Five on Friday: the August edition

It’s hot. With temperatures in the mid-90s for the past week, I don’t think I’m the only Upstate mom that has been spending more time indoors. While we’ve been enjoying our time at the library, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, Summer Movie Express $1 movies and on the couch at home watching TV (shhh, don’t tell!), we’ll be making the effort to get out to cross some last things off the summer bucket list before school starts this month. Now if only we could get temperatures to drop under 90 for a week or so, that would be great.

1. The Carolina Panthers return to Spartanburg! The Panthers kicked off their training camp at Wofford College Wednesday with a kickoff party, and practice will continue through mid-August here in the Upstate. For more on what to expect, check out last year’s post, Carolina Panthers training camp. For a training camp practice schedule, please visit the official team page.

2.  Every Friday night the Roper Mountain Science Center hosts two showings of their feature show Eclipse: The Sun Revealed in the newly renovated T.C. Hooper Planetarium. Learn about the historical and cultural view of eclipses, the geometry behind them, and how to safely view one in preparation for the total solar eclipse that will take place on August 21^st. Starry Nights at RMSC have never been more exciting! For more information and for tickets please visit the RMSC Starry Night website, and for a review of the show please see my post on Starry Nights. Bonus: Hooper Planetarium is air conditioned…

3. The Indie Craft Parade is coming back to Greenville for the 8^th year this September, and tickets go on sale August 1^st! The three-day festival celebrates handmade art, and has become one of the premier Southern craft events showcasing quality southern-made goods. Read about it here, buy tickets here.

4. This next event requires a bit more of a commitment, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore one of the two Frank Lloyd Wright properties in South Carolina, and his only plantation – Auldbrass. The estate is only opened to the public every other year on one weekend in November, and online ticket reservations are opening August 1st. Warning - the tickets sell out quickly! For a picture tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Auldbrass please visit my post on the subject, and for ticket reservations visit the Open Land Trust website.

5. A public service announcement: The $10 lifetime National Park Service senior pass for U.S. citizens age 62 or over will increase to $80 on August 28, 2017. Although still a good deal in my opinion, if you’re not already a lifetime pass holder, you might want to take advantage of the lower rate by visiting a federal recreation site before the end of the month. If you would prefer to buy online from the USGS store, or by USPS, there is an additional charge of $10 for processing the application. The passes are valid at more than 2,000 Federal recreation sites where entrance fees are charged. The National Parks centennial has passed, but our public lands need our support now more than ever!

Stay cool,

x Femme au Foyer

Carolina Panthers training camp

The NFL Carolina Panthers have trained at Wofford College in Spartanburg every summer since 1995, their inaugural season. Sports Illustrated ranked Wofford’s facilities in the top five in the league for fan friendliness, the school's 60,000-square-foot Richardson Physical Activities Building providing state of the art training facilities.

Thursday marked the start of the Carolina Panthers 2016 training camp, presented by Lowe's. Running through August 16^th, all training camp practices are free and open to the public. For times and a promotion schedule, see the Panther’s website.

There was a kickoff party yesterday to celebrate the start of training camp, complete with face painting, food, games and promotions. The celebration started at 4, fans lined up outside the gates to get the best seats. As practice only started at 6:30 (with cheerleaders, the TopCats, Sir Purr and PurrCussion taking the field around 6pm), we had time to wander around the stadium. Eventually we entered and found seats, and it was a good thing there were bleachers in the shade; we saw at least one woman taken away on a stretcher, possibly a victim of heat stroke.

the cheerleaders take the field!

The Carolina Panthers are headquartered in the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, and are one of only a few NFL teams to own the stadium they play in. During the first season they played home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, which might explain what makes the Panthers a Carolina – North and South – team in the eyes of its fans.

With strong playoff showings in recent years (including a Super Bowl appearance against the Broncos earlier this year), the Panthers have a solid fan base with high hopes for the season. When quarterback Cam Newton took the field for practice, the crowd roared its approval in welcome.... It’s hard not to join in the excitement as the Super Bowl hopefuls approach the beginning of the 2016-17 season.

Good luck Panthers! Keep pounding!!!

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If you’re planning on attending one of the training camps in the coming weeks, make sure you check the website for more information and a parking map. Certain streets are closed to private vehicles and the volume of fan traffic can be overwhelming, so give yourself plenty of time to get situated, and take advantage of the fan shuttles & free parking lots. Based on our experience, we would suggest to bring sunscreen and a water bottle in addition to a marker and something to sign; players give autographs for fans at the conclusion of training camp practices.

