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Our Newsletter for May 2012

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So much to do in the Upcountry of SC, here's help on planning your visit. We give you information on upcoming festivals, places to take your family and even some insider shopping deals. Subscribe and get this delivered to your inbox every 4-6 weeks.

Click on the link below to open the ... Read more

Upcountry High Schooler racks up 2.5M hits on YouTube

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YouTube captures 48 hours of video every minute, so getting any attention for a homemade cover of LMFAO's "Sexy And I Know It" -- done on acoustic guitar -- is no small feat. So when Noah Guthrie posted his video last week, he never expected to wake up the next morning with 200,000 hits. In the short time since then, the South Carolina high schooler (who goes by just "Noah" and is from Spartanburg) has racked up more than 2.5 million hits on the song, and he joined TODAY's ... Read more

Chauga Narrows begs the question: Is it a waterfall or whitewater?

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When it comes to waterfalls, size matters. The higher the drop, the more impressive the cascade — or at least that’s the conventional wisdom.

I’m here to challenge that premise. As proof, I offer exhibit A: Chauga Narrows. Spilling a mere 25 feet over a 200-foot run in South Carolina's Upcountry, one might argue this puny waterfall is hardly worth a mention.

But don’t be so quick to judge the Chauga until you’ve heard this baby roar. ... Read more

Community garden growing in Greenville

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A vacant lot behind Funnelicious in Greenville is being transformed into a community garden.

Mike Pennington, owner of Funnelicious, said the small lot wasn’t being used, and he saw it as a way to give back to the community.

Funnelicious, across the street from Read more

I came, I paddled, I conquered.

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I came, I paddled, I conquered. And boy, was it fun!

I participated in my first Tame the Tyger River Race and Festival in Spartanburg. Joining me were 190 other kayakers and canoers eager to run 7.75 miles of this Class I and II whitewater river. It was the biggest turnout since the event started 13 years ago.

I am happy to ... Read more

Short walk to a beautiful waterfall

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You don’t need to hike through rugged mountain terrain to enjoy a great view of Station Cove Falls, a 60-foot cascade near Oconee Station State Historic Site in Walhalla.

The three-quarter mile trail to the falls is easy and pleasurable, passing through a beautiful Appalachian cove forest that becomes a wildflower wonderland in the spring. This time of year, you may see trillium, ... Read more

The Official Storytelling Festival of South Carolina

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Mark your calendar for the official storytelling festival of South Carolina, held each year in Woodruff, SC. We all love a good story. As children, we are read stories before bed time and later as we grow older we begin to create our own stories and share them aloud with others. Storytelling allows our minds to enter another world and get lost in the tale.

The town of Woodruff knows the importance of a good story. Woodruff is a small town of about 5,000 people and is located in Spartanburg ... Read more

Oconee Station takes visitors back to 18th century

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Given its geographic location along the East Coast, it’s hard to imagine South Carolina was once part of America’s Wild West. But in the late 18th century, European settlements were just beginning to expand across the state, making areas like Oconee County the wild frontier.

To protect white settlers from Indian attack, a half dozen military outposts were built in the Upstate as the westernmost defensive points. ... Read more

Hidden Falls is a great hike for the family

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If you’re visiting Oconee State Park this spring, put Hidden Falls Trail on your must-hike list. This easy-to-moderate trail ends at a beautiful cascade in the lush upcountry forest.

Like the Tamassee Knob Trail I wrote about earlier, it starts along the Foothills Access Trail and crosses the Read more

Tamassee Knob Trail takes you through an old growth hardwood forest

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Compared to the 3,533-foot Sassafras Mountain — the highest point in South Carolina — Tamassee Knob is a pipsqueak. But the 1,620-foot peak is impressive all the same, rising abruptly from the Piedmont in the northwest corner of the state.
Read more

Pack up your paddle and try taming the Tyger

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Are your ready to Tame the Tyger? I’m game. New as I am to the sport of whitewater kayaking, I plan to head up to Spartanburg County April 14 (2012) and run that bad boy. (Happens every year in mid-April)

That’s what is so cool about the Tame the Tyger Race & Festival. You can race or float down this classic upcountry Class II whitewater river, which means everyone can get in on the ... Read more

Oconee County is a great destination for a girls’ weekend

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With temperatures warming up this month, it’s a great time to gather up your gal pals for a getaway to the mountains. One of my favorite destinations for a “girls’ weekend” is the scenic Oconee County.

Located in the northwest corner of the state, Oconee boasts three beautiful lakes — Hartwell, Keowee and Jocassee — the National Wild & Scenic Chattooga River and more than 25 Read more

Clemson golf coach shares where he likes to play, eat & have fun

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Hometown: Dallas, N.C.

Bio: First-team All-ACC as player in 1980-81; Clemson assistant coach 1982-83, head coach 1983-present; seven-time ACC coach of the year; seven ACC team titles; won NCAA title in 2003. In early March, Penley's 2011-12 Tigers team captured the 15th USC-Aiken Cleveland Golf Intercollegiate at Aiken's Palmetto Golf Club. That gave him his 62nd career win, second in tournament wins by ACC coaches only to former Wake ... Read more

SC Dairy Farm Producing Award-Winning Cheese

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On a recent trip to Greenville, we found ourselves at a fantastic dairy farm that is producing some amazing goat milk, goat cheese, fudge, and yogurt. And we're not kidding (we know....bad pun).

