August 6 - My August Birthday Find: Greenville, SOUTH Carolina

I spent my 27th birthday (again) in Greenville, SOUTH Carolina. Why there? Joel used to work there and knew the area. I had a wonderful tour guide who showed me one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen - the cleanest city I've ever seen - and one with so much to do, with so many people - yet waitresses said it was a "slow night."

The city was actually based upon designs from San Antonio, but offers a European flair. To me, it resembled Old Quebec City in Canada. Outdoor cafes, boutiques, trees and a sense of style and fashion.

Several years ago, city leaders hired a consultant to help them formulate a direction. They learned a river and wonderful waterfall were underneath a state road that ran through town. It took some convincing, but the state tore up the road, exposing what is now one of the most popular places to go. A very unusual footbridge crosses the river so you can stand and watch the waterfall for hours.

So, if you're like me and stayed on I-85 en route to Atlanta, I strongly encourage you to spend time in downtown Greenville, SOUTH Carolina. I'll go back!

August Story Finds - A German Restaurant in Carthage?

We took a double take. It didn't look real.
Joel and I were on NC Hwy. 15/501 south of Sanford, near Carthage, when we passed a German restaurant. Yes, German.
We stopped - and will go back.
It's a little pricy, but where can you go to get authentic German food? Beer steins line a wall, Bavarian clocks are scattered throughout and the waitresses wear traditional dress.

After our experience there, I passed along the tip to Bob Garner, food reporter for UNC-TV. He taped a segment there on August 19 for playback sometime soon. He "pigged" out on the barbecued pig knuckle. It's huge. For more information about the restaurant, call (910)947-5508.

Oh, I don't speak German. My mother, whose father was German, said I needed to learn it - a family thing, you know. Well, after 4 years of French and 4 years of Spanish I just couldn't get the swing of German. So, I dropped the class after 2 weeks and my mom never has forgiven me!