Here are the events coming up in May and June - check out our Events Calendar for details: • Outdoor Classroom for Homeschoolers: Reptiles & Amphibians June 13 • Special Deal for Father's Day June 18 - 19 • Kid's Nature Program: Remarkable Reptiles June 25   • Outdoor Classroom for Homeschoolers: Wild Edibles July 11 • Family Nature Program: Native Plant Power July 16 • Kudzu Basket Making wth Nancy Basket July 30 To register for events or receive more information, give us a call or send an e-mail. 1-800-277-9611 visit@chimneyrockpark.com

Last month we shared the news that peregrine falcons appeared to be defending a nest on the cliffs in the Park. After a decade long absence, this fascinating bird (one of the fastest creatures on earth) is back at the Park to start a family.

As of this writing, they are incubating on a cliff that is best viewed from the Rock Pile or Pulpit Rock, favorite lookouts on the Outcroppings Trail located just below the Chimney. “Because there are so many reasons that they could fail, we’re all keeping our fingers crossed that this year will see a successful fledging. Peregrines incubate their eggs for about thirty days, and after hatching, the young do not fly for an additional forty to forty-five days. This means that, if all goes well, we may be able to enjoy this spectacular flying marvel at least through June,” said Reece Mitchell, an avid birder and long-time friend of the Park.

Logging more than 75 hours a year volunteering for the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, Reece keeps the Park updated on its Peregrine activity. (Click here for what’s happening with the Peregrines.)Reece finds the Peregrine especially fascinating to watch because they are so well adapted to their environment. Most raptors (birds of prey) have difficulty finding enough food for their young, but Peregrines are such superior hunters that this rarely happens.

“Chimney Rock Park is really the best of the 11 sites in WNC to get close enough to watch the birds. In other places, you’re sometimes watching from as far as a mile away. In the Park, there are easily accessible viewing areas (like the Rock Pile and Pulpit Rock) where you can watch them flying around their nest.”

Kids Rock!
Why not share the return of the Peregrine Falcons with the kids?  Before heading up on the mountain, head out on the Great Woodland Adventure trail and look for the station on raptors. There, they can make some of the sculptures fly! They’ll want to come back to see other creatures that are in the Park, too.

Since school will soon be out, make plans to load up the kids and check out the June 25 Kids Nature Program, featuring the very critters that kids seem to love - REPTILES!  Reservations are required, so make yours today.

Grady’s Kids Club membership is only $10 for kids 6 to 15, which computes to fun, and cool stuff for an entire year!

You Gotta Eat! We’ve Got A Deal For You!
What goes better with a terrific day of fun at the Park than a great lunch before or after your visit?  No trip to the charming village of Chimney Rock would be complete without a stop at the Old Rock Café, located right beside the entrance of the Park overlooking the Rocky Broad River with a view of the ol’ Rock itself!   During the month of June, bring your discount coupon to get a deal on some tasty jalapeño poppers or spicy fried dill pickles to enjoy with a cold pitcher of beer or an ice-cold soft drink. When you’re finished eating, be sure to take a walk along the newly reopened Rocky Broad River Walk that winds along the riverside behind the Café. The RiverWalk’s a Chimney Rock Village Community project that makes all of us proud!

Discover Companions at the Old Rock Cafe
So, here’s an insider’s tip about the Old Rock Café.  While you’re munching on those poppers, enjoying a crisp garden salad or biting into a freshly-made Rueben sandwich, extend your view to the container-grown flowers, herbs and vegetables bordering the deck. As pretty and as colorful as they are, there is more to it than meets the eye. This bevy of flora is a living, expanding dance of horticultural wonder called companion gardening. It’s all the creation of long-time Chimney Rock Park associate, Joanne Ash (pictured at right).

As one of our resident horticulturists, Joanne is putting her knowledge of organic gardening and her love of nature to work for the enjoyment – and enlightenment - of guests at the Old Rock Café. Through the art and science of companion gardening, she is creating a delightful experience that impacts all of the senses.

Companion gardening is the constructive use of plant relationships by the gardener, using flowers, and vegetables that have complementary physical demands.  What all that really means is that the marigolds are hanging out with the tomatoes; the chamomile is cozying up to the strawberries and the lemon balm is everybody’s friend.  Like people, Joanne points out that some plants just get along better together than others.

“When our guests come here, I’d like them to feel and see that they’re eating in a natural garden-like atmosphere,” explained Joanne. “They can enjoy the sound of the river, the scent of the herbs, color of the flowers and the splendor of the view, and take home a beautiful memory of what this all creates.