Sunrise Farm has much to boast: a traditional farm house, two unique cottages, attention to details, wonderful breakfasts and friendly farm animals.
by Jeff Samsel
Nothing says “welcome” like cookies baked fresh for you, and 14-year-old Madison Pierce had baked our welcome cookies to perfection. Madison’s family operates Sunrise Farm Bed & Breakfast in Salem, and my wife and I were checking in for an anniversary visit.
Situated on a 10-acre Upcountry farm, Sunrise Farm has much to boast: a traditional farmhouse, two unique cottages, attention to details, wonderful breakfasts, friendly farm animals… And its innkeepers Jeff, Julie & Madison Pierce have mastered the art of hospitality.
We stayed in the Corn Crib Cottage, which, as the name suggests, is housed in the farm’s original corn crib building.
“We could live in a corn crib,” my wife said with a smile after we settled into the cottage, which is well equipped and nicely blends a sense of the building’s original function, the comfort of Grandma’s kitchen and guest room and a few extra luxuries that Grandma might not provide.
Complete hearty breakfasts are served each morning in the main house, although the Pierce’s do offer a “continental version” that’s in the cottage upon arrival for folks who never want to leave their personal retreat.
The animals, a farm sampler of sorts with everything from goats to a pot-bellied pig, trade places between a big fenced pasture and a barn that’s right across from the Corn Crib Cottage. They must be content, because we never heard a sound from them during our stay. We did visit the barn and pet all but the pig, which reportedly has a bit of an attitude.
So Much, So Near
It would be tempting to never leave Sunrise Farm, even during a stay a few days. It’s simply a delightful place to be. To stay put, however, would require ignoring the highest series of falls in the eastern United States, bluegrass picking at Hagood Mill, the Chattooga National Wild & Scenic River, delightful chicken breasts at the Steak House Cafeteria in Walhalla… The list could go on and on.
Located in Salem, a hamlet in the heart of Oconee County, Sunrise Farm offers an ideal base camp for a weekend or more of Upcountry exploration. Scenic Highway 11, only a few minutes from the inn’s driveway, provides easy access to many of the finest places to play in the mountains.
So much is so close that prioritizing places to send guests can be somewhat of a challenge, according to Julie Pierce. And, of course, different people like to do different things. However, time has taught her to assess interests as she serves her “everything muffins” or a breakfast casserole, and reports from past guests have given her a good idea about the places travelers seem to enjoy the most.
As an example, although Upper and Lower Whitewater Falls are spectacular, she’s found that many folks like to “discover” spots that aren’t quite so well known, so she often directs guests to King Creek Falls, a beautiful 60-foot drop along a Chattooga River tributary that’s accessible via an easy and pretty ½-mile hike. Of course, there are dozens of spectacular waterfalls within reasonable range of Sunrise Farm, and each is unique in the total experience it provides.
Only 10 minutes or so from the inn is one of the Southern Appalachian region’s genuine gems. Bounded by steep forested slopes and fed by waterfalls, 7,500-acre Lake Jocassee is deep, clear and beautiful. Despite its relatively small size, Lake Jocassee holds claim five different South Carolina state record fish.
For travelers who favor shopping, the historical Ram Cat Alley section of Seneca is packed with unique shops that offer everything from antiques to the workmanship of local artisans. It’s the sort of place where travelers can roam from shop to shop on foot and then take their pick of cool spots to enjoy a meal when they are ready to sit.
Of course, there are also great places to eat and explore in nearby Walhalla and Pickens and in places in-between. Explore them all during your stay at Sunrise Farm Bed & Breakfast.
Jeff Samsel is a free-lance writer, photographer and editor and appreciates that his home and office are both under the same roof in the mountains of Northeast Georgia . He writes mostly about fishing and fishes for pretty much everything that swims, but also likes to do other travel stories, particularly in and around the Blue Ridge Mountains . Jeff is the author of two books, "Georgia - a Backcountry Guide to Travel and Adventure" and "Catfishing in the South" and his writing and photography have been published in more than 100 different publications. Read his blog.
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