Life is short. Experiences are better than things. Money can be tight.
Follow me as I Day Trip and experience new things. Most of my experiences include a car with a tank of gas, a pic-nic and a slightly flexible plan.
It has been a hot minute since I have written anything. The truth is, it has been a hot minute since we’ve taken any day trips. Yet, I am determined to change that during this bright new year.
If you follow this blog, you know that last year my position was eliminated after a 25 year career. I found something new, rather quickly, thank goodness but starting from scratch at the bottom left me with no free time to roam. Add Covid, leaving us all quarantined at home most of the year, traveling just wasn’t all that appealing. I mean the fun of a day trip is to experience all that the local scene has to offer and with businesses and restaurants shut down or only able to offer to go, it left me a bit disinterested. Also, my husband and I purchased a new home and a new business (Funflicks.com/Columbia), which meant much of our time was spent moving, getting our previous home ready to go on the market (it sold in 5-days btw. Whoop Whoop, West Columbia is a great place to live follow #peggymetzerealestateagent to find out) and making our new home our own. We honestly didn’t mind spending time at home this year. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that we also were diagnosed and survived COVID and when I say survived, I mean y’all, that virus is no joke and it almost took me OUT. I was no good for at least 4-weeks and it took another 4 to begin to get my energy level back. Anyhoo, Cheers to a new year and hitting the road, hopefully soon for safe roaming around our State and fingers crossed also yours.
Wear those masks, get those vaccines as soon as you are able to and let’s get this year rolling.
Since March, Team Pinner has been hunkered down at home like the rest of the world. We work outside of the home and have knocked out some fairly substantial projects around our home, our yard looks better than it ever has but there’s been minimal socializing (immediate family only) and needless to say there have not been many travels. We have been extra cautious not only for ourselves but for our parents who we are both next of kin and closest caregivers for.
Now that our world seems to be in the beginning stages of slowly, safely and cautiously opening back up again we decided it was time to get out of the house and take a drive. Because my parents had also been safely staying home for the past 8 weeks or so and this seemed like a super safe outing we invited them to tag along.
Eudora Farms is located in Salley, SC, a small town about 38 miles from the Columbia Airport. It was a quick drive, really pretty. The farm is brand new and had originally planned to open in 2021 but due to Covid and so many families being in search of something to do they opted to open a drive through safari experience now instead of later. I am unsure of what their full plans are but I have to tell you this experience was FUN and I cannot imagine it being any better.
From what I read on social media, the line to enter gets rather long so we opted to try a Sunday morning arriving before their gates open at 10am. Our church isn’t meeting in person anyway and we were able to listen to services on the way. We arrived around 9:45am and were finished with the full experience by 11am. Timing was perfect as we entered almost immediately after arriving. The entry fee is $20 a car and you may purchase small feed buckets for $5 each. I highly recommend that you purchase at least one per person and maybe even more. If you aren’t careful one animals will eat it all in one chomp which could lead to some sad children. We figured out it was best to put all of the feed in one bucket and just put a tiny bit in each individuals bucket at a time in order to keep one animal from chomping it all up. It doesn’t matter which side of the car you sit on as the animals can literally crisscross back and forth in between the cars and they will come to both sides/windows. You might want to take some wipes or hand sanitizer as you are likely to get a little drool or dribble on your hands.
The farm includes but is not limited to deer, ostriches, emu, cows, camels, bulls, zebras, antelopes and one super tall giraffe. All of various sizes, shapes, colors, etc. The property itself is unbelievably beautiful. It feels as if you are taking a drive through the mountains. There’s a dirt path that you follow in your car and the animals will circle you walking back and forth. Definitely have your camera ready for those fun shots and videos.
At the very end of the experience you can park and enter a small petting zoo that includes the giraffe. I understand that he does not come out on cloudy or rainy days. At the entrance/exit, you will find porta-potties and concessions. Prepare yourself and the children for at least an hour or maybe longer in the car because there is no turning around once you are inside the drive. Several. people I have know have opted to go after lunch and have had up to a 2 hour wait in the car line just to enter. The line is on a dirt road with little room to turn around so make sure you are all in before entering.