Split Creek Farm in Anderson, South Carolina (about 30 minutes from Greenville) is a labor of love for owners Evin Evans and Patricia Bell. Utilizing their background in animal science and human nutrition, Evin and Patricia ... Read more

The ‘other’ Head Ball Coach--Clemson's Dabo Swinney--on the greens

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There’s a college football coach in South Carolina who’s noted for his passion for golf, for playing as often as he can in the off-season, who challenges his golf-playing football players to take him on – one time each.

Then there’s Clemson’s Dabo ... Read more

Looking for something a little different? Here's the Underground Guide to Spartanburg

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Whether you’re a longtime local, recent transplant or just in town for a few days, The Underground Guide reveals a side of Spartanburg you probably didn’t know existed. The new guidebook, compiled by Hub City Press, reveals “the authentic, gritty, strange, exhilarating and soulful side of Spartanburg.”

From jam nights to bike trails, from obscure eateries to dive bars, this little book has the lowdown on the Hub City’s often-overlooked attractions.

More ... Read more

Grab a dog at Skins'

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Tiger paws and famous hot dogs -- you'll find both in South Carolina's Upcountry, home of Clemson University and Skins' hot dogs.

On a recent trip to Anderson (home of the original Skins' at 203 Hudgens St.), we followed the orange paws and took the short drive over to Clemson to check out ... Read more

Our latest newsletter

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Ideas for spring trips, upcoming festivals and the most unique wildflower in the area along with suggestions on things to do in the Upcountry of SC.

Check out our latest newsletter. Click here to read it.

If you like it, subscribe and we'll drop one in your email every couple of months. (We won't share your info and you can unsubscribe at any time.) There is a ... Read more

Travel & Leisure named The Red Horse Inn one of America's Most Romantic Hotels

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Love is always in the air.

Imagine you and your better half cuddling fireside as the sun dips behind the distant mountains.

You don’t need to travel to the ends of the earth (or beloved spots like Paris or the Caribbean) to find that spark-kindling setting. Cozying up in a country bed-and-breakfast has its own appeal. Hillside Victorian cottages with a white picket fence and fairy-tale-like setting draw couples year round to Read more

First Light Upstate: Land of Mountains and Water

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Early daylight is our god.

We are disciples all. We go where the light leads us, and it leads to a crumpled, carved land where the earth flexes rock-hard muscles. Here, in this uplifted land of tangled greenery, early light uplifts the spirit. No place slakes a thirst for wanderlust like these conflicted highlands and their crusade eternal — water versus rock.

Witness the magnificent clash.

In the northwest corner, pilgrims heed the call of early light. Twisting ... Read more

Table Rock fireplace rekindles memories

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Warmed by fond memories and flames dancing in the fireplace at cabin 12 in Table Rock State Park, 106-year-old Thelma Richey reflected on her many visits here.

“It was just a joy to be here,” said Mrs. Richey, of Greenville, who came to the park with her four sons, her daughter and their children for four days at Christmas from 1969 to 1989. The family made day trips to Table Rock in the summer, but Christmas vacations were special. “I thought the sunsets were ... Read more

The Oconee Bell

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One of South Carolina’s most unique and earliest wildflowers, the Oconee Bell, can be found blooming from mid-March to early April. Colonies of the Oconee Bells blooming in their entire splendor can be seen along the Oconee Bell Trail at Devils Fork State Park, a gateway to the Jocassee Gorges.

The Oconee Bell is a rare flower of the southern Appalachians found only in a few locations in the mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia in moist wooded areas along streams. ... Read more

Poinsett Bridge now has safer access

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Now even handicapped visitors have easy, safe access to the bridge.

A wider-than-normal concrete sidewalk, with curbing and protective metal fencing, extends for a distance equaling 10 car lengths, which provides a full view of the east side, center and west side of the bridge. Waters of Little Gap Creek and the bridge’s 15-foot-high Gothic arch are easily seen from the sidewalk. A number of giant boulders were placed on the bridge side of the road then filled in with dirt to provide a ... Read more

First Look: Dark Corner Distillery

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To get a feel for the history of the Dark Corner, known for its mountainous area of Greenville County's Upcountry and for its moonshine, all you have to do is head to Main Street in downtown Greenville. On the north end you'll find Dark Corner Distillery. It's bringing the long-time illegal drink back to the area and it's gaining in popularity once again.

As you ... Read more

Want to know why Spartanburg is called the Hub City?

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If you have been to Spartanburg, you probably have quickly caught on that Spartanburg is nicknamed the Hub City. With signs welcoming you to the Hub City at the gateways to the community and businesses with the name Hub City Coffee, Hub City Coffee Shop, Hub City Farmers’ Market, it’s hard to miss.

If you want to know how the city got its famous nickname, visit the Hub City Railroad Museum (see there it is again…Hub City).

Spartanburg became the Hub City back in ... Read more

The Ring of the Hammer Beckons

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Griz Hockwalt is an Artist Blacksmith who volunteers as the Blacksmith at Pickens County’s Hagood Mill Historic Site & Folklife Center. Every Third Saturday visitors can hear the ring of the hammer on the anvil “calling” them toward the Blacksmith shop. Griz answers questions, demonstrates traditional Blacksmithing techniques, and forges historical style items. He particularly enjoys sharing stories and making those ... Read more

So we went to Spartanburg...

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So we went to Spartanburg (aka Hub City, aka Sparkle City) to sign some books at the Hub City Bookshop and to see if we had missed anything on earlier visits. Sugar-n-Spice restaurant, aka The Spice, has been serving roast beef, burgers and fried chicken livers a-plenty since 1961.

Boy, did we ever miss something.

