My good friend Jim invited me and Karen to spend Memorial Day Weekend with him and his companion Noreen at his cabin in the woods near Lake Lure. We jumped at the chance to enjoy more time in these beautiful mountains.
Every cabin should have a sizable front porch to laze on and share stories.
Jim bought himself a boat from a man who rigged it with cool gadgets. We took it for the first test run on scenic Mirror Lake just down the hill from Jim’s cabin.
Jim’s classic canoe was fitted with an electric trolling motor, foot pedal steering and variable speed controls.
Jim had never seen the boat outfitted and some assembly was required. We worked through the rigging and the vessel performed admirably.
I took a turn at the helm and garnered lots of admiration from people floating on plastic rafts.
Not all the rafters on the lake were impressed with Jim’s new water toy.
Hiking trails abound in the area. We chose the Rumbling Bald Trail and it did not disappoint.
Jim and Karen pause for pics among the boulders on Rumbling Bald Trail.
Jeff climbs rocky stairs ahead of the group to make sure the trail is passable.
Not the most inviting sign at the Rumbling Bald trailhead.
A cool beverage after a nice hike in the woods is always welcome. We relaxed by the Broad River behind the little known Tiki Bar in Lake Lure.
Bikers favor the inexpensive motel that hides this cool Tiki Bar next to the river. The drinks were cold, the band live and the setting gorgeous.
Fierce winds from a thunder storm that rumbled through the mountains during the night wiped out close to 100 of the vendors’ tents that had been set up Friday for an arts and crafts festival in Lake Lure. It put a real damper on the town’s weekend festivities.
A pile of wrecked awnings showed just how strong the night’s winds had been. Some of the tents were found in the lake across the road.
We will make many more visits to share and explore this area with friends. Lake Lure is a special place and only two hours from home.
The view of Chimney Rock from the Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery.