North Carolina and South Carolina

[elude]

Hey,

I will be spending a few weeks in the area of Asheville, Greenville this august...
Do you live around there ?

I am going there for "work" and would LOVE to meet RFF members.
Also, can you tell me how what's the weather like ? What I should be wearing, what I should see... visit... ?

Thanks for the feedback if there's any

Peace

[gb hill]

It will be nicer in the mountain's of Asheville, more humid in Greenville. I'm in NC but about 3 hrs away from both places. RFF member mwooten lives around Greenville. There is one that lives in Asheville but I can't remember who. I'm not sure how the nights are in the NC mtns in August but perhaps a light jacket might be necessary to bring along. You'll enjoy Asheville.

[gb hill]

In Asheville there is the Biltmore house where all the tourist go. Be sure to visit the downtown section. Cool looking Arts district. In Greenville the BMW plant has a european car museum. I haven't been but I hear is a must see if your a car enthusist. We had a RFF meet there last Oct. but I was unable to make it.

[elude]

Thanks a lot Greg. I don't usually do touristic stuff (I live in Paris and have never been on the Effeil Tower). However I will make sure to visit the mountains, that's part of why I am travelling there. Where do you live ? I may visit Raleigh and Charleston aswell.

I'm just happy that I won't have to bring heavy clothes; the lighter the better.

[Richard G]

I visited Charleston in the mid '90s for a conference. I missed most of the conference. That is a very special city. I wish I'd skipped even more of the conference and seen Savannah.

[Livesteamer]

On the east side of Asheville is the small town of Black Mountain. It has lots of arts and crafts to see. Also check out Ball Photo in Asheville. They are much smaller than they used to be but still have lots of stuff, both old and new, as well as piles of stuff to sort thru if you are a camera collector.

If you get to Winston Salem, go north about 20 minutes to Pilot Mountain. A lovely spot and nearby is Mount Airy, the inspiration for Andy Griffiths Mayberry.

The beaches are great too. Enjoy and Safe Travels. Joe

[elude]

Thank you, these inspired pieces of advice will definitely have an effect on my trip. God it's only a month away, I can not wait.

Do you think we can find film in the area ? (Kodak Trix)

[Livesteamer]

Ball Photo has a refrigerator full of all kinds of film. I think there may also still be a Leica dealer in Asheville. Iris photo, I think.

Hopefully you won't need this but there is also Crystal camera repair.

Joe

[gdi]

Originally Posted by elude

Thank you, these inspired pieces of advice will definitely have an effect on my trip. God it's only a month away, I can not wait.

Do you think we can find film in the area ? (Kodak Trix)

If you are going to be in Asheville during the Bele Chere Festival you should have lots of fun street shooting opps; it is July 27-29th. Other than that, you have to hit the Blue Ridge Pkwy (assuming you'll have a car) and head to Mount Pisgah if you want some really beautiful Mountain views. Several waterfalls are close to the road on US 276 which leads into Brevard, including Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls.


The drive from Brevard toward Greenville takes you to some beautiful views as you head over Caesar's Head. Personally, I think Asheville is the place to be compared to Greenville.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by elude

Hey,

I will be spending a few weeks in the area of Asheville, Greenville this august...
Do you live around there ?

I am going there for "work" and would LOVE to meet RFF members.
Also, can you tell me how what's the weather like ? What I should be wearing, what I should see... visit... ?

Thanks for the feedback if there's any

Peace

Weather? It is July/August and it is hot...go here to check on forecasts as the time nears:

http://www.weather.com/weather/right-now/USNC0022:1:US

Evenings and mornings are quite pleasant with occasional showers in the mountains in the afternoon...it is a rain forest of sorts after all but nothing to be concerned about as it is pretty dry in the summer.

What kind of cool job is that sending you to the mountains, the playground of the old money wealthy people from New York a hundred years ago?

Beautiful area and we travel there every year several times. Motorcycles, MG cars, SUV, sedans, whatever we have had, we always "live" in the area when we can. Touring!

Give me a PM and we can discuss possibly hooking up for lunch one day as we will be in the Smoky Mtns.

[Bingley]

I once asked a friend from South Carolina why his southern accent sounded so different from that of an acquaintance from North Carolina. He laughed and said it was because North Carolina is a valley of humility between two mountains of conceit.

[mwooten]

I live in Greenville, and am happy to read that you are visiting my city. I’ll send you my contact info via pm.

The weather here should be in the low to mid 90’s during the day next month. Nights should be in the high 70’s. The mountains are usually about 5-10 degrees cooler. Humidity will be high.

As for film, I have been buying all of mine through the internet (B&H, Freestyle) because the few stores that still sell black & white film are too expensive. Let me know if you want me to order a brick of tri-x from B&H for you. You may also want to consider adding some 100 speed because it tends to be bright during our summers.

