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- Take Main St. south to Anderson St. Turn left and follow Anderson St. as it becomes Old Anderson Rd. (Rte. 81). Proceed to the intersection of Rte. 153. There, continue west on Rte. 81. After Powdersville water tower (right side), bear right at the fork onto Rte. 88. Cross US-178 and continue on Rte. 88. Cross US 178 and continue on Rte. 88 toward Pendleton.

Watch for a rustic cabin (Next side) with a neon sign outfront. Stop in at Hand Picked general store (Rte. 88 at Gillespie Rd.; 864-646-2820) for a bakery treat or fresh produce. Crafts, jewelry and seasonal decorations are also for sale.

- Continue west on Rte. 88 into Pendleton.

A mile beyond the BP gas station, watch for historic markers to Ashtabula (right side), built in 1825. The two-story clapboard house and 10-acre grounds preserve a sense of plantation life in the mid-19th century. (open Sun and Tues; call Pendleton Historic Foundation for hours 864-646-7249, $5).

- Continue 2mi west on Rte. 88 to arrive in Pendleton. At the stop sign, turn left onto E.. Queen St. and turn left.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church (right side) has served Pendleton since 1822. Thomas Green Clemson, who made Clemson University possible, is buried in the cemetery.

- Backtrack on E. Queen St.. to Exchange St.. and turn left.

Stroll Pendleton's historic town square. Created as a courthouse seat in 1790; Pendleton is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

- Turn left onto S. Mechanic St. and proceed to US-76/Rte. 28. There, turn left and continue to Rte. 187 (Wild Hog Rd.). Bear right and drive about 3mi. Turn left onto Centerville Rd. (opposite Clemson Research Park sign). After a quarter of a mile, turn left into the driveway of Split Creek Farm to see its goats.

- Return to Rte. 187, turn left and continue south. Crossing over I-85. At the stop light, cross Rte. 24 and take Marina Rd. a quarter of a mile to Portman Marina for an up close view of Hartwell Lake.

- Return to Rte. 24, turn right, and cross the long bridge over the vast lake. After 2mi, watch for a sign for Rte. 187 (also a sign for Sadlers Creek State Recreation Area). Turn right and follow Rte. 187 south.

The drive from this point is largely inland from the lake. Residential communities give way to farmland in the vicinity of Sadlers Creek State Recreation Area.

- At the intersection with US-29, turn right and head toward Hartwell, Georgia. In 2mi, you will see a sign for Hartwell Dam.

You have three options; pull over at the Overlook to see the lake only; turn into the Viewing Area to walk over the top of the dam (61 steps to access the path); or turn into the parking lot after crossing the Savannah River to walk to the dam. There is a visitor center (right side) about 1mi after the river.

- Continue on US-29 toward the town of Hartwell, about 6mi west.

In Hartwell, if you're hungry, turn right on Forest Ave. to try Sibling's, which serves Southern dishes like catfish filets and fried chicken (Forest Ave. at Vickery St.; 706-377-5555; www.siblingsrestaurant.com). If you can wait another 35 minutes, drive on to Seneca to 113 Chophouse and Grill, which serves lunch until 1:30 pm (closed Mon).

- From Hartwell take Rte. 77 to I-85 (13mi). Head north on I-85 and take Exit 2 for Fair Play. Turn left, cross over I-85 and follow Rte. 59 to Fair Play and on to Seneca.

- In Seneca, turn right at the junction with Rte. 130, then immediate left and immediate right onto Ram Cat Alley to eat or browse the shops.

- Leave Ram Cat Alley and continue to S. Walnut. Turn left onto S. Walnut and drive to US-123 Bypass. Turn right in less than a mile, get in the left lane. At Rte. 130, turn left and continue northwest to view Lake Keowee.

- Continue on Rte. 130 until after the second crossing of the lake. Turn around at your nearest opportunity and drive back to US-123. There, turn left to head north toward Clemson (7mi).

In less than 4mi, you will see Clemson University ahead in the distances, recognizable by its bell tower.

- As US-123 curves to the left, bear right onto Rte. 93 and follow it past the university.

Note the university's football stadium on the right, known as Death Valley. On the left, you'll pass a long-standing student hangout, the Esso Club. Soon College Avenue leads leftward into the heart of downtown Clemson.

- Continue on Rte. 93, passing a green expanse known as Bowman Field with Tillman Hall and its bell tower at the top of the slope.

At Rte. 93 and Cherry Rd., look right to see the large, white mansion that serves as the university President's house.

- Continue on Rte. 93 and exit to the right onto US-123, following it about 30mi back to Downtown Greenville.

Related Images

Photo Credit: Photos Courtesy of the Greenville Convention & Visitors Bureau.