South Carolina beats Clemson for 2nd straight top-10 win with a 31-30 victory at No. 7 Clemson on Saturday.
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Spencer Rattler threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns, Mitch Jeter hit the go-ahead field goal with 11 minutes left and South Carolina crushed the playoff hopes of a second straight top-10 team with a 31-30 victory at No. 7 Clemson on Saturday.
The Gamecocks (8-4, 3-2 SEC) were the talk of college football last week after their 63-38 dismantling of then fifth-ranked Tennessee, ending the Vols’ hopes of a College Football Playoff berth.
South Carolina and Rattler, who threw for 438 yards and six touchdowns against Tennessee, ended any chance Clemson (10-2, 6-1 ACC, CFP No. 8) had of reaching the CFP. The Gamecocks rallied from 14-0 down 10 minutes in to end Clemson’s seven-game series winning streak and 40-game home streak that dated to 2016.
Watching Carolina beat Clemson was an unexpected bonus for our Thanksgiving weekend. The highlight for me was playing tic tac toe and hangman with Nolan at our dinner out at Duckworths. Our room at Rea Farms Hyatt was very nice.
Monday, November 21, 2022
Do you believe in magic? With less than a minute to go and Chargers up by 4 requiring a KC touchdown for the win, Patrick Mahomes resumes his QB position just like it’s another day of backyard football with all the time in the world. Tess had already givin up and I can’t blame her but I was filled with Hope. You can never count out Mahomes. This kid is later focused and figures out a way to win. This is probably the most exciting 4 minutes in football history and that’s following a Gamecok game where Ratler made Gamecock history and changed Gamecock trajectory for the future.
This was a game for the ages. Rattler was given Beamers blessing to play the game he knew. He did and you could feel it. Almost every minute was a highlight reel. When the crowd broke out in Beamer Ball, Beamer Ball they knew they had found a winner. After so many coaches over so many years I hope we stick with Beamer and continue to excel.
Tennessee vs. South Carolina score: Spencer Rattler explodes in upset, knocking No. 5 Vols from playoff race
South Carolina dominated Tennessee from bell to bell in a stunning upset victory at home
No. 5 Tennessee is out of the College Football Playoff race after losing a shocker, 63-38, on the road against South Carolina. The Gamecocks scored on nine of their 10 full possessions against the Volunteers to capture the biggest win in the history of the matchup, besting a 24-0 South Carolina victory from 1903.
Yesterday we both went to look at and sit in the Bolt. It was love at first site! Seth Parker at Sunshine Chevrolet was extremely kind and helpful and Tess was able to adjust the front seat to her liking so we put down our thousand bucks and we’re on the waiting list… probably in the new year. We are both very happy and excited and went down to Flat Rock to Campfire Restaurant to celebrate. I was so happy that Tess likes it and so excited now looking forward to driving it but… now comes the hard part… how do we plug it in? That, for me, has been the one huge advantage. We can charge it up at home and never have to go to a gas or charging station around town but I haven’t fully researched it and I can only hope it all goes smoothly.
We have a great associate at Sunshine Chevrolet in Asheville. I loved the whole idea of going EV so when my wife loved the Silver Flare Metallic so we wrote the deposit for $1000. So now the reality, where do I plug it in at home. We do have the breaker box in the garage so it should be easier than yours but I’d like to be able to plug it in outside in the driveway so I’ll ask about that. Meanwhile you did answer some questions I had about just plugging it into a 120, doable but just takes a long time. So, thanks to your video, I still feel confident and optimistic that we made the right choice. I’ve been trading Hondas for almost 40 years. Between Accords, CRV’s and I’m trading in our FIT we’ve had at least a dozen so we’re switching brands as well but I’m excited about going EV with Chevy I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks again for all your work!
Wow! You made what looks like an incredibly involved project look easy. I just put a deposit on a Bolt without first checking out 240 volt installation issues but hopefully mine will be easy for an electrician. We’re in a townhouse. The panel is in the garage. It has plenty of space but I don’t see the total amp rating. We have central AC and a dryer so I hope we’re good to go. You had to run yours all the way out to a detached garage. I’m thinking I’d like to install my outlet just outside the garage so I can charge without pulling in. We’ll see. I may just have to make room in the garage by taking out all my bikes and stuff that’s parked where the car should go 😮
Thanks for the video. You must love the Bolt to do all that to plug in.
