Pretty Place is just that, a real Pretty Place. The Fred W. Symmes Chapel located in the YMCA Camp Greenville is just a short drive from Greenville. It was built in 1941 and offers breath taking views of the great smoky mountains for you and your family to enjoy. Pretty Place, The Symmes Chapel is available to reserve for weddings and events. So how do you get there and what to look for on the way.
Folks, as long as I have been in Greenville SC I had never been to Pretty Place, Symmes Chapel. I'd been to Camp Greenville YMCA camp but not to the Chapel. So as much as I love photography and pretty places...I thought I'd jump in the car early and ride up to Pretty Place and catch the sunrise!
The great thing about Greenville SC is there are so many places close to here that you really should go see. I call the YMCA camp to find out if the sun rises or sets at the chapel. They told me that it rises there and the gates open up at 7 am. I got my camera ready and headed out before sun up.
I know you like to hear about Greenville so I'll pick up the drive heading into downtown Greenville on I385 in the dark. Isn't in nice being out before everyone else is? It reminds me of when I came to Greenville about 25 years ago. I drove in late one night, in the dark, not much traffic, decided to stay.... I get off i385 to Stone Avenue. As you ride down Stone, you'll pass the Handlebar, cross main go past the Marchant Company, the side of McAfee Funeral home (hey Tommy, hope all's well). You'll take a right on Rutherford Rd. Man I wish I had the time to take a left and stop by the Country Ham House. Folks, if you're downtown and want a great breakfast, stop by the Ham House, just a great family run Greenville business with some mean ham and eggs.
So I'm on Rutherford now heading out of downtown. I always tell people visiting that this ride is pretty much commercial and old Greenville through here. You'll see Channel 4 WYFF on the left, some old businesses including my uncle's old oil business ECHOLS Oil. Keep going and it gets nicer at Cherrydale Shopping Center. By the way, another favorite breakfast spot of mine is right in front of Cherry Dale, Stax Original, get the Deuces Wild...so on down 276. Hey forgot to mention, a few blocks back I passed Harbin Brothers, Scott was a neighbor of mine when I bought my first home in Half Mile Lake many, many years ago.
I'm driving past Furman now thinking about my niece who is a freshman there this year. I continue up 276 through Travelers Rest. I mention this drive in my Blue Ridge Mountain Page because it really is the way to go if you want to take the scenic route to Asheville NC. Sorry if this is a bit long winded. I just like to give you a feel for the area. Now you're on winding country roads and hair pin turns as you get up in the mountains. You'll take Hwy. 276 pretty much all the way.
It's 6:27 am and guess what? It starts snowing, that's right, in April and it's really coming down. I make it though and arrive at Pretty Place about 15 mins. before sunrise. It's a stone open air Chapel that over looks the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are wooden seats or pews and a cross that is the focal point looking over the valley. Just beautiful folks! I find a young couple already there ahead of me sitting on the other side of the stone wall awaiting the sunrise. I snapped some images for you here but these really can't describe the peacefulness and beauty of God's chapel. Take your family up for a visit, or just drive alone, it's well worth the ride.
All the best,
Don
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