Happy Memorial Day!

For once, our little family had almost no plans for the weekend.  And lucky for us, that no-plan weekend fell on a long weekend.  Awesome.

So we made a plan.  We made the short trip up to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure for the day.  I grew up going to our family's lakehouse, which, unfortunately, my grandmother sold after my grandfather got sick.  I have enjoyed nostalgic visits ever since then.  It occurred to me, though, that since my childhood summers, I haven't visited much during the hot season.  So imagine my surprise to find that the lake was absolutely slammed with tourists.  I've never actually been to the manmade beach on the lake, and I certainly wasn't about to start this weekend.  So we did a drive-by of the quaint town of Lake Lure, checked to see that the current owners of our old house were taking care of it, and spent most of our time in Chimney Rock and at Larkins on the Lake.

Chimney Rock is full of old, some trashy, some cute, souvenir shops and little boutiques.  The stores all center around the park entrance to Chimney Rock.  I have only been up there once I think, but you should go sometime.  It's a little pricey for a park, but it's kind of cool to ride an elevator up through a mountain.  And the view, of course, is priceless.

But on our particular visit, we got some different views.  For starters, I know that everyone in the South claims that THEY know who has the best BBQ.  Well, I happen to know for a fact where the best BBQ is.  Even if you only visit the lake for the day and don't peruse the shops at Chimney Rock, it is mandatory to drive a mile down the road to Chimney Rock to visit:

Here's the view up and down the little 2-lane road through Chimney Rock:

One of the weird souvenirs in a tacky little gift shop.  That very same cowgirl hat was probably in the store when I was Emma's age...maybe I shouldn't have put it on her head....

Holly Sharp, I mourned the disrespect some redneck litterer had for this little gem.  It was abandoned on the sidewalk.

At Larkins on the Lake, enjoying the outdoor seating section, where shorts and jeans are acceptable.

You may notice that Larkins on the Lake sounds familiar...it's the predecessor to Larkins on the River in Greenville.  When I was little, I remember being allowed, on very, very few occasions, to take the long boatride over to this spot with my grandfather.  I think it was some sort of bait and tackle shop.  Even though everything else has changed, this dock pretty much looks the same as it did back then, and I would love to take a boat ride out on the lake and come eat at Larkins.  Maybe when we have money to spare one day, we'll buy back the lakehouse.

Emma crashed on the way home since she missed her midafternoon nap.  There was waaaay too much going on in the exciting towns of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure to waste time napping.  Even without a nap and despite the 90 degree heat, she was a perfect little angel for our daycation.