Thanks again!
Thursday, November 17, 2022
It seems as though Political Correctness or PC has become a prominent buzz word over the past few years where if someone says something offensive about another persons religion, race or demeanor they will be labeled as being politically incorrect. I feel that this mockery of PC was popularized by right wing media personalities like Rush Limbaugh and Anne Coulter. Donald Trump built his career on being mean and as Dave Chapelle describes him, an honest liar. I know what he means and I agree on some level. Trump can be offensive by using his pet names, Pocahontas, Little Marco Rubio, Sleepy Joe and his latest, Ron Sanctimonious. He promoted hate and revenge by calling COVID the China Virus. It’s not just the words but the way he says them. ‘China Virus’. Trump, a liar, a thief and a traitor got away with all of it and gets away with all of it. I think it’s because he’s white and therefore a role model for white supremacy but it’s also because he’s entertaining. He, whether we like it or not, is entertaining. He shocks people, he makes them laugh, he makes them angry, he feeds their fire of discontent and provides safe targets, scapegoats, for their revenge. He does it so openly and without shame that I myself say What? He lost the popular vote twice but he told people he won by a landslide. Many of the Trumpsters he backed in the midterms and he said; if they won I take full credit, if they lost I share none of the blame. How can anybody say such a thing and be liked, let alone Loved? Because he is an entertainer. He is a ringmaster. The big cats don’t like the ring master, they snarl and paw at the air but.. but they still jump through the hoops.
Still I’ve noticed that legitimate comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock were also feeling the pinch. Chris Rock said, referring to Trump, the energy captures the room. He was not complimenting Trump but he was explaining his initial popularity. He also said that the energy would dissipate as he told the same old joke, lies… let’s hope he’s right.
For me the criteria for acceptability would be context, intention and is it funny? I’ve pointed out to Tess that if a skit is funny they can get away with almost anything but there are a few examples where the PC flag was waved by the party that claimed to be offended even when the intention was clearly not there. Kanye West recently went on an antiemetic rant and was immediately sanctioned. Dave Chapelle referred to the rant and repeated statements as if to validate and yet in the process he was Funny and it was his skills at being funny that made his skit acceptable.
The one line that stood out was; if they’re black it’s a gang, if they’re Italian it’s a mob but if they’re Jews it’s a coincidence and you should never speak about it.
I deleted a mileage chart but now with our 240 charger station installed I’m going to guesstimate that it charges at a rate of 2 minutes a mile. 2 minutes of charging = 1 mile of distance give or take or 30 miles for an hour on the charger. So if I charge it 8 hours that’s 8*30=240 Miles and that’s about right. A full charge is supposed to give 250 mikes range.
4/17/2023
As of this update I’ve driven over 1300 miles of pure fun and excitement. We Both Love Our Bolt. Yesterday Tess and I drove to Rug and Home and picked out a new carpet. The carpet loaded into the hatchback with ease. We then went to Red Lobster for a perfect dinner of one pound of Crab legs, a baked potato, a salad with blue cheese dressing and those incredible butter biscuits. Driving the Bolt on the highway was a breeze. So silky smooth in acceleration and ride and doesn’t feel small among the trucks and other traffic. Now that we’ve had it a couple of months I feel even more confident driving it. The only improvements I can imagine and anticipate would be increased battery capacity/mileage range and I fully believe that continuing advances in battery technology will take care of that.
