06.18.07

Chimney Rock State Park

Posted in attractions, day trips at 2:12 pm by admin

The state recently purchased Chimney Rock Park. Up till now, it was privately own and operated. We’ve visited Chimney Rock several times. This is a must see if you visit the Asheville Area. The view from a top is spectacular. You can see on a clear day 75 miles. The view includes nearby Lake Lure and its beautiful. The hike to Hickory Nut Falls is somewhat strenuous. I found myself out of breath however it didn’t bother my kids any. The falls are 404 ft high and worth the hike. Parts of the movie The Last of the Mohicans was filmed here. There’s an elevator from the parking lot to the park. You will also find a souvenir shop and a snack bar. When we were there, you could buy apple cider. Outside the park are some good places to eat. You can enjoy a meal of mountain trout if you choose. My parents and I use to take day trips to the Esmeralda Inn for lunch. It had a good lunch. Clark Gable once stayed here. It had a good view, you could see Chimney Rock from the inn’s front porch too. Unfortunately, the inn burnt down many years ago. I dont know if they ever rebuilt.

For information on places to stay near Chimney Rock see River View Cabins  located on The Rocky Broad River by Chimney Rock, NC. Good place for Trout fishing here.

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06.15.07

gardening

Posted in outdoors at 4:36 pm by admin

when I first came to the Asheville area, everyone I knew grew a garden and canned fruits and vegetables for winter. I never understood this, cause it was a lot of work and I didn’t see the need for it. The old timers I knew, said the canned food was much better than store bought cans, it was cheaper and they did it in case the snow was so deep they couldn’t get to the store. So, for many years I did the same. The snow never did get that deep. Every year, I ended up throwing most of the food I canned away. I was afraid to keep it longer than a year and with the new harvest, I’d have to empty my canning jars so I’d have jars to fill again. We go to the farmers market and buy a bushel of apples, tomatoes and sometimes peaches. I’d make applesauce. The old timers here ate applesauce with butter and a biscuit for breakfast. I’d use the canned tomatoes in homemade soup. I’d never use all that I’d can. After my divorce, I quit canning. I did grow a garden one time. It rained hard that year. Everyone of my vegetables I planted died. That was the end of my gardening and canning. I never saw where canning vegetables was cheaper than buying canned vegetables in the store. It always was more expensive especially if you count the hours you put into it.

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06.14.07

still cool

Posted in weather, roads at 2:37 pm by admin

We got some rain yesterday. Not a whole lot though. We’re suppose to get more today. However, its still a bit cool but comfortable. Traffic is still light on the roads even around noon. I’ve been able to get on and off the exit ramps of I-40 without much trouble.

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06.13.07

cool weather this week

Posted in weather at 1:11 pm by admin

It was a bit chilly today for June here in the NC mountains. The temperture is about 68 degrees. It has been in the mid 70 s this whole week and been quite comfortable. My air conditioner hasn’t had to work too hard. Perhaps my electric bill will be lower this month. Its tried to rain. We’ve had a few thunderstorms but no real rain. Its only settled the dust.

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06.12.07

July 4 celebration

Posted in attractions, city at 2:46 pm by admin

There are several locations around Asheville where they have fireworks displays on July 4th. They are: Lake Julian Park, Downtown and Recreation Park. I went to Lake Julian several years ago on July 4th. It was so crowded you had to park off Long Shoals rd and walk. If you get there real early, you might be able to get into the park. But thats a big might. Most all of the picnic sheds are taken. I think they are reserved. Many people get together for family reunions and big get togethers with friends here. I’ve driven my daughter and her kids downtown and dropped them off near the courthouse and then come back to pick them up. I dont like crowds. I can see some of the fireworks from a distance from my house anyway.

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