by bluewaters | Aug 16, 2017 | Uncategorized
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has the longest continuing pottery tradition of any tribe in the United States on their original homeland. Nearly 2,000 years ago, Cherokee potters began using carved wooden paddles and sharp objects to stamp their pottery with intricate crosshatch, spiral and other designs.
Their stamped, hand-built, thin-walled, waterproof pots were not only beautiful, but some were quite large. Cooking pots and water jugs were often a foot high, and some were large enough to hold more than 10 gallons. The Cherokee also made distinctive effigy pots of humans, frogs, birds and dogs. They used their knowledge of various clays and firing techniques to create unique black and white pots, and red and white pots. High firing temperatures made the pots waterproof, and they were sealed further by a second firing utilizing soot from burned corncobs.
Cherokee people traded for iron pots and manufactured dinnerware starting around 1700, but potters continued to make functional, stamped vessels for cooking. After about 1920, Cherokee potters turned to an emerging tourist market to sell their creations. During this period, visitors were primarily interested in taking home small, decorative pots as souvenirs. The pots in the 20th century continued to have distinctive Cherokee designs, but many of the qualities that had made the old-style Cherokee pottery tradition so special faded over the next century.
After significant work in recapturing some of these lost skills, the pottery community is thriving once again. Examples of these Cherokee artisans is on display at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee. We encourage visitors to the area to stop by and see these beautiful pieces of art.
by bluewaters | Aug 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
Her shores feature some of the most remote and pristine vistas in the Smoky Mountains. Her tributaries nurture some of the clearest and cleanest waters in the Southeast. Lake Santeetlah is a heaven… consisting of fabulous sunrises and sunsets, pristine shoreline, and open water – which remains largely unexplored by paddle craft. Not that the lake is completely ignored by boaters: on any given weekend, throughout most of the warmer months, a handful of pontoon boats and ski boats make their way on the 3000 acre open lake. With Lake Santeetlah’s 80 miles of shoreline, mild seasons, protected waters, and abundance of wildlife and it is ideal sea kayak country. Each year, we are seeing more guests arriving with their kayaks to explore the beautiful lake and sea kayaks seem to be the most popular.
Sea kayaks are touring kayaks designed for long distance travel over open water. They are inherently sea worthy, thus earning their name. Being designed for rough conditions, they are capable of calmly running in harm’s way. They also are extremely efficient at leisurely cruising with a mellow, relaxed pace. Historically, the boats originated in West Greenland several centuries ago. The early native versions were assembled from sealskin with a fragile wood and bone frame, but today the boats are constructed of modern fiberglass. Sea kayaks are fitted with bulkheaded storage compartments and several hatches providing easy access to these spaces. Inside, the boats have plenty of storage space to transport a paddler with gear and equipment. Due to their versatility and practicality in exploring waterways, these sleek water craft are becoming popular on Lake Santeetlah.
We urge you to come and discover the solitude and tranquility of Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina’s best kept secret.
by bluewaters | Aug 2, 2017 | Uncategorized
There is nothing like a breakfast scone. It makes your tea, it makes your coffee, and it makes your day! And each day at Blue Waters Mountain Lodge is started with a scone.
Scones have been linked to the countries of Scotland, Ireland, and England. It is unknown who exactly invented them. It is that way with most breads since they are so universal. Bread was such an ordinary thing back in the day that no one really thought of writing it down. Historians think that the scone was invented in Scotland. The first time scones were seen in print was in 1513 by a Scottish poet.
Some believe that the scone was named after the Stone of Destiny which was a stone throne on which Scottish kings would sit to be crowned. The Oxford dictionary, on the other hand, states that it comes from a word “sgonn” meaning mouthful or shapeless mass, or the German word “sconbrot” meaning beautiful bread. Scones in the beginning were shaped into a large mass and made with oats. It was then griddle baked.
The American style of scones is made with baking powder and is considered a form of quick bread. The English version usually involves a lemon curd. Each of these methods offer different tastes but equally delicious. Easy and tasty, they are most definitely a crowd pleaser at Blue Waters.
Blueberry Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar, plus more for sprinkling tops
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/3 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Adjust rack to center of oven, and heat to 400 degrees. Spray non-stick on baking sheet, and set aside. In a large bowl, sift together flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender, or two knives, cut in butter until the largest pieces are the size of small peas. Stir in blueberries and zest. Using a fork, whisk together cream and egg in a measuring cup. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients and pour in cream mixture. Stir lightly with fork just until dough comes together. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead a few times to mix well. Pat dough into a 6-inch square about 1 1/4 inches thick. Using a floured knife, cut into four 3-inch squares. Cut squares in half on the diagonal to form eight triangles. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with cream and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until golden brown, 20 to 22 minutes. Transfer scones from baking sheet to wire racks to cool. Enjoy
by bluewaters | Jul 27, 2017 | Uncategorized
We receive many questions about the possibility of renting a motorcycle during a visit to “Slay the Dragon”. For those who are members of the Harley Owners Group (HOG), there are options. The Harley Owners Group is a sponsored club operated by Harley Davidson for enthusiasts. The HOG is the granddaddy of all community building efforts serving to promote not just a consumer product but a lifestyle.
