Sunday, May 15th, 2022 … Two Lane Adventures Continue!

Before we departed Palmetto Cove RV Park, we had a visit with my first cousin once removed, from my Dad’s side, Cory Ann. She lives near Greenville and we were so close she had to drive over and meet! It’s pretty cool to meet relatives that you have never met in person before. We have been friends on Facebook for a while.

The campground we have been staying at is called Palmetto Cove RV Resort. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2021. Palmetto Cove is a member-owned, non-profit campground originally founded as an Airstream campground and designed for large rallies. They are nestled at the very edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, with river access, and near the intersection of two famously scenic roads (US 276 and SC-11).  

US Highway 276 winds a familiar path through the Blue Ridge Mountains, bisecting towns and forests and making memories along the way. Highway 276 covers very diverse landscapes. It goes from the rocky steps down to Connestee Falls; to the boutiques of Brevard and the shattering spill of Looking Glass Falls.

SC 11, aka Geer Hwy, also known as the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Hwy. It is a 120-mile state highway that travels through the far northern part of South Carolina, following the southernmost peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The route is surrounded by peach orchards, quaint villages, and parks. Once known as "Keowee Path" or "Cherokee Path," this road was the route used by the Cherokees and the English and French fur traders. It now provides a scenic alternative to driving I-85 through South Carolina.

There was a small Farm Market Stand where we got gas, but the big daddy of farm stands is Cooley Brothers Farm. Cooley's Old-Tyme Peach Shed, has been growing "Top of the Hill" brand fruit for over 60 years. Cooley’s Farm includes red ripe strawberries, tree-ripened peaches, vine-ripened tomatoes, sweet cantaloupes, white nectarines, blackberries, vegetables, watermelon, jams, jellies and ciders.

In 1946, Perry Cooley offered the land to his son, Frank Eugene "Gene" Cooley, to farm peaches on. Since Gene had just returned from World War II, Perry agreed to furnish the land and purchase the trees if Gene would dig the 2,000 holes in the fertile South Carolina soil. By the mid-1950s, Gene’s brother, Ansel, joined him in the peach business and built a packing shed that they named "Cooley Brothers Peach Shed". The nearly 400 American flags that fly in the summer wind are a tribute to Gene and Ansel Cooley to commemorate their service in World War II.

By 1978, another generation had graduated from high school and was ready to join the family business full time! Through years of losing peach crops due to cold weather, James knew he had to diversify the farm in order to put dinner on the table for his family. By the early 2000's, the name Strawberry Hill starting resonating with their new generation of customers. In 2001, they built a restaurant on the farm that he named Strawberry Hill U.S.A. Café and Ice-cream Parlor. In 2007, James and his Uncle Freddie Buckner added 36 acres of blackberries to the farm. As of 2021, Strawberry Hill U.S.A. is now the largest strawberry farm in SC with 115 acres. Peaches are still our primary crop with close to 1,000 acres in production. They have also ventured into growing summer squash, cucumbers, cantaloupes, and beans.

General Twitty Hwy - Lieutenant General  Stephen M. “Steph'” Twitty is a native of Chesnee, South Carolina and his hometown has honored him by naming State Highway 11 in his honor. The local American Legion Post 48 proudly displays signage proclaiming him as a native son. While growing up as a self-proclaimed “country boy,'' Steph fell in love with the military. His grandfather, Spc. Carson Mackerson, served 11 years in the segregated US Army Air Corps during World War II. As a child, his grandfather ran him through infantry maneuvers in the yard and inspired him to join the National Guard as a junior in high school.

We kept seeing signs for the Cowpen Battlefields. The Cowpens National Battlefield commemorates Daniel Morgan's victory over Banastre Tarleton on January 17, 1781. At this 845-acre site, which served as a pasturing grounds at the time of the Revolutionary War, Daniel Morgan's forces succeeded in executing a Double Envelopment maneuver, one of but a few in history. What is a Double Envelopment maneuver? It is a military maneuver in which forces simultaneously attack both flanks (sides) of an enemy formation.

Crossing from SC to NC was nothing spectacular, we don’t cross a river or find a big fancy sign, we just pass quietly from one state to another.

Located in the Blue Ridge Foothills, the town of Spindale was born out of the textile industry in 1923. It is woven from the fabric of small-town charm, passionate resilience and appreciation for community.

In the town of Ruth, we turned onto US 64E. Ruth is one of the small towns that is home to the Thermal Belt Rail Trail. Thermal Belt Rail Trail is an almost 14-mile 12' wide trail. The trail offers multiple parking areas and a variety of experiences on and near the trail. The northern section is more rural and shaded. At mile 7 you are in downtown Spindale. At mile 11 you are in downtown Forest City. RHI Legacy Foundation helped make the trail a reality with more than $5 million in funding! The trail runs from Gilkey to Forrest Hunt Elementary. It travels through five communities including Ruth, Spindale, Rutherfordton, and Forest City.

Once a ways into NC, we started up winding roads to reach Roaring Rivers Vineyards in Traphill NC. It’s our harvest host home for one night.

The Roaring River Vineyards sits on an incredibly historic site that dates back to 1870. The Brewer mills once used the river for their grinding wheels, and some of the sawmill's columns and cabin are still intact to this day. Their tasting room was erected in place of the old gristmill and offers great views of the historic site just across the river.

Chez Joséphine is the restaurant located on the Roaring River Vineyards tasting room that serves small plates, soups, salads, paninis, and desserts. We opted for the cooler indoor seating. But, the covered deck is a favorite place for guests to enjoy the beautiful views from the three-story cantilevered deck over the Roaring River. Here, you are serenaded by the lovely sounds of the river as it flows down from Stone Mountain!

 

 

Our drinks and meals were spectacular!

Tonight was the lunar eclipse and NC had a heavy cloud cover, no eclipse for us! Check back tomorrow for more of our Two Lane Adventures!