Charleston is an easy three hour drive from Greenville, and I am glad to read that you are considering adding it to your trip. As others have written, there are some wonderful places in the mountains of NC. Maybe we can organize an August Southeastern RFF meet-up for Asheville. Let us know when you are arriving.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by mwooten

I live in Greenville, and am happy to read that you are visiting my city. I’ll send you my contact info via pm.

The weather here should be in the low to mid 90’s during the day next month. Nights should be in the high 70’s. The mountains are usually about 5-10 degrees cooler. Humidity will be high.

As for film, I have been buying all of mine through the internet (B&H, Freestyle) because the few stores that still sell black & white film are too expensive. Let me know if you want me to order a brick of tri-x from B&H for you. You may also want to consider adding some 100 speed because it tends to be bright during our summers.

Charleston is an easy three hour drive from Greenville, and I am glad to read that you are considering adding it to your trip. As others have written, there are some wonderful places in the mountains of NC. Maybe we can organize an August Southeastern RFF meet-up for Asheville. Let us know when you are arriving.

+1 on the ISO 100 film. It is just too much to ask of TriX during the day in most cases between 9am and 8pm.

As Michael said, we can all meet up somewhere...just need to know your itinerary.

[gb hill]

Originally Posted by elude

Thanks a lot Greg. I don't usually do touristic stuff (I live in Paris and have never been on the Effeil Tower). However I will make sure to visit the mountains, that's part of why I am travelling there. Where do you live ? I may visit Raleigh and Charleston aswell.

I'm just happy that I won't have to bring heavy clothes; the lighter the better.

I'm not much for the tourist stuff either. I like the off beaten places. I live near Winston Salem so not too far away. A RFF meet sounds like an idea.

[Greyscale]

I believe that RFF member farleymac lives in that neck of the woods as well.

[dave lackey]

So, what is the itinerary?

[elude]

Hey,

So far... Here's my itinerary.

[burancap]

Originally Posted by gdi

If you are going to be in Asheville during the Bele Chere Festival you should have lots of fun street shooting opps; it is July 27-29th.

That sounds interesting! Wonder if the OP will be in town yet?

A very rough halfway between Asheville (closer) and Greenville is Hendersonville with a quaint main street area full of small shops. Also Lake Lure (site of Dirty Dancing film) is not far off the path, as well as Chimney Rock.

Weather can be very pleasant, but August can also be miserably hot. Pack light and if you need a sweater/jacket -buy it here...

[burancap]

Originally Posted by elude

Hey,

So far... Here's my itinerary.

LOL, we must have posted within seconds of each other... and I hadn't seen Dave's post... spooky.

[elude]

Eheh.

So I should tell you all why I am going to North Carolina :

It started when I read a french book called "American Ecolo". It explains how the United States' awareness towards the environment has changed over the past 10 years. From GWB to Obama basically.

I did some research on the matter and found out about all these communities, ecovillages, co-housing projects that existed or were in the process of building, over the United-States. Mostly located in Oregon, Washington state, California and North Carolina.

I decided that I would try to meet some of these communities, depending on their project and photograph them as well as interview them. My goal being documenting these alternatives ways of living by showing their environment and the consequences on people.

That's the short story but that's basically it. According to my researchs Asheville seemed to be the best spot to crash as there's numbers of communities in the area.

I have had contact with maybe ten communities so far and hope to discover more once I get there. So if you know anything I'd be happy to learn from you

Larry

[dave lackey]

Cool! You will be in Canada and New York!

What weekend/days do you plan to be in Asheville and Greenville?

Also, the Interstate is so boring, I would recommend you get off the Interstate and onto the Blueridge Parkway at Roanoke, Va. The most scenic road is south of there anyway all the way into Tennessee!

It will add hours to your drive but it is well worth it. It will actually take you through Asheville.... Then, for a scenic drive, go south to the southern end and it is amazing!

[elude]

I know this may seem strange, but I don't have a driving license. I am a true Parisian . We only use bicycles, buses and subways here.

[elude]

I should be in Asheville by august 6th.

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Cool! You will be in Canada and New York!

What weekend/days do you plan to be in Asheville and Greenville?

Also, the Interstate is so boring, I would recommend you get off the Interstate and onto the Blueridge Parkway at Roanoke, Va. The most scenic road is south of there anyway all the way into Tennessee!

It will add hours to your drive but it is well worth it. It will actually take you through Asheville.... Then, for a scenic drive, go south to the southern end and it is amazing!

[jippiejee]

South Carolina is the only place I've visited in the USA. Charleston was a pretty nice town, but be warned that they don't sell beer in your hotel. So after a long exhausting hot trip, finally at my hotel, I had to drink bloody coca cola, it was all they had. Bring some booze or suffer.

[elude]

Ima bring wine for my hosts, maybe for RFFers too if you're into french wine