A place to horse around

story by Brett McLaughlin | photos courtesy of Chattooga Trails Bed & Barn

Four years ago, South Carolinians Jay and Kes Crumpler were living in the Lowcountry close to the coast, towing their cabin cruiser to the ocean for getaways. Life was good.

But, having vacationed in the Upstate for 25 years, the decision to retire there had already been made. It was only a matter of when. In 2011, Kes, a registered physical therapist, interviewed with an Upstate rehab facility.

“… for a multitude of reasons, doors kept shutting and we couldn’t make it work on either end,” she recalled.

Fast forward seven years. While working in Lexington, a patient told her he owned and rode horses on property in the Upstate. He said his neighbor was looking to sell her home and 10 acres … perfect for a bed and breakfast.

“I had been praying for an open door, but then I spent two months trying to tell God he was wrong,” she laughed. “Finally, I went online. The house didn’t look like it would work. It needed a door here and something else there.”

Still, they came for a visit.

“We looked on Saturday, decided to purchase on Sunday and, by Monday I was job hunting,” Kes said, noting that she decided to call on the same rehab firm she had spoken with years earlier. As it turns out, they had exactly what she was looking for — 30 hours a week in their Seneca location.

“I struggled for years trying to understand why God led me to that interview seven years prior and everything was perfect, but we couldn’t make it work,” she said. “Sometimes, God says ‘yes’ but he also says, ‘but not now.’ That’s a very valuable lesson I learned through all of this. Now, it makes perfect sense. Had we moved seven years prior, we would definitely not be where we are now, running this B&B. God had a plan and, unbeknownst to us, we just had to be patient!”

Chattooga Trails Bed and Barn (That second ‘B’ is important.) is the only private horse camp in South Carolina. It is a niche business whose owners weren’t even aware that their property had direct access to 34 miles of public horse trails when they bought adjacent to Sumter National Forest.

Lodging options include rooms, a suite, a glamping wagon, and campsites with water and power hookups. Horses can stay in large, shaded paddocks or a barn that, with the help of some neighbors, was doubled in size.

You’re welcome to stay in Kes and Jay’s home, which features three guest bedrooms, accommodating up to 12 people.

Two are upstairs. Because there is a shared sitting area and bath, only one party may rent one or both. The Whetstone Room has two full-size beds. The Charleston Room has a king-size bed, a loveseat sitting area and a small porch.

For families or groups, the Hunter’s Hideout is a lower-level apartment that sleeps six.

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

It has a full kitchen, living room, bathroom and a large bunk room with a queen bed and two twin beds that each have a pullout trundle. There is outdoor seating on the covered patio.

When asked about breakfast, Kes just smiles.

“We tried it, but we honestly didn’t have many takers,” she said. “Horse people like to get out and get going in the morning, so we just don’t do it. That ‘B’ is for barn.”

The newest lodging option is the Sheep Wagon, which opened last fall. It resembles a covered wagon and sleeps two. It has a queensize bed, built in cubbies, a table that can be pulled out from under the bed, electric lights, small fridge and microwave and a coffee maker. A gas heater is available for chilly nights. There’s a hand water pump, nearby picnic table, hammock and solar lights for evening ambiance.

Chattooga Trails also features four RV sites with picnic tables and water and power hookups (no septic/no dump station). RVs must be self-contained, as there is no bathhouse. Three sites are close to the main house, and each has a hitching post. The fourth site near the paddocks is large and can accommodate living-quarters horse trailers up to 42 feet and groups of six trailers traveling together.

Horses can stay in shaded paddocks, out in the pasture, or inside a barn stall.

Because Chattooga Trails Bed and Barn is The main house at Chattooga Bed and Barn provides three different accommodation options, including a lower level complete with its own kitchen and dining facilities. Are you invested properly? every moment Are you invested properly? Get a second opinion. David Adrian Jr Financial Advisor 501 Rochester Hwy Suite A2 Seneca, SC 29672 Get a second opinion. is for living. the only private horse camp in South Carolina. David Adrian Jr Financial Advisor Let’s partner through all of it. It is a niche business whose 501 Rochester Hwy Suite A2 owners weren’t Seneca, SC 29672 864-882-5763 David Adrian Jr even aware that Financial Advisor edwardjones.com their property 501 Rochester Hwy Suite Member SIPC MKT-5894K-A-A1 A2 Seneca, SC 29672 864-882-5763 had direct access to 34 miles of David Adrian Jr public horse trails Financial Advisor edwardjones.com when they bought 501 Rochester Hwy Suite A2 Member SIPC adjacent to Sumter Seneca, SC 29672 National Forest. 864-882-5763

{above} The possibility of getting a little wet always exists when crossing the Wild & Scenic Chattooga River as it creates the border of South Carolina and Georgia. • {right} There are three places where fording the Wild & Scenic Chattooga River leads riders from South Carolina to Georgia.

For guests such as Lisa Wood of Ocala, FL, the large RV site has become a home away from home.