Well 2020 rolled into our lives like a hormonal teenager. Just when life was seemingly calming down for my family and we’d made big travel plans, we were all sent to our own little corners of the world for safety purposes. I was furloughed from my job and after 5-weeks at home my position was eliminated entirely, after 25 years of service at the same Healthcare Organization. Not one to let grass grow under my feet, I immediately started applying elsewhere upon furlough, as I felt that if they couldn’t afford me then not much was going to change in a few months. Thankfully, I landed a new job in my arena rather quickly. The job takes me to an area outside of the Midlands. So, my husband and I took a little day trip to check out the area, test the drive and see what we could find. All while socially distancing and being super safe of course. I am all about taking this situation seriously and masking up as much as possible.
Our adventure landed us in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Home of the Edisto Memorial Rose Gardens (and South Carolina State University – a post for another time, campus is closed currently), quite the impressive place that neither of us had ever visited even though it had been on our list for some time. As it turns out, the first week of May was the perfect time to visit as it’s high season for Rose Gardens and is normally the weekend of their annual Rose Festival which, like everything else had been cancelled. But Mother Nature was still showing out and the Roses were UNBELIEVABLE. It felt wonderful to be out in the open air, distanced from others as the property is expansive and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Just take a look at these beautiful photographs that I snapped. I think this would be the perfect spot for a family pic-nic. We didn’t take advantage of all of the trails as we had not planned to stop and walk and were not dressed appropriately but what we were able to enjoy left us wanting to come back and see more. Wear comfy walking shoes when you visit.
We drove around this sleepy little town full of beautiful architecture that just screams for someone to take a chance and open locally owned shops. The Town is clean and impressive but there’s really not much there. We happened upon this little joint called the Dairy O that was open via drive-thru only and the line was so long we just had to hop in it and see what it was about. We grabbed a couple of sandwiches; ham and egg salad, milkshakes and headed to the little town center where we squatted on a bench beside a lovely fountain and watched the cars mozy on by. In the corner of the town square I spotted a beautiful little tea shop, the only business as far as I could see but unfortunately it was not open on that particular day. I did however visit a few weeks later.
Tea Thyme is the cutest little shop. When I stopped by they were still offering curbside to go. Because no one was in the shop at the time I opted to go in and pick up my pre-ordered sandwich. The store itself is a gift shop full of various lose teas and everything you would need to pull off a classy high tea. While there’s no seating inside, they do have a lovely courtyard. It happened to be raining on the day I stopped in to grab lunch but I can see myself sitting out there on a sunny afternoon and definitely plan to go back. The food was unique but quite flavorful and tastey.
Orangeburg is also home to another local restaurant that I have heard great things about, Chestnut Grill. While I have not eaten there, I have it on my list of things to try once the Covid situation is under control and I actually feel comfortable enough to eat inside a restaurant among other people.
Overall it was a nice little drive and a safe way to get some fresh air during these weird times. If ever in the area, definitely stop by the Rose Gardens to stretch your legs and take in some of God’s most amazing creations.
The Okefenokee Swamp is actually a 438,000 acre wetland that stretches from Georgia all the way through Florida. We’ve all heard it mentioned in songs and movies over the years. While planning a visit to see my husbands extended family in Alma, Georgia he recommended that we make a pit stop to this park in Waycross Georgia. He grew up visiting the park when he would spend the summers with his grandma. It had been years since he had been in the park and was quite foggy on what the experience might be like so once again, I was not fully prepared.
Everything you need to know about visiting the park is here: https://okeswamp.com/ Depending on where you are traveling from this could very well be a day trip. For us it was a bit far from home but was the perfect side trip excursion on our way into town. In true Team Pinner style we packed a pic-nic per usual and enjoyed an area between the entrance drive and the park parking lot that was set up with a covered pic-nic table area and public restrooms . Of course this was before actually entering the park and taking advantage of several of the tours. It was then that we realized just how close those gators werev to the parking lot. YIKES!! Seriously, our car is in the picture below with a gator just a few feet away. Double YIKES! I don’t know about you but that little yellow rope is not providing enough security between him and our car and the pic-nic area behind it.
