Experience the finest among North Carolina Vacation Rentals in Highlands NC at The Lakehouse on Lake Glenville in Cashiers

Flame Azalea and Mountain Laurel are two good reasons to visit in the Spring.

The Southern Appalachian region is among the most biologically diverse areas in the world. The tremendous variety of wildflowers attest to that. Common species grow in adjacent meadows, on rock outcrops along the roadside, and along shaded stream banks. Arguably the single best time of the year to see many species in bloom is early spring, just as canopy trees are beginning to leaf out (late April – early May). The forest floor is covered with numerous plants in bloom, such as Chickweed, Wild Ginger, Liverleaf, Toothwort, Spring Beauty, Trout Lily, Trillium, Larkspur, Foamflower, and Jack-in-the-pulpit. Later in the season other species such as Turk’s Cap Lily, Meadow Rue, Evening Primrose, Bellflower, Bee Balm, Impatiens, and Turtlehead are in bloom. Even later, species such as Goldenrod, Aster, Blazing Star, and Black-eyed Susan’s will bloom.

The first Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was held in April of 1951. The two-day event was devoted to arranged tours, field trips, and evening programs. Four hundred pilgrims attended from 20 different states. Paintings of flowers, flower and plant arrangements, nature exhibits, and photographs of flowers were offered during evening programs.

Dr. A. J. Sharp, head of the Botany Department at the University of Tennessee, directed the event. National Geographic magazine sent a photographer and an impressive article with pictures was featured in a subsequent issue of the magazine.

It rained during much of the pilgrimage’s first year. Gatlinburg Garden Club member, Lucinda Ogle, enjoyed sharing wildflowers with friends and visitors. She worried that the weather would limit the pilgrims’ access to the trails and flowers, so she washed a case of 24 glass Coca Cola bottles, picked some of the rarest flower specimens from her own woodland garden, placed them in the bottles with a small drink of water, and carried them to the pilgrimage meeting (sitting down several times to rest before continuing on). Her Coke bottle flower garden won the day and has remained a centerpiece of the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. It now features over 100 different plant species, each identified by its common and scientific names, enabling pilgrims to identify and become more familiar with the native wildflowers, especially the rare and difficult to find species. Today the plants are borrowed from a private garden and are not from the national park. After the event, the plants are returned to where they came from.

In 1957, a $1.50 registration fee was assessed for adults. In 1970 the registration fee was raised to $2.00. The 1970 pilgrimage enjoyed a record year with an attendance of 1,088 from 31 states. Limiting the number of program participants for some of the outdoor programs became necessary in 1975, and registration fees were raised to $3.00 for adults and 50 cents for students. In April 1986, the Southeast Tourism Society named the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage “one of the top 20 events in the Southeast.”

An example of dedication to the pilgrimage is illustrated by Mr. Henry Green, a golden-ager from South Euclid, Ohio, who without fail and for many years, has taken a bus from his home in Ohio to Knoxville, transferred to a taxi which takes him to Sevierville and after a night of rest at a motel, walks from Sevierville to the northern Pigeon Forge city limits where he catches a trolley into Gatlinburg in time to register and participate at the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage.

Today more than 1,200 pilgrims from 32 states come to participate in more than 150 indoor and outdoor programs over five days. This year’s Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is April 21 -25^th. Our luxury lake front home is the ideal “base camp” for exploring the mountains and an easy 38-mile drive through some of the most scenic parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway to/from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On my last drive to the Park, I spotted black bear, turkey, white-tailed deer and a single golden eagle circling overhead.

Planning a trip to to the Great Smoky Mountains? Located in the North Carolina mountains and right in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains near Cashiers, within a few miles of each other, are the smallest Post Office in the United States (1903-53) and the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, Whitewater Falls.

Built by Thomas Grimshawe, stamp collectors and enthusiasts from around the world wrote at the Post Office to get their letters postmarked with the Grimshawe’s postmark. The building still stands today and is easy to reach from our luxury mountain lake lodge.

Whitewater Falls plunges 411 feet, in two distinct steps. It’s an easy walk on the paved trail for an excellent view of this big, impressive waterfall. Located in Jackson County, it is designated a North Carolina Natural Heritage Area. A favorite spot for a western North Carolina day trip, the falls are less than an hour’s drive from our Lakehouse.

Laurel Knob

At 4,014 feet, Laurel Knob in Jackson County is the tallest cliff in the Eastern U.S. Big and wild, Laurel is home to fantastic slab and water grove climbing. Laurel’s remote location and height make for a truly unique experience and it’s likely you will be the only party on the cliff, or at least it may feel that way.

The approach through Panthertown is long, but well worth the walk. If you like classic traditional North Carolina climbing and haven’t yet been to Laurel, you need to try it at least once.

The Carolina Climber’s Coalition (CCC) was established January 16, 1995 with the purposes of preserving the natural environment, promoting safe climbing practices and preserving climber’s access to climbing areas in North and South Carolina. Laurel Knob was the first acquisition in the Carolina Climber’s Coalition history.

The purchase of Laurel Knob transformed the CCC from grassroots organization to landowners, land managers and advocates. This change allowed the organization to be part of a growing movement of organizations that are truly preserving and expanding climbing opportunities. The CCC continues to work with local, state and federal organizations to help preserve and protect climbing privileges in North and South Carolina. Dedicated climbing enthusiasts will find that our luxurious mountain getaway on Lake Glenville is the perfect place to relax after a day on the mountain.

Season:  Spring, Fall, Winter
Type Climb:  Traditional Multi-pitch

The history and culture of the Appalachian people can be found everywhere, from the ancient Cherokee to the Waldensians to modern day settlers. Visit the Cherokee Heritage Center and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and see the outdoor drama, “Unto These Hills” to learn more about the proud heritage of these Native Americans. The Folk Art Center in Asheville is home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild which displays the works of artists and crafters steeped in Appalachian traditions.

