The Up State Review

By Chris

It's been a really long, but very enjoyable day. Made my way to the what they call "The Upstate" in South Carolina, which is basically the Greenville - Spartanburg and surrounding area, all the way to the western North Carolina mountains. I had the pleasure of getting reacquainted with small propellar planes on the early morning flight. I had forgotten how loud those are . . . and bumpy. I spent all day and night in the Upstate, hopping all over the place for a good 15 hours. Saw hundreds of people and talked to dozens, and the Upstate is an incredibly friendly, caring community-oriented place. I've been here before, but never got exposed to so much of the communities like today and tonight. It wouldn't be a bad place to live. Special thanks to my escort who adeptly maneuvered me around to get the most out of every minute in town.

Only a few insiders will get this, but I even got to check out Apostle Land at 11 p.m. It was easy to find it with the huge, tall multi-colored flashing sign with LOUD graphics, which really reminded me of stuff from my family entertainment center days. The compound, I mean campus, was blokced by a closed gate, so we couldn't get too close. But I could spy the huge buildings, loudly painted. A sign by the gate said, "First time visitors, blink your lights and you will receive instructions." Huh?? It all struck me as weird.

I'll be back early afternoon tomorrow . . . . missing everyone, especially since Ben pulled the crying thing at 4 this morning :((

One final funny thing. Conversation between me and the hotel clerk at check - in:

Me: Do you have a shuttle that goes to the airport?

Clerk: Yes.

Me: Does it run tomorrow morning?

Clerk: Yes. What time do you need to go.

Me: How about 8:45.

Clerk: No. That's not one of the times.

Me: 8:30?

Clerk: No. (Uhhh, wouldn't it be more efficient if she would just tell me when it DOES run).

Me: When does it run.

Clerk: Every 20 minutes.

Me: Starting when?

Clerk: confused look

Me: Well . . . which 20 minutes. Starting on the hour?

Clerk: Still looking somewhat confused, but says Yes.

Me: So, how about 8:20?

Clerk: O.k. Let me check the book (Uhhh. will this magic book confirm that 8:20 is in fact 2o minutes past the hour?. . . . . . . . Yes. 8:20. Got it. Writes down my name in a book that has nothing else written on that day.

It should be interesting to see what actually happens at 8:20 tomorrow!.