AAA Go Magazine - Romantic Destinations for a Special Valentine by Nan Bauroth

"The Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway, South Carolina
What better way to get away from it all with that special someone than by getting behind the wheel and heading down the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway. This 112-mile long two-lane road rambles beneath the southernmost peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains through small towns and fruit orchards, eventually crossing Lake Keowee. Attractions along the way include Indian petroglyphs, covered bridges, battlefields and spectacular waterfalls, with the high point being Jocassee Gorges, which National Geographic recently named one of  “50 of the World’s Last Great Places: Destinations of a Lifetime.”

S.C. Highway 11 traverses the Upcountry of South Carolina from I-85 near the North Carolina border to I-85 as it crosses into Georgia. One of the loveliest places along the way to spend a night or two with the one you love is the Red Horse Inn in Landrum, a few miles north of Gowensville. Tucked away in the rolling foothills, this beautifully appointed B&B and popular honeymoon destination that Travel & Leisure named “One of America’s Most Romantic Inns” offers private rooms and cottages with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge. 

Things to see and do in Landrum include antique hunting at the Architectural Warehouse and a stop at Dutch Country Foods for Amish meats, cheeses and baked goods. Their ladyfinger popcorn is a must buy. After lunch at The Hare & Hound downtown, take a leisurely tour of four nearby historic bridges: Campbell’s Covered Bridge built in 1909, the Klickety-Klack Covered Bridge, the covered bridge at Ballenger Mill and the majestic stone, gothic-style Poinsett Bridge, the oldest in South Carolina.

Following S.C 11 west eventually leads to Jocassee Gorges, whose spectacular beauty is now ranked with places such as the Galapagos Islands. Singled out for one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the northeastern U.S. and rare plant life like the delicate Oconee boell, Jocassee Gorges offers a fitting end to a ride in search of a romantic rainbow." - AAA Go Magazine by Nan Bauoth