The SC State House - While I breathe I hope - symbol of heroic sacrifice and endurance

When in Columbia you must visit the State House the South Carolina symbol of hope, sacrifice and endurance in the face of hardship. It's a perfect opportunity (and FREE to attend) to introduce your kids to South Carolina's fascinating history, outstanding architecture, and to pay tribute to our state and nation heroes.

“One of the most notable buildings in the world”, the magnificent SC State House, took more than 50 years and $3.5 million dollars to complete.
• In 1854 everything was torn down because inappropriate materials were used.
• During the Civil War Union troops destroyed much of Columbia including the State House building.
• In 1885 the architect died and a new one had to be appointed.
• Finally in 1907 the fireproof State House was complete thanks to architects John M. Niernsee and his son. During 1995-1998 renovation was done to make the building earthquake proof.

When to visit:
Free guided tours are available Monday through Saturday and each start with a short movie overview. Call (803)-734-2430 to schedule a tour or check at the Visitor’s office inside the State House. On your own, best time to visit is on Monday, Friday, Saturday and the 1st Sunday of the month. To watch SC elected officials at work go Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from February to June .


State House Highlights and Interesting Things to See:

Outside
• The State House columns, believed to be the largest monolithic columns on a public building in the U.S. Each column is carved from a single piece of stone.

• The standout exterior dome is made of steel and wood and finished copper. The “false” interior dome was put for aesthetic reasons.

• George Washington’s bronze statue towers the grounds in front of the Capitol. Union soldiers brick-batted the statue and broke the cane in 1865.

• Marker of the old State House built 1786 – 1790 and burned down by Sherman’s troops during Civil War. James Hoban the architect of the building later designed the White House.
• Gun from the famous Battleship Maine whose sinking launched the Spanish-American War in 1898

• 1852 Palmetto Regiment Monument honoring veterans of the Mexican War. It’s the oldest and most elaborate monuments on the State House grounds. It cost a “whopping” 19th century $5,000 to build!

• The John C. Calhoun, the 1st outside building at the State House and recently featured in the Kevin Bacon movie “Death Sentence” (as the SC Supreme Court).

• Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on Sumter Street survived the fire ravages left by Sherman’s troupes. During the Civil War, the iron spikes on top of the cathedral were melted to make cannonballs for the Confederacy. 5 South Carolina governors, 3 Confederate generals, and Henry Timrod, the unofficial “poet laureate of the Confederacy” are buried in the cemetery.

Inside
• The Mace, the House authority and oldest original one used in the U.S. When put in front of the desk means “the House is in session”. The mace it’s a 1756 gift from England. During the Revolutionary War it disappeared, and was discovered 40 years later in a Philadelphia bank vault!

• The House of Representatives Chamber, remodeled it now resembles the one in Austin, TX.

• 1800s astonishing mosaic representing the Seal of South Carolina made of 37,000 pieces of glass. The State Seal was designed by William Henry Drayton in 1776. Motto translates “While I breathe I hope”.

• The Sword of the State, the Senate authority; when placed on the desk “the Senate is in session”. The 1704 original sword was stolen in 1941. The current one is a 1951 gift from former British ambassador Lord Halifax.

• Wrought-iron staircases decorated with the yellow jasmine (the state flower), pink Tennessee and white Georgia marble floors, hand-made brick arched ceiling and blue granite walls (the state stone).

• Joint legislative conference room (formerly used as a library) is the only original room left in the building. The 1,000 lbs gas-lit chandelier is the only original one at the Capitol.

Remarkable paintings depicting heroic scenes from the Revolutionary War that had more battles fought in South Carolina than in any other state!

Live the history and be proud at the SC State Capitol!

Awesome New Attractions at Carolina Adventure World

Ever wonder what it feels like to fire vintage military weapons? Guess no more! Come to Carolina Adventure World and take a thrill ride on the popular Fast Attack Vehicle on a super charged obstacle course. The Black Ops Challenge took years to develop and was created by a film industry special effects professional. See their website for more details.

