Chumley Cope believes it's a good time to ride a car and take a day trip in most cases.
Chumley runs a travel agency called Explore Up Close. He and his team are planning and leading international tours, but they also specialize in regional travel with unique cultural offerings and glimpses of history.
Just before Christmas last year, I spoke to Chumley about a day trip the family might take to some small towns within a drive in Upstate (his picks: Lawrence, Shelby, Newbury).
This time I wanted to choose his brain for short road trips without a specific destination. The drive itself is the main event.
Chumley responded enthusiastically.
“Whether it's the same road I've been to before or a new stretch, there's nothing I like more than going out and driving somewhere,” he said as he chatted with him earlier this week.
He gave me some ideas for readers – more about them soon – but there were also some general advice.
“Make sure you don't have too many preconceptions,” he said. “The whole thing is that it's an adventure. You're an explorer. You're open to Serendipity. Something that appears unexpectedly along the way.”
Another advice: “Find two lane roads. If you slow down, you can easily observe interesting things.”
He suggested saving time by stopping by for lunch or engaging in recreational activities, but once again enjoying the journey along the way.
So what is Chumri's favorite route within and around the Upstate? Here are some:
Highway 288
Highway 11 is known as the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway and is well-known for its fascinating scenery and interesting stopping points.
But Chumri says Highway 288 runs roughly parallel to Highway 11, about 20 miles between Slater Marietta and Highway 178 near Table Rock.
From Greenville, take Highway 25 for a traveler's break, then Highway 276 to Slater-Marietta. Highway 288 leads west from there to Pumpkintown.
Chumuri promotes the landscape along 288. Perfect for a relaxed drive.
Then, when you come to the four stops in Pumpkin Town, you will see Pumpkin Town's general stores and cafes. It's one of the traditional small town locations fans are saying and feels like a step in time. Meanwhile, online reviews have highly praised the breakfast and lunch menu.
Finally, we will link to Highway 178, which leads to Highway 11 in the Table Lock area.
Of course, Table Rock State Park offers a wealth of views and activities. For a casual day trip, Chumuri suggests visiting the peak of the lake.
As an additional option for lunch or snacks, he is a fan of Aunt Sue's Country Corner and is known for his Southern Cooking and ice cream. Aunt Sue also has several small gift shops.
Highway 9
If you are a Spartanburg County resident, you will probably associate Highway 9 with strip malls, subdivisions, and constantly strengthening traffic in the boiling Springs area.
“My view on boiling Springs is that it's getting worse, but it's not too bad,” said Chumley, a patient driver, probably more than many of us.
Either way, past the boiling Springs, the Highway 9 narrows into two lanes, offering picturesque views and an interesting stop.
As Chumley pointed out, the northern stretch of Highway 9 in Spartanburg County crosses Bowen Lake, part of a new prospect crossing, running by Little Africa's historic black community.
I'm looking for Glass Creamery past the state line in the Green Creek area. They grow small herds of dairy cows and make a variety of cheeses on a 226-acre farm owned by Andy and Jennifer Perkins.
Visitors can enjoy charcoal grilled boards, ice cream, hard cider and wine, and take a self-guided tour of the facility.
Head north and you will reach the area that Hurricane Helen has destroyed. Don't let this stop you, Chumley advises.
“Western North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said on Steven Colbert's show “The other day,” that “West North Carolina is open for business.”
Highway 9 passes through Mill Spring, a charming and scenic community and home to Tryon International Equestrian Center.
Highway 9 leads to Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. This is two longtime favorites for Upstate residents planning a family outing. Both were hit hard by Helen, but they are making a comeback.
Fairview Road
Not all of the scenic drives in Upstate are at the mountains and the foothills, Chumri says.
He is a Fairview Road fan, intersecting Interstate 385 and leading south of Simpsonville. It is in busy suburban territory, but “but it quickly becomes fun and countryside,” Chumley said.
He proposes turning his eyes to Fairview Church Road and following the path to Fairview Press Bielian Church. The church has an attractive history dating back to the Revolutionary Wars.
It's hard to say “you can claim to be Greenville County's oldest church,” but he added that the church and cemetery will create “a lovely place to pull into the car park and incorporate it.”
Chumley suggests returning to Fairview Road and heading towards Lawrence County.
Fairview Road eventually becomes Neely Ferry Road, connecting to Highway 252. Turn left and you'll see signs for Lake Lavon Park, a family-friendly recreational spot managed by the Lawrence County Water Board.
“Beautiful Countryside”
These are small samplings of nearby routes that Chumley encourages readers to explore. He says there are abundant and memorable places to see and experience in almost every direction.
He said, “If you live in Upstate and want to get in your car and get away from the views of urban and suburban things, if you can make an effort to take the two-lane road, you'll see the most beautiful countryside in the southeast.”
Baker Maultsby is a traffic/watchdog reporter that can be contacted at bmaultsby@gannett.com
