South Carolina Smiles and Places 2008 Official Vacation Guide - (Page 28) LIFE ON THE FARM WITHOUT ALL THE WORK By Joquita Burka T hey are camelids. That’s right, a part of the camel family like llamas and their wild, endangered cousins the guanaco and vicuna. They’re alpacas, and you’ve got to admit they’re cute. They form a major part of the charm of the new-but-looks-very-old Farmhouse at Bush River in Clinton, SC. Designed to transport you to the Irish countryside, the stone and stucco “farmhouse” is an intimate, cozy bed and breakfast in a pastoral setting just over an hour’s drive from either Greenville or Columbia. Innkeepers Janet and Greg Henley had been alpaca farmers for seven years when they decided to build their Northern Ireland-inspired inn in 2002. Greg, better known as Dr. Henley at nearby Presbyterian College, serves as director of the Southeastern Center for Intercultural Studies there, a position that requires a great deal of international travel and perfectly suits the couple’s love of things Irish. When they designed the inn, they were inspired not just by their own affinity for the Emerald Isle, but by the early Scotch-Irish settlers of the surrounding Laurens County. So, they lovingly built an Irish farmhouse then filled it with antiques and locally-crafted glasswork, ironwork and cabinetry. The charm of the Farmhouse at Bush River is, according to Janet Henley, readily apparent. “It’s quiet, peaceful and calm here. People find it a great place for birthdays, anniversaries, even honeymoons. Some like to stroll over to the barn to visit the alpaca, while others just sit on the patio and enjoy the quiet. ” The cozy inn features four guestrooms, a parlor for games and refreshment, a Pub room for billiards, darts and a pint of Guinness®, plus, of course, a dining room for those fantastic breakfasts. How do gingerbread pancakes with apple/raisin syrup sound? Or will it be a smoked salmon crepe? Whatever time you rise and shine, Janet will put her chef’s training to work to create a hot, inviting breakfast for you. And why the alpaca? “Well, they are very charming. Because they have no defense other than flight, they may seem skittish. But they’re inquisitive, and quite docile. Alpaca farms are environmentally friendly. And I’m a spinner. I love the fibers they give, says Janet Henley. ” Her guests love snuggling up under a cozy alpaca blanket on a cool evening or just sitting outside observing the source of such comfort in the South Carolina countryside. FIND OUT MORE . . . Farmhouse at Bush River: A Bed & Breakfast 3111 Hwy. 56 South | Clinton, SC 29325 864-833-3881 | www.bushriverfarm.com 28 South Carolina Smiles 2008 http://www.bushriverfarm.com
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