The park isn’t huge but offers quite a bit to do. We were there for about 4 hours which is longer than we expected. You can tool around on your own and see enclosed exhibits.
You can get a little hands on action by attending one of their talk sessions.
You can take a little walk on a boardwalk through the swamp to a large fire tower. If you choose to climb that you can see quite a distance through the swamp. We were there just as winter was turning to spring so the trees were still mostly bare and it was a beautifully scenic view from the top of the tower.
Of course along that boardwalk there are ….. gators. Now that I know this, I am not sure you’ll ever see me on that boardwalk in the middle of that swamp ever again. ha Of course we were told time and time again that the gators don’t bother people and aren’t interested in people unless they are threatened. BUT whose to say the person on that boardwalk before didn’t do something stupid to disturb their peace and then I have to pay the price when I come along next. Nope, it’s their home so I am just going to let them have it from here forward. hahaha
Baby Gators … how many do you see?
After the walk along the boardwalk and climb to the top of the firetower, to which I almost RAN back from, we took a flat bottomed boat ride through the swamp. Again, the views were beautiful, we saw lots of gators and/or gator nests and learned quite a bit about the swamp from the tour guide. This was by far my favorite part of the day. Somehow I felt a little safer in a boat than on foot. Apparently the Okefanokee is quite famous with Hollywood and has been used for the backdrop of many movies.
Our last stop on the tour was via train, an old steam engine with open seating. Again the tour guide provided quite a bit of information and stopped along the way to point out gator sightings, interesting plants and other fun facts.
The train ride exit leaves you in an area where they have an old historic town set up. There’s a farm house, outdoor classroom and a small petting zoo with live animals. We enjoyed the petting zoo but by this time I was so creeped out by being told to stay on the path at all times, realizing that I had to walk back through the swamp to get to the park exit, that all I could think of while looking at chickens was a gator must be lurking to eat the chickens and probably me too so, I was ready to GO!!! Of course you exit through a gift shop like all great parks and tours so we picked up a fun Christmas Ornament to serve as a memento.
The swamp is truly beautiful, an example of God’s amazing creation but if you are phobic of gators this is NOT the place for you. They are seriously every where you look, out in the wild. This is NOT a Zoo, they are not necessarily contained. I was brave for as long as I could be and then I couldn’t contain it any longer and needed to get in the car and quietly drive away, FAST. I am sure that you are much braver than I and will thoroughly enjoy this beautiful swamp full of education.
The Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC is one of our treasures. It’s a beautiful award winning Zoo that we have a membership to and visit often. There’s something for everyone; animals of course, exciting behind the scene excursions, walking trails and beautiful gardens, a splash zone, several places to eat and so much more.
I started a tradition several years ago of giving the boys an adventure for Christmas instead of stuff. It’s typically something that I plan to take place at some point later in the winter. It always gives us something fun to look forward to and it’s scheduled family time. We’ve gone to concerts and sporting events, day trips and eating experiences. This year, I opted for a fun adventure of zip lining at Riverbanks soon. We went late in February, it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and everyone had a blast. Part of the zip line course was down because of a tree being hit by lightening so our trip took only an hour and was half the typical cost.
I have done this course before and it was twice the length and cost. This turned out to be the perfect amount of time and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. Instead of an age limit, there are weight limits both the low and the high number. Log onto The Riverbanks Zoo website to find out all of the details, costs, available times, etc as those details change and I don’t want to share something that is no longer relevant.
What is relevant is the FUN. The course prepares you for the last zip by each line getting a little longer. Crossing the swing bridge (on foot) in the middle of the course is the most challenging part and can take some time depending on the confidence of the team that is with you. The last zip takes you clear across the Congaree River. It’s beautiful, exhilarating and FAST! Enjoy a day of fun with your family and friends.
Back Row: My husband and The Oldest. Front Row: The Youngest, precious girlfriend, ME and my niece aka Sunshine.
Bryson City, North Carolina has quite a bit to offer. They have the cutest shops and laid back restaurants with unique outdoor spaces to relax and dine. While shopping and grabbing a bite, you’ll hear a faint, “choo choo”, in the distance. It’s a beautiful sound, really. The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad proved to be so much more than we expected. Quite honestly, I fully expected this experience to be right up there with the cheesiest of things we’ve done but it was completely opposite. It was an interesting and relaxing afternoon.
