Symmetry Saturday

Nature Friday: Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls

Nature Friday is hosted by my Niece Rosy and her brudders, Arty and Jakey

Following information from the Chimney Rock Brochure

Chimney Rock is a 535-million year old towering monolith and has been an iconic focal point in Western NC mountains for over a century.There are panoramic 75 mile view of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.  It is accessible only by a 26-story elevator.  You don't so much stop at Chimney Rock...as it stops YOU. Marvel at the beauty and majesty of 404 foot Hickory Nut Falls which is one of the tallest of its kind east of the Mississippi.

First glimpse of Chimney Rock from the parking lot.

 Tunnel 

The elevator 26' shaft which was blasted through solid rock (is called Henderson Gneiss)

through the rock to the elevator which you can see at the end.

The cool 198 foot tunnel stays at a comfortable 55-65 degrees year around.

WHY because the elevator only holds 8 folks at a time and depending on the time of day/month your wait can be rather long and stuffy.

Once on the elevator your ride up 26' is 32 seconds to the Sky Lounge.

Once you exit the elevator you walk thru the gift shop.

THEN are greeted with a ton of stairs up to the top of the observation deck

Below is a photo of Opera Box observation we did not got there.

From atop Chimney Rock we were amazed to see the size of Lake Lure 

If you missed my Saturday, September 21, post it was all about walking around 

Lake Lure, NC.  

We headed down these stairs to hike over to Hickory Nut Falls

Hickory Nut Falls trail is rated moderate, it is a 1.4 mile round trip

and takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. It is a gently rolling trail and has several moderate uphills sections and a small set of stairs at the base of the falls.

Hickory Nut Falls was featured in the epic film, "The Last of the Mohicans".

There are several other trails.  The most strenuous is

Four Seasons trail has a 400' grain elevation and is a strenuous steady uphill climb.

 It was worth every single step of the 1.4 miles too.

First line on the below sign says it all

before you is the 404' Hickory Nut Falls.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Today we join Two  SPOILED CATS 

Angel Sammy and Teddy for their poetic pictorial poem.

Here is our MOST adorable photo challenge

Siblings

by Cecilia

Sharing secrets 

In tune to each others needs

Buddies thru thick and thin

Incredibly adorable

Look at me sis, you've got this

It is easy, like always,we'll do it together 

New things are scary

Glad to have a hand to hold to make you bold.

Sis and brother friends like no OTHER

Wordless Wednesday and PSA

Hosted by Comedy Plus

The mountains of N.C. and surrounding cities need no words.

Below a few photos from our road trip in early September.

If this barn could talk......

 I love this white fence ....but I LOVE it more that I don't have to paint it.

PSA 

Friends...if you have not bought a water heater in the last 10 years...
let me offer you a word of advice EXPENSIVE.

Last week we had some annual inspections of household equipment: furnace
and *Wally the water heater.
*(FYI: We routinely have it inspected.  WHY: On Christmas Day 2008, after
Favorite Sissy and BIL of 👼 Madi took their showers which were lukewarm,
Dad of said Angel had a very cold shower.)

In January of this year, we had 10 y.o., Wally inspected.
At that time, we told he was probably up for replacement within the year.  There are tale tale
signs, such as they tend to grow 'age' spots aka rust.
Low and Behold Wally was close to providing his last bit of hot water.
December 2008: water heater and electrical code upgrades were $1,700 total.
Upgrades were approximately $700.00.
September 2019 just the water heater (no upgrades needed) was $1,935.00!
I think we might name this new water heated Goldie..for gold digger.

Happy Tongue Out Tuesday with Kat

Hosted by Comedy Plus

This photo of my nephew, Kat, made me giggle!!

He has a very long tongue

Awww Monday: Kat's other hat

Hosted by Comedy Plus

Dearest Aunty HiC
Don’t tell Mom, but I did a little redecorating today. 😹

I’ve never been very fond of this pillow, and I decided it was time to do something about it.

I just turned the pillow on its side and covered it with the beautiful, Dakota memory quilt you made.

Nice, huh? 😻

How long do you think it will take her to notice? Ha!

King Kat official ruler of the house and all that goes on.

❤️ Kat Your Feline Nephew

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😻😻😻😻‼️‼️‼️ Oh dear nephew you are da man of da hour!  

Well done.  When you chose your forever home, I knew you an exceptional eye for quality.

You are Cat who wore many HATS!!!!!  

Now you can add interior design to resume!  

I love every single photo

Lovingly your Aunty HiC 

Sensational Sightings

Photo taken by my Daughter on September 5, 2019
They visited the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Preserve, while vacationing in Colorado
She fell in love with the Bison and Prairie Dogs.

Pickles, by Brian Crane, is one of our favorite cartoons.  It always makes us giggle