An Evening at Lake Lure

Last night our RestauranTour group made a trip to Lake Lure for the scenic boat ride and dinner at a local inn.

We've been on the boat ride multiple times in our years here. It's a great place to take visitors and it's always enjoyable to be on the water. However as we drove up the serpentine road that leads to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, I realized that I hadn't been there for a while. I know I golfed in Lake Lure once last summer or fall, but it's probably been two or three years since we have taken the boat ride. I probably blogged about it then and I could look back, I suppose.

First of all, you couldn't have picked a more perfect evening! In this shot I took as we pulled away from the dock, you can see the wispy clouds and the calm water. No hint of the humidity we felt earlier in the month when daily rogue afternoon showers seemed to be the norm.

Our boat ride started at 6 PM and lasted about an hour, so we were able to see the sun sink lower on the horizon of mountains, though not really sunset.

 The gazebo in the photo above is part of the park near the marina and a frequent site for weddings.
Below is a view of Fire Fly Cove which was the site where about 40% of the scenes from Dirty Dancing were filmed. It's now an upscale housing development, but back in the 1980's it was the site of a boys' camp and the camp buildings were used as the housing set for the resort workers in the film. In fact, just last weekend Lake Lure held a Dirty Dancing Festival, still reaping interest from DD groupies who convene here yearly to relive their favorite scenes from the movie.

Now facing east looking at the expanse of lake ahead. Below us, before the river was dammed to create the lake, there was a small settlement called Buffalo. One of the nearby mountains is named Buffalo Mountain.

 And our selfie...

Approaching the castle which is supposed to be the largest home along the shoreline. Believe me, there are plenty of roomy houses around this lake!

 And the castle enjoys the so called "million dollar view." I include a couple shots of that.  I learned that the rounded peak in the center is Bearwallow Mountain which is actually not far from our house.

You can see the sun, which is behind the clouds, is casting it's light on the lake, suggesting a pretty sunset.

And finally, before leaving the lake, a picture of the southwest shore where there is a popular sand beach and an historic inn.

We didn't eat at that inn, but rather headed through the village of Chimney Rock, about two miles away, and ate at The Esmerelda Inn. 

It's a very pretty spot, with an excellent menu, and a refined rustic decor.

Before our meals came, I wandered outside for a few pictures. Nearly dusk, I was pleased they came out as light and clear as they did.

 This pretty fountain was out front and there was a waterfall behind the outdoor restaurant seating area. (We ate indoors.)

 There were nice garden areas surrounding the building.

 A view of the exterior front of the inn... and the side rock garden.

It was a lovely evening and a gentle reminder that we really should take a summer drive to Lake Lure and Chimney Rock at least once a year. Why don't you come and visit and you can come along with us!?