This time of year, corporate America is dreaming of warm sand, sunny skies, and cool drinks by the water. Some of us are lucky enough to enjoy pristine water views year round, while others share their Lake Nantahala real estate with family, friends, or renters. If you and your family are slipping away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, follow our Lake Nantahala vacation guide to get the most out of your time in the mountains.

Plan a Lake Nantahala Vacation

1. Plan Ahead. No one wants to show up to a dusty cabin. If you haven’t visited the lake in awhile, send a cleaning service to tidy up. Does one member of your party have an extra day off work? Compensate them for tidying the lake house and buying groceries with a relaxing afternoon to enjoy the lakeside amenities.
2. Make a list. There’s nothing worse than realizing you’ve purchased too much food. Save yourself the hassle of tossing groceries—or going back for seconds—by listing the meals, drinks, and snacks you’ll need as you relax by Lake Nantahala. Make a second list for lakeside essentials like sunscreen, beach towels, and your iPod dock. Chances are you can bring those from home.
3. Research Your Activities. Some people love lounging by the lake for six days straight, while others prefer to explore the adventures of the Nantahala National Forest. The Reflection community is surrounded by beautiful nature trails, campgrounds, and fishing spots. If you want to move beyond your backyard, research the rafting lessons, kayaking excursions, and zipline adventures in the Nantahala Gorge.

No matter what kind of vacation your family enjoys, you won’t get bored at Lake Nantahala. Call Reflection for more information on buying a Nantahala vacation property.

photo from FreeDigitalPhotos

The weather is warming, flowers are blooming, and residents of Lake Nantahala are beginning to explore again. Around our Reflection real estate lay copious hiking trails, iridescent waterfalls, and lush mountain views. And what better way to enjoy the beauty of nature than by packing a picnic and enjoying the spring air? Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day, springtime, or Memorial Day, here are 5 steps to throwing the perfect Lake Nantahala picnic.

1. Scout it out. While some of our local adventurers may prefer to strap on their hiking boots and see where the trails take them, it’s better to plan ahead when you’ve packed a full picnic. Choose the perfect spot on one our Reflection community’s nature trails, park areas, or covered gazebos.
2. Find the right bag. While a picnic basket may look cute and idyllic, the whicker handles are awkward and tiresome to carry. If you’re hiking to your destination, pack your lunch in a backpack or fabric cooler.
3. Pack the essentials. Your perfect picnic won’t last long if you forget your blanket, silverware, paper plates and plastic cutlery, sunscreen and bug spray, trash bags, and hand sanitizer. You may also want to pack books and outdoor games in your picnic basket, especially if you’re bringing kids along.
4. Prepare the food. Portable, self-contained foods like pre-cut fruit, sandwiches, and bottled drinks make throwing a picnic a breeze. Pack everything in sealable containers for convenience and fresher food. If you’re throwing a Mother’s Day picnic, make sure your pack the guest of honor her favorite snack.
5. Bring your camera. Whether you have a high class SLR or you prefer the camera app on your smartphone, you’ll want to capture the memories of your lakeside mountain picnic.

photo from FreeDigitalPhotos

Mother’s Day is just over a week away, and while many husbands, children, and in-laws have been busily preparing for weeks, others are still scrounging for great gift ideas. If you’re still hunting for that perfect present, take a look at our lake house life Mother’s Day gift guide.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

The possibilities for Mother’s Day gifts are endless: clothing and accessories, home décor, expensive keepsakes, family heirlooms, or undertaking home improvement projects, just to name a few. Give your mom a truly unique gift to remind her of the places and people she loves. Framed snapshots from summers at Lake Nantahala will remind her of her blessings every day. Find local artwork from a talented artist and hang it in your Reflection lake house, or share one-of-a-kind pottery, quilts, and home décor from a Lake Nantahala craftsman. She’ll love the personal touch.

A Weekend Away

Whisk your mother away from the daily bustle of life and into the beautiful wilds of North Carolina. Take her camping in the Smokey Mountains or stay at a quaint bed and breakfast in Asheville. Spend the whole weekend away or book a Nantahala spa day close to home. She deserves a day of peaceful relaxation.

Home, Sweet Home

If you’re looking to spoil the mom in your life, there’s no better place than your backyard. Lake Nantahala overflows with stunning mountain views, idyllic meadows for picnics, and restful lounge-spots beside the crystal clear waters of the lake. Plan a family get-together to celebrate your mother or pack up the cooler and let her relax all day by the lake. She’ll know she’s appreciated when you take the event planning off her hands.

Reflection Lake Nantahala is blessed by the mothers in our community. Show the moms you love the fruits of their labor with a day of peace and enjoyment.

photo from FreeDigitalPhotos

Spring has been slow in coming, but our lakeside cabins have finally gotten a dose of this year’s sunshine. After a long, chilly winter, the Reflection community is ready to soak up the warmer weather. Take advantage of the outdoor season by planning a spring cookout for your friends and neighbors in Lake Nantahala.