We started off at Sugar-n-Spice(aka The Spice), a former drive-in restaurant that ... Read more

View from the top of SC

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Sassafras Mountain — South Carolina’s highest peak — just got a new overlook, allowing visitors a safe vantage point to take in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

From the platform, which sits just shy of the 3,560-foot high peak, you can see from Whiteside Mountain in North Carolina down to Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee all the ... Read more

"Round as a ball, sharp as an awl..."

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A favorite riddle in the mountains of Dark Corner for over 100 years went like this:
“Round as a ball, sharp as an awl;
lives in the summer, and dies in the fall.”

The answer? A chestnut burr.

The round, ball-like burrs were covered with hard, spiny and sharp thorns in a mesh that resembled a coarse fabric. They were difficult to gather without the use of gloves. Each burr contained a three-part nut, very unlike those of other native ... Read more

Early pioneer left indelible mark on Dark Corner

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Indian fighter, pioneer, trapper and trader, Gresham Callahan, came to the mountains of the Dark Corner in the very early years of the nineteenth century. He first appeared in the census of 1810.

He settled at the foot of a mountain that bears his name. The modern day roadway that traverses the route of the old State Road passing by his mountain is now aptly named Callahan Mountain Road.
A higher mountain on the opposite side of this roadway is called Old Indian Mountain. There are ... Read more

Head to the Beacon and 'Call it'

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“Caaalll it.”

That’s the sound of the Beacon, one of South Carolina’s most popular restaurants for 65 years. The voice belongs to J.C. Stroble, and that’s his way of asking what you’d like to eat. A Beacon employee for 57 years, he’s the man who makes sure you get exactly what you order. He’s such an institution at this institution that you ... Read more

Trail tips for newcomers to Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area

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This time of year, the Upcountry is a popular destination for visitors looking to experience the beautiful fall foliage. If you’re ready to get out of your car and enjoy the show in living color, a great starting point is the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area.

Within the 12,000 acres of woodlands are miles and miles of trails to suit every level of experience and fitness. At Caesars Head ... Read more

Fuel up at mountain-top restaurant

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If you visit Caesars Head State Park this fall, be sure to stop at The Mountain House Restaurant next door to the state park’s Visitor Information Center.

Not only is this cool little roadside eatery the “highest’ restaurant in South Carolina, it’s the only one within several miles of Caesars Head.

The historic stone building, built in 1926, originally ... Read more

Make tracks on the Swamp Rabbit Trail

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More than a dozen years after its untimely demise, the ol’ Swamp Rabbit is running through South Carolina's Upcountry once again.

The defunct Carolina, Knoxville and Western Railway — humorously nicknamed after a wetlands version of the cottontail — has been replaced by a paved trail running from Travelers Rest to Greenville. Runners, ... Read more

The story behind the town of Fountain Inn

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In addition to an enormous amount of natural beauty, the Greenville County city of Fountain Inn boasts, understandably, about its two most famous native sons -- syndicated columnist Robert Quillen of the Fountain Inn Tribune, who chronicled village life, and Read more

Romance Reigns at The Red Horse Inn

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There’s nothing like a restful getaway to help restore your soul, your senses, and, of course, your sanity. And that’s just what the stunning Red Horse Inn in Landrum, South Carolina was designed to do. With sweeping mountain views, pastoral vistas, and the peacefulness of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Red Horse Inn is a perfect romantic retreat to celebrate and renew. And with accolades from top reviewers and ... Read more

The Big Picture in Greenville, SC

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Say you marry your first boyfriend. You know about boys before that, the way you know about internal combustion engines: You can recognize one when you see it, and you have expectations it will take you somewhere. A boy ought to spin you around, buy you dinner, bring you flowers every once in a while. Say you meet a boy, and he does all that, and you go ahead and get married. You’re young. It’s not like you can say you know what you’re doing, but nobody’s going to tell you ... Read more

Hot Spots of Greenville

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Indoors and out, by foot or by bike, Greenville is full of surprises

Eat
American Grocery Restaurant Ditching big-city careers in Hollywood and the Big Apple, Joe and Darlene Clarke returned home to South Carolina to open this cozy restaurant, where Joe helms the kitchen and Darlene runs the wine program. The menu changes weekly (even daily), depending on what the ... Read more

S.C. Waterfalls: Your guide to the 10 most spectacular shows around

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After hiking half-way up a mountain, through sylvan thicket and over winding creek, there’s no better payoff than a spectacular waterfall. South Carolina’s Upcountry is full of these scenic wonders — and not all of them require a rigorous trek through the woods to view.

I’m going to tell you about my 10 favorite falls. Most of them can be reached by trail with only moderate effort. One is best seen by boat, another by raft. While the cascades range from a modest 50 ... Read more

Challenge: Can you eat on $40 a day vacationing in Greenville?

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Food Insider Gwen Fowler took that challenge.

Greenville has so much to offer visitors. The vibrant downtown is chock full of interesting shops and boutiques, and a number of hotels offer fine lodging. Falls Park, with its Liberty Bridge to carry pedestrians across the falls of the Reedy River, is an oasis in the city.

And then there are the ... Read more

Up in the Hills
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“Travel writing is something you do for the money, not a lot of money, but the working conditions can be pleasant,” wrote James Salter. He’s right. It’s not about money. It’s about adventure. You travel to wonderful places and meet interesting people. Along the way you pick up a little pay and often some expenses are covered as well.

I consider a travel assignment a subsidized vacation but it’s far more than that. It’s a chance to see how other people ... Read more

A Short History of Apples in Oconee County
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Ask people in Upcountry South Carolina where they go in the fall to pick up fresh apples, and more than likely most of them will not mention South Carolina. Though fruit stands selling apples can be found in abundance along the highways of the foothills, many drivers barrel past them on their way to North Carolina.

