Table Rock State Park is in the upstate of South Carolina, only about an hour northwest of where I live, but it’s another world out there - the tall mountains and windy roads, the pitch black sky at night, the never ending hiking trails - there’s no shortage of inspiration.

I recently spent a week as Artist-in-Residence at Table Rock State Park, my 6th residency with the South Carolina State Parks Program. Each time I participate in a residency, the experience changes me. Sometimes in major ways, like becoming confident hiking alone, and sometimes it’s little things, like learning the difference between various woodpecker calls. I explore and create all week, and it fills my soul. Part of me wishes I could do this every day, but then it probably wouldn’t be so special. I get to slow down and sit still if I choose, but most of the time I get out and see as much as possible. The residency is a true gift!

This particular residency included over 30 miles hiked (both inside and outside of the park), it included 27 needle felted pieces, 1 painting, 6 towns visited, 2 nights out in the cold watching the meteor shower, and several exciting creatures sightings including an armadillo, wild turkeys, and a huge black bear on my very last hike of the week.

This is a quick journal-entry style list of the places I visited each day and the trails I hiked. I would recommend all of these trails and towns, if you’re looking for an upstate getaway!

Sunday, October 20th

Checked into the park, moved into a 90+ year old log cabin. Hiked Pinnacle Lake Loop (Table Rock State Park). Stayed up late working and went back out after midnight to watch for the Orionids Meteor shower.

Monday October 21st

Tea drinking & birding on the front porch of the cabin. Hiked Carrick Creek Loop (Table Rock State Park). Hiked Wildcat Wayside Trail. Visited Pumpkintown Opry for ice cream. Bald Rock for sunset. Had a fire and stayed up late again and left the park in search of a better place to view the meteor shower (ended up staying at Grant Meadow Overlook several hours).

Tuesday October 22nd

Hiked short trail at Tall Pines Wildlife Area. Hiked Bald Rock Heritage Preserve. Drove to Caesar’s Head Overlook, then onto Brevard, NC for shopping and lunch at Square Root. Sassafras Mountain for sunset

Wednesday October 23rd

Bargain Exchange flea market in Pickens, massage, Coyote Coffee for lunch. Hiked Glassy Mountain Trail in Pumpkin town. Strolled and shopped in Pickens. Hiked Longshoals Wayside Park. Dinner at Restaurant 17 in Traveler’s Rest.

Thursday October 24th

Hiked to Coyote Falls then Silver Run Falls. Checked out Cashiers, NC, then drove on to Highlands, NC for lunch and shopping. Hiked Whiteside Mountain, and visited Bridal Veil Falls and Dry Falls.

Friday October 25th

Hiked Raven Rock Loop (Keowee-Toxaway State Park). Victoria Valley Vineyards for lunch and wine tasting. Petals & Pumpkins floral arranging workshop at Thompson Family Farms in Campobello.

Saturday Ocotber 26th

Toured Table Rock Tea Company, had lunch at Aunt Sue’s, and checked out Market at the Mill in Pickens. Hike Carrick Creek again (Table Rock State Park)

Sunday October 27th

Packed up and cleaned cabin. Visited Grant Meadow Overlook one more time. Hiked Mountain Laurel Trail (Table Rock State Park) and saw a bear!