8-24-17 Hickory Nut Falls and kicking around Lake Lure:

I decided to take pity on Ken today and not make him drive for hours on end.  Instead, we went into the town of Lake Lure and had breakfast, then went up to Chimney Rock Park to hike to Hickory Nut Falls.
The main street of Lake Lure. 

 There was a $13/person fee to enter Chimney Rock Park.  We read that the hike to the falls was an easy walk about 1.5 miles round trip.  I believe the trail has an elevation of about 324'.  For most people, that is an easy walk.  For us, hard enough!  At least there was plenty for me to stop and take pictures of.  Like this wildflower.

 A view of Chimney Rock as we were heading to the trail to the falls.