Poinsett Bridge

Discovering South Carolina and the surrounding areas not only allows us to share our rich heritage with our children, but gives us a fun and affordable way to enlighten and enrich our own lives. Getting outside with nature helps us to realize the delicate balance between man and earth as well, which is why I love visiting nature-themed attractions in and around the upstate. Today's spot is no exception.

The Poinsett Bridge is what remains of a historically important road that linked the lowcountry with the mountain towns and communities of western North Carolina.

The bridge covers a meandering stream off of Highway 11. Did you know that if you visit many of the local Walgreens in the area they have Highway 11 t-shirts available for sale? How cute!

There are also some really great trails to hike around, as well as plenty of markers along Highways 414, 11, and 101 (north of Greer, SC) that allow this historic site to be found with relative ease. The trails look moderately easy, but at nine months pregnant I think I'll save that hike for another day! :)

Stay tuned, next week I'll be covering EdVenture museum in Columbia, SC!

Stumphouse Tunnel

Sorry for the long time since no post, I'm pregnant with our second child and have been tied up with complications, but rest assured, our family has had plenty of time to do great activities at a low cost and review them for your research and education!

Back to business. First, my husband and I went on a weekend we were kidless to see if the Stumphouse Tunnel, located off Highway 28 between Walhalla and Mountain Rest, SC, was appropriate for smaller kids (as our son is four). You will find the easiest access by eventually ending up on 123 going past Clemson, SC, and turning onto 28 near Seneca, SC.

The roads are curvy towards the entry to Stumphouse Tunnel Road (we had some problems with our GPS incorrectly identifying Stumphouse Church Road as the correct destination, however, you will find this road about five miles before/after the exit for the Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls park.

The park is free, and is a little on the deserted side (you may even find some couples sneaking out to participate in naughty deeds there, or teenagers looking to participate in recreational activities of the other kind! That's how quiet and peaceful it is!).

Now, the park is a combination of two main attractions. The first is the Stumphouse Tunnel itself, which has a colorful history (refer to the link attached for the long of it), and the second are the beautiful pride of Oconee county, the Issaqueena Falls.

Now, the trail down to the waterfall (you will find yourself at the drop-off), is a bit steep, but a very easy hike for one who isn't eight months pregnant, so I let my husband and son trek down, and then up, the path to enjoy the falls.

The trail leading to the lookout over the Issaqueena Falls

It's a great opportunity to teach your child how to properly use their hands and feet to navigate a steep incline or decline and provides a workout with a reward (seeing those beautiful falls and playing in the water!).

Give yourselves about ten minutes to get down there and ten minutes to come up, and I caution against anyone with moderate to severe medical conditions to over-extend themselves on this trek. I decided that, both times I went, it was just a little too risky and was able to to hang out at the wooden lookout deck and watch the boys trek the hill from above.

Absolutely beautiful!

After cooling off in the crisp, clean Oconee waterfall, you can choose to venture down the "B.R.R.R!" trail and take in some physical movement and nature, or pile back in the car (or hike) up the paved driveway to the area where the Stumphouse Tunnel is located. You will find a large picnic area to the right, before you arrive at the rounded parking area where the gravel path up to the tunnel sits.

Now, the signage for the tunnel provides a great photo opportunity, but the uphill climb is barred off from vehicular entry, so you'll have to scoot around the gate and venture up the hill (a very modest climb I'm able to make several times over at this stage of pregnancy, so even the older or less active folks can enjoy this climb).

To the immediate left you'll find a wooden "flatcar" with steps leading to the surface to walk around; it's still located on the tracks. You can also do what my husband and son did, and climb up the mountain to the top of the tunnel and climb all the way around the opening; there are enough footholds to support a climb for the most inexperienced novice.

Haley and Clay forever!

You may notice as you make your way to the tunnel itself (Yes, I know, finally I am talking about the tunnel!) that there is a great deal of mist and cool air surrounding the cave. There are also a lot of rivulets of water running from the ceiling of the tunnel into pools of cool fresh water below. I highly suggest bringing a battery-operated lantern or flashlight, even during the day.

Yes, that crazy Spiderman wanna-be is my wonderful husband!

And yes, "they" say it's totally haunted. Try it at night, I dare you!

We easily spent three hours at the tunnel and falls, and didn't even pack a lunch to eat there! Being bottled water in a cooler after you get done climbing, so you aren't too tempted by all that fresh-looking water all around you. Be safe, and most importantly, have fun!

My personal favorite part of the trip :)

(Just Like) A Day at the Beach: Lake Jocassee and Devil's Fork State Park

You'll find more information in the link above.

Admission is $2 per adult; fifteen and under FREE. You'll need to pick up a parking placard at the entrance to the park when you pay, and punch out the appropriate day.

Lake Jocassee is a favorite of ours, mostly because you don't have to get on 85 to get there. (Okay, so that's MY favorite reason). It's also fairly uncrowded, making a day cooking out and looking out at the lake, and then jumping in to avoid the horseflies all the merrier. And, personally, the more the merrier is a misnomer. There is too much of a "merry" thing sometimes.

At this point in June the water is a sublime temperature to slip into and fall backwards and languidly glide one's fingertips through the velvety lake. There is also a concession stand open during the weekends in the summer months, and a covered shelter with accommodating restrooms.

