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| Monday 4th September 2023 | |||
| DAY 12 | Chimney rock | |
Goodbye lovely little Arrowmont Cabin, Off to Chimney Rock a wonderful great Monolith in the imaginatively named Chimney Rock State Park,
We boarded a school bus, to take us 3 miles from the car park to the point closest to the evevator.
Yep, an elevator up the inside of Chimney Rock. My kind of hike!
In 1946 plans were drawn up to install an elevator into the natural tower, the Crew progressed between 4 and 6 feet per day, drilling by day and blasting by night, to create a vertical shaft inside the 480 ft tower of rock, which formed gradually 34-23 million years ago.
In May 2014 a brand new Otis Elevator was installed.
I waited on the crowded top of chimney rock, while Ian carried on up another 400 ish steps to Excalmation point.. and then back again.
This precarious looking framework was part of his climb.
My viewpoint involved no unnecessary movement.
The Auzzie themed Outback Restaurant, seems like a reasonable stopping point after a 2hr drive to "Blowing Rock".
Ian was tempted by the Exploding onion, we had burgers and beer to finish off the day.
Well dear reader ( new Specs featured for our fave commentator ) Goodnight and we will see what tomorrow brings xx