Your Upstate Fall Bucket List

Now that we’ve got that harvest moon eclipse fever behind us we can concentrate on autumn here in the Upstate – my favorite time of year in Greenville. The dogwoods and red maples have started turning here in town, although there is significantly more color up in the foothills. We’ve got a busy couple of months ahead of us and so I thought I would share some of our favorite things to do this time of year!

Fall color viewing

Greenville has made several top 10 lists for best autumn foliage viewing including Tripadvisor’s Top 10 Fall Foliage Destinations in the U.S. and USA Today Travel’s Autumn colors: Beautiful fall foliage around the USA. So where should you go to see the season in all her glory? Spots along the Blue Ridge Escarpment will offer the best views over the hardwoods of the Foothills. Within about an hour’s drive you’ll find Caesars Head State Park, Fred W. Symmes Chapel a.k.a. “Pretty Place,” Bald Rock and Jumping Off Rock. If you are up for a longer drive, try Dupont State Forest just across the NC state line. A shorter drive (only about 20-30 minutes) away is Paris Mountain State Park with dozens of trails to choose from. Campbell’s Covered Bridge, Stumphouse Tunnel, Lake Toxaway… I could keep going all day! Or if you want the color right here in town, Falls Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail are two local options.

An autumn view from Jumping Off Rock

Fall for Greenville

A three day outdoor festival modeled after the likes of Taste of Chicago, Greenville’s “a taste of our town” is the largest food and music festival in the Upstate featuring over 40 restaurants and six stages of live entertainment – definitely something for everybody. Check out live music from local favorites such as Mountain Homes while sampling signature dishes from some of Greenville’s most popular restaurants this October 8^th through 11^th.  

Apple picking

A local favorite is Sky Top Orchard up in Flat Rock, North Carolina, and although it can get crowded on weekends this time of year, the panoramic views from the rows of apple trees can’t be beat – and neither can their apple cider donuts! If you’re looking for something a little closer to town try Niven’s, although this will be the last season for the Spartanburg county orchard after four decades in the business.

A weekend getaway to the Blue Ridge Parkway

Enjoy the chill in the mountain air while touring some of the most colorful fall foliage in the southeast along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Believe me, it’s hard not to stop at every single scenic vista!

RMSC Fall Harvest Festival

On November 14^th the Roper Mountain Science Center is hosting their annual Second Saturday fall harvest festival from 9am-2:30pm. Or pick from one of these other 25 fall festivals from Kidding Around Greenville’s list such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Balloons Over Anderson, Art on the Trail or Oktoberfest in Greenville!

Swamp Rabbit Grocery & Cafe

Make a stop at this local treasure just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail for pastries fresh from the oven and hot coffee, perfect on a crisp fall morning. Fresh, seasonal produce and local goods round out the experience, and if you’ve got kids joining you I suggest a stop at the Swamp Garden – all the better for you to enjoy a special fall treat if the littles are busy at play.

Enjoy a concert at your local State Park

Catch a Music on the Mountain bluegrass jam session at Table Rock State Park Lodge or Music in the Woods at Paris Mountain State Park. The Table Rock SP dates are October 10^th and November 14^th from 2-6pm, and the concerts in the outdoor amphitheater at Paris Mountain SP are Saturdays from 2-4pm during October (a schedule of performers is available here).

The Falls Park beech tree dressed in gold

Your National Parks

Take advantage of the cooler weather to visit one of our nearby National Parks, Historic Sites or Battlefields such as the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, Congaree National Park, Kings Mountain National Military Park, Cowpens National Battlefield or Ninety Six National Historic Site. With smaller crowds and lower temperatures you’ll be able to really immerse yourself in the history of our region while enjoy the natural beauty of the Upstate. 

The Greenville Zoo

Popular Halloween event Boo in the Zoo notwithstanding, there is tons going on at your local zoo this fall! With a brand new baby red panda Willie (named after one of our fave musician’s ‘Red Headed Stranger’ album), baby siamang George and twin female ocelot kittens just a month old making their first outdoor appearances, there is plenty of motivation for a fall trip to the zoo. Exciting changes are on the horizon with a new mixed species South American exhibit, but the favorite programs such as Wild for Reading Wednesdays are still on weekly...

For the sports fan

Catch a football game at Clemson or University of South Carolina. (The Tigers face off against the Gamecocks this year on November 28^th if you want to cross both teams off your list at once, and if you make it to Clemson, don't forget to stop at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens to see this local favorite decked out in its colorful fall garb…) If football isn’t your thing head to the Bon Secours Wellness Area (or ‘the well’ as it has been nicknamed) to see the recently rebranded Swamp Rabbits play hockey! Formerly known as the Road Warriors (who replaced the Greenville Grrrowl) and affiliated with the New York Rangers, the Swamp Rabbits start their season October 17^th.