Well in advance (because they book up fast in the fall), I reserved two Premium Seats on the Open Car. I was admittedly confused when making our reservation as there are so many options and not knowing what I was getting into was torn between quite a few. The open car is just that, open-air, no windows. It was raining during our trip but we did not get wet. It was a tad bit chilly but we were prepared with hats, gloves and a blanket. The difference in the regular and the premium open car is the placement of the car behind the steam engine and also the seats. The regular open car has benches where the premium seats were more bucket like with cushions. We were quite comfortable. Don’t get side tracked trying to decide which side of the car to sit on like I did, as halfway through the trip they ask you to move to the seats behind you. Both views were great, unique in their own way. No worries, you will get to see it all.
The sounds of the steam engine combined with the open-air and the train created a very romantic back drop. Some important things to note before you board would be; the trip times are not exact. We signed up for the 2-6p. We didn’t leave until almost 3pm and returned sometime around 7pm. Just important to know if you are trying to fit more than one adventure into your day. We had to call and move dinner reservations which was fine, just something to note. Breakfast/or lunch is provided depending on the time of day that you sign up for. We received lunch but not until approximately 4:30pm. Take your own snacks or plan to eat before if you are sensitive to the times you eat as I understand this can vary as well. Lunch was either a veggie wrap or a BBQ sandwich basket with sides (you have to choose when you sign up). When you check in to board the train you’ll be given a large keepsake cup with a lid and that is good for as many refills (Water, Tea, Soda) as you want prior to boarding the train and during the trip. Because it was rainy and cool they also offered coffee and hot apple cider which truly hit the spot.
Our particular route stopped at the Nantahala White Water Rafting Center. If you haven’t visited, there you will find a restaurant, bar, gift shop and outdoor center. It’s built along the banks of the river where you’ll see groups of kayakers and tubers or rafters zooming by (even on this cool rainy day). The layover lasted about an hour which was enough time for us to shop, rest and clean up (post lunch), charge our phones and enjoy the large fire-pit down by the river. PS. the train car does have a restroom.
We had the best time on this fun excursion and encourage everyone to give it a go. We would definitely do it again.
Writing about my recent birthday trip to Jacksonville made me think of another birthday trip that my husband took me on back in 2016. This could very well be a day trip but the best part was staying over two nights in the Inn mentioned above. My husband, Sugar, read about this place somewhere and made a note that it might be a special trip that he could treat me with. A treat it certainly was. We are just weeks away from Autumn and I think this would be a BEAUTIFUL place to visit during the fall.
From the moment you turn off of the main hard top onto the entrance drive you will not believe your eyes. The views are simply breathtaking. We were there in the summer but I can imagine every season is special in this beautiful place.
The Inn offers accommodations not only in the main Inn but also in cottages along the property as well. It’s important to note that this is not a B&B. The main difference is privacy. The Inn was full to capacity while we were there but other than our hosts we didn’t see anyone else. Instead of joining other vacationers for a public breakfast the host prepares breakfast and leaves it for you in your private quarters to be enjoyed at your leisure. I LOVED this feature!! Who wants to be rushed during a relaxing vacation to dress and be presentable at a certain time.
The hosts have honestly thought of everything to make your stay absolutely perfect. The devil is in the details and they did not leave any detail out. Driving away from this place was a sad day. We honestly cannot wait to go back. https://www.theredhorseinn.com/
We enjoyed two nights out while at the Inn, both restaurants were recommendations of the owner and both were perfectly lovely. Stone Soup is a must and The Hare and the Hound was a super fun restaurant in a quaint area of town called Landrum, S.C. There seemed to be quite a few shops in this area as well but we missed them as they were closed by the time we arrived for dinner. A note for next visit is to make time to shop while in the area as well.
