Take a deep breath and inhale the fresh country air as you eat your breakfast leisurely in your room or cottage.
Today’s adventure will take you through history, over beautiful bridges, by old grist mills, and to a gorgeous waterfall. You’ll finish up your day with a visit to some of the most interesting and unique antique shops in the region.
The first bridge you will visit is Campbell’s Covered Bridge. Built in 1909 by Charles Irwin Willis, this 35-foot long, 12-foot wide red-covered bridge spans Beaverdam Creek. The bridge is named after Alexander Lafayette Campbell, owner and operator of a gristmill only a few feet to the left of the bridge. If you look carefully, you can still see the foundation of what was once an active gristmill. Learn the full history of this bridge by following this link: scpictureproject.org
To get to Campbell’s Covered Bridge, take a left out of the driveway onto North Campbell Rd. Go to the top of the hill and take a left at the stop sign onto Hwy 414. Drive until you come to Pleasant Hill Road, the next right, about a half mile down the road. Drive to the next road on the right-hand side. You will see the signs to the bridge.
By far the oldest and most majestic bridge on the tour, Poinsett’s Bridge will awe and inspire you. It’s the oldest bridge in South Carolina and is one of three bridges on a road that once ran from Charleston, SC, to Asheville, NC. The bridge was named after Joel R. Poinsett, a former US Congressman, and it has a notable gothic feel. Listen closely for the ghosts of Soldiers, horses, and wagons traveling by. Learn the history of Poinsett's Bridge here: Issuu.com
After visiting the bridge, go back to Scenic Highway 11 and turn right, heading south. You might want to stop at Perdue’s Fruit Stand a few miles down, on the right. This is a great roadside market for apples, pears, pumpkins, and peaches depending on the time of year. Load up while you have the chance at this fresh market.
There’s more to this roadside waterfall than you can imagine! Keep walking to see the real beauty of these falls!
Now it’s time for a break for some lunch in Landrum. While on your lunch break, take time to stop in to some of the local antique and gift ships. You’ll find the shops have something for everyone.
You have many choices for lunch. Here are some of the options:
Pearson’s Falls is one of the most beautiful falls in our area. As you stroll along the tranquil, easy path to the falls, notice the wonderful job the Tryon Garden Club has done at maintaining the beauty of the trails and the falls. While an easier walk, they are not ADA accessible. The small entrance fee is well worth both the hike and the view of the waterfalls. How else could you feel more relaxed and away from the normal rush of daily life? Allow yourself to unwind in this natural paradise. Have a picnic at one of the tranquil picnic tables along the path. Learn more by going to their website: Pearson's Falls
This is the last stop in the guidebook. But don't stop exploring now! Saluda NC is just a short drive away and is an adorable Mountain town.