It wasn’t always like this. At one time, many apple growers in the Upstate—in Oconee County, for example—belonged to a co-op, and the South Carolina Apple ... Read more

Grinding corn at Hagood Mill - A Family Affair
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Every Third Saturday at the Mill Reed Severance, his wife Sandy, daughter Leah, and Ethan dress in period clothing and all help in the milling process at Pickens County’s Hagood Mill Historic Site and Folklife Center. Reed, the miller, is a mechanical engineer by trade. He, along with his 11 year old son Ethan, and fellow miller, Bob Martin, can be found every Third Saturday at the 19th century ... Read more

Strap on Your Seatbelt for the Experience of a Lifetime!
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Spartanburg is home to one of the premier automobile manufacturers in the world since 1995, and now there are four extraordinary opportunities, one ultimate experience! The Ultimate BMW Experience, giving visitors access to go behind the scenes and behind the wheel at the one and only home of BMW in North America.

BMW’s Plant in Spartanburg is the only manufacturing facility in the world where you can see the inner workings of an automobile manufacturing plant. See all ... Read more

Burgers and Brews in the Hub City
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If you love a good burger, then Spartanburg (nicknamed the Hub City) is the place for you. Ask a local where the best burger in the area is and you are bound to get a different answer from everyone you ask.

The Food Network Magazine named the Nu-Way’s “Redneck Cheeseburger” the best burger in the state of South Carolina. Picture a thick, juicy burger grilled to ... Read more

Farmhouse Comfort & Places to Play
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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 ... Read more

Local Slow Food Market named first Earth Market in US
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Slow Food Upstate’s farmers market in Greenville has been named the first Earth Market in the United States.

The market was first held in May and will continue on the third Thursday of each month through October. Holiday markets will be held in November and December.

About 20 markets in the world have been ... Read more

S.C. restaurants lauded in Garden & Gun
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The August/September issue of Garden & Gun magazine sings the praises of several Greenville people and places.

Garden & Gun mentions lots to love about Greenville, especially American Grocery Restaurant, where Chef Joe Clarke changes the menu almost ... Read more

Weddings in the Upcountry
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If there is one thing we can say for certain, it is that there are plenty of options for a wedding in the Upcountry of South Carolina. Whether you want an outdoor wedding with just a handful of people or you need a block of rooms and a reception area for 500, you’ll have choices here.

Some of the unique outdoor settings in the area for your ceremony or pictures are:
Hatcher Garden & Woodland ... Read more

Jones Gap Expansion Succeeds
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You can’t plan a hike yet on the 600 acres that’s being added to Jones Gap State Park. It might be late 2012 before park-goers can begin to explore the natural treasures included in the 600 acres north and east of the existing 3,346-acres of rugged parkland. Despite the delayed gratification, it’s still a wonder that the S.C. State Park System, with the help of Naturaland Trust, The Nature Conservancy and ... Read more

Outdoor Leadership School Opens Challenge Course
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Glendale Outdoor Leadership School has a newly constructed Low Challenge Course. It is a series of problem-solving experiences that physically engage teams to develop and execute a plan. The challenges include a variety of low elements and group initiatives. Each challenge draws on every team member's contributions—their ideas, their support, and their efforts. The course provides a challenge for successful team performances, and triggers learning that is transferable to ... Read more

Big flavors in a small Southern town
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In less than 25 years, the Greenville, South Carolina dining scene has gone from downtrodden to sparkling. Nationally recognized revitalization efforts have brought Main Street and environs back from the dead, with weekly summer concerts, a 32-acre park in the middle of town, superb shopping, and riverfront dining.

One of the most obvious differences in today's Greenville is the vibrant restaurant scene. There has been a complete shift from fast-food fixes to a large number of ... Read more

Spartanburg Has First Bike Sharing System in the Southeast
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Spartanburg B-cycle includes 14 B-cycles and 2 B-stations to help folks get around downtown. People can walk up, swipe their credit card and pick a bicycle from the rack. They can rent the bike by the day or get a membership for a month or a year.

The goal is for more people to use bicycles for short trips, reducing the number of brief vehicle trips, said Lee Jones, director of sales for Bcycle. After their ride, people can return the bicycle to any rental ... Read more

Summer 2011 Newsletter
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Celebrating July 4th in the Upcountry? We've got a whole lot of suggestions! Some have a historical and educational angle and some are just pure fun filled with bands, games and fireworks. Take your pick and join the celebration!

Plus you'll find the run-down on summer activities all over the Upcountry-from museums to concerts to sports.

Click on the link below to read our Summer ... Read more

Learn to climb, kayak, mountain bike and more at GOLS
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Ready to get off the couch and into a new recreational sport? Check out the Glendale Outdoor Leadership School (GOLS), a one-stop learning center for some of today’s most popular outdoor activities.

Located just east of Spartanburg, Glendale sits on a ridge above the shoals of the Pacolet River’s Lawson’s Fork, providing a great venue to learn ... Read more

Welcome to Sunrise Farm
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There's nothing quite like a plate of freshly baked cookies to make you feel welcome, and 14-year-old Madison had baked our cookies to perfection. Madison's family operates Sunrise Farm Bed & Breakfast in Salem, SC, and my wife and I were checking in for an anniversary stay.

Situated on a 10-acre farm in the South Carolina Upcountry -- very handy to much of the state's most spectacular scenery -- Sunrise Farm has much ... Read more

Cycle Cities
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Thanks to its year-round mild climate and diverse terrain, the Upcountry is a hub for South Carolina’s cycling community.