So come experience The Black Ops Challenge, the most fun (only one in the country) off-road combat style recreation! Weapons are safe for all ages using compressed air for realistic sound and a laser to activate an exploding target down range.

Check this baby out! 3 persons can ride in it; it has 2 .50 caliber machine guns to shoot and blow off stuff as you move down the course. A thrill of a lifetime for only $25 per person.

The staff just put on the finishing touches to the Mud Bog. So very soon you can get real dirty chasing your friends off in the mud. Nearby will be washing stations to clean off the dirt.

This rustic tent will soon be available for overnight multi-day lodging. It's equipped with A/C and it has hard floors.


Here are some of the "classics" thrills at the park

ATV and motocross oval racing and obstacle course

Cool off, relax and enjoy the beautiful bridge and creek area

The Junior Motocross trail

A rite of passage...dad and sons have fun together.

A day of fun with kids in downtown Columbia - Museum of Art, Finlay Park and the Library

Here are some great suggestions of fun things to do downtown Columbia that will help your kids love arts, appreciate history and discover nature’s little treasures. My 4 years old and I had a great time interpreting sculptures and funny self-portraits at the Columbia Museum of Art, then “chasing” the waterfalls weave their way into the Finlay Park lake and finally taming “the wild things” at the Public Library. All of that for FREE on one weekend afternoon!

Columbia Museum of Art
The Columbia Museum of Art rewards you with one of Southeast’s most significant collections of European art from the 14th through the 18th centuries. Most notable things to see:
• Sandro Botticelli – Nativity
• Claude Monet – The Seine at Giverny
• Tiffany art glass collection

The Columbia Museum of Art is located downtown in a lighted, sleek and airy building that used to be department store. Through August 17 you can get a peek incredible treasures from private South Carolina collectors such as:
• Herman Herzog – Fishing Village – oil on canvas painting
• Alberto Giacometti – Bust of Isaku Yanaihara – bronze
• Frank O. Gehry – Power Play Armchair and Off Side Ottoman – maple laminate

Tips to know before you go
1. Free admission on Saturday; Kids 5 and under enter for free anytime. A membership provides you free admission for a full year to 70 other museums in the Southeast. Call (803)-799-2810 for more info.
2. Downtown parking is free on Sunday. Beware during the week traffic is very slow due to construction on Main Street near the museum.
3. There is a family friendly tour on 1st Saturday of every month at 10:30 AM and public docent led tours every Saturday at 1 PM and Sunday at 1:30 PM.
4. You can access anytime anywhere for FREE (except the cost of your minutes) a cell-phone audio tour and hear the experts discuss selected art objects. Dial (803)-234-8969, then the art section number followed by the pound sign. There is a brochure with all the info at the museum desk.
5. Young kids are most attracted by statues, Chinese antiquities, contemporary art objects and the nice water fountain and sculpture in front of the museum.

The Art Museum is closed Mondays, Tuesdays and major holidays. Hours of operation: Wed, Thu and Sat 10 AM – 5 PM; Fri 10 AM – 9 PM and Sun 1 – 5 PM. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (60 and over) and military and $2 for students.

Columbia Public Library downtown
Go to the Children’s Room downstairs. It has a naturally lit air-conditioned open space decorated with natural trees and plenty of couches, chairs and benches for you and the little ones to relax. Don’t worry too about making noises…there are only parents, kids and babies around :-)

Things to know before you go
1. Kids love choosing their own books. Lana made 4 trips picking up “her favorites”. If you want to choose the books, each age is color-coded.

2. The library it’s not just about reading. Kids have fun “talking and playing” with the stuff animals (say hello to the Cat in a Hat everyone!), solving puzzles, drawing or decorating. In the end just spending quality time with their loved ones it’s all that matters.

3. Richland County residents get a free library card and can check out 30 items per card (books, videos, CDs, DVDs or magazines). You can return them at any of the 9 RCPL locations.

