Downtown Greenville is great to visit.  While you are there, stop by O.P. Taylors and the MAST General store.  Once you've gotten your fill of candy, toys, camping equipment and mill ground grits, take a walk down to Falls Park.  It's a lovely little park around the Reedy River.  I think the pictures speak for themselves.  You can see the full gallery by clicking the link at the bottom. [smugmug url="http://dpack.smugmug.com/hack/feed.mg?Type=gallery&Data=14364477_hZT6m&format=rss200" imagecount="9" start="1" num="6" thumbsize="Th" link="image" captions="false" sort="false" … [Read more...]

I have many wonderful memories of Asbury Hills United Methodist Camp.  I went for retreats there as a teenager.  For two summers during college I worked there as a counselor and later a ropes and trips coordinator.  After college, I have occasionally returned for mission work of a non-standard variety.  I've installed software, fixed computers, run Ethernet cable, set up servers and even created a wireless internet bubble between three camp buildings. Through the time I've spent there, I've met many wonderful people and grown as a person.  I've also found several imaginative uses for duct … [Read more...]

On the 18th of September, I attended my first Scottish Games.  It was a wonderful time.  I volunteered with the Charleston Jaycees.  After a couple hours manning a booth, I spent an enjoyable afternoon watching the games, listening to pipe bands and taking pictures.  If I have the time, I'll definitely attend next year. [smugmug url="http://dpack.smugmug.com/hack/feed.mg?Type=gallery&Data=13844177_2Wt6z&format=rss200" imagecount="15" start="2" num="12" thumbsize="Th" link="image" captions="false" sort="false" window="false" smugmug="true" size="L"] … [Read more...]

I had a few minutes today, and I decided to take a few pictures in historic Charleston.  I took these photos from the top of the Cumberland garage near East Bay Street. [smugmug url="http://dpack.smugmug.com/hack/feed.mg?Type=gallery&Data=13352751_rPr8C&format=rss200" imagecount="15" start="7" num="3" thumbsize="Th" link="image" captions="false" sort="false" window="false" smugmug="true" size="XL"] … [Read more...]

I've already posted a link to my pictures of Savannah, but a couple took extra effort to make. I've been experimenting with panoramic photography lately, and I used my trip to Savannah to further develop that skill. [smugmug url="http://dpack.smugmug.com/hack/feed.mg?Type=gallery&Data=13352751_rPr8C&format=rss200" imagecount="10" start="2" num="6" thumbsize="Th" link="image" captions="false" sort="false" window="false" smugmug="true" size="XL"] … [Read more...]

I spent this last weekend in Savannah. Much like Charleston and the rest of the southeast, I found two types of weather in Savannah: blistering heat and rain. Despite it feeling like an oven during most of my stay, I had a great time. Historic Savannah is beautiful to look at and explore, and the city is very easy to navigate on foot or by tour bus. I was lucky to find an overcast morning on Sunday to walk around and take pictures for a few hours. I especially loved the mix of green space with all the historic buildings. As a southerner, I can appreciate the usage of trees to provide … [Read more...]

Rev. Debra was back in church this Sunday.  She'd been out the last several weeks recovering from surgery on her foot.  You could tell she was glad to be back, and the congregation was happy to see her.  Thanks to everyone who has been helping fill in while she's been gone. Communion today was done at a table.  Debra was at one end with the bread and the cup, and congregation members would come sit at the table.  She would pass the bread and cup to the person on her right who would in turn take communion and continue passing the items.  It was a nice change of pace for communion, and it … [Read more...]