I really must have an attraction to flowing water. It seems that every time I take a drive, I wind up following a river, or crossing the same one multiple times. Today it was the Saluda.
I really needed to repair that damaged hand rail, but this was the first day it hadn’t been stifling hot, and I hadn’t gotten neither the camera nor the convertible out in awhile. The morning stop was Paris Mountain State Park. I didn’t have much time before lunch, so I just took the short walk up to the first lake and took some pictures of the dam and old water pumping station.
After lunch and a couple of chores, I took the converitble out and headed toward the mountains via highway 276. I had no real destination in mind, just that I would take any detours that looked interesting. The first of these was into the mill community of Slater. I crossed the South Saluda River a couple of times, the second time surveying the bridge as a possible kayak put-in. I took a couple of photos of the community, and continued on my way.
My next detour took me over Echo Ridge, and to Summer Shoals on the Middle Saluda River. I actually have paddled this section of the river, starting up at River Falls. Not too much further up the highway I reached the North Saluda and Blythe Shoals. I took several detours off of Highway 11 that took me closer to Table Rock, but also took me along the banks of the North Saluda. As always, I’m looking for a route to paddle. The stream looked a bit constricted, so I’m not sure if it’s a viable route or not.
There was a quick stop at Lake Oolenoy, then I continued along Highway 11.
I stopped by Long Shoals Park on the Oolenoy River, then headed down Highway 178 towards Pickens. I took a quick stop at Hagood Mill before deciding I’d had too much sun.
