Indigo Blue

                                                                                                                                        There is a certain excitement one receives from being pleasantly surprised. This is exactly how we felt when we visited Laurens County on Saturday, July 25, 2009. Laurens County is only forty five minutes from home and yet we had no idea that there were so many interesting things to see and do. We had a few stops on the agenda but found much more as we ventured through this Old 96 county. There was so much to do, in fact, that we decided to break the trip up into two installments. Founded in 1785, Laurens (named for revolutionary statesman Henry Laurens) is home to around 70,000 residents. While the county is mostly rural, Laurens is home to two of South Carolina’s best small towns, Laurens and Clinton. The county even has a small community whose name Napoleon would rather soon forget, Waterloo. If you look closely you will find hidden gems abounding in Laurens County. 

     We stopped by Downtown Clinton to get a feel for the town. It’s town square took you back to a simpler time. It was filled with unique shops that had a retro feel. Clinton is also home to Thornwell and Whitten Center. Thornwell is a home for children that is sponsored by the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. and Whitten Center is a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities and special needs. Clinton is an enchanting town that boasts a small college (Presbyterian College) with a picturesque campus. We briefly paused to get a few shots of this great school and downtown area. 

     We decided to make the Farmhouse at Bush River the highlight of our trip. Greg and Janet Henley opened their beautiful Irish Farmhouse as a Bed and Breakfast in October 2002, mere months after the completion of their home. The Farmhouse is located a few miles south of Clinton on S.C. Highway 56. Approximately two miles after you pass Presbyterian College you will see the entrance to Bush River Farm, a little piece of heaven that makes you feel like you’ve entered the old country. As you head up the beautiful tree lined drive you will see the guardians of the manor, seven alpacas, two Nigerian Dwarf goats and one llama. The Henley’s bred the alpacas for the better part of a decade but now all ten animals are pets grazing in the field without a care in the world. 

     The house is situated on top of a small bluff overlooking the farm. The attention to detail in this house is simply astonishing. All four guest rooms are named for their children and are simply exquisite. The rooms  are large and all have ceiling fans, private bathrooms and flat panel televisions that are discreetly tucked away. There is a parlor area near the front of the house equipped with a television and a small refrigerator that is stocked with beer, wine and snacks.  A full gourmet breakfast is prepared by professional chef Janet Henley. The Farmhouse caters to the individuals needs by offering breakfast at any time that suits their guests. I told Greg that when we stay we will not  be requesting a 5a.m. breakfast. The patio behind the house is conducive to long hours of reading and relaxing. I think that I could easily lose myself in some Emerson or Thoreau. The Farmhouse also hosts weddings that accommodate up to one hundred and twenty five people. My favorite part of the house was the Irish Pub game room. It is nestled away from everything in the house and features billiards, darts and an actual scaled down bar. Throw in a large leather sofa and you have a first class game room.

     Alpaca products are also featured at The Farmhouse and the wool is incredibly soft! Rooms range from $135- $160 per night and are worth every penny. For a special occassion, anniversary or simply to get away from life’s hassles, come visit the Henley’s Farmhouse and see why you don’t have to cross the pond to experience the beauty of Ireland.

To see pictures of The Farmhouse please visit the photo gallery.

To see pictures of Laurens County click here.