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

No need to travel to the tropics to fly through a rain forest. The first Canopy Tour in the North Carolina Smokies is now as close as the Nantahala Gorge. The three-hour “glide and slide” experience that simulates flying is fueled by gravity and a gradual elevation change. More than just a zip-line ride (as if that weren’t enough), it takes you through multiple ecosystems, over hemlocks and into hardwood treetops. The route takes you above the forest floor which is blanketed with mountain laurel, dogwood, fern, rhododendron, flame azalea, wild magnolia and many other native plants. Reservations are through Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours.

Complete your “tropical travel” day when you return to the Lakehouse at Katie Camp with a healthy and delicious dinner featuring Tropical Grilled Sea Bass. (Fresh seafood and produce is available daily from the Produce Stand at the crossroads in Cashiers.

Recipe: Tropical Grilled Sea Bass    Serves: 6

Ingredients:
1 cup 1/4-inch pieces peeled, cored pineapple
3/4 cup 1/4-inch pieces peeled, pitted mango
2/3 cup 1/4-inch pieces red bell pepper
1/2 cup 1/4-inch pieces seeded tomato
1/3 cup 1/4-inch pieces seeded English hothouse cucumber
1/3 cup 1/4-inch pieces red onion
3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons minced fresh mint
2 tablespoons minced seeded jalapeño chili
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
6 6-ounce sea bass fillets
Olive oil

Preparation:
Combine first 10 ingredients in medium bowl; toss to blend. Season salsa with salt. Chill to blend flavors at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours, tossing occasionally.

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush fish with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until just opaque in center, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plates. Top with salsa and serve.

12/03, 12/04, 12/06, 12/11.  I love a parade and if you do too there are lots of opportunities to enjoy a traditional small town parade as many of the villages that surround Lake Glenville host their Christmas parades. These annual events are populated by local high school bands, home-made “floats” towed by farm tractors and riders large and small mounted on steeds of many varieties. Waynesville, Brevard, Hendersonville and Cashiers each have a parade.

No need to travel to the tropics to fly through the treetops. The first canopy zip line tour in the North Carolina Smokies is located on the southern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Nantahala National Forest northwest of our mountain retreat. No experience is needed. Canopy Rangers provide all the necessary instruction and assistance and use state-of-the-art equipment, including helmets, full body harnesses, trolley, gloves, and tether safety lines. There are two canopy Rangers per group.

The 3-hour zip line flight is powered by gravity and a gradual 3 percent elevation change. The 1/2 mile air time Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tour takes you through multiple ecosystems, past hemlocks, into hardwoods, and through a deciduous forest packed with native flowering plants such as mountain laurel, dogwood, rhododendron, giant Frazier magnolia, rare umbrella magnolia, silver bells and many more. Your canopy Ranger will point out these natural features and will also share with you some of the cultural history of the gorge.

The zip line course is located 12 miles west of Bryson City, (approximately 48 miles from our mountain lake home) at the Falling Waters Adventure Resort in the Nantahala River Gorge. Age and weight minimum is 10 years and 70 pounds with a weight maximum of 250 pounds. $69 per person. Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours, 866-319-8870.

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