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 :)