4. If you’re pressed for time the staff can suggest age-appropriate titles. You can even call ahead at (803)-929-3434 and books will be ready for you.
5. Free wireless Internet is available throughout.

Finlay Park
This is a great park in the middle of the city. The main attraction is the man-made waterfalls that stream down into the peaceful lake.

Finlay has many shaded picnic areas, 2 playgrounds, a big open grass field and miles of walking and jogging trails around the lake. Beware the park is a very popular spot for the homeless yet they will they not bother you. I’ll let the photos do the “a day of fun at the park advertising”:

Kids cooling off by the waterfalls

Family relaxing and taking photos

Hiking trail by Finlay Park lake

Main playground area

SC Botanical Garden and Bob Campbell Geology Museum - Greenville family attractions

SC Botanical Garden welcomes you to 295 acres of woodlands and streams, award winning exotic gardens, a 70 acre arboretum, and miles of gentle hiking trails decorated with incredible nature based sculptures. The garden grounds are free to attend and open year around from dawn till dusk.

Notable attractions to see at the SC Botanical Garden

1. Bob Campbell Geology Museum – come see Clemson’s oldest tiger the Saber-toothed cat, hunt for gems, admire beautiful glowing rocks like the rose quartz and pegmatite and dig up some fossils. Open Wednesday to Saturday 10AM – 5PM and Sunday 1PM – 5PM (closed on Clemson University holidays). Admission fee: Adult $3, children $2, under 2 years is FREE. Free admission on every 3rd weekend!

2. Fran Hanson Discovery Center – home to the Botanical Garden visitor center provides maps and area attractions info. It features the Elizabeth Belser Fuller gallery and selective art by prominent SC artists. Kids will enjoy exploring the interactive exhibits inside the Nature Discovery room. Open Monday thru Saturday 10AM to 4PM.

3. Hanover House – 1716 French Huguenot house, listed on National Register of Historic places. Open Saturday 10AM -12PM and Sunday 2PM – 4:30PM; closed on home football games. Call (864)-656-4789 for group tours reservations.

4. Nature-based sculpture – country’s largest nature-based outdoor sculpture collection by artists from all over the world.

5. Hosta Garden – one of the largest collections of hostas in the Southeast featuring lavish waterfall, pond and shaded walking trails.

6. Hunt Family cabin – 1826 pioneer cabin located near the pretty Duck Pond it’s a great place to experience grassroots heritage programs held throughout the year.

7. Clemson Southern Caboose – legacy of the Class of 39th. This little red train will delight kids of all ages. Make sure to stop by the Heritage Garden nearby to learn more about Clemson University history.

We were amused by the old-school disciplinary methods applied to the young soldier pupils. Must have been something quite important since they dedicated a plaque to it!

More area attractions and FREE things to do with kids:

• Pendleton historic houses and art district
• Duke's World of Energy Museum
• Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls
• Hagood Mill and Pickens County Museum of History and Art

Discover the beautiful gardens and mysterious dinosaurs of the South Carolina Upcountry!

Table Rock, Ceasars Head and Dupont Forest unforgetable mountain vacation

So much to see, so much to do at Table Rock State Park the undisputed jewel of the South Carolina mountains. The park is at the edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment off of scenic highway 11, relative short drive from Greenville and little over an hour drive from Charlotte. Table Rock mountain has a spectacular granite outcropping which at 3124 feet is a stark contrast to the heavily wooded forests below.
The first white men moved in the Oolenoy Valley soon after the Cherokee treaty at a place called Pumpkintown. In 1840 the Keith and Sutherland families built a hotel that soon became a popular area attraction. A second hotel was built in 1899 at present White Oak Picnic Shelters site then moved in 1920 to Saluda Valley to become a summer lodge.

