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midnightmuse
Lost in the Wilderness
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April 12 2005
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 Posted - April 12 2005 : 01:09:35 AM
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Just curious about something. Can anyone who has visited Chimney Rock recently tell me whether there is (still) an American flag stuck on it? I was so excited to find that the locations for filming were in NC, and I want to take my husband, but... I'm sorry. The pics I saw online with that flag were just painful.
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richfed
Sachem
USA
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 05:38:52 AM
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May I ask, what is so "painful" about that?
At any rate, the flag sits upon the "chimney" ... still. That area of the Park is not a part of the filming of LOTM. |
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midnightmuse
Lost in the Wilderness
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 11:57:50 AM
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Of course you may ask. I figured someone might bristle at the question. :-)
It is aesthetically painful. The flag atop that rock despoils the natural beauty of the place. Why should anyone plant a big glaring object (of any kind) on a beautiful scenic spot?
I would also cringe if someone put a big McDonalds billboard on it -- or painted a huge purple peace sign on it. Wouldn't you? Is the flag somehow automatically acceptable, in every context, simply because it's the American flag?
Yes, I'm aware no filming was done at that spot in particular. But it was the first thing I saw when visiting their website, and I found it jarring.
http://www.chimneyrockpark.com/
Is the rest of the park more or less unspoiled by such decoration? |
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Stephanie
Gathering Sachemess
USA
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 12:25:24 PM
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Chimney Rock is a privately owned park and I suspect the owners can put anything on the chimney they want. Comparing the American flag to a commercial billboard, though, is pretty lame. My suggestion is, if this offends you, don't bother with the trip or paying the admission. YOu'll just be disappointed.
Stephanie |
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Monadnock Guide
Council of Elders
USA
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March 14 2005
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 1:07:51 PM
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| Midnight - I have a solution to your problem. Since Chimney Rock is privately owned, - why not simply open your own similar park, and put up, or not put up - anything you want! The chief benefit of course would be a less jarring life. .... "And don't be telling us what we should" .... ;-) |
you can keep "The Change" |
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midnightmuse
Lost in the Wilderness
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 1:44:07 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Monadnock Guide
Midnight - I have a solution to your problem. Since Chimney Rock is privately owned, - why not simply open your own similar park, and put up, or not put up - anything you want! The chief benefit of course would be a less jarring life. .... "And don't be telling us what we should" .... ;-)
Most helpful! Many thanks. |
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midnightmuse
Lost in the Wilderness
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 1:51:17 PM
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Hello Stephanie,
quote:
Originally posted by Stephanie
Chimney Rock is a privately owned park and I suspect the owners can put anything on the chimney they want.
Sure. But why is it a problem for me to inquire about it?
The reason I asked if it was still there is because it crossed my mind that it might have been put up after 9-11, and might have been taken down since, as has happened in other places.
quote:
Originally posted by Stephanie
Comparing the American flag to a commercial billboard, though, is pretty lame.
The point was to show that I consider any large artificial object distracting in such a scene. Thus my inclusion of the peace sign symbol as the other example, in case any ideological assumptions were being made.
quote:
Originally posted by Stephanie
My suggestion is, if this offends you, don't bother with the trip or paying the admission. YOu'll just be disappointed.
I'm not sure whether this is an unfriendly comment or sincere advice. Do you mean that other areas of the park are similarly decorated? I appreciate any helpful input. |
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Stephanie
Gathering Sachemess
USA
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 2:29:42 PM
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The flag has been atop the chimney since my childhood, probably before that, I'm not sure. So the flag really doesn't have anything to do with 9-11, since it has been up for decades.
When I was growing up in the 70's and 80's, Chimney Rock Park was in a much more "natural" state than it is now. Used to, you could walk most of the trails actually on the ground. However, with increased foot traffic over the years, the trails started to erode and have been replaced with wooden decking in many places. I guess this is for safety or accessibility, but in my opinion there is too much decking and not enough dirt trail, but I can understand their reasons behind this. I guess it also serves to keep people out of unsafe areas and to protect some of the flora.
Shortly after you enter the park, you will see a picnic area which, (if it's still there) has a fairly new climbing wall for kids. If you proceed up the hill toward the chimney, you will see a gift shop and restrooms. So, yes, there are structures there in the park. But once you leave the main area and head out on the trails, you will not be bothered by modern intrusions, other than the wooden decking I have mentioned. There are places your feet will touch actual dirt trails, though. If you prefer a more natural trail, there is the Forest Trail (I think that's the name of it) that is much less strenuous and takes you to the bottom of the falls.
One other thing... there are many places along the trail with chain-link fencing also. When you walk the trail, you will see why it is needed! The cliff trail where, in the movie, Uncas and Magua battle it out and Alice jumps, is fenced. You can walk along that cliff, but it would be very easy to fall off if the fence wasn't there. The fence was removed for shooting the movie. Similarly, the top of the falls where Chingachook and Magua fight is fenced as well.
If you are looking for a more "natural" setting for a hike with few modern intrusions, there are TONS of other places in western NC for you to enjoy. If you are interested in the scenery in LOTM, I would suggest Dupont State Park which has few of the modern "improvements" that Chimney Rock has (bathrooms, gift shop, wooden walkways, snack bar, etc.) Depends on what you are looking for, though!
I hope this is helpful!
Stephanie |
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Doc M
Great Quack Healer of the Frontier
USA
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 2:40:43 PM
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Those who know me know that I am about as far from an "America -- Love
It or Leave It" type as you can get. That being said, I find nothing
aesthetically displeasing about the flag locaion at Chimney Rock. We're hardly talking about a wilderness area, as there's a big
honking gift shop right next to it. Some of the finest hours of my
life were spent sitting next to that flagpole,looking out over the
mountains and listening to the flag snap and rattle in the breeze.