A new logo, source here

For the beer fan

Take a microbrewery tour here in the Upstate just in time to sample fall-inspired beer such as Swamp Rabbit Brewery’s Marzen, a German style Oktoberfest, or Quest Brewing’s Pecan Porter. A big event is Octoberfest @ Brewery 85 on Saturday, October 24th. And there’s always Dark Corner Distillery’s Moonshine to ward off that late fall chill!

Farmers markets

New farmers markets have popped up across the Upstate to give you plenty of opportunities to shop local seasonal goods. In addition to the State Farmers Market on Rutherford and the downtown Greenville market you have the Traveler’s Rest Thursday Market in Trailblazer Park and the brand new one in Greer. Grab some hot apple cider, buy a couple loaves of pumpkin bread and pick out the mums and gourds to decorate your home.

Wishing everyone a beautiful autumn in the Upstate!

x votre Femme au Foyer

Who's going to join me, please? #friendsneeded #listersgottalist #listersgottalistseptember #fall #bucketlist #cider #pumpkins #letsbecozy #letshavefun

A photo posted by dmt (@dainamara) on Sep 23, 2015 at 8:02am PDT

 Thank you for the inspiration Daina!!!

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is home to University of North Carolina, forming the “Research Triangle” along with Durham (Duke University) and Raleigh (North Carolina State). Although we’ve been in/around Chapel Hill a few times while living in Greenville, I had never seen the campus. We explored the North Carolina Botanical Gardens one morning a couple weeks ago (operated by the University of North Carolina), and when Roberts was liberated from his work obligations we picked him up and headed to downtown Chapel Hill, a town founded specifically to serve the University.

Coincidentally we picked up a NC jersey at a consignment sale last month

Kenan Memorial Stadium is home to the North Carolina Tar Heels. There has been an unwritten rule since the Stadium opened in 1927; the stadium can never be taller than the surrounding pine trees. With a current capacity of 63,000, the largest number to ever fill the stadium for a game was (before the 2011 expansion) a standing-room-only crowd of 62,000, when the Tar Heels hosted the Florida State Seminoles in 1997.

Specifically chose this picture because you can't see Mikus isn't wearing pants

Adjacent to the stadium is the 172 foot tall bell tower. Dedicated to John Motley Morehead (class of 1891) and Rufus Lenoir Patterson II who funded the bell tower’s construction, the tower was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, 1931. Up in the belfry are fourteen mechanized bells, which replaced the carillon of twelve manually operated ones some time ago. Traditionally a few days before commencement, seniors get the chance to climb the tower, but on our visit the door was securely locked and we could only imagine the view of campus afforded from the top. Dr. William C. Coker, the first Professor of Botany at the University, designed the hedge and lawn surrounding the tower, with peeks of the stadium down the southeast hedge row.

Continuing north we came to Professor Coker’s legacy, the 5.3 acre Coker Arboretum. The boggy pasture was originally developed as an outdoor classroom for the study of trees, shrubs and vines native to the State, until the 1920’s and following decades when Dr. Coker added many East Asian trees and shrubs. Today the collection ranges from flowering trees and shrubs to bulb and perennial displays, featuring a 300 foot native vine arbor and a Metasequoia (dawn redwood).

After an ice cream stop for the boys we finished our UNC tour at Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery. The pub opened in 1994 and was one of the first microbreweries in the state, and these days is possibly one of the best places to be after a UNC win due to the view of Franklin Street. The infamous “bonfire” celebrations occur when students and fans spill into the street from the bars, restaurants and dorms along Franklin, resulting in occurrences such as after a 1982 game when the street was literally painted blue. In 2009 after winning the men's NCAA championship over 45,000 people crowded Franklin Street.

Top: view from Top of the Hill, bottom: a Franklin Street bonfire (source here)

All three Research Triangle teams are in the tournament this year, and all have fared well so far. Tomorrow UNC (seeded 4^th) will face off against  Wisconsin, while Duke (1^st seed) plays Utah and NC State (8^th seed) upset Villanova for a game against Louisville on Friday. Maybe we’ll see them meet up in the semifinals or finals!

Top of the Hill mascot wearing #23

* A small part of me is cheering on University of North Carolina, just because that’s where my childhood home-town hero played three seasons of basketball. A couple years after his Tar Heels won the national championship in 1982, Michael Jordan joined the Chicago Bulls.