The HOG Fly and Ride program is one of the truly special benefits of this membership. Available to full members, this program allows you to fly to numerous locations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia; pick up a Harley Davidson motorcycle from a local dealership; and tour in style without a lot of hassle.
Annual dues for the national full membership are $45.00. With Harley Davidson dealers as close as Knoxville and Asheville, this makes an easy alternative for our guests coming from long distances that do not want to ride or trailer their bikes. For details about this program, please see http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HOG/HOG.jsp?locale=en_us
by bluewaters | Jul 19, 2017 | Uncategorized
Travel this beautiful section of the Nantahala Gorge where history meets industry in the forested areas of western North Carolina. The Indian Lakes Scenic Byway will take drivers on a journey through an area of meaningful names just itching to tell a story. The Indian Lakes Scenic Byway will also take travelers by several other North Carolina byways including the Cherohala Skyway.
This drive is an easy route past three lakes tucked into the lush forested mountain of the Nantahala National Forest and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. This route lies mostly within Graham County, one of the most isolated, lease populated and most scenic counties in North Carolina.
Start the drive at the junction of US 129 and NC 143 in Robbinsville, heading north towards Lake Santeetlah and the Tennessee border. About 1.5 miles from the center of town, you will pass a turnoff on the left for western continuation of NC 143 and the Cheoah Ranger District Office of the Nantahala National Forest. Your may want to stop here to pick up a forest map and other information.
As you continue along the road you will get periodic views of Lake Santeetlah on the left. The lake has numerous sinuous arms that reach up the channels of its tributaries. The lake was created when the Cheoah River was dammed up. Its name comes from the Cherokee word meaning “blue waters”. The crosses an arm of the lake 3.1 miles north of the Ranger Station, near the Ted Jordan Bridge and Blue Waters Mountain Lodge. In another 1.6 miles lies the Cheoah Point Recreation Area on the left. A side road continues past the recreation area to a view of the dam. IN another 1.1 miles, Forest Road 416 turns left. It leads eventually to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, majestic virgin woodland that lies hidden in the verdant Unicoi Mountains across the lake.
About a mile past the turnoff to Joyce Kilmer Forest, you will pass a large flume and a swing bridge over the Cheoah River. The flume is part of an aqueduct and tunnel system that taps Lake Cheoah for hydroelectric power generation. From here the highway heads downstream through the scenic gorge of the Cheoah River. The route lies within the Nantahala National Forest and is little developed.
This area is known as Tapoco. Not as exotic as it seems, it’s an acronym for Tallassee Power Company which was purchased by the Aluminum Company of America (today’s Alcoa). Studies began on ways of damming the Little Tennessee River to produce hydroelectric power. The company needed electricity to smelts its aluminum. Although aluminum is very common in the earth’s crust, it takes vast amounts of electricity to separate and purify it. When World War I increased demand for the lightweight metal, workers were brought into this remote area; they began pouring concrete for Cheoah Dam in early 1917.
Two years later, the dam and hydroelectric plant were completed. At the time the 225 foot high dam was the highest of its type in the world and its power turbines were the world’s biggest. A dozen years later, the Tallassee Power Company built the dam that created Calderwood Lake downstream in Tennessee. Though the town of Tapoco once housed 2,000 workers, today only a handful of people live there.
The Cheoah River flows into the Little Tennessee River. The highway crosses a large bridge just below the towering Cheoah Dam. The tall structure is impressive. The hero in the movie The Fugitive jumped off this dam. On the other side of the bridge the road climbs toward the road climbs towards the dam along a narrow snaking path. It passes the top of the dam and follows narrow Lake Cheoah about 2 miles to the junction with NC 28. For those brave of heart, they can continue on US 129 and slay the Tail of the Dragon.
To continue on the Indian Lakes Byway, turn right onto NC 28 and drive upstream along the lake. The quiet highway winds between the water and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After 2.8 miles, you will pass the park’s Twentymile Ranger Station on the left. There are several quiet hiking trails that start at the ranger station, leading up creeks or over ridges.
Past the ranger station, the drive continues along the lake. This area is very scenic; it is almost entirely national forest and national park land, so there is very little development. Look for a small hydroelectric plant by the lake in about 2 miles. Water is carried to this station via the aqueduct, earlier below Lake Santeetlah. In about 3.1 miles, watch for a turnoff on the left by a huge quarry. This side road leads to the base of Fontana Dam, the highest concrete dam east of the Mississippi River. The dam and powerhouse tower above the end of the road, holding back 11,685 acre Fontana Lake.