The USA Cycling Pro Championships are held here every year (end of May), and several cycling companies are based in the region including Legacy E-Ride (electric bike manufacturer), Read more

If you’re bored here, you’re not looking hard enough!
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Fun is never far away in the Upcountry. Whether your idea of a good time is catching a Broadway show or a foul ball, the region has got you covered.

“It never ceases to amaze me how many things there are to do within an hour of anywhere in the Upcountry,” says Diane Wilson, director of information services for the Greenville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Biking up a mountainside, browsing Italian ... Read more

Chapel perched on 'Pretty Place' has breathtaking views
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I have real gem for you in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. “Pretty Place” is a fair piece off the main mountain roads of U.S. 276 and S.C. 11, but worth the drive.

Part of the 1,600-acre YMCA Camp Greenville, this sweet spot is located on the South Carolina/North Carolina border atop Standing Stone Mountain. It is officially known as the Fred W. Symmes Chapel, but in the South Carolina Upcountry, everybody calls it by its appropriately dubbed nickname — ... Read more

Peach and Berry Stands in Western and Upstate South Carolina
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Spring and summer deliver delicious fruit to the Upcountry.

We've put together a brochure that lists farms, farmer's markets, roadside stands and even a few recipes.

If you are looking for peaches, strawberries, black or blue berries, look no further. Whether you want to pick your own or just pick up a few baskets, you'll find it here.

Click on the link ... Read more

Foxfire cabins offer respite in Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area
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You could easily spend a week in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area hiking the extensive network of trails that connect Caesars Head and Jones Gap state parks. But you’ll need to stay in backcountry campsites with no water or bathroom facilities. Campgrounds are not available at either of these parks.
Read more

You have to be a fast learner to keep up with all the colleges in the Upcountry
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Home to the nation’s first Ph.D. program in automotive engineering and one of the largest collections of religious art, the Upcountry’s 23 colleges and universities (serving some 80,000 students) have a well-earned reputation for quality and ingenuity in the classroom and beyond.

As the town-and-gown relationships between these schools and the Upcountry continue to thrive, students aren’t the only ones reaping the rewards. In addition to feeding local businesses with a ... Read more

Where to stay? Choose from hotels in the heart of it all, or away from it all.
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When it comes time to book a hotel in the Upcountry, you’ve got plenty of choices. Downtown Greenville properties feature luxurious accents, and the location can’t be beat—everything is within walking distance. Throughout the area, business travelers can find a variety of full-service hotels that provide all the comforts of home and then some. And if you’re looking for a place with lots of personality, check into one of the region’s inns. The hard part is checking ... Read more

Innovators, educators, and international flair create a diverse economy in the Upcountry
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The world is in hot pursuit of greener, safer, and more efficient ways to get from here to there. But in the midst of this amazing race, an unlikely competitor has emerged. Quietly, steadily—much like one of the hybrid vehicles being pioneered in the Upcountry—this Appalachian foothills community is winning the innovation race, in the automotive industry and beyond.

The Upcountry is fueled by automotive production and research—even the local minor-league ... Read more

It’s easy to find your place in the Upcountry
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If friendly people, an affordable cost of living, big-city benefits, and unbounded natural beauty epitomize an ideal quality of life, then the Upcountry justifiably ranks among the country’s top places to be. Living is indeed easy here, and there’s a lifestyle to suit every taste.

Condominiums in downtown Greenville define convenience by putting residents within walking distance of the city’s showpiece, Falls ... Read more

7 side-trips off Hwy 11
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One of the best ways to see the Upcountry is to hit the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway (SC11). This will take you from the Georgia/South Carolina border at Lake Hartwell through the rolling hills of the Piedmont all the way to historic Gaffney. You can do the drive in about four hours and there is plenty to see along the way, but we’ve lined up seven side-trips for you ... Read more

Check out some of S.C.'s best hiking trails
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Some of the best hiking trails in South Carolina are located in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, 11,000 acres of pristine woodlands on the Blue Ridge Escarpment in the S.C. Upcountry.

Jones Gap State Park, the northernmost property in the state park system, provides access to this forested wonderland and a 50-mile ... Read more

Fishing Lake Jocassee
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When the end downrigger rod popped up and then slammed back down with gusto, Sam Jones of Jocassee Charters was pretty sure the sort of fish we were seeking was at the other end of the line. Several intense minutes later, the flashing silver sides of a big rainbow confirmed what we both hoped, and then Jones slipped the net beneath a 21-inch, 5-pound trout.

South Carolina's Lake Jocassee has been one of my favorite places to fish since the late 1980s. The steep and rugged ... Read more

Distillery to create legal moonshine in downtown Greenville
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The Dark Corner Distillery arrives this summer on North Main Street, only the third distillery in the state, with plans to brew legal moonshine.

The history of the Dark Corner area of Greenville County is a combination of fact and fable, of tall tales and truth that are mixed and mashed, percolated and filtered through time. In a way, it’s a lot like moonshine. Both the drink and the area have a lot of bite. The Dark Corner’s history is steeped in moonshine, ... Read more

What makes the Upcountry of South Carolina so special?
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That depends on whom you ask, but one thing is certain: The counties that compose this region hold surprises at every turn. From the arts scene in downtown Greenville to the recreational wonderland in the Blue Ridge foothills, there’s a cultural and natural richness that’s hard to beat.

Snuggled against the broad shoulders of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 6,026-square-mile triangle that defines the northwest corner of South Carolina is home to more than 1 million people. As the ... Read more

Picture-perfect Greenville, S.C.
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I take a lot of photos when I travel. My digital camera can capture hundreds on each trip. But the most indelible images from my recent visit to Greenville, S.C., are the ones impressed on my mind’s eye.

