Smoke on the Water

Easy to pick a song title today as that is also the name of the restaurant where we ate dinner. Well here we are in Greenville, SC. This is a short and much needed getaway to an area that is loved by all our friends who have visited. Greenville is located in the northwest corner of the state near the foothills of the Appalachians and near the Blue Ridge Mountains and Parkway. We are about an hour or so from Asheville, NC.

We spent about five hours driving here on country roads that passed through tiny towns and a few small towns. Notably was Aiken, which is known as an equestrian community with many horse events during the year. It was lovely with a wide, grassy median dividing the Main Street in town, beautiful houses and gardens were everywhere as well as horse statues.

Arrived mid afternoon and checked into our hotel on the Main Street. We are already impressed with the wide, shady street full of restaurants and shops.

After resting for a while we walked a few blocks down hill toward the Reedy River and waterfalls which are the main tourist attraction. Along the way we search for mice! There are nine tiny brass mice hidden along the street and the object is to find them all. We found six and will look for the rest tomorrow.  My favorite is one resting under a state of General Green for whom the town is named. This little guy is wearing a tri-cornered hat and playing a drum, just like Yankee Doodle and his pals.

We passed the river and went uphill into the West historic district to have dinner at Smoke on the Water. Great choice as it is a comfortable place with a great menu and delicious food. I had crab cakes with a loaded potato cake, squash casserole and cole slaw. Jeff had prime rib and all this came with corn bread and a talkative and interesting waiter. I also had a drink- a pointsettia. Named for the flower which is named for James Poinsett who brought the flowers here from Mexico. Here I am sitting with his statue.

Outside the restaurant in the Historic District is a statue of "Shoeless Joe Jackson." He was a native of Greenville and they have this statue and a museum dedicated to this hometown hero.

After dinner we walked to the falls and over the interesting suspension bridge. Sat for a while admiring the beauty and gardens.

On the walk home we stopped at Marble Slab Creamery to cap the day off with some ice cream. Met some nice people today and saw some new and beautiful places.