Daytime excursions in this area were fun as well. We packed a pic-nic and took a day trip to Jones Gap, hiked to Rainbow Falls and enjoyed the beautiful day. https://southcarolinaparks.com/jones-gap Jones Gap has limited parking so go early during peak season. We waited at the gate for an hour in order to gain access. Read back up to where I wasn’t in a hurry to get dressed for the day. hahaha. Early bird gets the worm, or the parking spot at the State Park in this case.
Both of these were both neat stops to make, we enjoyed them both very much. If you love photography these are gorgeous back drops if ever in the area.
We visited Victoria Valley Vineyards http://www.victoriavalleyvineyards.com There, we enjoyed a wine tasting, a homemade sangria with a cheese plate and the beautiful views from their patio. This is a MUST place to visit for sure. Check their schedule and make reservations if needed.
There were a few more fun “Mountain” stops along the way. I love to just drive and stop when I see something interesting. This area is truly a gem and I cannot wait to visit again during another season of the year.
My teenage niece, Sunshine loves the arts. She is super talented at sketching and loves comics. This past year I took her to an open studio in The Columbia Vista, Studio Cellar and we both fell in love. They offer classes, private events and open public studio times. For open studio times you simply pop in, pick the size of canvas you would like to paint and pay one price. They have all of the supplies set up for you and ready to go. The best part is the folks that work there. Their backgrounds and interests vary but all of them are knowledgeable about basic painting skills and are willing to guide you through the process.
I will admit that the first stroke is intimedating. If you are like me, not an artist, it’s difficult to determine where to begin. The studio has tons of sample work and once you get started it is super fun.
Sunshine and I made it a priority to visit the studio once a quarter starting in January of 2019 and we had a great time paining our way through the seasons. The staff’s tips and tricks helped us both improve as the time passed. Some of our sessions lasted for hours, we just couldn’t stop. They provide everything you need, you just have to show up with an idea. And even if you don’t have an idea there are tons of samples to take a look at and build off of. I will admit that most of my creations were combinations of pieces I saw in the studio and then I just sort of put them together.
Don’t hesitate to take one of their classes if that feels like a better starting place for you. I have taken classes with co-workers, hosted birthday parties with friends and have even taken my husband, Sugar, for a fun double date with another couple. Who cares what the weather looks like outside as it’s warm and cozy or super cool in the studio and their large windows makes it fun to Vista people watch while waiting on your paint to dry. Take your family and get creative. Support the ARTS! CREATE! Use your imagination.
The final day of our August Summer cool down trip to the mountains took us on a drive along the parkway through The Pisgah National Forest. I was unfortunately on the third row in the car so the views were challenging and there are no pictures but the drive is spectacular. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48114
The road winds back and fourth to higher elevations, through tunnels with views all around. The Pisgah Inn, looked to be quite rustic with a walk-able campground close by, exactly what you expect on a Mountain getaway. We stopped for a warm breakfast and beautifully breathtaking views. THIS is definitely a photographic must stop. Cute gift shop, friendly wait staff and a small provitions area where you can pick up pre-packed freshly made foods to grab and go (perfect for a pic-nic). Pay them a visit when in the area. http://www.pisgahinn.com/ Enjoy their beautiful scenic deck, large enough for any crowds that might gather and sit in the cozy rocking chairs overlooking this amazing view (see below).
Along this beautiful drive you will pass sliding rock, a great place for family fun and a dip in the cool mountain water. We didn’t stop on this trip but I have before and it’s an exhilarating dip. Be warned that you’ll just have to find a spot to pull off the side of the road (as there’s not really a parking lot), and you might need to walk a piece, the line is typically quite long but you’ll be glad you braved a little slippity slide and you’ll dry off by the time you get back to your car. Water shoes and clothing are a must for this activity. https://www.romanticasheville.com/sliding_rock_north_carolina.htm
Another pull off spot is, Looking Glass Falls. We lucked up and found a close parking spot so the walk wasn’t very long at all. This is a great spot to see a waterfall from the side of the parkway without actually having to hike, in case those abilities are a struggle for anyone in your group. There are steps and you can make your way down to the water, even swim up under the falls if you want. We were there on a Saturday and it was packed. I have stopped in this same spot mid week and there’s definitely less traffic on a random weekday (just a note for best accessibility).
