Summer of 19 - #26 - Cedar Falls Park & Historic Site, & enjoying the campground after a long day.

Friday September 27th, 2019 - Part 2 of 2
We left the town center and drove through the outskirts of Greenville, until we reached Cedar Falls Park & Historic Site in Fountain Inn, South Carolina.

There were good informational signs, giving details of the site.  It was a wilderness hunting ground for the Cherokee tribes prior to 1776.  Here is a LINK to a readable copy of the picture below that gives the history.

Here is a LINK to a readable copy of the picture below, that gives the history of Fork Shoals after the Cherokees. 

Here is a LINK to a readable copy of the picture below that explains how the environment has changed.

The stone pillars on the left were the supports that held the penstock pipe that was used to move water from the dam to the power plant building, and generate electricity.  They now form a natural setting for the ivy and plants to grow over, and a photo opportunity with the water running down from the dam remains.

Here's a LINK to a readable copy of the picture below that explains the process.

This picture shows the stone pipe supports on the left and what remains of the power plant building on the right.

I really wasn't expecting it to be as beautiful and interesting as it was, and was glad that we had decided to stop here.

There was a group of teenagers here, who were enjoying the surroundings.  I told Bryan that it would have been the kind of place I would have hung out at, when I was a teenager.  He agreed.  I felt a little guilty that us "old folks" were encroaching on their space, but they didn't seem to mind and we found different groups of them, as we walked through the park.  Oh to be young again, but not that young!!!

The pictures below show the small waterfalls that have formed from water coming through, and over the dam remains.

We walked up and along the bank.  The stone foundation remains, of the waterwheel, mills and pipe support, gave some good photo opportunities.

It was a lovely section to walk along, and see and hear the gushing water over the rocks.

There's Bryan

and Sue

The picture below, shows on the left, a small dam that was built in the 1800's to feed the waterwheel that powered a textile mill, grist mill, saw mill and cotton gin.  On the right is a concrete curb that was built to channel the water over the dam, when water levels were low, to keep a functional water supply to the wheel and mills.  When water levels were normal the curb would be overrun, and the shoals would have water running over them. It was such a beautiful area.

Concrete Curb

More pipe support remains

I decided to walk up the trail a little way, as I wanted to see the top of the waterfall and the dam built in 1910.

Sue on the trail

Bryan sitting waiting for me

I waved to Bryan to let him know I was going off the trail to take a couple of pictures.

I wasn't long as I knew he would worry when he couldn't see me, but he still came looking for me. 

I think he was glad that he joined me though, as we did get more photos and see the other dam.

The next three pictures were taken from the top of the dam built in the 1800's looking down.

Then we found the dam that was built in 1910.

We walked slowly back along the trail, and I remarked to Bryan that this was more "our type of place", than the waterfalls we saw earlier in the middle of town.  

Although both are beautiful, this is far easier and less stressful to reach as long as you have a car, more serene, and definitely a lot quieter, even with the teenagers who we didn't really hear at all, just saw.  

We were both happy that we had stopped here.

We stopped at Red Lobster for a meal to celebrate our anniversary, and after filling our tummies we headed home.

On the drive home, we saw this model of a lighthouse but don't know why it was there.  Sorry, the picture is a bit fuzzy as we were driving along.

We reached the campground and had to open the windows in Lily to get the fumes from the bug bombs out of her, before we could sit in her.  It was a pleasant evening, and we sat and relaxed outside for an hour and caught up on the news.

We went back in and cleaned the house, removing the dead bugs and eventually got to sit and relax.   It was a long day but a very rewarding one.  Beautiful places to visit and hopefully the bugs are exterminated.  We didn't see any signs of mice, so still keeping our fingers crossed on that.  Still have a couple of areas to clear out, so we will see.  Stay tuned for the next adventure..........