This is one of my favorite local spots for photos - I think that it's named Puncheon Camp and it's in the Edneyville/Bearwallow region of Henderson County - apple country! The Camp is a retreat of some sort and has long horn cattle, a large apple orchard, and a recreation of an old village that provides some great photographic opportunities.

Al and Karen stop for photos in front of the bulls of Puncheon Camp. This area is also one of my favorite routes for bicycling - lots of steep climbs, beautiful scenery, and little traffic.

Friendly longhorns wonder what the heck the guys in the shiny suits are doing by the roadside. The 'old' village is in the background. I'd like to give the folks that run this retreat a plug - though I've never attended any official events there, it's a beautifully maintained swath of rural charm.

Leaving apple country behind, we drop off the mountain, riding Hwy. 64 east down into Hickory Nut Gorge to Lake Lure. This is a shot of the beach at the Lake, with Sugarloaf Mtn. in the background. The cliffs are part of the new Chimney Rock State Park - a must-see when you visit the region. I'll have some pix from the park in a separate page later on.

Karen looks out over the lake before we head on towards the swoopin', loopin' ride to Mt. Mitchell through the mountains in the background.

Another view of the lake from near the dam. We'll be passing over the dam and then wind up and around the lake into the Charlies Creek community on our way to Old Fort, still miles of twisty roads away.

Looking back up Hickory Nut Gorge from the hills above Lake Lure, with Chimney Rock State Park on the other side of the Gorge, we get ready to head on across the mountain to Charlies Creek.