Our last stop on this windy trip was back over to Chimney Rock. I was so excited to be back in this area as it’s one of my favorite childhood vacation memories with my parents. I haven’t visited this area in 30+ years so the memories are vague but there. Along this route we passed more mountain side traps; antique stores, farmers markets, orchards and there’s even a small village with campgrounds, hotels, restaurants and a small theme park. It actually looked like a fun place to stop and spend a few days. Upon entering the gates to Chimney rock itself you are asked to pay an entry fee per person and it’s not super cheap so be prepared. You’ll want to spend a little time there in order to make it worth the money. There are multiple hikes along the water and trail paths or you can do as we did and just take the elevator up to the observation desk and climb the short distance the rest of way. (We had a tired two year old in tow so hiking wasn’t going to be the most peaceful option.) https://www.chimneyrockpark.com/
The view from the top is pretty breathtaking. Looking down on Lake Lure, a place I have yet to visit, surrounded by the mountain peaks is definitely something to see. The experience was mostly as I remembered it from my childhood. The great thing about Chimney rock is that it is rather friendly to all abilities, even if you can’t climb you can enjoy the views from the observation deck. (Check their website first to make sure the elevator is open at the time of your planned visit) It’s a great place for an entire family. The staff was friendly and full of information. Where’s a fun gift shop that includes snacks but by now most of you will guess what I am about to say about that. There are just too many great stops along the way to pass up packing a pic-nic and enjoying lunch in nature. Another fun trip in the books, one we are so thankful to have had the opportunity to take. Family time is the best time, always.
The second part of our “cool down in the Mountains” August Trip went like this …
Hendersonville is another small town with a hopping Main Street area. On Friday night they close off a section of downtown for live music and a car show. In other times of the year they have arts festivals and even an apple festival. We have been fortunate enough to check out a few of those over the years. There’s no shortage of places to eat, shop and socialize along this stretch of town. During this trip we enjoyed a lovely dinner at SHINE, walked around downtown with our precious family baby, who loved looking at the bear statues on every street corner, looked at the historic cars and danced to the fun street band. https://www.visithendersonvillenc.org/
Cideries, Breweries and Wineries, OH MY!
We are not big drinkers in my household but I do love a good Cider and on occassion enjoy a refreshing wine. On this trip we checked out two very different Cideries but saw so many others in the area. A great idea would be to hire a driver, sit back and enjoy the view and taste test along the way.
Bold Rock Cider is a well-known high production cider. We popped by during their featured Sunday brunch and tried a tasty flight. It would be fun to go back for an actual tour. The grounds are spotless and features a music stage. I can only imagine how much fun this place would be on a Fall Saturday afternoon. https://boldrock.com/
Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery was by far my favorite. It’s a smaller production, locally owned Cidery that is also part of the Saint Paul’s Vineyard, just across the street. They converted an old worn barn into the most gorgeous site for their Cidery, even using the downstairs stable doors to make tasting tables out of. On the outside the barn just looks like a regular white siding building but when you step inside, the warmth and history envelopes you and you just don’t want to leave. The young-man that lead our tasting was phenomenal and fun. The tasting was $10 and included 6 ciders and 2-cordials. Yes, we walked away with a few treats to enjoy this fall. All were delicious and did I mention how beautiful this location was? They offer service on their patio on the weekends, often times featuring live music and a food truck. I highly recommend this stop along your travels. https://www.facebook.com/Appalachian-Ridge-Artisan-Hard-Cider-494317397428080/
Apples!
Along this same stretch of Hendersonville you will find orchards until your heart is content. We made a pit-stop at Grandad’s who were just opening for the season and not quite super busy yet. Not all of their varieties were ready but we were able to pick up a few pears which delighted my pear loving heart. The views were gorgeous with apples, corn and sunflowers growing in the foreground with the mountains in the background. They have a large fenced in play area for the kiddos, my husband loved that part as you can see. Fresh HOT apple doughnuts and cold apple slushies along with many preserves and other canned or bagged fun take-aways. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing how another orchard does it as My Mom and I have a favorite annual stop that I will tell you about closer to September. https://www.grandadsapples.com/
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