Out and about in Sun City Carolina Lakes

We've been here a little over 4 months now.  The other day I decided to go around the development and take a few photos of what is here.  Plus, about a 3/4 of a mile of the development is along the Catawba River, so I've included a few photos of that.

The Lake House or recreation center as many places call it.  It's home to the fitness center, meeting rooms, in-door pool, HOA offices and a few other misc. things.  Why do they call it the Lake House ?? ...

Because it backs up to a lake. You can see the top of it to the left of center in the trees.

The outdoor pool to the right of the Lake House.  It's no more than 4' deep.

The model village, which is across the street from the Lake House.  This is where you can see all 13 models of homes they offer.

A little ways up from the Lake House is this playground for the grandkids.

The golf club house.

This view is of the 14th hole. It runs along a dirt road that parallels the Catawba River.

This road leads to a ramp from which you can launch your canoe or kayak into theCatawba River. The building in the background is a gated storage house for canoes and kayaks.  The building in the foreground is a picnic shelter.There is a bunch of mistletoe in the tree above the shelter.

Down another pathway leads to more stuff. This is a pickle ball court.  It is a cross between badminton (court layout), tennis (similar net) & ping-pong (slightly larger racquet). The ball is about  the same size and make-up of a wiffle ball.

Another picnic shelter and to the left of it, horse-shoe pits.

To the right of the picnic shelter is the softball field.

Across the parking lot from the softball field are these garden plots.  There are about 110 of them here. I have one way down on the end next to the fence.

A view of the Catawba River looking north.

 Looking south.

Same view looking north, but at 6:30AM. It was eerie with the mist rolling over the river.

Looking south at the same time.

Got to have a moon set. This is looking across the river.

From what I was told, the developer helped with a lot of the financing for the  library.  It is a county library, so Lancaster County residents can also use it.  It is not in the development, but at the end of a strip mall (next photo) along the main road.

Our 'own' little strip mall anchored by a Harris-Teeter supermarket.  If you keep going to the left, you get to the library.  If you will notice towards the right part of the building you will see several golf cars.  Sure is nice to cruise up there in your golf car. Plus, there is a Starbucks in Harris-Teeter.

Trip to Western North Carolina/South Carolina State Fair

Our friends Rosie and Betty came for another visit the week of October 17th.  The main purpose of the trip was to see 'The Buddy Holly Story' at the Flat Rock Playhouse in Flat Rock, NC (a few miles south of Hendersonville). The rest of the time, we spent sightseeing west of Hendersonville and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The last day (Friday) we drove down to Columbia, SC to check out the South Carolina State Fair.

Lunch at Genny's Home-Style Cookin' in Chimney Rock.  The Rocky Broad River is in the background.

Looking west up the Rocky Broad.

Looking east.

Chimney Rock.

Walking along the Rocky Broad.

Downtown Chimney Rock.

This is about 7 miles SE of mile marker (MM) 412 of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Looking Glass Falls. This is on US 276 on the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It's notvery tall, maybe 50', but it is supposed to be one of the most photographed waterfalls in the US.

Sliding Rock from the bottom. A mile or two from the waterfalls.

Sliding Rock from the top.

I've seen this on the map for years and always wanted to check it out.

A cabin built in 1882.

This has seen better days !

Commemorating the forestry school.

Portable sawmill from the early 20th century.

Ride 'em cowgirl !! Why did they have this along the trail ??  Who knows.

Another gnome habitat.

Enjoying the walk along the trail.

 We are now going north on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This is the Cradle of Forestry overlook (4,710').

The Pink Beds overlook (4,822'). So called because of all the pink rhododendrons that bloom in the valley below.

Forgot to note what this overlook is.

Hominy Valley overlook (3,980').

French Broad (River) overlook (2,100'). This is just a couple of miles from Asheville at MM 393.

Here we are in beautiful Columbia. Yes, that's Caroline; someone always has to get in the way !

All the food that's fit to eat !

And when you're done with that, there's more !

Best of show competition.  The one with just his butt showing on the left was the winner.

A sand sculpture to help Columbia celebrate its 225th birthday.

This shows you how big it was.

5,000 lbs. of cotton. I hope you can make out how much clothing it will make.

Any state fair would not be complete without pig races !!