Nantahala the Beautiful

August 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Lounging by the lake makes for a relaxing afternoon, but sometimes the trails of adventure call. As any Nantahala native knows, the Reflection community rests in the heart of the beautiful Nantahala National Forest, and just a stone’s throw from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whether you’re exploring a new way of camping or tackling the hiking trails for a day of natural marvels, our cabins are surrounded by a world of opportunity.nantahala national forest

Nantahala National Forest

Our exclusive lakeside real estate overlooks some of the best woodland views North Carolina has to offer. But Lake Nantahala isn’t the only oasis that embodies the Cherokee word for “land of the noonday sun.” The national forest we call home shares our name and enables us to revel in our surroundings. With 3 distinct districts, the Nantahala National Forest has no shortage of hiking, fishing, waterfall exploration, and foliage familiar and remarkable. When you retreat to your cabin home, you’ll have a new appreciation for the majesty of the mountains around you.

Great Smoky Mountains National Forest

Sometimes a weekend away is just what you need to appreciate your peaceful mountain home. This national forest spans North Carolina and Tennessee and offers no dearth of family-friendly campgrounds, historic buildings, and wildlife. Tour from horseback, bike around the countryside, or enjoy an automobile tour so you don’t overlook any of the lakes, streams, caves, and cliffs of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Outdoor Adventure Made Easy

It’s easy to fall in love with the great outdoors, and the U.S. National Park service knows it! That’s why they developed America the Beautiful, a variety of affordable yearly pass options in case one day isn’t enough to satiate your taste for nature. With special discounts for military and seniors, unique opportunities for volunteers, and exploration made easy for thrill-seekers and relaxation experts alike, there’s no reason not to enjoy every mile of mountains, waterfalls, and hiking trails that North Carolina—and America—has to offer.

photo from flickr

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Shores of Safety

August 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Lake Nantahala, North Carolina boasts rare salmon, bountiful trout, and a variety of other fish to keep your hooks heavy and your boats full. But our shores are also a refuge for a handful of federally protected fins. Next time you trek down from your mountain cabin, take a gander at our own endangered species.

 Spotfin Chubspotfin chub

The spotfin chub or ‘turquoise shiner’ is a ray-finned fish exclusively found in Tennessee rivers and the Nantahala region. They thrive in Lake Nantahala because of its crystal clear waters, which support their natural habitat of lake-bottom boulders in clean lakes and streams. You can find this fish most frequently hidden in rock crevices between May and August. Dams, sedimentation, and loss of habitat are the leading contributors to the decline in the spotfin chub population. The state is working to relocate and breed these creatures with a goal of redistributing them to their native regions.

Appalachian Elktoe Musselappalachian elktoe

This mollusk may seem simple; in fact, it’s often mistaken for a rock or piece of gravel on the lakebed. But far from harming the mussel, its rocklike appearance allows it to camouflage itself in a habitat that offers a shallow stream of cool, clear water and plenty of passing snacks. There is still plenty to learn about this mussel; Appalachian Elktoe are easily damaged, which limits scientific study. Take care if you discover one of these creatures while splashing around the lake.

Little-wing Pearlymusselpearlymussel

This small, incredibly rare mussel is one of our winter-breeding wildlife. Like our friend the Appalachian Elktoe, the Little-wing Pearlymussel inhabits high, clear streams. Unlike its neighbor, this mollusk is more often found beneath rocks instead of camouflaged by them. This tiny creature has suffered poor water quality and insufficient habitats, threatening the population of this once prevalent species.

The beautiful Nantahala mountains are home to more than just nature lovers. These 3 endangered species diversify our ecosystem and enrich our shores. Now it’s up to us to pay it forward and keep these critters safe in the water.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Hammocking the Nantahala Way

August 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Many an outdoor enthusiast has relaxed on a hammock by the lake or stargazed from a traditional rope hammock on a bright, cloudless night. But did you know that hammocking is also a fun way to camp? The simplicity and comfort of hammocks is lending popularity to their use in outdoor recreation, and countless people are switching from tents to hammocks.

Camping HammocksHammock

When you think of a hammock, you probably imagine a contraption of woven ropes and long wooden spacers hanging in someone’s backyard. But camping hammocks are more reminiscent of the woven hammocks many cultures traditionally used for sleeping. Camping hammocks are made from a variety of weatherproof materials, but all are woven and lacking the support rods that stretch hammocks into flat, easy-to-flip surfaces. Sling your outdoor hammock between two trees or use a freestanding support. Leave yourself a bit of slack so your body can relax into a curve. On rainy nights, pull a rope taut above your hammock and sling a tarp over the line to protect you from the elements.

Comfort

Hammocks give better support than sleeping flat. Many doctors suggest patients with back troubles replace their mattresses with hammocks, and medical research shows that the gentle rocking motion promotes better rest. Regardless of whether you’re ready to trade in your TempurPedic for a good ol’ cloth hammock, it’s by far the most comfortable choice for outdoor sleeping. Hammocks provide better alignment and inflict less tension than sleeping on the ground. And during those sticky summer months, the suspension of the hammock allows nighttime breezes from Lake Nantahala to keep you cool as you sleep.

Benefits

Hammocking is easier and less costly than traditional tent camping. Unlike tents, hammocks are easily transportable and can be strung nearly anywhere. They are easier to assemble and disassemble than tents, and at a fraction of the cost. You can enjoy all the amenities of traditional camping and savor the beauty of nature as you drift off to sleep.

You can hammock on your porch, nap in a hammock by the lake, or near those explorers sleeping on the hard ground. Camp as a family or enjoy the wonders of nature on your own. The possibilities are as endless as Nantahala and your taste for adventure.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page