Carl Sandburg Home Hike

“It is necessary now and then for a man to go away by himself and experience loneliness; to sit on a rock in the forest and to ask of himself, ‘Who am I, and where have I been, and where am I going'?” - Carl Sandburg 

The Carl Sandburg Home & Estate (a National Historic Site), is located right outside of the heart of Flat Rock Village. 

Quietly nestled in between Asheville, NC & Greenville, SC. 

Although the Home itself (which usually offers delightful educational tours) is *temporarily* closed - due to COVID - the hiking trails along the vast estate are open! 

I decided to go for a solo Sunday hike, for some (much needed) solace. 

You can download a map from the All Trails App, or grab a paper map on your way in (by the entrance). Regardless, the trails are very clearly marked & cleared - so even those lacking in the navigation department won’t get lost. 

There are several different level hikes available - I choose the longest one, that takes you to the top of Glassy Mountain. 

Also - remember to follow the parks guidelines and stay two goats apart from other hikers. If you forgot to bring your hiking goats for good measure; just figure about six feet. 

The hike itself is very shady & wooded, lined with lots of benches to sit and soak in the scenery. 

Don’t forget to take a picture at the top of the hike, at the top of Big Glassy Mountain - which has a beautiful view. 

When I did get to the top, I was eavesdropping on another group of hikers and heard them say that the Goat Barn was closed - but, decided to follow the trail markers down anyway to see for myself if it really was. 

On the way down from Glassy Overlook, you’ll pass by a beautiful field that produces inner feelings of joy, peace and appreciation for nature. 

Soon after you’ll run into the Goat House. 

To my surprise - I made it just in time to see the ah-dorbs goats before the park staff took them in for their afternoon nap (or whatever they do in the afternoon, maybe goat snack time - idk). 

Note to self; do not eavesdrop on other hikers regarding the Sandburg Home amenities - it’s unproductive & misleading. 

After I “ooohhheed and ahhhed” at the goats, I decided it was time to head back to the car - particularly when I realized I was the only person over the age of four with that extreme level of enthusiasm. 

Unfortunately, I had forgot which parking lot I had parked in. Before panic set in, I realized it was early enough in the afternoon that eventually I would find my way back. 

(I was going to do a coin toss on which direction to go - but with the covid coin shortage I had to settle on my gut instinct and the help of the lovely paper map provided by the park service.) 

I decided to head back to the “Main Visitor” parking lot, and was pleasantly surprised to find many other park treasures along the way - including the Sandburg Home itself! 

Although I couldn’t go in for a home tour, I was able to walk right out front and still feel as though I was immersed in the history of the home itself. 

Another wonderful surprise on my way back to the car, was the amphitheater.

This also appeared to be closed (also, presumably due to covid) - so I decided to put on a one man (woman) show of “Taming of The Shrew”! 

Which was actually just twenty minutes of me sobbing while shouting “Bartholomew?!” and shaking my Nalgene bottle mid air. 

I’m not sure if I’m allowed back at the park. 

My last delightful stop at the Sandburg Home was the tidbit area with tidbits about Sandburg himself! 

Tip; right after you pass by the tidbit section, and pass over the white bridge - make sure to stop and look to your right... there is a *breathtaking* view of the home from afar. 

Don’t forget to snap that perfect pic! 

(Apologies to the gentleman that was trying to enjoy the view in peace and had to endure three minutes of me trying to capture the perfect shot while obstructing his view and repeatedly mumbling “oh just one more, wait oh - ok. Wait no, one more - ok”.)

Although the hike to Glassy Mountain can be done in a few hours, I definitely suggest spending the entire afternoon at the estate to experience all of the wonders the park has to offer!

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