I know that the Bolt will do the job around town because I probably never drive more than 20 miles a day or maybe 30 going out to DuPont or Pisgah BUT trips to Charlotte? I’m not completely sure how comfortable that will be. Looking at the mileages below, getting around town or going out to places we frequent will be No Problem but Charlotte, to be on the safe side I would need to get a full charge while in Charlotte at Rea Farms Hyatt. That would mean being able to get a charger over night or several hours meaning that I would have to do that in between visits with Lauren or while at Lauren’s house. This could be a problem. I would have to carry a long power cord and get her permission and or get a charging station at the hotel and have to plug in and unplug as courtesy to others OR not get a charge and have to find one on the road and be stuck there for an hour. I worried about this for most of the night. Then, while walking Zeke at Carl Sandburg, it dawned on me that in the last 6 years of traveling to see Lauren in Charlotte we never once drove the Fit. The Fit has always been our local car, never even going on the Blue Ridge, so all that worrying was for nothing. As usual.😅
Carl Sandburg 6*2=12
DuPont 15*2= 30
Chimney Rock 25*2=50
Pisgah inn 35*2=70
Blowing Rock 115*2=230
Charlotte 125*2=250
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
I haven’t purchased my Bolt let alone test driven one because they are pre sold before hitting the lot. Nonetheless Seth treated me like an established customer taking time to show me the car and answer all my questions so, based on that positive experience, I may soon trade in my Honda and become a proud Chevy owner.
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Response from the owner 44 minutes ago
Mr. Pete, thank you so much for coming by Sunshine Chevy to look at a Bolt EUV. We would love to get one of order for you! Please let us know what other question you might have. We would love to be your Chevy Dealer when you are ready! Kristy Elliott, Dealer
Love your reviews. Smooth and easy to listen to with no big production intros or loud distracting music. I’m on the verge of buying a Bolt. Almost ready to buy without even a test drive because demand is so high. I want to replace my ICE Honda Fit. The Fit has been fine but I just want to go EV to do all my driving around town. I also want to see how it feels compared to our hybrid CRV especially on the highway. Your testimony as well as many others tell me that this is going to be a comfortable, reliable, efficient and Fun car to drive. I want the EUV Premier with a good sound system and adjustable driver seat that I hope will accommodate my 5’ petite (and beautiful) wife but I think we can live without Super Cruise. I do want all safety features including front and rear crash mitigation braking. Many thanks again for doing very helpful videos.
Monday, November 14, 2022
YouTube Review about YouTube
Google has an add about learning something everyday on YouTube and that is very true. I think that YouTube is an incredible resource for information on just about every topic. I recently bought an induction cooktop range and watched several videos posted by dealers and by owners. Thanks to that we made the purchase and we are extremely happy. Now I’m looking to buy an electric car and it’s the same process. I get opinions and demonstrations from a variety of sources which help me make a decision.
The history of music is just incredible. I look back on The Beatles and classic rock but also Kelly Clarkson and Brandi Carlisle. Literally anybody and everybody and everything we find interesting on TV we can go to YouTube to find a clip the very next day. It’s just Amazing!!! I pay for the commercial free subscription and that makes it even better by reducing commercial breaks.
Because it is open to the public to post there is some junk out there But I don’t look for hate and lies and if YouTube screens for such then I applaud them. Very sadly there are people who spread hate and lies and have poisoned social media with their vitriol. In my opinion Hate Speech is not Free Speech and should not be protected as if it were. I love YouTube and hope it continues the way it has grown. Thanks!
Rupert Murdoch Knees Trump in the Balls While He’s Doubled Over Coughing Up Blood
The message from the Murdoch-owned New York Post,Wall Street Journal, and Fox News is clear: Pack your bags, bitch. You’re done.
The last thirty-six hours have not gone great for Donald Trump and despite being famously detached from reality, he seems to know it, if reports of him lashing out and blaming everyone around him for the midterm results are anything to go by. Yet while a sad Trump could once turn to the warm embrace of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire to make him feel better about himself, that metaphorical bosom—or, more accurately, team of professional fluffers—is no longer. In fact, it appears that an unofficial memo has gone out to Murdoch-owned properties that the ex-president is only to be referred to as a has-been loser who, at this point, couldn’t win an election for deputy director of the Mar-a-Lago Parks and Recreation Department.
I woke up the day after the midterm election feeling ok. I won’t say Good exactly, but OK. I was taking the cup is half full approach. But now this headline today… this makes me feel Good. I still don’t want to become a hater, not even of Trump, probably the most evil manifestation of politics in America of all time, yet I don’t want to let myself descend into hate. Nonetheless I don’t like feeling fear or shame either and now, maybe now, people are finally starting to see that this emperor has no clothes and that he don’t look so good naked.
