Being close to the Atlantic Ocean was a treat. There are flocks of shorebirds flying overhead, miles of grassy marshes, creeks and dunes, and quaint villages of antebellum houses. But, it was getting hotter and muggier by the day . . . so we headed up the coast and inland to northwestern South Carolina and the home of Ruth and Eugene Crabb, Gene's father's cousin. They live in Inman, near Spartanburg, on several acres of land once farmed but now a manicured lawn abundant with trees.
The Crabbs are in their 80's (Eugene is 89). They divide their year between Delray Beach, FL and the farm. There are three houses on the far: the "big house" built in the 1880's which is reserved for guests; a small house they rent out; and their own one-bedroom cottage with screened in porch overlooking a pond and golf course next door. Ruth used to tend the garden, but they now hire a man to cut the lawn and trim the trees. There are apple, pear, peach, fig and lovely shade trees all around! Paula and David would love it here.
Eurgene drove us into Spartanburg (yes, he still drives quite competently), for a tour of Converse College where he once served as dean of the music dept. All of Eugene's siblings played musical instruments in their family band. His granddaughter, Susan, now assistant athletic director at Converse, greeted us at the gymn. Converse is a college for women, and Spartanburg and nearby Greensville each have serveral colleges, some with religious affiliations.
We had a great visit . . . the Genes told family stories and brought each other up to date, I gathered info for the Crabb family tree, and Ruth made homemade peach icecream. We departed feeling very welcomed and wanting to return one day.
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