Keowee Falls member shares how life at The Cliffs shaped her conservancy work
By Emelyn Jones
What comes to mind when you hear “tree hugger?” And what does that have to do with The Cliffs? Well, my journey to The Cliffs and my conservancy work in the Upstate are closely connected. By all accounts, I was a city girl until 2011, when I received a book listing the waterfalls of South Carolina. Living in Greenville, I discovered how close we were to waterfall country and set a goal to hike to all 31.
As I checked each waterfall off the list, I rediscovered the beauty and tranquility of Oconee County, particularly Lake Keowee. Each time we crossed the Highway 11 bridge, I admired the pure water and the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains. Even though our family had spent time boating on Lake Keowee as our children grew up, my husband, Neil, and I began to see Lake Keowee as a potential place to build a weekend getaway. In 2012, we purchased our homesite at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and in 2014, we built “The Hype,” our dream lake house. We have been full-time members in The Cliffs for the past seven years, and we love every minute.
As my hiking confidence grew and we settled into life at The Cliffs, Neil and I joined Kyle Henry and the amazing Outdoor Pursuits team on hikes including The Foothills Trail, which we tackled in sections. The Foothills Trail is 76 miles long and extends from Table Rock State Park to Oconee State Park. Completing this trail on August 20, 2018, was one of the most challenging and rewarding events in my life.
It is impossible to spend time in such stunning surroundings without feeling the need to preserve it. In 2018, I joined the board of directors for Upstate Forever, a nonprofit conservation group that focuses on balancing growth with the protection of our region’s natural resources and unique character. The Carolinas are rapidly growing, and there is great value in smart growth! In 2023, I was appointed by the Oconee County Council to the Oconee County Conservation Bank board and was elected chair in 2024. This board provides funding to landowners to protect Oconee County’s significant natural, cultural, and historic resources. People relocating to this area are often drawn by its natural beauty and resources, and it is time well spent working to safeguard our land.
I frequently share my love of hiking and the outdoors with family, friends, and neighbors— who are mutually encouraged—throughout the year. For instance, David Delahunty motivated me to hike Table Rock (arguably one of the most difficult hikes in South Carolina) the week before I turned 55. He still claims we set a record time—the longest time anyone has ever taken to hike to the 3,124-foot peak and back down!
Did you know that each of the seven communities has its own hiking paths? Maps are online, and these trails are a great way to start exploring your neighborhood. I am so thankful that The Cliffs recognizes the remarkable nature around us and encourages the protection of it through nonprofits like Upstate Forever, The Nature Conservancy, and Naturland Trust. By the way, my older sister decided that the term “tree hugger” didn’t suit me, so she deemed me “Mother Nature’s press secretary.” I like that much better, don’t you?
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