Ramblin' Through Fall Foliage: South Carolina's Winding Routes to Autumnal Nirvana

As the summer sun cools and leafy, fiery hues burst forth in a raucous serenade to autumn, South Carolina beckons road trippers with its spicy scent of crisp air, pecan pies and deeprooted history. Like bread crumbs tossed by Jack Kerouac himself, intriguing southern tales pave the way for an odyssey through smalltown life that is ripe with charismatic outdoor spots where friendly banter leaves locals warmed up like bourbon on a cool night.

Begin your wandering where natural poetry meets sensual brush strokes at Congaree National Park (100 National Park Rd., Hopkins, SC 29061), preferably at dawn's kiss goodbye to sleepy twilight. Embrace Mother Natures artistry as dewtouched spider webs flutter under rays that declare William Carlos Williams prophecy; so much depends upon red wheelbarrows well suited to carry sweet potato harvests from yonder field.

Venture further down roads littered with nostalgic burgundy maplesshades reminiscent of Truman Capote and Harper Lee sitting sidebyside sipping rich fall brewsto sample comforts at YesterYear Homestead (4856 Augusta Hwy., Smoaks, SC 29481). Amidst cotton fields kissed by hazy sunsets reminiscent of Wyeth landscapes, YesterYear provides solace against encroaching October chills while evoking vivid memories right out of Faulkner novels.

The spirits gather when your journey leads you along showstopping foliage toward Charleston Tea Garden (6617 Maybank Hwy., Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487). In the heartland of Lowcountry hospitality seemingly plucked straight from Rhett Butlers embrace where laughter sounds like church bells amid Hemingwayesque fetes surrounded by camellias swaying redolent dances join the annual harvest and savor that soothing taste of home South Carolina so proudly boasts.

As autumn edges ever closer to its bittersweet finale, seek refuge in Greenvilles FAVOR Fall Ball (Greenville Downtown Airport, 100 Tower Dr., Greenville, SC 29607), where merriment and live jazz intertwine. Push aside melancholic musings like Kerouac would after a draft or twobest do it under pressed tin ceilings soaked in warm lighting at Foxfire Tavern (47 Park Ave W., Aiken, SC 29801)before stepping into the poetic whirlwind outside.

Finally, as these fall festivities draw to a close with November's whisper upon your cheek, let artful imagery wrapped lovingly around you at Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens' Autumn Nights in The Field of Light installation (1235 Long Point Rd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464). Bathe yourself within brilliant hues reflecting van Gogh's fervor for hallowed October landscapes your soul eternally grateful for traversing Gods country along South Carolinas flaming foliage route during this impassioned season.

Useful Websites:

http://www.congaree.org/

https://yesteryearhomestead.com/

https://www.charlestonteagarden.com/

http://favorgreenville.org/fallball