I had an off day so I figured I might head up to North Greenville County, and explore. The first place I stopped was the Poinsett Bridge off Callahan Mtn Rd. As noted in the pictures this bridge was built in 1820 by the daughters of the American Revolution.. not a generation after Thomas Jeffersom and George Washington. The bridge was part of a toll road, and one at the time connecting Charleston to Asheville. Joel Poinsett, then Director of Public Works, commissioned the bridge, fashioned in the Gothic manner with the arch.
As I took pictures I kept thinking that the rough stones on top were the ones built by early settlers, but the whole bridge was built by comtemporary labor, most likely Robert Mills. It has definitely stood the test of time, I descended to the bank and river and walked through the arch and up the other side to take some photos. What struck me was “what is this fine work of engineering doing way out here in the wilderness?” The biggest surprise was that it was constructed without concrete,and yet even the rough stones at the top didnt budge. Joel Poinsett had a vison of a growing state and worked dilligentlly to increase commerce and attract residents. Poinsett later became an important figure : statesman, Secretary of War, and botanist.
I parked across the road, and noted with dismay the trash by the side of the parking lot, though there was a trash can within ten feet. How careless and lazy can you be? After exploring the trails I found which one circled around to Camp Old Indian, a place i had wanted to explore for a long time. After a fifteen minute walk i ran into it. Along the way I noticed a tree filled with Scout graffiti, I meant carvings.. everybody wants to leave something behind, a sense of their immortality..a calling card to future Boy Scout troops.
http://www.blueridgecouncil.org/brcn/oldindian.aspx
Situated in a little valley below Old ndian Mountain (2200 ft) its a Boy Scout camp of the Blue Ridge Council since 1955. It occurred to me after walking through the camp and looking at the maps (pics shown) that this place was well planned and designed for man years to come. They had little “adoniracks’ which are leantoos with an overhanding roof.. I was struck with a sense of tranquility and peace as I crosssed the stream and walked by the lakes. This place was as near to paradise and God as you are going to get in this life! Acessible by Rt 25 and about halfway between Greenville and Hendersonville, its bordered by the Greenville Watershed on the south Old Indian to the north.
This place resounded to the laughter and good times of many a young boy. These boys were taught ethics and skills that help teach them independence and creativity, Importantly they are taught to respect nature and around them and preserve it for generations to come. There is a certain camarderie among Scouts and I sensed it even with an empty campground! I have never been a Boy Scout so I dont know how often, if at all the Bible is brought into the mix, but at least there is a God orientation and ethics to live by! Multiple trails were there to teach them to enjoy nature and explore it, and not leave a trace behind. I have enclosed some pictures of some of the highlights i found.. I thought of how many of our youth spend the majoirty of their time in front of computers and video games and tragically miss the wonders of nature and how to live in it and respect the land. I thought of how quickly the pace of life has picked up since i was in youth camp. People it seems are too busy or to much in a hurry to appreciate the simple things in life. Either they cant sit still enough to do so, or they always think they have to be doing something.
I noticed some slogans of the Boy Scouts as I walked through the camp, Be Prepared! ..they teach them to anticipate emergencies and prepare for them. A big emphasis is put on hands on skills. Another one, Do a Good Turn Daily.. I came to a sign or a series of signs, that seemed to point everywhere but in the right direction. i though they were good at maps rely on your GPS or even your compass but not on this sign!
I went by the Trading Post, and it reminded me of Cowboy Town at the BIll Rice Ranch. Just hitch your horse to the rail and come on in partner! Some of the more interesting things were the totem pole at the entrance to the Reserve and the Indian head at the Entrance. I wondered what the symbols meant on the totem pole? Inscribed below on a plague was a phrase worth mentioning!
“Good deed in this life are coals raked up in embers, to make a fire next day”
In a larger sense Christians have a higher calling are sowing more than good deeds, they are sowing eternal seeds in the lives and minds of young people! We make friends and do good deeds, however we help prepare people for eternity, It doesnt get more important than that!
On the way back to Hwy25 i stopped at North Fork baptist church and was struck by its location. “The Church in the Wildwood” song comes to mind! I had to take some pics. This was a nice trip for the body and mind that didnt cost me hardly anything.
I left this place with a sense of this being a special place. A retreat an oasis of calm, and a training ground for the building of future generations. People want to and to come back here.
PS I noticed that this place has two trees that are ,or are near state records. one poplar is 133 feet tall and 30 feet wide, I have to come back to finish off my photops. LOL I shall return if only to register my little bro Malachi to take part in this great experience!
http://www.scoutingforall.org/ As this link will attest, the Boy Scouts have been not been immune to the political correctness of the day. Now atheists and homosexuals are clamoring to get in.
Observations 