Set the Tone

The first step to planning a successful cookout is setting the mood. Whether your theme is “beach season” or “home, sweet home,” it’s not a party without a few decorations. Fill a mason jar with Nantahala wildflowers, paint a driftwood sign to welcome guests to your yard, and use patterned fabric to hide unappealing trashcans. Protip: don’t forget to fill your iPod with laid-back lake music before your guests arrive.

Fresh Food

It’s impossible to please everyone, but that’s not going to stop Southern party planners from trying. Make a list of the dietary restrictions of anyone on your guest list. It should be easy to combine various diets into one solution (for example: your lactose intolerant neighbor and your vegan niece can both munch fried okra). Choose at least two main dishes to give your guests options. Planning a potluck eases the stress of cooking sides and desserts, but if you’re throwing the whole shindig yourself, set aside plenty of time in the kitchen. Don’t forget to ice your drinks several hours before the guests arrive. No one likes warm soda on a hot day.

Fun in the Sun

It’s great when your guests are ready to mingle, but sometimes partygoers need a bit of encouragement. Provide a few outdoor games to keep your neighbors entertained during party lulls. Cornhole and croquet are perennial favorites. Do your friends have small kids? Create a corner for kid-friendly crafts and outdoor games. Set up lounge chairs and picnic tables for guests who want to keep an eye on their kids and the crystal clear waters of Lake Nantahala.

Spring parties are a great way to meet your Reflection Lake Nantahala neighbors. Take advantage of the warm weather and throw a cookout at your Nantahala lake house.

photo from FreeDigitalPhotos

Our Reflection community is a rich oasis with opportunities for relaxation, outdoor adventures, and building friendships with neighbors. Our Lake Nantahala real estate nestles in the heart of the Smokey Mountains and the Nantahala National Forest, giving our residents the private splendor of lakeside mountain life. Nearby adventures include the Nantahala River, the Nantahala Gorge, and weekly festivals and adventure tours hosted by our friends at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. But the greatest asset to Reflection Lake Nantahala’s parks and properties is Lake’s End.

Lake’s End Marina

If your sea legs have you hankering for fresh water and warm breezes, it’s time to visit Lake’s End Marina. Dock your fishing vessel at the marina and enjoy full boat storage during the off-season with the No Hassle Boat Program. If you’re still investing in your Reflection cabin home, you can enjoy the freedom of Lake Nantahala boat rentals. Rent a pontoon, ski boat, fishing boat, or canoe for 4 hours or 8 hours of fun.

Lake’s End Diner

Resting just beyond the Lake’s End dock, Lake’s End diner has hosted North Carolina families and visitors for decades. Open spring through fall each year, the diner serves refreshing drinks and classic American food with full Southern flavor. There’s no better place for a refreshing lunch on the lake or a delicious family dinner. Stay for dessert and watch the sunset turn our crystal clear waters into a stunning watercolor you won’t find anywhere else in North Carolina.

Lake’s End Rentals

When the weather heats up, so do our cabin rentals. Lake Nantahala is within easy driving distance of Atlanta, Charlotte, and Asheville, making us the perfect community to host families on vacation or businesses looking for a relaxing corporate retreat. Visitors can rent space in the classic lodge, Sunset Point. Lake’s End makes it simple for Lake Nantahala cabin owners to list their own homes for rent throughout the year. Rent your cabin for a season or pay for your family vacation by hosting another family’s summer retreat.

Make the most of Lake Nantahala life with a little help from Lake’s End.

Few views in the South compete with the breathtaking mountain view of the Nantahala Gorge. Nestled between the Nantahala National Forest and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, this scenic spot in the North Carolina mountains overflows with outdoor adventures. Take your family hiking, fishing, mountain biking, or horseback riding near the Nantahala River. For a thrilling adventure high above the trees, take your family on an unforgettable zipline tour through the Nantahala Gorge. Just an hour away from your Lake Nantahala cabin home, Nantahala Gorge adventures are perfect for slow evenings or weekend excursions.

Zipline Tours

If your family loves thrills, enjoys the splendor of nature, and thirsts for knowledge, a Nantahala Gorge Zipline Tour is the perfect weekend venture. State of the art safety equipment keeps your loved ones safe as you glide through the trees, learning about the ecosystems, wildlife, and history of the Nantahala Gorge. Most zipline tours require participants to be at least 10 years old and weigh between 70 and 250 pounds. If you’re exploring with kids too young to soar, split up into groups of ground adventurers and aerial explorers. There’s plenty to learn about Nantahala, North Carolina.

Nantahala Gorge Horseback Riding

Ever feel like you’ve hiked every hill Lake Nantahala has to offer? Explore the world from a new vantage point with horseback riding in the Nantahala Gorge. Pick your destination and decide how long your family wants to explore. Plenty of North Carolina adventure centers offer guided horseback tours of the Nantahala Gorge, so your family can choose the quest best suited to your interests. See the beauty of the Nantahala without wearing out your hiking shoes. If you discover a trail you love, bring your family back for a springtime camping trip.

The world surrounding Lake Nantahala is brimming with beauty and natural wonder. Discover an extraordinary family adventure in the Nantahala Gorge.