The Iron Key

                           We have a new restaurant in town that just opened a few weeks ago, which was a surprise when restaurants are having trouble staying afloat, but it was hopping and we got there late one evening.

                              It is the local jail from 1932, and I had to laugh when I read the dog rules, if you don't have a collar and leash, they can supply handcuffs. 

       It's down a side street off of Main Street which I had never gone down because there was no reason.  I didn't even know it was coming, but the local printer told Bob about it when he was getting his print work for court one day and he surprised me with dinner.

                                  It still has the original front door, heavy metal and the key that opens it is framed above the bar.  It is also a brewery, which if my nephew ever visits me I will bring him here for a taste test.

        This little outbuilding is solitary confinement and houses two prisoners.  

                                  Cool metal door on this one, too, with a peep hole.

Looking through the peep hole inside.     

                              Inside is industrial and open.

                               I had an apple cider mimosa, yum!  Had a mushroom black bean veggie burger on a brioche bun, that was awesome.  Bob had a "real" burger and fries.

       Out on the main road down closer to our house is an old mill that was just bought, and they have big plans for this one, too.  This place is huge and sits on the Pacolet River.

                  I walked along the river and saw what I thought was a seal, only for an instant, then realized I was seeing otters, but they saw me, too, and were gone in a flash before I could even turn my camera on.

                              The old bridge is the main road and our house is beyond that where the mountain is.

                It's really a nice walk along this river, which is rushing up against the rocks and has lots of birds and wildflowers along it.

     I have been walking the river just about every day at different times trying to find the otters to photograph with no luck, but one day!!  This heron has been hard to capture on film, too, but today I got lucky!