Picture-perfect vignettes seemed to compose themselves before me everywhere I looked: A young woman playfully waltzing in the fading afternoon sun inside an old riverside factory. Three tykes in matching pastel green outfits posing for the camera in a garden. Two chess players ... Read more

Spartanburg, S.C., savors its Colonial-era past and its BMW present
Description:
"What brings you to Spartanburg?"

I heard the question more times than I could count during my 2 1/2 -day stay in the unconditionally friendly city in South Carolina's upcountry. It was a natural query, falling somewhere between small talk and the genuine interest many of the people I came across seemed to take in me.

My standard answer was a variation of "I wanted to go somewhere I'd never been before." It was true.

As a writer ... Read more

Palmetto Trail star of photo contest
Description:
Brooke Gowder enjoys all there is to hear and see about the dawn of spring. “The flowers blooming, the birds chirping and the eggs hatching” are all things the Oak Grove Elementary first-grader sums up when pondering the early days of the season. It was during a recent nature walk with her father, Paul Gowder, when the 6-year-old caught a glimpse of a bridge between near Peak and Prosperity and decided to capture it on camera.

That photo is among the many ... Read more

Greenville History & Culinary Tours
Description:
Greenville History Tours acquaints locals and visitors alike with the city's hidden historical and culinary gems during a variety of small-group excursions.

You might want to wear a pair of expandable-waist pants when you take off on the three-hour At the Chef's Table Tour, offered on most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. During the course of three hours, tour-takers will partake in the eating ... Read more

Discover underwater worlds with scuba in Lake Jocassee
Description:
When it comes to playing in the water, I’m game for just about anything—sailing, surfing, skiing, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding….

But “under” water — now that’s a different story. I’ve watched enough Shark Week videos to be leery of what lies beneath. Still, there is that inexorable lure of the last frontier, the mysterious aqua netherworld that covers three-quarters of the Earth.

For us oxygen-needy land ... Read more

Native Rivercane Restoration Project
Description:
A native rivercane (Arundinaria gigantea) restoration project, lead by Naturalist, Joe Townsend, is now under way at the Historic Hagood Mill and Folklife Center in Pickens County.

Once an important part of the Southeastern ecosystem, canebrakes (cane thickets) have mostly disappeared from the landscape due to agricultural practices and livestock grazing. All that remains of once extensive canebrakes are remnant patches of cane that cling ... Read more

Our newsletter for Spring 2011
Description:
Here is our latest newsletter--info on spring events, details on a new website highlighting Scenic Highway 11 and tons of ideas for road trips. If you like it, we'd be happy to drop one in your email every couple of months. There is a subscribe button at the very bottom of the newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time and we won't share your info). Hope you enjoy ... Read more

Scenic Highway Winds Through SC's History
Description:
BY PAMELA SELBERT

The previous day's late-afternoon squall had cooled the air, and though the intense heat would return — this was the Deep South in July — early morning along the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway in South Carolina's "Upcountry" was mild and pleasant under a robin's egg sky.

The drive runs along the 110 miles of State Highway 11, through the foothills of the Blue ... Read more

Tales from the Dark Corner: Klickety-Klack Bridge
Description:
By Dean Campbell, the Squire of Dark Corner. This is from a series that appears in the News Leader newspaper in Landrum, SC chronicling the culture and history of "the Dark Corner of SC."

A surprising sight suddenly greets motorists as they travel west on the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway (Read more

New Harmonies GETS INTO GAFFNEY first!
Description:
The City of Gaffney, in cooperation with The Humanities Council of South Carolina will explore the many aspects of America’s roots music as it hosts the local showing of New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition. New Harmonies will make its first stop in Gaffney, and will be on view beginning April 9, 2011 and continuing through May 29, 2011.

When you stop and listen, you quickly ... Read more

“Singin’ Billy” Walker and Carlisle Floyd inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame
Description:
On March 28, 2011, William "Singin' Billy" Walker was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame in Myrtle Beach. Each year, two distinguished South Carolinians, one living and one deceased, are singled out for this honor. Walker (1809-1875) is also featured on the new downtown Spartanburg Music Trail.

Walker put the words and music ... Read more

Klickety-Klack Bridge
Description:
A surprising sight suddenly greets motorists as they travel west on the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway (SC 11) just 2.3 miles from its junction with SC 14 in the heart of Gowensville.

On the north side of the byway—at the entrance to Look Away Farm—stands a magnificent, 21st Century, covered bridge just off the roadway’s shoulder. It is known as the Klickety-Klack Covered Bridge.

This unique, open-sided, modern covered bridge was built as a gift to ... Read more

Video tour of Mushroom Mountain
Description:
Tradd Cotter of Liberty, SC grows mushrooms at his Mushroom Mountain business. Cotter, a microbiology student at Clemson University is getting ready to write a book between studies and speaking engagements.

This part-farmer, part-scientist has learned how to pick mushrooms, how to identify them in the wild, how to grow them on everything from logs to denim jeans. Now he’s learning how different kinds of mushrooms can be used to clean up oil, to act as insecticides, and break down the ... Read more

BMW Documentary on the Future of Mobility
Description:
“Wherever You Want To Go” is the first release under BMW Documentaries—a new franchise dedicated to crafting original, thought-provoking and entertaining content. The film aims to take audiences to a place they’ve truly never been: the future. From the minds of some of the most influential scientists, academics, pioneers, and entrepreneurs of our time, this four-part documentary paints a unique picture of technology, culture, cities, our past, present and how it all relates to ... Read more

Cycling championships adds events
Description:
A new addition this year, cycling enthusiasts will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite riders during the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships. The event rolls into Greenville for the sixth consecutive year and moves to Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-30, 2011.