I have been comparing Trump to a man in town I had seen as a child. He was a local oddball, possibly homeless but he carried himself with an affected and pronounced aplomb. I noticed, with curiosity, that some people would gesticulate in response. That’s King George, my father explained. That’s King George, no not really but he is delusional. In his mind he is King George and people, being kind natured, simply went along with him, thereby suffering his delusions and reinforcing his own. It was harmless, tongue in cheek, because he was harmless. The lie was never confronted socially for to do so may have even been cruel. Our little King George was able to live out his life and his illusions in peace.
But this King George, ever so much delusional and yet ever so reinforced by willing subjects, this King George, King Trump is tyrannical and dangerous. His lies hurt other people and hurt our country. He Made America Hate Again. But has his reign of terror come to an end? We shall see. Some of his enablers are starting to break rank and in so doing may expose this imposter, this self proclaimed Stable Genius, for the empty, shallow, shell of a man that he is and always has been.
I’m really enjoying your videos about the Chevy Bolt. You mentioned Fire and I know they had a recall but do you have any concerns or other videos about the dangers or the potential for fire with the current models? I am so excited about getting an EV and now focusing on the Bolt but I don’t want my enthusiasm to blind me to any harsh realities.
Another question I have is about the power adjusting drivers seat. You mentioned that you are 6’1” . My wife is 5’1”. She is comfortable driving the Honda Fit. Do you think that the Bolt seat can be adjusted to suit her? I’m not expecting a definitive answer and I know a test drive would answer it But the demand is so high that I think I’m going to have to order/buy one before I can even test drive one. It’s a thousand dollar deposit which I could sacrifice if by chance we hated the car on arrival but I’m hoping we’re both gonna love it.
Anyway, thanks for your first hand informative videos with your friendly and fun easy sense of humor. If/when I buy one I’ll let you know.thanks again!
Excellent demonstration. I’m shopping a Bolt. They are in high demand and short supply so I may put down the deposit on one sight unseen to reserve mine. Videos like yours really help guide the consumer. I’m in NC about 30 miles up the hill to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I can’t wait to take my tour and regency all the way down the hill. I’ve done it riding my bike and literally wear out my grip coasting and braking on the ride down hill. Now, the Bolt I’ll be recharging my battery. Thanks!
Pretty remarkable video. You answered a lot of questions that I have in making my decision to move from Honda to Chevy and from gas to EV. I just feel like it’s time and you have confirmed that for me. 99.9% of our driving now is within 20 or 30 miles. We go to Charlotte about every month, I’d say less than 300 miles round trip which is very comfortable in the CRV but your experience going to national parks tells me that we’re going to be ok in the Bolt. The infrastructure keeps expanding but the idea that I can charge up at home and hopefully at the hotel is really exciting. You’re showing us that we can be good citizens and still live in comfort. Many thanks and good luck with your continuing success with the Volt!
I enjoyed your video and the comparisons you made. I’m not sure if you emphasized that the Tesla costs twice as much but… the fact that you own, drive and like both of them was a good endorsement for both. I’m looking at the Bolt as our first EV after having Honda’s for 40 years. You make a very good point about leasing that I am also considering… Do I want to Buy or Try? So I’ll look at the numbers. One thing I noticed when shopping a Tesla, the website makes it very easy to order. Shopping a Bolt, they’re not readily available on dealer lots but I’d at least like to test drive it before I commit. Thanks for your video and insights, they help potential buyers a great deal. I think I’m ready to plug in. Many thanks again and best of luck!
A meeting was not held in October. The next meeting is scheduled for November 9, 2022.
Brevard Ecusta Trail
Advisory Board
By Matt Revis
Conception to Construction
The Brevard/Transylvania Ecusta Trail Advisory Board convened on October 26th in a meeting delivering examples of significant progress toward the beginning of design and construction. Rebecca Robinson of Conserving Carolina noted that bids on removal of the trestle over Davidson River are due soon. Award of this contract should occur by the end of this year. Target date to finish this project is the end of February 2023 to avoid any interference with the beginning of trout season. In addition, engineers funded by the FLAP (Federals Lands Access Program) grant will soon begin detailed design work for Trail construction in Transylvania. Necessary collaboration with engineering design on the Henderson County side will assure that the entire stretch of the trail through the two counties will remain consistent in look and accessibility.
