One of my not-so-crazy last-semester-of-college-bucket-list items was to take advantage of the beautiful mountains that are right outside of Spartanburg. I finally got the motivation to go hiking yesterday and it was amazing. Two friends and I decided to hike to Raven Cliff Falls, which is located in Caesar’s Head State Park. I did this hike once or twice back in the day when I was a camper at Asbury Hills, so I knew it was a good one.
We thought we were doing great to get to the park by 1 pm after a Saturday night of fun. However, I had a run-in with a not-so-friendly park ranger when I stopped to ask where the trail head was. She informed me that it was way too late in the day to be hiking (what?) and that I needed to register and pay for a permit lest I end up “stuck on the mountain,” which according to her would most definitely result in my death. I left when she told me I had to buy a $5 map. If you’re headed that way yourself, all the information you need can be found on the internet, including a free map.
Despite the park ranger’s warnings of fines and death, we found the trail head and had an extremely successful hike. In total, we went about ten and a half miles and still had an hour of daylight to spare, so I’m not too sure what her deal was.
About two miles into the hike there’s an overlook where you can actually see the falls, then you hike all the way around until you’re right on top of them
It only took one little hike to make me want all the hiking clothes in the world. I love Patagonia “baggies” shorts and think you can never own enough. They’re pretty much waterproof, they’re comfortable, and they’re cute as can be. Here are my two favorite colors for spring. Maybe if I keep this hiking up I can justify buying more.
Baggies in Frank’s Garden, Cosmic Pink
On another note, it’s Monday, which means Southern Living’s “5 Things You Need to Know in the South This Week” is up on their blog today! And boy are there some great things going on around here. Charleston brothers and southern food experts Matt and Ted Lee come out with their third cookbook, The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen on Tuesday. I really want to get my hands on this, but since I’m pretty much vegan for lent I doubt there will be much I can use it for other than to make my counter look pretty. But hey, I’m okay with that.
I only discovered the Lee Bros. a few weeks ago when browsing Garden and Gun’s website, but I immediately knew they were something special. Get this-they both went to college in the northeast and missed boiled peanuts so much that they started their own boiled peanut mail order company!!! Now that’s a southern craving put to good use. On the drive yesterday to and from Caesar’s Head we passed at least 8 boiled peanut stands. The only thing that kept me from stopping was my lack of cash-these roadside huts don’t take cards. Still, I can’t imagine not having boiled peanuts within reach all the time, so I think the Lees Bros. are geniuses. So does Pat Conroy:
“The Lee Bros Charleston Kitchen is a work of art; it brings the city of Charleston to every home lucky enough to own this book.”
Mom, if you’re reading this, I think this cookbook deserves a spot on your shelf.
Cheers to another wonderful week in the south,
Margaret
Great post Margaret! I’ll look forward to getting the Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen book from YOU once you’re hired by the PR firm that is smart enough to snatch you up.