Presenting by TD Bank on May 28, the Main Street event will feature live entertainment, and several of the top teams and riders will display their team cars and be available for autographs ... Read more

Spartanburg's Music Trail
Description:
The Trail celebrates contributions of local musicians to the national and international music scene.

Spartanburg’s musical heritage did not start or stop with the Marshall Tucker Band.

While the band is arguably the headliner of the influential musical acts to come from Spartanburg, it is by far not the only one that has gone on to national or international prominence.

“Spartanburg may have more musical talent per capita than ... Read more

Small Towns of the South
Description:
We’ve picked a handful of small towns and cities to highlight, because let’s face it, bigger ain’t always better. If you are looking for a true Southern experience there is no better place than a small town. You’ll find friendly folks, unique places and just maybe, discover the secrets of Southern hospitality.

Gaffney was founded on historic crossroads by Michael Gaffney, an Irish immigrant, in 1804. Visit his restored log ... Read more

Water, Water, Everywhere
Description:
The Upcountry of South Carolina is filled with rivers and streams. The Broad, Enoree, Pacolet, Reedy and Saluda are among the major rivers that originate in or near the Upcountry. Whether you’re looking for a secluded stream to pull out a prized trout or you are seeking heart-pounding thrills in whitewater or a scenic canoe float, you’ll find it here. We’ve put together an overview of the major waterways in the area and the recreational ... Read more

Aunt Sue's is a great stop after an outdoor workout
Description:
After burning a couple thousand calories hiking in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, I’m always up for a well-deserved treat. One of my favorite places to relax and refuel is Aunt Sue's Country Corner in Pickens.

Just off the Read more

Raven Cliff Falls is a great trail with a big payoff
Description:
If you’re going to hike just one trail at Caesars Head State Park, it has to be Raven Cliff Falls, a four-mile trek through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area with a big watery payoff at the end.

Classified as “moderately strenuous,” this up-and-back trail is perfect for ... Read more

Trout stocked by helicopter
Description:
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources stockes rainbow and brown trout using a helicopter and a specialized lift bucket.

Helicopter stocking allows the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to better distribute trout up and down the river systems and prevents the concentration of fish in any particular area. Trout came from Walhalla State Fish Hatchery in Oconee County. The Saluda River, near Columbia, is unique because its ... Read more

Spartanburg Sets Up Charging Stations for Electric Cars
Description:
The City of Spartanburg has announced the installation of charging stations in downtown parking decks.

Funded entirely through a federal grant partnering with “Plug in Carolina,” Spartanburg was selected as one of six cities in the state of South Carolina to receive funding. A total of eight, level II charging stations are installed in the St. John Street, Dunbar, Kennedy, and Magnolia parking ... Read more

Grab a brew made in the Upcountry
Description:
Local brewery gives tours, tastings and refreshment to football fans.

Gov. Mark Sanford was in Spartanburg in July, 2010 to publicly sign the brewery tasting/direct sales bill at RJ Rockers. Breweries can now sell a limited amount of beer to customers following a tour. Until the new law, beer — unlike wine — could only be sold in retail stores via a wholesaler. Those in the industry say the direct, one-on-one contact with customers is priceless.

Now once a ... Read more

Two Kinds of Plant Tours in South Carolina's Upcountry
Description:
By Tom Adkinson

Less than 20 miles apart from each other in South Carolina's Upcountry are two visitor attractions that may seem polar opposites, but they could appeal to the same person on the same day with two quite different plant tours.

One is a cacophonous manufacturing facility – 55 acres under one roof populated by 7,000 employees, 383 robots and seemingly endless conveyors – and the other is a quiet garden, a 10-acre retreat from a noisy world.
Read more

Hub City Press releases new book about outdoor adventures in the Upcountry
Description:
The South Carolina Upcountry is a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. From the piedmont to the foothills, nature lovers and sportsmen alike discover adventure among pristine streams and waterfalls, winding trails and hardwood forests, and the region’s best-kept secret: its state parks.

Outdoor Adventures in the Upcountry is a collection of true stories about hunting, fishing, paddling, and other recreational pursuits by the area’s best nature and ... Read more

Field trip to BMW's only North American facility
Description:
We went to BMW's facilities in Greer, SC for the Ultimate BMW Experience.

For just $99 you'll spend four hours getting to know BMWs inside and out. You'll start with a tour of their museum, the Zentrum, then you'll have a guided tour of their only US plant. The day concludes on the track. Put the X series through its paces on the off-road course and then test drive four ... Read more

Tales from the Dark Corner: Jail escape undetected due to lack of a whisker
Description:
by Dean Campbell, the Squire of Dark Corner. This is from a series that appears in the Tryon Daily Bulletin chronicling the culture and history of "the Dark Corner of SC."

Little Bill Howard was not the son of Big Bill; he was a cousin. He was given the nickname because of his small, but stout, frame that made him stand out from Big ... Read more

Geotrail Trail Explores Spartanburg County Heritage
Description:
Spartanburg Parks Commission’s LEAF Outdoor Recreation and Upstate South Carolina Geocachers Association (USCGA) have partnered to bring the first geotrail to the Upcountry.

