Today's ride started with a couple stops just a few minutes from my house. First up is "The Gun" as it is known locally. This thing was erected in memory of a soldier killed in Vietnam. IIRC, it's an anti-aircraft gun and is in working order aside from a few key parts to keep it being able to fire.
Next brings me into the last remaining industry in this county, a sprawling paper mill. NS keeps backup locomotives parked here because there are wood chip trains daily, and boxcars of paper leaving daily.
62HP meets 3000HP
Dwarfed
Also, in that same town, you find three murals on buildings. This one is is my favorite though. It depicts several local people that were well known for various reason. My Great Uncle is the guy with the chair. He was an awesome wood worker and a general contractor that built several notable buildings around the two towns.
The next town has a big Railroad history, and still has a couple relics around. Here is the old depot from 1879 and a restored caboose. A local model railroad club cares for the building and caboose now.
Southern line caboose
Depot
Also, this town has bears all over Main St. There are about 13 I think. They all have names and all kinds of different designs.
Following the now closed railroad to the southeast, brings me to the next small town.
This is the home of the steepest mainline railroad grade in the US, the Saluda Grade. It is now closed, and all trains come up into the mountains via Black Mountain.
Main St:
Original depot from 1867. The freight house is still there and restored and in use as well. Neither for RR purposes though.
Looking down the famous grade:
Following an old US route into the next town led to some awesome views. The mountain standing guard at the foot of the Saluda grade on I-26 towers above the intersection of I-26, US74 and the town of Columbus. A super crooked narrow mountain road can take you to the top with two great spots to take in some expansive views.
The mountain:
Looking north-ish into the valley where Chimney Rock and Lake Lure can be found:
On the other side of the ridge looking mostly south, you can look off into South Carolina and the town of Columbus:
A look eastward and you can see I-26 snaking its way up the mountain:
The road itself is quite an adventure. Narrow, steep, crooked and nearly falling off the mountain.
Lots of steep switchbacks like this can be found:
Good and crooked the whole way
It has an odd little 1-lane section:
A few places like this where the mountain is ready to dump the road into the valley below:
Hope you enjoyed!
JM
