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As I push toward South Florida for the holidays, I'm through with this year's search for a homestead location, so I decided to return to locations and people I enjoyed too many years ago. In 2017, I found a bike hostel in rural Georgia, and I am so pleased that The Blue Goose is still alive and well. I didn't get to chat too long with the owners, Donna and Roger, but it is pretty clear how they've continued to draw travelers and evolve in this small community. The hostel, a lovely cottage built in 1847, is still a comfortable spot for travelers, but now a delightful bakery, general store, and event space, too, to attract folks from the surrounding area. Roger is also in his second term as Mayor of Irwinton (population 840), and the couple are building a unique home on the 2.5 acre property. Stagnation does not seem to be in their vocabulary. My visit was an afternoon at the historic church with friendly locals, one sunny day to bike about the area (nearby Toomsboro has not sold), and a rainy day to get soaked walking about town, then to be lazy. Otherwise, good meals, a long conversation with a wise 35 year old, and very sound sleep. Eight years ago, I thoroughly enjoyed my second-ever Airbnb experience with a lovely woman named Eleanor in Gainesville. Following a backroads journey south through Georgia, I arrived to this 82 year old opening her front door to say, "I remember you!" and offering a hug. She invited me to a Dances of Universal Peace event, good food here and there throughout the week, and a trail ride to her favorite tree at week's end. Of note, she had three other guests as well. When you look up "sprightly" in the dictionary, Eleanor's picture is there. Thankfully, this is my third visit to Gainesville as half the week was rain followed by heavy rain. Not so bad actually, as I played outside at my favorite spots and let myself sit to read and write. I like Gainesville as it checks a lot of the boxes on my "must have" homestead list. Unfortunately, it's in Florida.
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Yes I've been trolling about Greenville, South Carolina for more than three weeks on another "Could I live here?" journey. This is my 4th visit to this popular city since hitting the road, but it's the first time I peruse a variety of neighborhoods and take a look at properties. Of course it hasn't been all work and no play as I've thoroughly enjoyed biking the 22-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail, revisiting the impressive Museum of Art, and spending a day or two lollygagging downtown and in nearby Traveler's Rest. My host, Emily is an easy-going 35-year old woman (originally from Wisconsin) with an adorable, bossy cat, Vanellope. We're in the Berea neighborhood, halfway between Greenville city center and Traveler's Rest, while just a few miles from the Trail. I continue to be impressed with Greenville -- a city with plenty of green space, a pedestrian-friendly Main Street, and well-planned historic preservation. During my visit nearly five years ago, I mentioned that Greenville was growing and I can tell you that it hasn't stopped. If you want to live in the heart of the city, bring a big check (there's a 2/2 condo on the market right now at the riverfront for $1.4 million). It's trendy, it's sprawling, and it's now the most populous county in the state. The strangest thing is how horrible the roads are county-wide -- no shoulders, no sidewalks, and every road has at least two names. I've been living 3-5 miles from all things Greenville for 25 days and I've been in my car for 24 of them. Greenville, you're a nice place to visit, but I don't want to be a member of the car culture. |
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February 2026
AuthorCyclist, writer, teacher, avid reader, bike/ped advocate, nomad, pie lover Categories |
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