The Heritage Geotrail is a series of geocaches that will take participants on a historical tour of Spartanburg County. Participants will visit various locations that are significant to the heritage of the county. Each registered geocacher that finds 16 of the 20 caches, logs his or her finds at Read more

Hollywild Animal Park has welcomed a bouncing baby…tiger!
Description:

“Kashmir” was born on May 2, 2010 to the park’s tigress, “Liv,” a longtime park resident. At birth, Kashmir developed digestive trouble. Liv couldn’t feed him and quickly started nudging him toward her keepers, asking for help. In the wild, Kashmir would not have survived. Not so at Hollywild. The keepers worked with area veterinarians to identify and treat Kashmir’s digestive problems and now he’s making his first public ... Read more

New Magazine Explores the Edible Upcountry
Description:
"Who are the farmers and ranchers stewarding the land and tending the vegetables, fruit and animals which find their way onto our dinner plates? Who are the artisans, chefs and business owners carefully, thoughtfully crafting food and drink for our enjoyment and nourishment? Who are the leading minds in local and regional academia, in government and non-profit organizations spending their days furthering a vision and reality for a healthy, sustainable food system?

The ... Read more

Visit 3 Centuries of Bridges in 90 Minutes
Description:

In 90 minutes or less, you can visit the early 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries through four bridges (and a restored grist mill).

The oldest bridge in South Carolina, Poinsett's Bridge, was built in 1820 and named after Joel R. Poinsett, who among other things introduced to the U.S. the plant that now carries his name.

Campbell's Covered Bridge was built in 1909 and is the oldest covered bridge in the State.

Ballenger's Mill & Covered Bridge is a ... Read more

Field trip to the Children's Museum of the Upstate
Description:
We recently took a field trip to the Museum and had a great time. See a one minute video of our trip here. We had planned to spend several hours there, but before we knew it four hours had passed! Luckily there is nice cafe in the lower level that made the kids and adults much happier. We could have easily spent another couple of hours there doing EVERYTHING, which is what the kids wanted. But that is what second trips are for. We’ll be ... Read more

Tales from the Dark Corner: Madstones
Description:
Superstition has played a major role in folklore throughout the centuries, particularly in the expulsion of poisons, home remedies and old wives tales. Perhaps the top superstition for Dark Corner residents was the curative power of madstones, which had their beginnings in the Middle Ages. In those early days, they were called bezoars and their magical powers were thought to cure ... Read more

Shed Some Light Into The Dark Corner
Description:
For more than 200 years the Dark Corner of Upper Greenville County has remained South Carolina's most elusive and notorious district, until now. Join Anne McCuen, Dean Campbell, Mann Batson and many others in the Dark Corner for an exclusive odyssey beginning with the Archaic Indians, up through the ages to the Moonshinning era and beyond.

This independent film is a journey through the elusive history of the area known as the Dark Corner. An area once defined by murders, ... Read more

Visit the home of trout in the Upcountry
Description:

Walhalla State Fish Hatchery, built by the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps in the '30's, raises brown, brook and rainbow trout for stocking the public waters of South Carolina. Most of the trout are raised to a catchable size of 9-12" before they are released. Fingerling trout are also produced to enhance the trout fishery. Approximately 500,000 trout are produced and stocked annually by the Hatchery. Very large trout (5-15 pounds) ... Read more

SC Botanical Garden opens new garden focusing on Cherokee Indians
Description:
Cherokee Worldview Garden at the South Carolina Botanical Garden by Karen Hall

On June 19th, 2010, the Cherokee Worldview Garden at the South Carolina Botanical Garden was opened to the public. Less than a mile from the last known location of the Cherokee town of Esseneca, it acknowledges the first human beings to inhabit the land that the Botanical Garden now stewards.

Meant to focus on ‘worldview’, the garden is not just a ... Read more

South Carolina Grist Mills & their History
Description:
Grist mills were an important part of everyday life in South Carolina during 18th and 19th centuries. Corn and wheat were ground by hand before the invention of grist mills.

Grist mills were named for grist meaning grain and a mill being something which grinds. They look like complicated machines, but they really work on simple principles. Each part must be kept in perfect working condition for the mill to operate properly.

Mills were built on fast moving river streams so ... Read more

Video Tour of Local Hot Spots
Description:
Looking for something to do in the area? Better Carolinas reporter Allison Lee was, so she grabbed her camera man and hit the road. Below are links to short videos highlighting daytrips and activities that the whole family will enjoy.

Aunt Sue's Country Corner: Table Rock State Park, snake wrangling, country store with wood carving, custom glass and metal work, gift shop and ... Read more

Hub City opens Railroad Museum
Description:
A Charleston newspaper writer referred to Spartanburg as a "hub" in the 1880s, but the actual nickname didn't come until years later, when so many trains stopped here or passed through.

Research indicates a large number of trains went through the area during the peak of the railroad system in the 1910s. Since that time, the city has worn the tag "Hub City" like a badge of honor. Local stores and groups have made it part of their official name.

Read more

S.C. Launches Statewide State Parks Recycling Program
Description:
The South Carolina State Park Service will become the first state park system in the country to offer recycling services for paper, plastic, aluminum and glass commodities at all its parks.

Participating with the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) in the Recycling at the Park program are the S.C. Department of Health & Environmental ... Read more

Waterfalls of the Upcountry
Description:
Is it the sound and the beauty of the falling water or the scent and the feel of cool, clean mountain air that makes the senses come alive?

Whatever the reason, the waterfalls of the Upcountry are a treat for the soul and are some of the most beautiful in the southeast. More than thirty publicly accessible falls pepper the Upcountry with names like Issaqueena, Moonshine, Rainbow, Cheohee, Secret, Wildcat, Spoonauger, Miuka, Licklog and Pigpen that summon the rich heritage of ... Read more