Mobile Studio Travels of the Carolina Considered Project: Sadlers Creek State Recreation Area, South Carolina. Part I. Drive Over and First Impressions.

Table of Contents for This Series

Up early this morning to a beautiful day for driving. Cool and sunny. Can’t ask for better. As you can see on the map above, Sadlers Creek State Recreation Area is a “fur piece,” as we’d say OverHome, from Northeast Columbia. About 135 miles. Both Google Maps and the GPS estimated a driving time of around three hours.

So, off earlier than usual. At around 9:20 a.m. The only heavily urbanized part of the route was through Columbia itself. There, fortunately, it was early enough to avoid all but the most spirited of the church crowds. There were fisherman on the road already, of course. Some towing boats. But not many. So I zipped through Columbia with no difficulty, and was soon on Route 378.

Highway 378 is another of those charming South Carolina roads. Every drive, I plan to learn more about its history, and the history of other interesting South Carolina secondary roads. Have to make time for that before long.

Highway 378 at Saluda takes you through one of South Carolina’s few traffic circles. A traffic pattern so rare here, in fact, that during World War Two it was once mistaken by an Army Air Force pilot for a bombing practice target. And bombed!

Alaman left on your corner, as square dance callers used to say – maybe still do! – then take the second turn here onto Highway 178. This is another of those great stretches of South Carolina road. Well worth driving slowly to enjoy the scenery. It too must have an interesting history.

After several more of these roads, you’ll find yourself at this four-way-stop corner. The intersection of Routes 187 and 29.

While here, take a moment to see Shiloh Baptist Church, with its impressive pillars. One of those well-established brick churches found throughout South Carolina.

Another sight, quite different, greets the traveler on the other side of the road. Impressive pillars in their own right. Pillars of successful agronomy! If you’re lucky, you may see a herd of sleek cattle grazing through the fields beside the road here. It’s a wonderful sight.

But a campsite awaits at Sadlers Creek. So I’d better get along. Continue north on Route 187, then turn left at the sign onto Sadlers Creek Road. It’s less than a mile, so keep a good lookout.

Here’s the Park sign. Look at that! Sadlers Creek isn’t a Park, it’s a State Recreation Area. Suggesting that Sadlers Creek may have a bit more to offer.

Back in April of this year, Lee State Natural Area Manager, Bryn Harmer, explained the difference between South Carolina’s parks and natural areas. Click here to hear her explanation again.

Drive straight through the gate, not forgetting to tip the Iron Ranger, and turn left at the sign for the Park Office. Soon you’ll arrive at the Pavilion. The building you see above. More later on this interesting structure.

Check in with the folks in the Office, then drive back out to your RV campsite. Or tent site! Sadlers Creek maintains an abundance of both.

Here’s site # 44 in Campground Loop Two. The one I reserved some time back through the handy ReserveAmerica website. If you haven’t been using ReserveAmerica, give it a try. Convenient and reliable.

Site 44 is a pull-through, and a level one at that. Not a speck of trash. But the view down toward the water is less than inviting.

I set up, though, and went to check out the nearby bath house.

That was a pleasant surprise. Even late Sunday afternoon, all areas were spotless. Here’s the shower. Very clean tile. Notice the new fixtures. Even a new-looking shower curtain. Somebody’s paying attention here.

The rest of the bath house, at least on the men’s side, was equally well maintained.

Fixtures new and polished. Everything ship-shape. I get more e-mail inquiries about the condition of campground bath houses than about anything else. It makes a big difference to many RV campers. Someone here at Sadlers Creek recognizes that and applies the attention and resources necessary to keep them looking spic ‘n span.

Following the bath house visit I walked on down toward the end of the peninsula upon which Campground Loop Number Two is located. Well!

As you can see in the photos above, there I found a number of beautiful campsites with great views of Lake Hartwell. Hmmm. All of them appear to be vacant now. Maybe I’ll ask at the office tomorrow if it’s possible to change sites.