Dawn enters the open window, the birds’ song wakes me from sleep. A single ray of sunlight breaks through the shutters and warms my face in the crisp mountain air. I squint, remembering I am not at home but feeling the peace that comes with home. My toes absorb the cool rustic floors made by local craftsmen from native Carolina timber. Soon, I snuggle by the fire on the back porch and swirl coffee inside a handmade clay mug that warms my hand. The steam from my beverage resembles the smoke rising from my view of the Great Smoky Mountains. With a smile, I turn to my golden retriever, Sophie, the only one up early with me, and say … “What shall we do today?”
Welcome to Bear Lake Reserve (BLR), a resort situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. If it sounds like it’s a bit in the middle of nowhere, well, it is—but that is perhaps one of its greatest charms.
“When you turn onto Shook Cove Road, you’re hooked,” said resident Dianne McGreevy. “The lush green meadows. The rolling hills leading up and up and up the mountain until I see the welcome of the greeter’s cottage. That’s when my chest exhales. My grip on the wheel loosens. Even my dog relaxes. It’s a common feeling—we’re home—and we’d been holding our breath waiting to get back here.”
The Cherokee Indians, the very first inhabitants of the region, perhaps understood BLR best because they believed the land itself was alive. Not much has changed since the days of the Cherokee; the land, lake and streams are alive today in nature and spirit.
“Time doesn’t matter at BLR,” explained Chris McGreevy, as a bald eagle flew overhead, offering a glimpse of the wildlife at BLR, where bear, deer and turkey sightings are the norm. Breaking away from the clock allows adults to become children at heart and truly enjoy an immense playground with their families. The morning welcomes you with a varied roster of activities that include boating, waterskiing, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, fly fishing, canoeing and more. One thing is for sure: There is something for everyone and none of the fun involves a power cord or batteries.
The main attraction here is Bear Creek Lake. Whether you prefer angling, sunset-cruising in a pontoon boat or water sports, the lake and its crystal water is a favorite destination for both locals and tourists. Here, families lounge in Adirondack chairs on the beach. Pet lovers toss balls into the water to teach their puppies how to swim. Children laugh and launch themselves from a rope swing for a big splash. Teens experience their very first Jet Ski rides.”
When it’s time for lunch, we make our way to the Lake Club, a natural gathering place above the water with 14,000 square feet featuring multiple restaurants serving cuisine and spirits indigenous to the region; the club also offers pools, hot tubs, a fitness center and private theater. On weekend nights, we enjoy themed dinners and wine tastings, comedy and magic shows and a chance to be with BLR friends who have become second family.
On special occasions, the welcoming amphitheater nestled in the valley is a great place to spread a blanket in the grass for a concert of local bluegrass music. The site also hosts a fall farmer’s market and Fourth of July fireworks. A favorite is the kids’ summer day camp with a program of hiking, games, crafts, swimming, cooking, boat rides, relay races, golf and tennis lessons, ice cream and a visit to Bear Creek Park to play in the real-life tepee and treehouse.
BLR has miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging. A climb to BLR’s own Sol’s Creek Falls is one of my family’s favorites. The destination is just long enough to call it a “hike,” and the kids love to swim in its pool and feel the spray of the waterfall. On New Year’s Day, the BLR tradition is to fix a Bloody Mary and go on a hike. Remember the custom of do the thing you want to do all year on Jan. 1? It works for BLR families every single year. For the more serious hiker, the property adjoins Panthertown Valley, a popular backcountry paradise often referred to as “The Yosemite of the East.”
For anglers, the Carolina waters inside and outside BLR offer fun for all ages. Kids and parents alike love to wet a line at Mill Pond Pavilion, a timber-frame gathering cottage overlooking two stocked trout ponds in the heart of the property. Many of our fond memories are of our kids and their cousins holding trout with toothless grins. The pride of seeing them catch their first fish, then do it solo and now walk alone to try their cane pole at sunrise is unforgettable. There are some of the best trout waters the state has to offer at nearby Robinson Creek and a host of other hot spots on the Western Carolina Fly Fishing Trail. Area waters also offer terrific whitewater rafting.
BLR also offers the Nicklaus Summit Golf Course featuring a diverse collection of nine-hole courses that traverse the summit of the property, promising a unique, one-of-a-kind experience. If you prefer to skip golfing, a ride through the cart path is a must simply for the view; it’s a premier scenic lookout for changing seasons. The course offers a driving range and putting green; adjacent to these amenities are two hard tennis courts. MatchPoint tennis and doubles legend Daniel Nestor provides multi-day retreats and programs for players of any level. Mountain bikers and runners will appreciate the trails and stunning sights found along the 10-kilometer stretch from the Greeter’s Cottage to the Lake Club.
When the day ends, our family connects in a special way. We sit beside the back-porch fire, making s’mores, sipping wine, telling stories, catching fireflies, looking for shooting stars, playing cards and board games and reflecting on our day. These are the simple joys . . . the things we do not take time to do in our busy lives away from this mountain home.
The BLR dusk beckons me to my room. Window open, I crawl under the local craftsman’s handmade quilt. The crickets sing me to sleep, and the single beam of moonlight between the shutters warms my face with the promise of another day of wonder.
