Chimney Rock # 1: The Flora of Hickory Nut Gorge

Judy and I are just back from a wonderful trip

to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure here in North

Carolina.  Here's a warning: it looks like I'll have 

six different blog posts covering all aspects of 

the trip.  This one is about all the beautiful and

interesting plants we saw in Hickory Nut Gorge.

I won't even attempt to identify the ones I'm not

familiar with and I'll have only a few comments.

This post is pretty tame, but I'll have some photos

in the ensuing posts that will truly knock your 

socks off.  If you're wearing any.

Here's a sampler view of the gorge, followed

by a passel of pictures.  

You may need to click on the pic
to read this Einstein quote.

I would have sworn this was a
variety of poison ivy, but it's
wafer ash.

             

Chestnut Oak, one of my favorites

This GIANT acorn may be from
a Chestnut Oak.

This humongous poplar tree is near Hickory Nut

Falls.  Sadly, it appears to be dying.  But

others will follow.

And last, but not least, a plant I was sorry to

see here: KUDZU.  Likely, it was planted decades

ago to battle erosion.  It will never be eradicated,

but if it ever climbs to the top of Chimney Rock,

there will be scores of volunteers to fight it back.

Next post will follow shortly and

feature Hickory Nut Falls, setting for the

filming of "Last of the Mohicans."