Fontana Dam was begun by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in January 1942 as part of an elaborate system of dams, locks and power plants built largely in the Tennessee River watershed. The system of dams and lakes facilitated navigation along the Tennessee River and controlled flooding. Hydroelectric plants brought power into areas that never had it. In later years, the TVA’s power generation greatly increased with the addition of coal fired and nuclear power plants.
Return to NC 28 and continue the drive. Almost immediately, you will cross the river. Just beyond the bridge, go about 6 miles. Near the top of the dam, and slowly climb up and away from the lake, you will see occasional views of the water through the trees. The Nantahala National Forest Cable Cove Recreation Area is on the left in about 3.7 miles. In 3 miles, you hit the small sleepy village of Tuskeegee. From Tuskeegee, the highway climbs over mountains to the junction with NC 143.
Beyond the junction, you pass through the small village of Stecoah. The road then passes an arm of Fontana Lake. The Forest Service manages Tsali Recreational Area on the left about 8 miles after the NC 143 junction. Notable for its lake access and long horse trails along Lake Fontana. Mountain bikers flock to this area.
About 1.8 miles past Tsali Recreational Area, you arrive in the hamlet of Almond. Past this small town, you cross yet another arm of Lake Fontana. Fontana boasts approximately 240 miles of shoreline. This arm is where the Nantahala River adds to the reservoir. The drive ends at the junction with US 19/US 74. To return to Robbinsville, turn right and follow the Nantahala River upstream.
by bluewaters | Jul 12, 2017 | Uncategorized
In the Snowbird Creek basin near the convergence of the Snowbird and Unicoi mountain ranges lies one of the richest areas for world class hiking and fishing. For centuries the area was hunted by the Cherokee, and due to its steep and rugged terrain, it was one of the last areas in Western North Carolina to be settled by European pioneers.
The early Cherokee called this area “Titiyi,” the “snowbird place,” and some Cherokee found a haven here from the forced march called “The Trail of Tears.” White pioneers prospected for minerals and established farmsteads here. Later, loggers came and stripped the land of its virgin chestnut, poplar and hemlock. Most of the scars have healed, and except for scattered campsites below the wild trout section of the stream, the area shows few signs of ever having been settled.
In 1943, the federal government acquired the Snowbird area as part of the Nantahala National Forest. Seven hiking trails covering 37 miles ascend the surrounding ranges and follow the Snowbird and Sassafras creeks. These trails are purposely kept primitive and rugged; they are rated “easiest,” “more difficult,” and “most difficult” on the forest service map of the area. Big Snowbird Trail, for example, crosses the stream numerous times without the aid of bridges or footlogs. Other trails in the area include Burntrock Ridge, King Meadows, Middle Falls, Mitchell Lick, Sassafras Creek, and Snowbird Mountain.
From its headwaters in the Snowbird Mountains, Big Snowbird Creek tumbles over a jumbled, unruly mass of boulders and rocks, forms three scenic waterfalls and passes through a remote and rugged section of the Nantahala National Forest on its way to Lake Santeetlah. Big Snowbird is divided into three distinct fisheries. The lower section from an old logging railroad junction to the stream’s confluence with Lake Santeetlah is hatchery-supported waters. Some sections of the lower stream pass through a mixture of private and public lands, but all but a few miles of the creek can be accessed either from a gravel road on the upper part or a paved road on the lower section.
The wild trout section, from the Junction parking lot to the stream’s headwaters, covers approximately twelve miles, and the only access is by foot. The middle section, from the Junction to Lower Falls, has good populations of rainbow and brown trout, with rainbows outnumbering browns about ten to one. With a high tree canopy and wide stream bed, this five mile section offers excellent fly-fishing. Numerous mid-sized rocks make hopping from run to run fairly easy. Huge boulders provide good cover for casting to the numerous deep pools, long runs, and pocket water. Rhododendron overhangs provide ideal hiding places for trout during hot weather, and if you skip a dry fly under those low branches, you are almost certain to get a strike.
Brook-trout country begins at Lower Falls, and from there to the stream’s headwaters, a distance of about 7 miles, is some of the best brook trout fishing in the state. From Lower Falls to Middle Falls, the stream is fed by numerous tributaries, providing a continuous supply of brook trout. The stream is surprisingly large below Middle Falls, but it gets smaller from Middle Falls to Upper Falls. Brook trout at the upper section average about 7 inches, but anglers who frequently fish the stream say they’ve occasionally caught brook trout in the 12-inch range, especially from the waterfall-created pools.
The primary food source in the upper section of Snowbird is Mayflies, followed by caddisflies, with midges running a distant third. Mayflies also are the primary food source in the middle section, with caddisflies and midges about evenly divided.
Much of the stream can be accessed from a well-maintained trail from the Junction to Lower Falls. There are sections, though, where the stream is far below the trail. Once one reaches the stream, anglers usually remain in the water unless they want to crawl through thick rhododendron growth.
