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Upstate Trip: Pickens and Laurens ABATE Meetings

FastFred visits the Upstate Chapters: Pickens and Laurens May 13-14, 2006

I began this trip from Charleston after work and rode straight through to Asheville, North Carolina. Some say you have to wear a helmet in North Carolina but I suggest the law just states you are suppose to wear a state mandated hat. I chose to ride without a lid and met no resistance although I did pass several police cars. My first stop in North Carolina was Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria located at 42 Biltmore in downtown Asheville. Highland Brewery is located in the basement of the same building. Barley's had many beers not available in South Carolina due to our silly 6% ABV law. I sampled three beers and a couple of pizza slices before riding to the Cove. Just as I was about to ride to the Cove I got notice of Otis' sad and early passing from this world in Summerville. However when I arrived in the Cove I was pleasantly surprised that one of my childhood friends had mowed the grass earlier in the day. However I did not have much time to visit in the Cove due to the ABATE meetings I was to attend during the weekend.

The Pickens meeting was not hard to find at Knucklehedz in Easley. Knuclehedz provided fruit and various munchies for the meeting and the place was clean and friendly too. The meeting was professionally run and on topic; this was one of the friendliest ABATE meetings I have ever attended. Members discussed the current legislative issues and made plans to call representative and senators before Tuesday to support our current bills. During the meeting Gary and Donna invited everyone over for a barbeque at their home. Several members rode to Bob's Place better known to locals as Scatter-Brains; this place was an authentic little redneck shack complete with an outhouse. The view from the front porch was beautiful. Nearing dark we rode to Gary and Donna's house and ate a great dinner. Gary and Donna were kind enough to open their beautiful handcrafted house to me for the night. I slept great and the large orange cat only stared at me; I think he wanted his bed back. Donna maintains the Pickens Chapter web site.

Sunday I met with the chapter coords of Greenville and Pickens for a ride to the Laurens Chapter meeting. While the morning began with rain the ride was almost dry. Laurens meets in a VFW hall. Their meeting short and sweet; legislative matters were all professionally addressed. The meeting was completed in under one hour. Again I was pleasantly surprised how friendly and enjoyable this meeting was conducted. It was a true pleasure visiting ABATE meetings with no finger pointing or drama. The attendance of the Laurens meeting may have been light due to mothers day but there was a decent turn out.

Finally the ride home began. I managed to dodge the storms to Columbia and stop for a couple of beers and a burger at the Flying Saucer. This helped me avoid a storm passing from Lexington across I-26 to Columbia and beyond. After eating I rode through sunny skies to Orangeburg As I neared I-95 light rain began to fall again. By the time I reached Ridgeville I found myself in a strong thunderstorm cell. The rain was hard until I neared my exit and dime sized hail began falling. I was only too happy I was only a few miles from home.

Next week I plan to visit another ABATE meeting or two. If you or your chapter would like a visit drop me a line.

~FastFred

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