The other side of the gorge

The Rocky Broad River flows eastward from areas like Etoah and Brevard, through a narrows where nice swimming can be had, then past Chimney Rock and into Lake Lure.  The gorge it flows through has this high escarpment on both sides, and some folks know of the trails on the northern side.  I don't.  Since I no longer can hike, I'm only a little interested in where trails are.

The Rocky Broad River flows under the new highway bridge next to the old one, now Flower Bridge. 

Chimney Rock keeps an eye on a Pink sculptural pelican.

But I love vistas...even if mine now are from the ground up (or the roads that traverse the edges of mountains.)

Looking over the balustrade of the old bridge at the channel of the Rocky Broad River going into Lake Lure.  And then came tropical storm Alberto's rains at the end of May...

As you may have noticed, on May 29-31 there was flash flooding, or catastrophic flooding, depending on where you were, along the very same river...leaving a lot of mud, and closing off many roads.  Here's the entrance to the Chimney Rock State Park, which is closed of course.  But it should be cleared off soon, and the waters have receded and the sun has come back out again! (I need to go see how the gardens have fared!

The mountain overlooking the gorge opposite Chimney Rock (out of picture on left side)...with the Flower Bridge in foreground.

 this is a curly leaf willow, which was a nice friend giving shade.

I have no idea how much of the garden was damaged by the flood waters...but I can imagine that it doesn't look like any of these pictures now.  I hope it can be brought back to beauty soon.