“They have great sites, we love their company, the area is gorgeous, and the scenery is great,” said Wood, who has returned to Chattooga Trails at least five times. “We go in the spring when the Mountain Laurel is out and in the fall when the color is tremendous. The ride from their house to the trails is pretty. It’s our go-to place.”

Beautiful Handcrafted Furniture, Toys, Built-ins and More.

Over 50 Years Experience

Check Out My Work on Facebook at Lou’s Custom Woodworking Call for appointment: 864.965.8100 Located in Anderson, SC

EVEN MORE OUTDOOR

NEW SHIPMENTS ARRIVING DAILY!

10% OFF

Fishing Tackle, Rods & Reels Only When Mentioning This Ad.

Expires August 31, 2022

WE CARRY Aftco Clothing, Live Minnows & Worms, Fishing Rods, Reels, Tackle, Lake Toys, Sunglasses by Smith and Suncloud, Lake Life Apparel, Dam Coolers, Life Vests, Sunbum Suncreen, Chums, Metal Lake Maps & So Much More!

PLUS ... LOCALLY MADE BRANDS & ITEMS Walhalla Hammocks, 7 Fifteen Baits, Manly Custom Tackle, ShakeyMan Lures, Keeping It Fishy Hand Tied Flies, Thirdeye Fishing

4060 Keowee School Road, Seneca, SC 864-723-9136 Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm / Sat: 6am-5pm Sun: Closed

Kes said guests have come from several Southeastern states as well as Pennsylvania, Missouri and Ohio. A typical visit is one to three weeks during which visitors have a chance to enjoy other Upstate offerings such as hiking, waterfall visits and whitewater rafting.

Although she and Jay love to share their own fire ring in the evening or for morning coffee, they added another wonderful view of the valley from a porch adjacent to the barn.

{above} Thirty-four miles of trails await Chattooga Trails B&B visitors in the adjacent Sumter National Park. {below} It’s a lot about horses at Chattooga Trails B&B, but not all about horses. Sometimes, guests simply come to have a nice place to stay, a fire to warm themselves by and great company to enjoy.

They don’t hesitate to talk-up local eateries for pizza or barbecue and are quick to urge visitors to feed their critters, which include some sheep, a llama, two horses and assorted dogs.

If you have a horse but don’t know the trails, fear not. Jay and Kes want you have a great experience and will spend as much time as necessary to familiarize you with the terrain.

“We love our lives here. Even though we don’t live close together, this is real community,” Kes said, referring to the Mountain Rest and Long Creek areas. “People care about each other and want to make this a better place for each other. I’ve never lived anywhere like that before.” n

To make a reservation or learn more about Chattooga Trails Bed & Barn, visit: www.chattoogatrailsbedandbarn.com

Groups large and small enjoy riding in Sumter National Forest while staying at Chattooga Trails B&B.

LIFELIFE BEGINSBEGINS ATAT

Home

First, find a horse … preferably one that comes with an experienced rider, friend or guide. There are no horse rentals or guided trail rides available in Sumter National Forest.

Secondly, make a plan. Doing a map recon and planning a route should be the first step. Reporting your plan to someone, including departure times, routes and expected return times, is a great idea. Much of the trail system has no cell phone coverage.

There are dozens of miles of public access horse trails winding through the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina and Georgia. The terrain is mountainous with lush forests and wide river crossings … perfect for horses and riders looking for backcountry experiences.

The Rocky Gap/Willis Knob Horse Trails are 34 miles of trails in the Sumter Forest. Rocky Gap Trail is in Oconee County, SC. It is 19 miles long and has several loops. Willis Knob Trail in Rabun County, GA, is a 15-mile loop.

There are three fords along the Rocky Gap Trail where riders can cross the Chattooga River from South Carolina to Georgia — Adeline Ford (northern), Big Island Ford (middle) and Earl’s Ford (furthest downriver).

Riding the trail along the Chattooga River where the movie “Deliverance” was filmed, is a beautiful ride. Riding the ridge above Rocky Gap to Piney Knob puts riders on trails used by settlers 200 years ago. The trail on the South Carolina side between Big Island Ford and Adeline Ford takes one past the old Nicholson Spring. Evidence of the old homestead is seen by farming equipment remnants and two small fields.

Other resources for information, suggestions and tips for mountain trail riding are: • Back Country Horsemen of South Carolina • Pendleton Area Saddle Club • South Carolina Horsemen’s Council

Call, text, or email Shane Miller to discuss your home loan options. Loan products include, but not limited to: Conventional, JUMBO, VA, FHA, Construction, Renovation, and Refinancing of existing mortgages. Let The Miller Team welcome you home in 2021!

On Q Financial, Inc. is an Equal Housing Lender. NMLS 5645 | SC MLS-5645 SM0201210681Y00000Bh653

864.906.6019864.906.6019

Shane.Miller@OnQFinancial.com

SVP Sales Manager | Sr. Mortgage Consultant NMLS 986246 | SC MLO-986246 107 W. North 1st Street, Seneca, SC 29678