Another side note I wanted to follow about the time was I didn't yet have my driver's license, but at the same time the Southeastern United states was experiencing a gas crisis because of the recent hurricane Ike, which had closed down oil refineries so, many gas stations actually didn't have gas. Even if I had my license at the time, I wouldn't have been able to get gas at the time. I'll post images in this blog not only from on the way there but even one that shows how the gas stations re-acted to no gas.
September 27, 2008
Earlier that day I had already rode from Bath to Graniteville which made up the first 14 miles on the day, and I have pictures from Graniteville that day but, I will not include them in this blog. (I will have a blog from my Graniteville stuff coming up.) In this post you will see photos a few from downtown Aiken but mostly the small town of Montmorenci, which even a few people in Aiken County don't know where it's at.
So once again just about 3:00 in the afternoon I wanted some more and, after riding 14 miles at noon I decided that wasn't enough travel for the day. I wanted to go somewhere I hadn't been in a long time and the small town of Montmorenci was the place I wanted to look at.
Prior to leaving Bath, I basically followed S.C. hwy 421 til Warrenville. Turned on S.C. hwy 191 going into Graniteville and then on to U.S. hwy 1 I was heading Northbound. Highway 1 is kind of famous for being the highway that travels from the Florida Keys to the Canadian border. However, my memories of trying to ride bike down highway 1 from Langley to Graniteville remind me of a Death trap. I don't suggest cycling on that part of the highway unless it's necessary. I'm a well experienced cyclist who has been in many situations over the years and certain parts of highway 1, still scare the death out of me from time to time. So, obviously I only ride this route when I have to.
Before reaching Aiken I notice a Junkyard full of old truck. Many of which look like they could be restored. Even one funny looking creation across the street.
Imagine that a 4-wheel drive station wagon! It looks like the people who run this junkyard are a little crafty as well. As you can see it is taller than that Ford Truck on the left but, I don't know if the thing actually works. I believe it doesn't because last time I remember it is still parked in the same place.
Next these two old fire trucks even caught my eye among the junk. They look to be possible to restore but instead they will probably be scrapped.
This junkyard is mainly a truck junkyard so from time to time you can find all kinds of old heavy-duty trucks sitting here. Unlike classic cars most of these trucks don't get saved and preserved, instead they get crushed and melted down for scrap metal.
As I mentioned earlier in the blog I'd show you an example of the gas crunch at the time.
After passing the junkyard I passed this gas station. This is the circle K on U.S. Highway 1. The fact that the station placed $0.00 on the price counter can be deceiving that they are giving away gas, ha, ha you wish! Most people know better than that because who would really give away that kind of thing? The gas stations were doing this to show that they were out of gas. So I'd have to say if you're looking at this picture, now just for laughs, "YOU DID NOT MISS OUT ON FREE GAS." In fact didn't miss out on any gas because there was nothing here just like most of the Southeast Aiken was no exception. When the refineries close a large portion on the country will be feeling the effects and hurricane Ike all the way in Texas, really can cause a gas shortage. Just like Hurricane Katrina in the gulf did in 2005.I went through Downtown Aiken following U.S. 1 and U.S. 78 then splitting off onto park avenue where I have one image from Aiken.
I crossed Park Avenue here and when I took this picture I was actually standing on a wooden Bridge and yes cars can cross it. However, there is a weight limit as expected. Norfolk Southern still operates through here though only p22 actually uses these tracks to switch cars to the R-line which Goes from Augusta to Columbia. But one day If I get lucky to catch it passing under here it would make a nice shot especially in the fall.I followed Park Avenue down to the end where I rejoined U.S. 78 which I would follow all the way to the town of Montmorenci.
The railway line seen through out this is actually the old line to Charleston often known as the Hamburg-Charleston line. It was 133 miles long built in 1833 and at the time it was the longest railway line in the world. It was used up until the 80's when Norfolk Southern retired the line but not the whole thing. Through out the rest of this post I'll show which parts are still active and which parts aren't. The train that was famous for traveling this line was the Best Friend of Charleston, and back then railroad tracks weren't made of T-rail, but instead something called strap Iron. If you'tr wondering what Strap iron is I have a picture right here from Augusta, Georgia that I'll show you in another post later.
Before I go any further a lot of you may be asking "where is Hamburg?" Hamburg was a town in the river right across the river from Augusta, GA. Henry Shultz the founder hated Augusta and created it as a rival place to trade. The town was successful for a time, but the area both towns are located in is a flood prone area. By 1929 Augusta built a Levee to circumvent the waters from the city, however hamburg was unprotected. When the 1929 flood rolled in, it destroyed Hamburg completely and I mean wiped it off the map. Some remains that are left are the old supports from a train bridge which can bee seen from the river walk paralleling the 5th street bridge. I'll post those photos in another blog as well, because this one isn't about Hamburg.
Continuing toward Montmorenci, I pass this silo. The ventilation fans are still running and it is still in use.
The core of Montmorenci seems to be framing because along U.S. 78 there is a lot of farm land.
This section is still in Service.
In light of the gas shortage I passed an old gas station. This one I believe has been closed since the 90's. Though the store itself looks like it's barely modern to the 80's. On one of it's old pumps it says "93 Octane" which came out in the 90's if I remember right. The place don't look very looted or vandalized but more like unmaintained. The roof probably leaks by now I would assume. But you won't be able to buy gas here anymore weather there is a shortage or not.After passing through Montmorenci I go two miles out of town down U.S. 78 I reach the end of the line. I'm going fast because daylight is going quickly at this point and I won't have much time to get good shots if I don't hustle.
This was mile marker 51 counting down. That means at this position I'm 51 miles outside of Charlestown. This is where the tracks end. However the whole Charlestown line wasn't pulled up once this old trail reaches Branchville it comes to life again because a Line from Columbia to Charleston actually joined onto it and it is still active, meaning that the Branchville section of this line is still active. You can also see my old mountain bike that I made the trip on in the background.
This is the entrance to a small chemical factory of some sort, I forgot the name. here you see the tracks are no longer here however, there is an old crossbuck sign still standing guarding for what never comes. On an interesting fact if you looked at the call tag on the crossing you'll see it has a sort of new Norfolk Southern tag on it and even a crossing number. The train will come to a spur in this area only to switch cars but it will not go beyond this point anymore.Before turning back with the last minutes of daylight left I decided to go after one more shot just a half mile down the road.
This is how an old railway line looks after more than twenty years of abandonment! Nature reclaims it pretty fast with pine trees growing up very fast. You can still find Granite rocks, spikes, and many other old things. In fact on my second trip I found two old spikes.Well that's all for now but I do have a video from my 3/21/09 Bike ride to Montmorenci and if you want to see it here it is. Keep in mind I was batting .100 mentally that day so I made a few mistakes such as not adding certain clips and saying the day was 3/31/09. To sum it all up I made several mistakes because it was a one man project and doing it all is kind of hard for one person.
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