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 !!