I wish I had access to that "painful" scene everyday!
If you're startled by the responses you got to your question, you
might rethink the way you ask things. If you figure people might
"bristle," they probably will -- especially if you're a newcomer here.
Doc M
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midnightmuse
Lost in the Wilderness
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 2:51:34 PM
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Thanks so much for the info! That was very helpful (really). I will keep Dupont in mind, too.
I don't mind modern intrusions so much at the gateway of parks (I expect there to be gift shops and snack bars and whatnot) but I do prefer to see things like magnificent rock outcroppings in a more unadorned state. Wooden decks on the trails are understandable and not all that intrusive. Assuming they're not painted neon pink, or something. ;-) |
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Stephanie
Gathering Sachemess
USA
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 2:51:41 PM
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Doc M,
You bring up a good point. Yes, the chimney is right next to (and hovers above) gift shops and restaurants. Yet somehow, when you're out on the chimney, if all fades into the background and all you get is a quiet peacefulness. If the wind is blowing, the sound of the flag flapping may be heard, but overall, Chimney Rock Park does give you some of the "finest hours" even with civilization nearby. There are lots of quiet places along the trail, and some of the finest hours of my life have been spent there as well, both before the Mohican Gatherings and during.
Ok, maybe the trails aren't so quiet during our Gatherings HAHA but for the most part you can still enjoy nature AND have access to a flushing toilet all at the same time!
Stephanie |
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Doc M
Great Quack Healer of the Frontier
USA
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 3:11:04 PM
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Peace and quiet and access to both coffee, kitchy souvenir doodads,
and plumbing! My idea of paradise!!!
Doc M |
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midnightmuse
Lost in the Wilderness
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 3:27:29 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Doc M
If you're startled by the responses you got to your question, you
might rethink the way you ask things. If you figure people might
"bristle," they probably will -- especially if you're a newcomer here.
Startled? Not really. Like I said, I did have some expectation of being potentially taken for an America-hatin' commie due to my opinion that the flag on the rock is visually intrusive, because I know some people can react a bit strongly to anything that remotely approaches the appearance of being "unpatriotic," whether or not it actually is.
In short, I knew I might get some emotional/hostile responses to my straightforward question, just due to the nature of the topic, but I figured someone would answer it eventually. And Stephanie did give me the info I was looking for.
Now if people want to jump on me for being a snob about what is and isn't beautiful, that's fair enough. :-) |
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blueotter
Colonial Settler
USA
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 8:19:08 PM
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MidnightMuse:
I think you handled your questions and answers beautifully. Not many people can ask potentially "bristly" questions so bravely, and continue on as gracefully as you did after the bristles showed up.
Having never been to Chimney Rock to experience the view or the sound of the flag snapping in the wind, I can see how someone who hungers for the sight of untouched nature (as I do) could see the flag as a visual intrusion. Nothing wrong with the flag at all -- there is just that dream some of us have to see the land as it was before "civilization". Kind of like the way I wish I could have ridden in the hip pocket of one of Lewis and Clark's men.   Just my two cents. |
Rose Dupre
AKA/Órelindë Tinehtelë
AKA/Polly Gamwich
Gordon's 60th Royal Americans
Detroit French Marines |
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caitlin
Bumppos Tavern Patron
USA
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May 17 2002
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 8:35:03 PM
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Well, I hope that if you do go, you will post your opinions on your trip to Chimney Rock once you get back! I don't think you'll be disappointed at all!  |
Jack McCall: "Should we shake hands or something, relieve the atmosphere. I mean how stupid do you think I am?"
Wild Bill Hickok: "I don't know, I just met you."
"A nation with no regard to it's past will have little future worth remembering."
A.Lincoln
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize that they were the big things"
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Fitz Williams
Colonial Militia
USA
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May 19 2002
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Posted - April 12 2005 : 9:04:35 PM
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From 1956 to 1995 Chimney Rock Park was also the site of an SCCA hillclimb. The course started near the gate about half way up the hill and finished at the parking lot at the bottom of the elevator. I ran it for three years (1973-1975) in an A Production Corvette. It was quite a ride! And to make it more interesting, the spectators would get very drunk and stand with their toes on the asphalt. As you got near some would move back, some wouldn't. But if you were driving, you never saw them, only the course.
This in an AH 100-4 on the way up.
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richfed
Sachem
USA
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Posted - April 13 2005 : 05:35:06 AM
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I agree with blueotter ... MidnightMuse, though I was taken aback by your initial "pain," you did handle yourself very gracefully here.
The view of the the chimney, with flag, as you approach on the road below is awesome. Though there is a busy little tourist village in the gorge, I've never seen anyone be disappointed when they've visited. I don't think you will be, either.
Welcome! |
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Stephanie
Gathering Sachemess
USA
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Posted - April 13 2005 : 10:07:17 AM
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Midnight,
Please let us know if and when you go to Chimney Rock and how you enjoyed the trip! I'll be interested to hear about it. And I hope you can check out Dupont State Park while you're in the area. There is MUCH to do and see around here. Perhaps you could join us for our next Gathering, hopefully June 2006?? Keep it in mind...
Stephanie |
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slppet
Lost in the Wilderness
USA
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Posted - May 20 2005 : 12:28:56 AM
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Hi Tess: My wife and I went last fall...please look at our pics under LOTM Locations on this website...the message entitled "Thanks Rich"...if you enjoy it half as much as Judy and I did you will still come away with one of the most beautiful memories you'll ever enjoy...trust...I know sometimes its hard.
Best Wishes
Steve |
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Chimney Rock question
