Hamburger America, Pt. 1

In sifting through my book collection, I stumbled upon one from 2008 that I had yet to really read, titled Hamburger America: A State-By_state Guide to 100 Great Burger Joints. As I thumbed through it, I realized I had actually been to a few, including the Northgate Soda Shop in Greenville, South Carolina.



During my one-and-only trip to Greenville in 2017, I dined at this spot located on Main Street.



I had to get their classic Pimiento Cheeseburger. According to the Hamburger America book, “You’ll either love it or hate it,” one of the waitresses was quoted as saying. Made fresh every day, the Pimiento spread is a combo of mayonnaise, cheddar, and diced pimientos.



The place was a veritable museum of antiques that I could have spent days looking at.



This vintage photo shows how the Soda Shop looked “back in the day.”



…and how it looks now (or at least when I visited in 2017):



In reading the book, I realized that many of these old joints have bit the dust, including one in San Diego (Western Steakburger) that I’d never sampled. I also learned that while I was in Memphis in 2009, I shot the neon sign for another legendary burger joint:



…without even knowing the history of what was going on inside. The burgers have been cooked in the same grease for the last 90 years (or at least until the time of the book being published). Talk about tasting history! When the restaurant was moved from its original location to Beale Street, police escorts accompanied the van that carried the historic buckets of grease to make sure they got to their destination safely!

Folks, don’t ever take history for granted. Now you see it, (chances are) now you don’t. With that in mind, I plan on hitting the Apple Pan next time I'm in LA!

See more Greenville photos at my main website.

2017: Leaving On A Jet Plane

Although not quite as hectic as last year, 2017 saw me get on and off a plane way too many times. I am plum tuckered out. Still, nothing like a little travel to open up your eyes and broaden your horizons with new experiences. Here's the Reader's Digest version of 2017. First up in February was Nashville, Tennessee for a Board of Director's meeting. Despite a ton-o-meetings I had a whirlwind tour of Music City that included the Ryman Auditorium and Union Hotel.



In March, a quick trip to Las Vegas introduced me to the Neon Museum Boneyard...



and the Cosmopolitan Hotel. What a view from my balcony!



One month later it was off to Greenville for a Design Conference I was chairing.



May found me back in Vegas for one night to shoot the wedding of my barber at the Little Church of the West.



What a blast!



I had a slight break until September, when I boarded a plane (again) for a whirlwind trip though Virginia including Richmond:



Colonial Williamsburg:



and Charlottesville:



One month later, another conference and Board of Director's meeting for UCDA took me to Baltimore:



with a detour to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, to see Mom:



November was fossil hunting in The Berkshires:



with a one day excursion to San Francisco in December:



None of this post documents the many additional trips to LA, Palm Springs, and other semi-local areas to which I had a number of fun photo shoots. So thankful for a week off to catch up on rest...and figure out where 2018 and will take me! Hard to believe, but not once did I set foot on a Disney property in the entire calendar year. Will that trend hold? Who knows.

See more Daveland photos at my main website.

Springwood Cemetery

It's probably a bit creepy, but I love visiting the older cemeteries. Stepping through their gates is like entering a portal into the past. The craftsmanship of the headstones...the inferred stories from looking at the dates and inscriptions...the decay of the stones as nature takes over...to me, it is an exquisite experience of storytelling at its best. Springwood Cemetery in Greenville, South Carolina did not disappoint.

Throughout the cemetery there are tributes to the men who lost their lives during the bloody battles of the Civil War. Regardless of what the fight was over, the huge loss of life is quite sad and still palpable.



It is difficult to understand that it takes violence to resolve an issue; all these years later, the source of the conflict still exists. My hope is that one day we all learn to communicate in a way that is respectful so that we can listen and learn from the different perspectives that abound.



The graves of children also bring much sadness, and can be recognized through symbols of innocence, such as this lamb carved atop the headstone.



The grief of a parent who suffers this loss can be felt throughout.



Mixed with the loss is the promise of Spring and renewal, as witnessed through the blossoms of the Dogwood.





Despite the seeming durability of stone, nothing lasts forever though, and nature eventually takes over.



More Cemetery shots at my main website.

The Poinsett Rooftop

From the outside at street level, my UCDA Design Summit Conference hotel looked like most vintage hotels. Lotsa brick, cool architectural details, and of course a fountain out front. End of story about the Westin Poinsett Hotel? Not quite. You know there always has to be more at Daveland.

Wandering back to the hotel one night after dinner and doing some random shooting on Main Street, I looked up and noticed a huge neon sign that said "Poinsett Hotel." Huh; I wonder where that is? As I walked closer, I realized it was atop the hotel I was staying at! My mind raced as I thought, "I have to get up there."

This next shot was not taken from the roof; it was early around 5am one morning and took a lot of walking, climbing, and maneuvering to get the entire sign without having tree branches block it or missing any part of the letters. The things I do to get a photo; and of course it was the one trip I left my 600mm lens at home.



My first request to get to the roof was denied by the desk clerk. She told me in so many words that it wasn't going to happen unless there was a wedding or engagement. Hmmmm...how quickly could I pull something together? Instead, I enlisted the help of the Executive Director of UCDA, and before I knew it...voila. Rooftop access.



While I would have preferred to shoot the sign up close at night, I was not about to complain. It was still mighty amazing to be up close and personal with this vintage sign.



You don't really notice the railing from below. I was in detail heaven.



More Greenville, SC at my main website.

Skateboarding in Greenville

After my conference sessions were over, I headed out to get some more photos of Greenville. Venturing onto Main Street I was almost knocked down by a group of very festive runners. Fortunately, the Upstate Hash House Harriers were not camera shy, and willingly posed for a few shots. Be sure to notice the guy who was dressed as Randy "Macho Man" Savage: "OHHHHH YEAAAAAAAAH....."

As if that impromptu moment wasn't enough, I was also fortunate enough to stumble upon a group of skateboarders who were also cool with me snapping a few shots.









This guy impressed me the most; he was able to hang onto his cigarette the entire time. Now THAT'S dedication.



This is why I try to carry my camera with me at all times.

More Greenville at my main website.

The Brick Street Café

Recently I was in Greenville, SC for the UCDA Design Summit. Busy with chairman duties, I didn't get as much time as I would have liked for my morning runs. However, on the one day I did get to do some cardio, I happened upon a cool little restaurant just outside the West End Historic District. One of the benefits of being on foot instead of behind the wheel is that you notice so much more. I made a mental note and ended up returning for dinner on my last night in town. What a great choice.

The statue outside set the tone for the slightly kooky and fun decor of the restaurant interior.



I was told I could sit anywhere I'd like; of course it took a bit for me to do so as I feasted my eyes upon the eclectic decor.



Live music was featured at the back of the restaurant; not too loud, not too soft. Just right.



There were many dining rooms and areas to choose from; I picked one that was slightly less inhabited so that I could eat (and take my photos) without being noticed!



I love this quote from Margaret Mitchell, author of "Gone with the Wind" which has been slightly cut off: "Southerners can never resist a losing cause."



I ordered Granny's Spaghetti for my entree, which was delicious:



And I had to go with the waitress' suggestion of the Sweet Potato Cake for dessert which she claimed was just about the best cake I would ever have.



She spoke the truth, and it was gone very quickly. If you find yourself in Greenville, be sure to check out this very fun restaurant with excellent service and meals that just might rival your mama's home cooking!

More Greenville, SC photos at my main website.