Paul Ray (Brevard Planning Department) noted that the NSFLTP (Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Project Program) grant proposal has been submitted. Approval of this grant would provide significant funding toward completion of the Trail, and Mr. Ray anticipates approval. Reasons for this confidence include less competition from other proposals and a favorable funding match ratio of 60%/40%. Brevard Planning is a co-applicant with the NC Department of Transportation and Henderson County. This represents the first proposal that officially documents collaboration between the two counties covering the entire trail length. Clark Lovelace (TDA) mentioned that the TDA Board supported the grant with $1M and that future contributions for specific purposes were possible.
Mr. Lovelace and Wilson Hooper (City Manager) discussed the need for the Trail to not only provide recreational outlets for residents and visitors but to offer a reliable option for commuting. Citing from the NSFLTP proposal, “When complete, the 18.8-mile Ecusta Trail will dramatically improve regional mobility choices in Henderson and Transylvania counties, making it possible to access Pisgah National Forest, as well as schools, parks, social services, employment, and shopping destinations, by walking and biking.” Board discussion concluded that design of trail access and signage should entice visitors to explore further into Brevard and other attractions in Transylvania County.
Billy Parrish (Blue Zones Project) presented the results of research he and John Ditillo had recently completed regarding potential trailheads, also known as parking and access points. After their original survey, they decided that multiple smaller access options are better than one or two large trailheads. Benefits of smaller trailheads include simpler designs, lower physical impact, and lower cost per access point. Multiple access points can also balance visitor and resident use, avoiding congestion and spillover into adjacent properties. The Advisory Board agreed with this theory.
Mr. Parrish described several potential access spots, most located on property already owned by the city. Options include focusing on the area where the Ecusta and Estatoe Trails will connect near the Mountain Industrial Park, Ecusta Road, and the City Sports Complex and Activity Park. Easy access in this area is favored by Mayor Copelof who stated, “If you have a major recreation center and a new major recreational amenity (Ecusta Trail) – don’t they belong together?” Oskar Blues Brewery has offered cooperation with potential trailheads in this area as their parking is regularly used by bikers.
The Board reviewed next steps to continue progress on Trail development. A lobbying plan to support the NSFLTP proposal is one step. In order to maintain excitement and involvement within the community, a future meeting with adjacent property owners will be scheduled when the engineers finish Trail design work.
November Fundraising Events
The Dream is Becoming a Reality
We hope you make this year’s Giving Tuesday (November 29) your opportunity to support the Ecusta Trail.
November ET Events
Henderson County R-TAC Meeting
November 9, 2022 @ 10:00am – 12:00pm
Open to the public. Meeting in the King Street Meeting Room
Open to the public. Meeting at City Council Chambers.
Trailing Thoughts
A Salute to Military Cyclists
and All of Our Veterans
By Thomas Keating
The month of November is widely associated with military veterans and their service to the United States. This month we would like to extend a heartfelt salute and our gratitude to veterans and their families and share some history of the military and their bicycles.
Historians have reported that the earliest military bicycles were introduced due to rapid advances in tire and bike frame designs and were adopted by armies throughout the world in the late 1800's. In Europe, bicycle infantry battalions, reconnaissance units and even medical detachments relied upon bicycle transportation in WW I and to a lesser degree in WW II. More recently, Ukrainian “electric cavalry” units have successfully adapted e-bikes for scouting and anti-tank missions in the on-going war with Russia.
Closer to home, recent developments by the U.S. Army's research agency have spurred design innovations for an e-bike designed to deploy with special operations units of the United States such as Navy SEALS, Army Rangers and the Marine Corps Raiders. A tactical e-bike developed by Montague Bikes of Cambridge, MA features a compact foldable design that can be lashed to combat vehicles and air-dropped, or, using a specialized harness, strapped to the backs of deploying paratroopers.
Throughout the world bicycles have served the military for tactical missions and garrison operations. For military bicyclists and all veterans, we salute your service and thank you and your families for your sacrifices in the defense of our Country.
