Day Trippin' in Barnwell

Some of the best days don't require airline tickets, hotel reservations, or weeks of planning. Sometimes all you need is a tank of gas, a sense of curiosity, and a willingness to wander.

That was the plan for E.B. and Opa as we headed to Barnwell, South Carolina, for another Day Trippin' adventure. Our mission was simple: spend a few hours getting to know this charming South Carolina town a little better. We hoped to discover an interesting church, explore a few local landmarks, enjoy a good meal at a hometown restaurant, and, as always, meet some wonderful people along the way.

This trip held one more blessing. We also had the opportunity to spend time with some dear friends, Vicki and Doug, whose warm hospitality made an already enjoyable day even more memorable.

So come along as we explore Barnwell through our sketches, photographs, stories, and a few unexpected discoveries. We think you'll find that some of South Carolina's greatest treasures are still waiting quietly in its small towns.

As always, E.B. and Opa enjoy slowing down and exploring places like this. We wandered the peaceful church grounds before spending time in the historic cemetery, where nearly every headstone tells a story. Together, they paint a remarkable picture of the people who helped shape Barnwell, South Carolina, and our nation.

Many of those buried here lived during the 1800s. One grave especially caught our attention—that of a gentleman born in County Tipperary, Ireland, who eventually made his home in South Carolina and was laid to rest here in 1815. Nearby were the graves of veterans who served their country in different generations and different wars. Some fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, while others served the Union. We also found the grave of a young man who gave his life in Vietnam, along with veterans of both World War I and World War II.

History books tell us what happened. Cemeteries remind us that history happened to real people.

Today, St. Andrew continues to serve the Catholic community of Barnwell under the pastoral care of Fr. Archangel. After two centuries of faithful worship, this beautiful church remains both a spiritual home and a living witness to the rich history of South Carolina.

If your travels ever bring you to Barnwell, we encourage you to spend a few quiet moments at St. Andrew. Walk beneath the shade of its old trees, read the names etched into the weathered stones, and remember that every one of them was once part of the continuing story of this remarkable little corner of the Palmetto State.

St. Andrew Catholic Church

Walking Through South Carolina's History

One of the highlights of our Day Trippin' adventure was spending time at beautiful St. Andrew Catholic Church. Established in the early 1800s, it is the oldest church in Barnwell County and the oldest church building still in continuous service within the Diocese of Charleston, whose boundaries encompass the entire state of South Carolina.

Around the Circle

Shopping, Sketching, and Small-Town Discoveries

Part of the fun of Day Trippin' is that everyone enjoys exploring in their own way. While I spent some time strolling the streets in downtown Barnwell, making notes and sketching ideas for future artwork, E.B. and our friend Vicki wandered around The Circle, discovering some of the town's unique local businesses.

Their shopping adventure included Pick of the Litter Thrift Store, where every visit is a treasure hunt, and Tensely Rivers Boutique and Barista Bar, a charming stop that combines boutique shopping with the inviting aroma of fresh coffee. They also visited The Accelerator, a welcoming coffee shop, pastry stop, and Internet café that has become a favorite gathering place in downtown Barnwell.

Of course, I couldn't resist making my way over to the Barnwell County Courthouse, home of the town's now-famous sundial. It's one of those landmarks that seems to invite visitors to slow down for a few minutes, take a closer look, and appreciate a little piece of Barnwell's history.

Doug joined us just in time for lunch, and it was wonderful to spend time together catching up with dear friends. During our visit, Doug and Vicki shared some exciting news—they had recently received an award for their dancing at Barnwell's popular "Sock Hop." We were delighted for them, and it added another smile to an already memorable day.

One of the things we've come to appreciate about South Carolina's small towns is that they're filled with simple pleasures—friendly conversations, locally owned shops, interesting landmarks, and the kind of unhurried moments that are easy to overlook in a larger city. Barnwell reminded us once again that some of the very best adventures happen when you simply slow down and enjoy the journey.

