Words and pictures from the author of And the Crows Took Their Eyes as well as the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries . . .
Friday, January 28, 2011
Chimney Rock
I've heard of Chimney Rock ever since we moved to North Carolina -- but somehow had never visited this popular tourist attraction. So when I traveled yesterday to speak at a luncheon that was just up the road from Chimney Rock Village, I took the time to have a look at this beloved landmark.
Probably because I have an English major's dirty mind, it didn't exactly look like a chimney to me. Nope, I know a phallic symbol when I see one.
I only admired from afar. There was no time to climb the stairs to the top.
Oh yes, phallic indeed. I can just hear my mother say when I asked..what is that? It's a chimney darling.. while she smirked and giggled with my father.
Wow. You are so right Vicki. It does look like a phallic symbol. I got a kick out of Joan's comment. My parents would have said something very similar to me.
I've never been to Chimney Rock, but I've seen the signs for it going south on I-26 from Asheville. Sam
I'm glad you said it because at the first picture I thought, no, not a chimney but a penis. I'm glad I'm not the only one. Maybe there is a certain angle where it appears more like a chimney, or chimbley as I've heard them called. But I'm not seeing it. Glad you got to see it, even from afar.
We saw pics of that in many of the rest stops in NC and have said we'd love to see it sometime. But with our knees I'm afraid climbing those stairs is not going to go over well. Thanks for the pictures.
Thank goodness it's not just me who sees other than chimney.
So. Is there a transformational language explanation of chimney as the rock's name? Was chimney a euphemism at some time? Was it somebody's name? Or a spectacular joke!
Okay, I have been to Chimney Rock many times and have never seen this - but as I was reading this post, I took one look at that first photo and went "what the....??" It must have been the angle, the lighting from the sun, something!! Pretty funny. I know what I'm going to be looking for on my next visit...
English majors and classics majors, Vicki -- that was my first reaction, too. (Not surprising. Some of those Greek and Roman paintings and statues gave proper Victorians major conniption fits. [grin])
Haven't been up Chimney Rock, myself, but if and when you do go, consider combining the trip with a boat tour of Lake Lure, which is close by. (You can see the one from the other, either direction.) It's a very pleasant diversion, especially if the skipper/tourguide is a good one. Lots of lore. They're especially proud of the fact that Dirty Dancing was filmed there ...
You're right! It does look exactly like a man's favourite appendage. It also looks extremely steep and horrendous to climb. I think that, like you, I'd be happy to admire it from afar. What did the Cherokee call it, I wonder?
Star, since I'm half Cherokee, I can say with the utmost assurance that the Cherokee name for Chimney Rock was....................................................................................................................................................................................................................
29 comments:
Well! I know where I'm going the next time I'm up that way, LOL!!! Thank you Vicki (I know, there I go with the exclamation points again)
Oh yes, phallic indeed. I can just hear my mother say when I asked..what is that? It's a chimney darling.. while she smirked and giggled with my father.
Allo, Dr Freud !? (Lol!)
"to have an English major's dirty mind"
"avoir l'esprit mal tourné"in French
?
Wow. You are so right Vicki. It does look like a phallic symbol. I got a kick out of Joan's comment. My parents would have said something very similar to me.
I've never been to Chimney Rock, but I've seen the signs for it going south on I-26 from Asheville.
Sam
Ha, ha ...a phallic symbol with a fence on top! Very great landmark!
Phallicy is in the eye of the beholder
Yep! Couldn't agree more!
Elora
haha. i have been there...and i will now never look at it the same...smiles.
I'm glad you said it because at the first picture I thought, no, not a chimney but a penis. I'm glad I'm not the only one. Maybe there is a certain angle where it appears more like a chimney, or chimbley as I've heard them called. But I'm not seeing it. Glad you got to see it, even from afar.
On the close up it even looks like a hairy belly leading to the rock hard member. This is my kind of natural outcropping.
www.pbgalerie.ch/blog/2010/11/25/cheminees-de-fees-colorado-provencal-de-rustrel/
Cheminées des fées en Roussillon
photos.forumpro.fr/t8853-les-cheminees-de-fees-d-ille-sur-tet-66
On les appelle aussi'"demoiselles coiffées"
Rien de phallique, n'est-ce pas ,!
relief! i thought I was the only one who saw it...hee hee
"Is that a chimney in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?"...came to mind
We saw pics of that in many of the rest stops in NC and have said we'd love to see it sometime. But with our knees I'm afraid climbing those stairs is not going to go over well. Thanks for the pictures.
Thank goodness it's not just me who sees other than chimney.
So. Is there a transformational language explanation of chimney as the rock's name? Was chimney a euphemism at some time? Was it somebody's name?
Or a spectacular joke!
Ah -- I see there must be a lot of English majors out there!
Do check out the links Miss Yves gave for some more interesting ...er ... outcroppings.
Is that a rocky outcrop, or is the mountain just pleased to see me?
Okay, I have been to Chimney Rock many times and have never seen this - but as I was reading this post, I took one look at that first photo and went "what the....??" It must have been the angle, the lighting from the sun, something!! Pretty funny. I know what I'm going to be looking for on my next visit...
my major wasn't english, but i see what you see!
yes, quite true, if I remember rightly.
Glad to know that dirty minds can share a giggle.
English majors and classics majors, Vicki -- that was my first reaction, too. (Not surprising. Some of those Greek and Roman paintings and statues gave proper Victorians major conniption fits. [grin])
Haven't been up Chimney Rock, myself, but if and when you do go, consider combining the trip with a boat tour of Lake Lure, which is close by. (You can see the one from the other, either direction.) It's a very pleasant diversion, especially if the skipper/tourguide is a good one. Lots of lore. They're especially proud of the fact that Dirty Dancing was filmed there ...
--Mario
I'm very relieved that you mentioned it first, because I certainly didn't see any chimney.
I'm with Tess!
Hilarious post, and informative too.
You're right! It does look exactly like a man's favourite appendage. It also looks extremely steep and horrendous to climb. I think that, like you, I'd be happy to admire it from afar.
What did the Cherokee call it, I wonder?
Star, I'm sure Vicki will be delighted to discover there's an elevator ... ;)
--Mario
Another English major here, LOL.
Star, since I'm half Cherokee, I can say with the utmost assurance that the Cherokee name for Chimney Rock was....................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Dick.
You all are too funny.
You all are too funny.
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