A few miles just north of Cashiers is Lake Glenville and the American Continental Divide. Water from this elevation flows either southeast to the Atlantic Ocean or southwest to the Gulf of Mexico. Part of the water scene in the Cashiers area is the tallest waterfall in the eastern United States, Whitewater Falls, a short drive south of the village. Whitewater Falls has a drop of 411 feet which is 244 feet more than Niagra Falls and approximately equal to the drop at Victoria Falls in Africa. When you visit Cashiers, you will want to stay a while. For information about staying at the Lakehouse contact Helen Cook at 904-321-2210 or helen@lodgingresources.com.

In Cashiers there are no man-made attractions – no no huge billboards – no shopping malls or big box stores – no rush hour traffic. The village is populated with eclectic and interesting one-of-a-kind shops and cafes. A local coffee shop, village flower vendor and open-air produce market occupy three corners of the town “square”. A Village Green is on the fourth corner of the square. This scenic park hosts special events and entertainments. Just beyond the Green is a children’s park, Village Play, that families love.

History buffs can explore recently restored han-hewn chestnut log structures build by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers. During the restoration, project volunteers discovered dozens of locally quarried blue granite steps cut and land-laid by CCC workers in a serpentine pattern from the old lodge building (1930′s) through the woods and along the lake to the boathouse.

Park is open daily 7 am – 9 pm. Children are free, $2 admission for adults, additional fee to swim. Lakes are closed to swimmers on Mondays.

In addition to showing the work of over 200 craftspeople, the Fair also features craft demonstrations and local musicians performing traditional mountain music. This year’s event takes place July 21 – 24th at the Asheville Civic Center, 87 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC, nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains and long recognized as an arts and crafts destination, provides a perfect backdrop for the Craft Fair and is a picturesque 90-minute drive from Lake Glenville and Cashiers.

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.

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.