(Nope, this photo ain’t from Texas, but bear with me a bit…)
Yesterday I checked “drive through Atlanta on I-85 during rush hour” off my bucket list.
Granted, it was down toward the bottom of the list, right around “get stung by a dozen marauding cow killers”, “burn a scented candle that smells like a skunk”, and “lick a fire ant hill multiple times after poking it with a stick” but it has been checked off nonetheless.
You see, we were right there at five o’clock and I figured we might as well while we were in the area.
It’s overrated.
And actually didn’t seem as bad as I-35 in Austin during rush hour.
Anyway, the reason we were driving through Atlanta is that we took a one-night trip up to Spartanburg from Point Clear, Alabama so that James and Autumn and Christopher (his older sister and brother) could meet. We started heading back down south around 2pm Eastern.
Despite the Atlanta experience, I am super thankful that we were able to make this very short trip. We spent time with them Monday afternoon and yesterday morning.
This is the last time we’ll see them in Spartanburg, as they’ll be moving up to New York early next year.
I’m thankful we were able to have lunch at Sugar-n-Spice in Spartanburg yesterday (I had a chili cheeseburger a-plenty– ie, with fries and onion rings– and it was as fantastic as ever). I’ve had at least one meal there at nearly every trip I’ve made out there over the last four years (so I’d guess at least two dozen meals). It’s my favorite Spartanburg restaurant, and I’m going to miss it!
I’m thankful we were able to meet my parents there so they could spend time with their grandchildren.
I’m thankful that Spartanburg has been such a great place to visit my children over the last four years.
I’m thankful for all the new adventures we’re going to have in New York in the coming years.
I’m thankful for the friendly folks at Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Spartanburg, where we’ve attended Divine Services each Sunday when I’ve been in town visiting my children.
I’m thankful for all the little road trips we were able to make to places in North and South Carolina: the SC State House in Columbia, Woodrow Wilson’s childhood home in Columbia, the Revolutionary War historic sites in Ninety-Six, Kings Mountain, and Cowpens, John Calhoun’s home at Clemson University, Historic Brattonsville, Carl Sandburg’s home in Flat Rock, NC, and more.
I’m thankful that God blessed us with good weather in Spartanburg on Monday and Tuesday, and good travelling weather to and from Spartanburg (and to Point Clear, Alabama on Saturday).
I’m thankful that we were able to travel safely, and even though we were slowed down in Atlanta, I’m thankful that we weren’t involved in any of the accidents we saw in town (or any of the accidents we saw at other points during our journey).
I’m thankful that we have a reliable vehicle that’s good for road trips like this.
I’m thankful that we’re able to spend Thanksgiving with Margie’s family.
I’m thankful to be able to live in Texas, and to have been able to have been a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Austin, and now be a member of St. Paul in Thorndale.
I’m thankful that the Thorndale Meat Market is conveniently located for Sunday lunch after Divine Services at St. Paul Thorndale!
I’m thankful for all my friends at the Texas Wendish Heritage Society in Serbin, and to have been fortunate enough to spend so much time in Giddings and Lee County (particularly at the City Meat Market in Giddings).
I’m thankful for Dairy Queens and divinity.
I’m thankful that all y’all take the time to read, comment on, and share all the weird historical tidbits I post along with my photos.
I’m thankful for my three wonderful children, for my parents who have done so much to help me during my visits to Spartanburg over the last four years, and for my wife Margie, who has been so very supportive of my crazy road trips, my fascination with history, and all the “just one more pictures” I’ve stopped and taken.
And so much more.
God has truly blessed me. My cup runneth over.
So from my family to all y’all, a very, very Happy Thanksgiving! If you’re traveling, I pray that your travels are safe, and may you be blessed in the days ahead.
(I make it a point to credit all the photos I post on this page that I didn’t take. My father, Van Clifton, took this one with my camera.)