We awoke this morning with a light fog encircling the forest outside as viewed from our “treehouse” bedroom aerie.
In speaking with the owner Bill, he has owned this property for over 30 years during which he has built everything entirely himself including his main home, the workshop, this Airbnb cottage and all of the landscaping.
Bill has designed and built the cottage – although compact – to be entirely self-sufficient with incredible details throughout.
Today we “slept in” a bit and then headed to Greenville at around 10:30. Greenville is about a 40 minute drive from Clemson and has one of only 3 Trader Joe’s in the entire state of South Carolina – one of our primary objectives for visiting.
After the Civil War, Greenville, like much of the South, faced a period of reconstruction. The development of the textile industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought economic growth to the area. Textile mills and factories were established, and the city became known as the “Textile Capital of the World”.
Greenville continued to grow throughout the 20th century, diversifying its economy beyond textiles. The opening of the BMW manufacturing plant in the 1990s marked a significant economic milestone.
In recent decades, Greenville has undergone a revitalization, particularly in its downtown area. Efforts to beautify Main Street, create Falls Park on the Reedy, and attract businesses have transformed the city into a vibrant and attractive destination.
Greenville has emerged as a dynamic city known for its strong economy, cultural scene, and outdoor amenities. It’s a popular place to live, work, and visit in the Upstate region of South Carolina.
We’ve visited Greenville before but enjoyed it so much that we wanted to see some of our favorite places again including Falls Park on the Reedy.
Falls Park on the Reedy is a beautiful urban park located in the heart of downtown Greenville, South Carolina. It is one of the city’s most iconic and popular destinations. Here are some key features and information about Falls Park:
The park is named after the Reedy River, which flows through downtown Greenville. The focal point of the park is the Reedy River Falls, a picturesque waterfall that cascades over a series of rocky ledges. The falls create a stunning natural backdrop and provide a serene atmosphere in the midst of the city.
One of the most iconic features of Falls Park is the Liberty Bridge. This unique pedestrian suspension bridge spans the Reedy River and offers panoramic views of the falls and the surrounding landscape. It’s a popular spot for visitors to take photos and enjoy the scenery.
Falls Park is beautifully landscaped with gardens, walking paths, and lush greenery. The gardens feature a variety of native plants and flowers, creating a serene and visually appealing environment year-round.
The park also features several pieces of public art, including sculptures and installations, which add to the artistic and cultural ambiance of the space.
Falls Park is a key access point to the Greenville Swamp Rabbit Trail, a multi-use greenway that spans over 20 miles and connects various parts of the city. It’s a popular route for walking, jogging, cycling, and enjoying the outdoors.
Near the base of the Liberty Bridge, right on the river, is the newly built Grand Bohemian Lodge. The last time we visited Greenville, it was still under construction so I wanted to walk through it this time.
After leaving the lodge, we walked over the Liberty Bridge with stunning views of the falls below.
At the other side of the bridge, adjacent to a small plaza with a steel drummer drumming tunes today, is Passerelle Bistro a traditional French restaurant that we’d liked from our last visit. Being Sunday, they offered a nice brunch menu. It was pretty full when we arrived, so we put our name in and they said they’d text us when our table was ready.
The waiting time allowed us to stroll the downtown area visiting some unique shops like one that sold hundreds of species of houseplants.
Within a short period of time, I got a text that our table was ready. Perfect weather for outdoor dining!
After brunch, we headed back to the car to go to our real destination for the day – Trader Joe’s. Our daughter hadn’t been there since returning to Clemson so wanted to “stock up”. $140 later, she had meals for weeks!
We went back to the Airbnb, dropped off our TJs groceries, picked up our laundry and headed back over to Charlotte’s apartment to do laundry. While that was happening, we drove down to downtown where L and C did some Tiger shopping while I watched football at the local sports bar. The Miami Dolphins scored 70 points today besting a 1966 record! (No photos).
Returning to our daughter’s apartment, we picked up the laundry and then headed to Food Lion to buy dinner provisions to BBQ back at the Airbnb.
Filled up the rental car nearby. We’ll probably not see this price again anytime soon – on this trip and beyond!
Nice evening enjoying the place. Perfect weather to sit outside and enjoy it listening to the crickets and cicadas! (and Lorna almost freaking out when a relatively large orb spider dropped down from above!).
We leave this southern paradise to head north in the morning. So I leave you today with this message. If you visit, you’ll always have Carolina in your mind…
East Coast Road Trip: From Clemson to Montreal 
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