Carolinas, Georgia & South Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Alex Leviton [89]
The next stop is 25 miles south on I-85 to the aforementioned Split Creek Farm. The pastoral goat dairy farm sells its award-winning goat cheese, plus goat fudge and raw goat’s milk from its gift store, but the farm deserves a longer visit to commune with nature, buy local art or wander the idyllic grounds. Take exit 14 to Hwy 187 and turn right on Mt Tabor Rd and left on Centerville Rd.
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MEET CHEF LINDSAY AUTRY
Lazy Goat head chef Lindsay Autry developed her fascination with food growing up on a peach farm outside of Fayetteville, NC, showing lambs and pigs as a 4H member at state fairs by age five. After a full-ride culinary scholarship at age 15 and sous-chefing her way to an Iron Chef knockout at 22, Autry helped open the Lazy Goat as its original head chef at the age of 24. Even if another restaurant has gobbled her up by the time you arrive, the Lazy Goat menu was entirely her creation.
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Continue north on Hwy 187 toward Hwy 76 and then follow the tiger paw tracks to Clemson University. Take a tour of campus, catch a football game or visit the geology museum, livestock arena and the Strom Thurmond Institute of Government and Public Affairs (he was a graduate). Continue on Hwy 130 toward Lake Keowee and Duke Power World of Energy, the museum arm of the neighborhood nuclear power plant. Learn about nuclear fission and picnic on the banks of Lake Keowee, all in one afternoon. Head further north on Hwy 130 to Sunrise Farm B&B, for a petting-zoo greeting and accommodations complete with a wraparound porch, private cabins and fresh-baked cookies each afternoon. On the way back to Greenville, load up on fresh fruit at Happy Berry Farm, a self-pick farm filled with rows of blueberries, muscadine grapes and figs. Grazing while picking is encouraged; if you do feel guilty, feel free to drop a few coins in the “sin bucket” to atone.
Alex Leviton
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TRIP INFORMATION
GETTING THERE
From Raleigh, Greensville is four hours southwest on I-40 and I-85 through Charlotte.
DO
BMW Performance Driving School
Tour participants need to be aged 12 or older and have low-heeled, closed-toed shoes. 888-345-4269; www.bmwusa.com; 1155 Hwy 101 S at I-85, Greer; classes $500-3300
BMW Zentrum Museum
Tour participants need to be aged 12 or older and have low-heeled, fully enclosed shoes. 888-TOUR-BMW; www.bmwzentrum.com; 1400 Hwy 101 S at I-85, Greer; admission free, manufacturing plant tour adult/student $5/3.50; 9:30am-5:30pm Mon-Fri
Clemson University
A beautiful university in the classic Southern tradition, with football played in “Death Valley.” 864-656-3311; www.clemson.edu; Clemson; campus tour free; tours 9:45am & 1:45pm Mon-Sat, 1:45pm Sun during semester;
Duke Power World of Energy
See the lighter side of nuclear energy, on the banks of the beautiful Lake Keowee. 800-777-1004; www.duke-energy.com; 7812 Rochester Hwy, Seneca; admission free; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, noon-5pm Sat & Sun;
Old Masters Collection at Bob Jones University
One of the best collections of sacred Christian art in the USA (children under six not permitted). 864-770-1331; www.bjumg.org; 1700 Wade Hampton Rd, Greenville; adult/child/student $5/free/3; 2-5pm Tue-Sun
EAT
Happy Berry Farm
Wander through fields of blueberries, figs, muscadine grapes and strawberries for the freshest of fresh fruit. 864-868-2946; www.thehappyberry.com; 120 Kelley Creek Rd, Six Mile; self-pick per pound $1.50-2; 8am-dusk Mon-Fri, to 6pm Sat, noon-dusk Sun;
Lazy Goat
Mediterranean-inspired small plates with influences of Greek, French, Italian and Southern cuisine located on the River Walk. 864-679-LAZY; www.thelazygoat.com; 170 River Pl, Greenville; plates to share $4-24; 11:30am-2:30pm Mon-Sat & 5-9:45pm Mon-Thu, 5-10:45pm Fri & Sat;
Split Creek Farm
Bucolic goat dairy with a shop that sells cheese, soaps and gifts. 864-287-3921; www.splitcreek.com;