Kicking off the month with cake and football

Along with the beginning of February came a slew of holidays and other occasions, ruining the image of control I had at the end of January, seeming to sneak up on me as it does every year. Luckily I didn’t have to worry about the big events which caught me off guard in Clermont-Ferrand; the short film festival and wine weekend at the Vinidome (which we usually missed anyway during our years in France) or the big rugby game in which France emerged victorious against England in the RBS 6 nations. But I also missed jour des crêpes, the French tradition of a day of crêpes that we had managed to keep since moving back from France. The good news is that there were a dozen other things to observe and celebrate!

With the passing of the Chinese New Year we have entered into the year of the horse, and who cares that Punxsutawney Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter (a few days ago on Groundhog Day), we have been immersed in a birthday celebration! Our youngest marked his second birthday on January 29^th, and Sunday we had a few friends over to celebrate. The bar had been set high as on Lauris’s second birthday dessert consisted of the train cake, but we managed a completely relaxed weekend while still marking this milestone in proper jubilārs vēlās fashion. While discussing possible cakes with Mikus I received a few pointers: mašīna, policija and pikaps (car, police and pickup truck). The result was this cake, for which I used Martha’s one bowl chocolate cake recipe and a vanilla buttercream icing, mixed with some food coloring for the accents.

The weather has warmed considerably since the giant snow storm, and we spent the warmest hours of the day outside. Our guests brought a science experiment, and luckily no one got too sticky during the Mentos-Coke explosion. We soaked up the mid-60˚ temps before heading inside for a chili dinner and the Super Bowl, complete with a bacon-cheese dip and plenty of chips and guacamole, as required by this American holiday centered around food, friends and football.

Of course now we can turn our attention to Sochi for the Winter Olympics. We’ll definitely tune in to watch the opening ceremonies Friday, and despite all the controversy on Russia’s preparation for these games, we are excited to support the Latvian men’s hockey team. They will be taking the ice next Wednesday, so now it is just a matter of rounding up the local Latvians and figuring out how to watch the game….

What a week!

HUGE weekend. In no particular order.

First, the Superbowl. Friends in Indiana have been reporting on the mass craziness in Indianapolis the last week. Although not really a fan of the New York Giants or the New England Patriots (I would root for da Bears being a Chicago girl, as well as the Lions because I have never met a bigger Lions fan than Roberts), I love Superbowl Sunday; the team loyalties, friendly rivalries, awesome snacks, entertaining commercials and all the hype surrounding the halftime show (Bruce and the E Street Band in ’09 was THE best halftime show ever, won't try to compare Madonna). Last year we watched a recording the following day at a friend’s house, and it was not as exciting as watching real time.

Second, the 34^th International Short Film Festival, here in Clermont-Ferrand. This year the festival started on January 27^th and the final day was February the 4^th, Saturday. The event, which originated in 1979, has become the world's first cinema event dedicated to short films. It is the second largest film festival in France after Cannes in terms of audience and professional attendance, but first in terms of number of spectators, as the Cannes festival only allows professionals in theatres. In 2009, the Festival attracted 137,196 visitors from all over the world to Clermont-Ferrand (according to the official website). Last year we missed out on attending by not knowing it was a short film festival, and thinking that Lauris would not be able to handle full-length films. Side note, there were six films representing Latvija in the international competition: Korida (Jānis Cimermanis), Opera Heartbeats (Inese Stāde), Parādi man skaņu (Agnese Laizane), Soup (Maira Dobele), Tārpiņš (Nīls Skarpāns) and Ursus (Reinis Pētersons).

Note the Latvian flag on the left

Third, the kickoff to the Fête des vins de France at the Vinidôme, at the Grand Halle d’Auvergne, here in Clermont-Ferrand. It’s all the expatriates have been talking about these past weeks, with over 450 exhibitors from 350 wineries. According to their website, this is one of the five biggest exhibitions of French wines and last year attracted nearly 53,000 visitors. Last year we missed out for two reasons, the first being that we didn’t have a car (and public transportation would have been do-able but complicated) and the second that I was breastfeeding Lauris, and would have only been able to watch Roberts “tasting.”

So, a very active weekend for us… except we didn’t attend any of these events. With the Superbowl broadcast in the early morning hours we had reserved for attempted sleep, the short film festival in its final day and the fête des vins still… well, containing alcohol, we skipped out on all of the above in order to concentrate solely on the biggest event of the weekend – Mikus’s one week birthday.

Photo: Inga Lucāne