COLUMBIA, S.C. – April 14, 2009 – As winter’s winds quickly melt into memory, now is the time to spring into action, and South Carolina is an ideal destination for Georgians looking to get a jump on warm-weather family fun.

The adventures in the Palmetto State begin just a scant drive away, beginning with the whitewater trips, trout fishing, hiking and general spring splendor available in the deep woods and clear streams of the Blue Ridge. While most wait until warmer weather, hardy rafters already are taking on the Chattooga and Chauga rivers that form the border between South Carolina and Georgia in the highlands above the Savannah.

Hiking the Foothills Trail and checking out wildflowers and waterfalls also are popular spring pastimes in the South Carolina Upstate, as are bike hikes along scenic roads such as S.C. 11 (the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway) and at popular parks such as Paris Mountain State Park just outside Greenville.

An ideal place to begin the journey to spring in the outdoors of South Carolina is on the Internet. Consider beginning the search at the Web sites of the South Carolina Paddlesports Industry Association at www.paddlesouthcarolina.org, the South Carolina Nature-Based Tourism Association at (www.scnbta.com), the South Carolina Association of Tourism Regions at www.scatr.com or the state’s official tourism site at www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com.

The S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism also has launched a separate Web site devoted specifically to inviting the people of Georgia to turn just to the east for their next family fun outing. That journey begins at www.SCNextDoor.com.