through some rather blighted areas which made us wonder why anyone would even live there. Crossing the Pacolet River we noted a 10-foot tall horse mounted on a crumbling piling of a long gone bridge. It was within a toss of a rock or other missle of ill-intent, so a wire fence had been constructed to ward off such attacks. It looked extremely shabby to say the least.
We decided to put the GPS back on fastest route, but still stay off the Interstate as long as possible. We darted down US 176 making good time through Sumter National Forest. We finally jumped on I-26 near Ballentine and were surprised by the minimal traffic into downtown Columbia.
My great-grandfather who fought in the Civil War is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery which stretches over rolling hills for many acres. One of the few haunting experiences that I have ever had occurred here in 1991. Nancy and I went to visit the city where some five generations of my ancestors dating back to the times of George Washington had lived.
Nancy and I had taken an early morning walk into the cemetery not knowing where my ancestors graves were located. Elmwood is huge, one of the largest cemeteries I have ever seen. We walked around for about ten-minutes and suddenly Nancy stopped and said that she had a funny feeling. I looked down and there was my great-grandfather's burial site. We both still get chills thinking about that morning.
On this trip we took a few photos of the grave sites and then headed for the State Capital. My father was actually raised in a home that is now part of the State Capital grounds. We took a memorial circle of the grounds which are quite beautiful and noted that the Confederate flag was still flying.
Heading out of town on US 76 we were planning a stop for the night in Sumter, yet another place named for the Revolutionary rebel hero Thomas Sumter also known as "the Fighting Gamecock". The only reason we went this way was to hit all the places named Sumter. We had passed through Sumter National Forest, ridden down Sumter Street in Columbia, now we were in the City of Sumter, and we are heading for Fort Sumter in Charleston.
We pulled into the Hampton Inn at Sumter a little after dark. We were both ready for a couple of beers and some sleep.