Writers and actors have always found the North Carolina mountains inspiring. Author Thomas Wolfe made his home in Asheville, while Historic Hendersonville and Flat Rock were home to poet Carl Sandburg. Here too is where you’ll find the Flat Rock Playhouse: State Theatre of North Carolina, offering a full season of professional theater from April to October and classes year-round.

Cullowhee’s Western Carolina University has a new $30,000,000 Fine and Performing Arts Center bringing a variety of performances from the award-winning jazz of T.S. Monk and Alvin Ailey’s American Dance Theatre to Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home companion and Shakespeare to the mountains.

Not far from the Lakehouse is the traditional southern resort town of Highlands. Here you’ll find the Old Edwards Inn and Spa, a great place to pamper yourself and unwind. Nearby Asheville also has a number of luxurious spas including the historic Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa.

So, whether it’s immersing yourself in Appalachian culture, luxuriating in a world-class spa, or just enjoying the view, you’re sure to find an escape to the North Carolina mountains will take you to new heights. Our luxury mountain lake lodge is the perfect place for exploring the mountains in 2010.

You won’t find a better spot to view the world than from the top of a mountain. Start with a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway or through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Magnificent vistas await the traveler during all the seasons. (Both roads close during the winter months because of snow).

In the spring, you can hike the Appalachian Trail, or find a wealth of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails  in the Pisgah National Forest or the Nantahala National Forest and at Cashiers area riding stables -  Arrowmont, Whitewater Equestrian Center or Sapphire Valley.

Nearby attractions abound, from the renowned Biltmore Estate to Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center which houses five of Asheville’s premier attractions, including the Colburn Earth Science Museum and the Asheville Art Museum.

Waterfalls, porting the names Cullasaja, Sliding Rock, Silver Run, Whitewater, Turtleback, Rainbow, Mingo and Juneywhank, abound in Jackson County earning it the moniker “land of falling waters”. Pack a lunch and picnic at the falls.

So, whether it’s traveling scenic roads and byways, hiking the AT  marveling at the magnificence of a real-life castle or picnicking beside a waterfall, you’re sure to find an escape to the North Carolina Mountains will take you to new heights. Our luxury mountain lake lodge  is the perfect base for exploring the mountains in 2010.

It’s a new year and a new decade, and you’ve got a nice new set of vacation days. In fact, you’re probably already dreaming up ways to use those days and we’ve got an idea to help you plan a North Carolina high country getaway this year. Majestic snow capped peaks, rugged trails winding through forests with early spring buds, lush foliage bursting with brilliant color; these are the North Carolina Mountains, timeless and serene. Isn’t it about time you made your escape? Make our luxury mountain lake lodge your “home base” for exploring the mountains in 2010.

The winter months are an ideal time to plan a golfing trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in the spring. Calendars fill up, after all, and the best intentions to spend a weekend golfing with old friends can go sideways if not well planned. Start calling your golfing friends today, and make the Golfing Reunion of 2010 the best yet.

There are over a dozen excellent golf courses close to our Cashiers lodging. Perhaps you’ll want to extend your trip and stay for a week rather than a weekend, sampling as many courses as you can.

Wildcat Cliffs Golf Club and Course is golf at the highest elevation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also stunningly beautiful, framed as it is by mountains and sheer cliffs. Trillium Links offers the challenge of elevation gains and drops as it meanders through hardwood forests. There are many more options, and no matter which courses you choose, you will be delighted by the scenery and pleased by the high quality of the links.

Staying in Cashiers rentals is a great way to go, for you can make yourself at home during your vacation. Our Highlands NC rental house sits on two acres, with over two hundred feet of Lake Glenville shoreline. If you need an afternoon or day off from golfing, you’ll be pleased by the number of activities available out your door: swimming, boating, and lawn games are just a few. You won’t find a more comfortable place to gather together with old friends.

It’s true – family vacations can be idyllic. No place is more perfectly suited for a family vacation than our Cashiers Lodging in Highlands NC.

Situated on over 200 feet of Lake Glenville shore, our five bedroom house comfortably sleeps ten adults. The grounds cover more than two acres, and the lake is your backyard. When you feel the need for a little alone time, head out in canoe, kayak or sailboat for a few hours; you’ll return refreshed and ready to engage with your fellow vacationers.

Invite grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. There is enough room here to accommodate a small family reunion. The kitchen is spacious, well-laid out, and prepared to meet your cooking needs. The kids might enjoy a game in the nook while the adults share an aperitif around the massive fireplace. The deck is an inviting space for anyone who needs a little air, and the expansive lawn simply cries out for a game of croquet or boules.

Spend a weekend or a week at Lake Glenville, in our Cashiers Lodging. Bring your family. It will be a trip you will all remember, fondly, for the rest of your lives. Why wait another year for that much-delayed family get-together you’ve all been talking about for years? Grab  your calendar and your phone and schedule it now.

Imagine Your Family Rocking in These Chairs

Just one of the beautiful bedrooms at our Lakehouse

When you spend your North Carolina lake vacation at our impressive five-bedroom Lake House on Lake Glenville, your family and friends will create memories that last a lifetime. You will enjoy all the amenities you have come to expect in a luxury vacation rental in our Smoky Mountain Cabin. Tucked away in a very desirable, gated second-home community on a gently sloping, two acre lot with 225 feet of shoreline and private boat dock, our mountain lake rental home is ideal for hosting family and friends. The well appointed two-level home offers an open floor plan for entertaining, 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, a second gathering area on the terrace level and wrap-around porches – the perfect spot to enjoy excellent views of the lake.