Proper Growler Transportation Etiquette

Safety first

Drive/Hike to Hickory Nut Falls

Located within Chimney Rock State Park

Make a right when you see this sign...

...a left when you see these ones...

...pay $9 a head (unless you have a season pass like Jenn) and park here

After slamming a 20-oz Hawaiian Punch, climb this path...

...cross this bridge-like thing...

...up the stairs...

...under the trees...

...and boo-ya!  Hickory Nut Falls (a filming location for The Last of the Mohicans)

Still a bit of snow this day, but the air temp was well above 70 F... quite pleasant

This Is Where I Sleep

Chimney Rock, Broad River, & Lake Lure

Located about 25 miles south of Swannanoa up in the mountains off Highway 9

Town of Chimney Rock

View of Chimney Rock from town (sorry about the power lines in the way)

The smiling caricature is supposed to resemble Chimney Rock...

Crossing the Broad River and rolling into Chimney Rock

Looking west up river

Looking east down river towards Lake Lure

Pedestrian catwalks provide a closer look

Lake Lure public beach

A small island off to the left - complete with gazebo

Hiking the Biltmore Property

This was a good day.  I didn't even have to use my A.K.

Inn on Biltmore Estate ® (they actually show the trademark symbol on the trail map)

Cows.  They will be served as steaks at the Inn someday

Most of the trails here are well-graded and flat

In the meadow

The Brooder House.  It looks condemned and there may be a witch living in it

USS North Carolina Battleship

Wilmington, NC

Our tour begins here

Emma's new friend

Lots of guns

Big guns

They had 2 of these planes on every battleship back then

Emma on the 40 mm guns

What to shoot?

Lots of stairs to climb

View from the bridge

The Baptist Church of downtown Wilmington in the background

More Images of Wrightsville Beach

The Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier at the north end of the island

South side

They actually have surf police here who write tickets...

...and all the best waves seem to break within 500' of the piers, jetties, and inlets - not fair

Looking south towards the Oceanic/Crystal Pier and south end of the island

Looking north...

At the "south end".  Reminds me a little of the north end of Seal Beach, CA

The walk to the water from the south end parking lot

Collecting seashells by the seashore

The Oceanic/Crystal Pier (still not sure which it is, perhaps both) - south end

Not the sturdiest looking structure

Possibly missing a few parts

South End Surf Shop and Mike with my 11' rental SUP

Emma sizing up the rentals