A playground sits at the far end of the parking area, and there are trails to trek as well.

The water level is fairly high this year, which means the towels will be spread out on the grass, not the sandy spots between the rocks, but it provides a good means of "wading" the younger, and more aquaphobic, swimmers.

Here's to our fallen heroes

From all of us at Best Upstate Ever, here's wishing the spirits of those who have fallen in the defense of our country are resting peacefully, and that those whose hearts still beat in their battered chests are made stronger by our support for our troops.

Whether we are made different by race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or preference in Pringles flavors (Barbeque!), or our political affiliation let it be known that we support the good fight in the hearts of our soldiers and in the hearts of their wives and family here on our soil.

God bless those families for being so strong, God bless the soldiers, pilots, sailors, submariners alike for having the strength to give SO MUCH of themselves for our country so that WE can have a normal family life, a normal American existence. Remember that should you ever doubt a war, the politicians made the war, our soldiers FIGHT IT. Support your troops, standing, fallen, or struggling to wave the American flag from their wheelchairs.

The Schiele Museum of Natural History

The Pirates exhibits will thrill young boys and girls alike, and the lifelike historic villages outside are a treat to walk through. But a simple blog post won't be enough to tell you all the Schiele Museum of Natural history has to offer!

When you arrive in Gastonia, and park at the museum, from the parking lot a walking trail and historic village area will be to your right if the museum is straight ahead. There is also a nice area for picnicing (which is precisely what we did to enjoy a family meal!).

Tickets for adults are $7 a pop, and kids under 4 are FREE. Kids 4-18 are $6, as are seniors and students.

You will be greeted by a huge fossil of a T-rex in the front lobby.

There is always a temporary special exhibit on hand, and for the summer of 2010, it is "Pirates!", featuring some lifelike and education activities, such as tying knots for the ship, hoisiting the jolly roger, and donning pirate costumes and manning the helm. Be careful of the squeamish kids, there are some rather "gory" exhibits geared towards kids, but might scare the preschool crowd (or, in the case of my son, make him loudly exclaim about the dead body and how cool it looked, go figure!).

There is also an activity room with blocks, a reading tent, coloring sheets, puzzles, and finding treasure in the sand. This is not part of the "Pirates!" exhibit and is a permanent fixture of the museum.

Further on down inside the museum are lots of different exhibits chronicling the diverse species on our planet and detailing the evolution of man. While the exhibits, which mostly consist of a fair amount of taxidermy, are nice to look at, there is a LOT of reading in these areas, so don't expect your little ones to pause at each plaque and wait patiently as you attempt to "educate" them. They are kids, not dictation machines, just make some general statements about each exhibit, and elaborate on topics your child seems interested in :)

Outside the museum you will find not only an "authentic" reproduction of a historic American village, you will also find a Native American village on a .7 mile walking trail, complete with lots of photo opportunities at the Grist Mill with real working water-powered mill, and a teepee. That's right, you can do what I did with my husband and make out in a teepee. Because that's what Christian marriage is all about :)

Sarcasm and playfulness aside, the Schiele museum provided us with 5 hours of entertainment and family bonding time, for a low price, and only an hour outside of Greenville/Spartanburg makes it an affordable day trip.

Oh, and here is a shameless plug for this new site I'm addicted to. If you make it your default search engine (and I do computers and networks for a living so I'm assuring you now this isn't a gimmick) and search you earn points for free prizes.... click the button now and you can refer my awesome self and I'll get like, an extra point or something. Who knows, but I just do it because you don't even have to THINK about earning points!

Walnut Grove Plantation

Pack up some sandwiches and bottle some water and head on out to Moore, SC, and the famous Walnut Grove Plantation. The 18th century plantation built in 1765 for Charles and Mary Moore is furnished and features a kitchen with 18th century utensils. Other buildings include a blacksmith's shop, school, doctor's office, smokehouse and barns.

Open Tuesday through Saturday from April to October from 11-5 PM (Sun 2-5). Tours of the property are given by the hour.

Admission is $6, seniors are $5.50, and kids 6-18 are $3, meaning the under six crowd is free.

http://www.spartanburghistory.org/walnutgrove.php

Enjoying parenthood in the Upstate on a budget!

Hello everybody!

My name is Lindsey, and I'm a quirky mom living in Greer of a rambunctious "almost four years old" boy and have another little boy on the way. I also have a gorgeous five year old niece and two year old nephew.

I love to expose the kids to all the wonderful things to see and do in our area, especially on a budget (kids admission tickets DO add up!).

By keeping my ear to the ground (and monitoring the internet) I've found lots of "hidden gems" and try to keep apprised of events in the area that are great for the kids, families, and parents alike (all parents need a night out once in a while!)

I'll try to post some wonderful places to visit often during the week, along with events, tickets, and discount information, as well as ideas for "mini" road trips for families to enjoy on the weekend!

Life doesn't have to be expensive, we can all get out and see all the world (and the Upstate and surrounding areas!) has to offer on a budget, and I'm going to help to show you how!

All ideas and suggestions are appreciated, and feel free to friend me on Facebook!

www.Facebook.com/YouLoveLindsey

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to bookmark this page for more updates!