You're in a beautiful stretch of the NC mountains and foothills. I saw your Chimney Rock photo and it didn't look that familiar to me, but could have been just the passing glance. I can't remember, but think that Hwy #74 from Asheville to Lake Lure is gorgeous. A lot of people may not know this, but the campgrounds in the film "Dirty Dancing" was actually filmed on Lake Lure rather than the Catskills in NY.
The photos are hazy, but that is to be expected in this part of the world. They don't call them the Great Smokies for no reason. I don't know what is available for a cybershot, but a UV or a CP filter might cut down the haze.
I like #3 as well.
Hope you have a good time while in NC.