Photos by Hugh Staples Triple Falls, DuPont State Park I read a book a few years ago by Robert Morgan, who has written several historical novels about the early days in the backwood mountains of Upstate South Carolina, mostly the area just outside Landrum, on the border of Greenville and Spartanburg counties, called Dark Corner.

This "dark corner" of the world got its name due to its remote location and rugged terrain, filled with moonshiners and scoundrels, a place where the revenuers rarely dared to set foot because it was more trouble than it was worth to root out the stills and the 'shiners who earned their living making and selling the bootleg whiskey.

For some reason, as this story went, folks transporting goods decided a better road needed building to make it easier to get from Charleston to Asheville. The ravines and gulches made road building difficult so a bridge was built in 1820 not far from Dark Corners, employing men and boys from the area. The Poinsett Bridge still stands, built with a Romanesque style arch, from stone, believed to be the oldest bridge still standing in South Carolina.

Poinsett Bridge arch Another covered bridge in the Upstate area is Campbell's covered bridge, once linked to a gristmill. Built in 1909 the bridge still stands, though only the foundations of the gristmill can be found. Ballenger's Mill and Covered Bridge is a privately owned, 20th century covered bridge spanning the Middle Tyger River to the restored 1820s gristmill.

Today, travelers can wind over the twisting roads deep into the rugged moun- tains of the Upstate, boasting over 50 waterfalls. Roadside falls such as Wildcat Branch Falls can be easily viewed from the car, while others, like Moonshine Falls, are hidden away and must be hiked to over rugged terrain. Opting for something in between, my friend and I took a fairly short, 20- minute walk to Triple Falls in the DuPont State Forest.

Following the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway (S.C. 11) through the mountains, one can enjoy the breathtaking views of Table Rock, Glassy Mountain, and Caesars Head. Winding on up those same mountains, is Lake Jocassee below the misty peaks. Hikers can explore some of the trails at Caesars Head Park.

Campbell's Covered Bridge Many young couples choose Symmes Chapel, also known as Pretty Place, to say their vows. Pretty Place is an outdoor chapel with spectacular mountain views, located on the side of Standing Stone Mountain at Camp Greenville.

Among the many roadside produce stands along the way, Perdues Fruit Stand offers something fresh from spring until frost.

While it might be possible to locate an old moonshine still somewhere in the rugged mountains, why bother when there are wineries like Victoria Valley Vineyard in Cleveland, which offers wine tasting, a gift shop, and a small deli serving lunch. Tourists can travel just across the state line into North Carolina and tour Rockhouse Vineyards or Green Creek Winery.

Travelers can visit historic covered bridges, hike to sparkling waterfalls, enjoy breathtaking mountain views that restore the soul, partake of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables or taste locally grown and produced wines, only two hours from home.

View from Caesar's Head Park Photo by Hugh Staples