A Taste of Barnwell

Good Food, Good Friends, and a Wonderful Surprise

By lunchtime, all of our exploring had helped us work up a healthy appetite, so the four of us gathered at the Country Cafe for a delicious meal. If you're traveling through Barnwell—or nearby Blackville—it just seems natural to look for a Mennonite restaurant. Time after time, we've found that they serve wonderful home-style meals along with some of the finest baked goods you'll ever taste.

Our lunch certainly didn't disappoint!

We showed remarkable self-control by passing on dessert... at least for the moment. That was all part of the plan, because we already knew another stop was waiting for us. Just down the road was the Country Cupboard, owned by the same family and famous for its tempting selection of homemade baked goods and sweet treats. Sometimes it's worth saving a little room.

One of the highlights of our visit to the Country Cafe was meeting Christina, the restaurant's gracious proprietor. She welcomed us with genuine small-town hospitality and even agreed to let Opa do her caricature for this article. It’s a small way for us to say thank you for helping make our visit to Barnwell so enjoyable.

We've often said that the best part of traveling isn't simply seeing new places—it's meeting the people who call those places home. Christina reminded us once again that genuine hospitality is still alive and well in South Carolina's small towns, and that's one of the reasons we keep coming back.

Why We Love Day Trippin'

Shrines! Wines! And Interesting People!

Every time E.B. and Opa head out on one of our Day Trippin' adventures, we follow the same simple plan. We call it...

Shrines! Wines! And Interesting People!

We begin with the Shrines.

For us, that means finding a church. It doesn't matter whether it's Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, or any other denomination. South Carolina is blessed with beautiful churches, both large and small, and each has a story to tell. If the doors are open, step inside for a few quiet moments of prayer. If they're closed, walk the grounds. E.B. and Opa call that Prayer Walking. You don't have to stay long. Just take a few minutes to thank God for the day ahead and for the people you're about to meet. It sets the tone for everything that follows.

Next come the Wines.

No, we're not necessarily talking about what's in your glass. We're talking about discovering what makes that little town special. Every community has its own "fine vintage"—the local bakery, the family-owned restaurant, the historic courthouse, the friendly coffee shop, the farmers market, the old hardware store, or the quiet street that somehow feels like stepping back in time. Find those treasures. They're the things that make each town worth remembering.

Finally, look for the Interesting People.

This may be the most rewarding part of the whole trip. Strike up a conversation. Ask a question. Listen to a story. Talk with someone at the farmers market, a local restaurant, a thrift store, or simply someone sweeping the sidewalk in front of their business. You don't need to know them beforehand. Just treat them as though they're already your friends.

While exploring Barnwell, Opa spent about ten minutes talking with an old gentleman—about Opa's own age—who was picking up litter in front of the store where he worked. We'd never met before. By the time we said goodbye, we'd shared a few “almost true stories,” a few laughs, and enjoyed a conversation that neither of us expected when the day began.

That's the real joy of Day Trippin'.

If you live in a city or a suburb and enjoy that life, that's wonderful. But every now and then, take a day to wander beyond the interstate. Visit one of South Carolina's remarkable small towns, slow your pace, and discover a place where people still wave… still visit… and still have time to stop and talk.

Wherever you are in the Palmetto State, there’s a little town somewhere nearby that's waiting to welcome you.

Go find its...

Shrines! Wines! And Interesting People!

That's our story... and we're sticking to it.

The Barnwell Gallery

Those who know Opa, know that we can’t go too far down the road of life without some humor. And so, Opa creates cartoons to celebrate where we go!

These are NOT editorial cartoons in any way. We are NOT commenting on Barnwell. None of this actually happened. We create these cartoons so that we can all laugh a little—and most (if not all) could actually apply to almost any small town in the Palmetto State.

We hope you get a smile, a chuckle, or even—a laugh from them!

Our Day Trippin’ Companions

And of course, our story wouldn’t be truly complete without a little caricature fun that included our Barnwell “travel companions”—

Meet Doug & Vicki… (HINT: Doug’s the one on the right with the hat)

Almost True Stories and Caricatures Too!

It’s all about the Palmetto State, told in “almost true” stories and delightfully fun caricatures too!

Subscribe & Keep up with news from the Road

© 2026. All rights reserved.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Write your text here...