TRAVELERS Rest, SC

I recently spent a 10-days in the quaint little town of Travelers Rest, South Carolina while participating in a Triathlon Training Camp. You can read about that by clicking HERE.

The name “Travelers Rest” came from the fact that it is situated close to the border with the North Carolina mountains. Travelers would often stop over in the town before they began the difficult journey into the mountains.Travelers would many times have to spend the winter there, waiting for the snow to clear in the mountains before continuing northward.

More recently, it has became the home of Furman University and the northern portion of the popular Swamp Rabbit Trail, named after the swamp rabbit or swamp hare, which is a large cottontail rabbit found in the swamps and wetlands of the southern United States. The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 25-mile paved bike path along a former railroad bed linking the town of Travelers Rest to Greenville, South Carolina about 10 miles to the south.

I spent the first 5-days at the Swamp Rabbit Inn. Which has a Main House with four private guest rooms (Magnolia, Camellia, Azalea and the Poppy) a Coach House, a two bedroom Cottage, and a Studio Cabin in back.

I stayed in the Studio, which was a very nice, kinda rustic little cabin at the back of the property. It was very quite and secluded. The room was very nice, it had AC, a washer / dryer and a kitchenette. Basically everything I needed.

The Inn is located just a across the street from the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which I ran and biked on pretty much every day and just a short, 1-block walk to the downtown portion of Travelers Rest.

When I originally booked my trip to SC, I had planned on returning home after 5-days, but do to Corona and 3-months of cabin-fever, I later decided to extend my stay to 10-days and the Swamp Rabbit Inn was booked, so I had to change accommodations mid stay.

I really hit the jackpot with this cool AirB&B find. Its a “Tiny House” called the Bike Barn. Again, it’s in Travelers Rest and located right next to the Swamp Rabbit Trail. It was very clean, light and airy with all of the windows. Liz and Andrew ,the hosts were very accommodating. I had everything I needed.

Also, for all of my TriMarni Coached Athletes, this is a great option if the Swamp Rabbit Inn is booked for your Private Camp. It’s actually quite a bit less expensive per night (I paid $70 per night vs. $110 at the Swamp Rabbit Inn) and it’s only about 2-mails to the TriMarni Training Center.

Now can we talk about the FOOD!!! OMG!! So many great local restaurants to choose from in Travelers Rest. I always try to seek out local restaurants when possible and the options, even for a vegetarian like me, were vast.

Happy & Hale, Hair & Field, Side Wall Pizza (3 times), Farmers Taco’s, Swamp Rabbit Cafe (3 times), which is located right on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, you can park your bike and place your order, and of course Pink Mama’s for Ice Cream. There was more, but I did’t get pic’s of all of them. Started to eat before I remembered to take a pic. LOL

Because of Covid-19, most of my meals were ordered for Take-out, but a few did have outdoor patios that I felt comfortable at. Plenty of santi-wips and my Mask at all times.

Kale Salad with sweet potatoes and avocado

After my Training Camp was over, I spend a few more days in Travelers Rest doing some training on my own and also some sightseeing.

I saw my first Ghost Bike. A ghost bike (also referred to as a ghostcycle or WhiteCycle) is a bicycle roadside memorial, placed where a cyclist has been killed or severely injured, usually by a motor vehicle. Apart from being a memorial, it is usually intended as a reminder to passing motorists to share the road.

I have to say that throughout the course of this trip I covered over 200 miles on my bike and have never felt safer. I know they have their share of accidents and I’m sure irate drivers, but compared to Ohio, it’s a much more “Bike Friendly” culture down here. I highly recommend this area for any of my cycling friend.

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is marked every 1/10 mile. This is mile 25.0

I also had a chance to get a swim in at the Greenville Aquatic Complex. What a awesome complex. They have 20 lanes, that are 25 yards wide or can be set up for 25 meters or 50 meters.

I visited two State Parks is the area. Both are of which are visited by cyclists and offer very difficult climbs.

So that about wraps up this Train-cation to South Carolina. Now home to a self-imposed 14-day quarantine for traveling out of state! Thanks ‘Rona!!!

As always, leave a comment below or in the post, if you have any questions.

Until next time….