Things to know before you go at Table Rock and Ceasar's Head parks
1. Carrick Creek is the only recommended hiking trail for young kids at the Table Rock state park. It starts at the Nature Center and about 2 miles it takes an hour to complete. It weaves around Carrick Creek and rewards hikers with dozens of gorgeous, refreshing and easy accessible mini waterfalls. It gets better at the end (or beginning!) when you and your brave little ones can goof around at the rock sliding and swimming area.


Here are all Table Rock hiking trails. Hikers are encouraged to register at the trail head kiosk and be off trails at least one hour before sunset. No overnight camping on trails. Foothills Trail hikers need to purchase a parking permit at the Visitors Welcome Center.
• Pinnacle Mt. 8.4 miles 6-7 hours
• Table Rock 7.2 miles 5-6 hours
• Mill Creek 5.8 miles 5-6 hours
• Carrick Creek (kid friendly) 1.9 miles 1 hour


2. There is a big playground near Pinnacle Lake with plenty of age appropriate equipment in a nicely shaded place. Beware of the geese wandering throughout the parking lot and the picnic area. They are mean, mean, mean and will harass you as soon as they sense you have food. My 4 years old and I had to take refuge on top of the picnic table. No kidding! Finally I braved to chase them away using some stick musketeer style.


3. Caesar’s Head State Park has the “take it with you, no trace left behind” policy. There are no trash canes or restrooms along the park. The welcome center has restrooms and vending machines. I encourage you to replenish there and use the facilities.

4. The trail to Raven Cliff Falls from Ceasar’s Head is about 5 miles long so plan ahead. If there is not much time left you can still enjoy incredible vistas of Campbell, Paris, Table Rock, Raven Cliff and Glassy mountains and the immaculate Table Rock reservoir (it supplies the city of Greenville with fresh water) at the Ceasar’s Head overlook. From there you can hike the short and moderate Devil’s Kitchen trail. Be mindful this park is frequented by black bears.

5. If waterfall viewing "it's on the menu" drive to Dupont Forest State Park (couple miles after crossing the NC border off of hwy 276; here are driving directions to and map of Hooker Falls Access Area). It provides easy hiking and quick access to some of North Carolina most beautiful waterfalls: Triple Falls, High Falls and Grassy Creek Falls. There is a $12 map you can purchase at Ceasar's Head welcome center. Here are some great Dupont Foreast park hike trails details, an interactive map and waterfall photos.

Table Rock Admission, Lodging and Rental Prices
Admission fee: $2 per person; $15 per bus; $1.25 SC senior citizen. Annual passport $50 (good at all SC State Parks); Palmetto Passport $25 (for SC seniors or disabled citizens). Tip: if you got a permit or day pass from another SC park you can use it at Table Rock (and any other state park) as long as the permit / pass is still valid.


Cabins: There are 16 cabins (8 with 1 BR, 5 with 2 BR and 1 with 3 BR) that can accommodate 4-10 persons. They range in price from $75 to $120 per night. Check in 4 PM, check out time 10 AM. Tip: rent Sunday thru Thursday to save $15-20 per night. Cabins 5, 6, 7 and 8 are right by Pinnacle Lake and have the best views. You can reserve a cabin up to 11 months in advance. Call 1-866-345-7275 or go online www.southcarolinaparks.com

There are 100 camping sites at the White Oaks campground equipped with showers and a recreation building. Price is about $20 per night (including tax); again is cheaper during the week.

Equipment Rentals: Spring thru fall, Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM till 5 PM (weather permitting).
• Pedal boats - 2 person $5 per half hour; 4 person boat $7 per half hour
• Kayaks and canoes - $5 per half hour; $15 per day
• Fishing boat - $15 per day; $35 per day for boats with trolling motor (3 person maximum). Note that no private boats are allowed on Pinnacle Lake however you can use them at Lake Oolenoy across Hwy 11.

Swimming: June till mid-August Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM till 5 PM; August 16 thru Labor Day weekends only. Adults $2, children 4-12 years $1.50, free for kids 3 years and under.

Enjoy the beauty of the South Carolina Upcontry parks!