by bluewaters | Jul 6, 2017 | Uncategorized
Western North Carolina is laced with some of the greatest scenic byways in America. The state offers a great diversity of beautiful sights and inspiring scenery to enjoy right from the seat of your car or motorcycle. One of the most interesting is the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. This route embodies the diverse beauty, culture, history and geography while providing travelers with a less-hectic route. The Mountain Waters Scenic Byway is a 61.3 mile drive/ridge that winds through south Appalachian hardwood forest, two river gorges and rural countryside. Traveling form Robbinsville to Highlands, the Byway follows US 19, SR 1310 (Wayah Road), old US 64, and US 64.
The northern portion of the winding Waterfall Byway starts west along US 64 at the intersection with SR 215, north of Rosman in Transylvania Country. Crossing the French Broad River, whose Cherokee name means “racing waters”, near Rosman. It is about seven miles to the curve where US 64 crosses the Toxaway River with Toxaway Falls on the left and Lake Toxaway on the right.
From Toxaway, it is about three miles into Sapphire Valley, passing by Lakes Fairfield and Sapphire before crossing the Horse Pasture River. The town of Cashiers, located at the intersection with SR 107, is about ten miles from Toxaway Falls.
From Cashiers it is about four miles to Cowee Gap. From the gap, at the headwaters of the Cullasaja River, it is eight miles to the town of Highlands. This is the highest incorporated community on the east coast. Follow US 64 through town, which was founded in 1875. Highlands lies at the intersection of the lines formed from Baltimore to New Orleans and Chicago to Savannah.
The 120-foot drop of Bridal Veil Falls is two miles west of Highlands. So named because you can walk underneath the roaring water without getting wet. Dry Falls, located about mile west of Bridal Veil, is on the left. The water from this fall flows into the Cullasaja River to the south. Enter the Cullasaja Gorge, six miles west of Dry Falls. The gorge is formed by the Cullasaja River as it flows west into the Little Tennessee River
About four miles from Dry Falls are the Cullasaja Falls. This cascade drops 310-feet in one half mile. There are also amazing views of the Smoky Mountains as well as the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests
From the Cullasaja Falls, it is two miles to Gneiss, which is named for the metamorphic rock that is abundant in the area. From Gneiss, it is about five miles to the US 23/441 interchange with US 64 in Franklin
Follow US 23/441 South and US 64 about seven miles to Cartoogechaye. The nearby mountains are part of the Nantahala National Forest. About four miles west, cross Winding Stair Gap, one of the early western passages along the Appalachian Trail. From there it is about two miles to Rainbow Springs and another two miles to Black Gap
While driving the ten miles along the crest of the Chunky Gal Mountains, enjoy the scenic overlooks. It is about eight miles to the town of Hayesville. Located in Hayesville is the site of Fort Hembree, a gathering place for the Cherokee
About seven miles west of Hayesville, turn left onto Settawig Rd. (SR 1135) and follow it for two and half miles towards Brasstown. The John C. Campbell Folk School, where craftsmen learn trades such as pottery, weaving and blacksmithing, is located. From Settawig Rd. turn right onto Phillips Rd. (SR 1100) for about a tenth of a mile to Brasstown Rd. (SR 1134). Turn left and follow Brasstown Rd. for three-tenths of a mile then turn right onto Cheringhelli Rd. (SR 1558). Follow Cheringhelli Rd. for about six and half miles where the route ends in Murphy at the intersection with US 19/129 Bypass and then take US 19/129 back to Robbinsville.
by bluewaters | Jun 28, 2017 | Uncategorized
The Blue Waters Mountain Lodge Fourth of July fireworks display is a much-anticipated annual event which draws crowds from all over the area and has become a tradition on Lake Santeetlah. More than two hundred boats fill the lake area under the spectacular firework display while on-lookers line the shore.
This year’s extravaganza is expected to be bigger and brighter than ever. The show will include approximately 2,000 shells….that’s a lot of fireworks! The fireworks are launched from the end of Blue Waters Mountain Lodge’s dock on the lake’s eastern shore and, says owner of Blue Waters, Mike Stewart, “The fireworks can be viewed from anywhere on the lake, but the best place is on our deck because the fireworks and music are right here”. Availability is limited and reservations are required for the Blue Waters deck party by calling 828-479-8888.
The Blue Waters Mountain Lodge’s Fourth of July fireworks show over Lake Santeetlah will be held on Sunday, July 4th and begins when it’s dark, generally around 9:45 p.m.
by bluewaters | Jun 21, 2017 | Uncategorized
As stunning as the year-round views are, Gregory Bald is most famous for the spectacular flame azaleas that bloom on the summit from mid to late June.
According to the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association the various hybrids of azaleas on Gregory Bald are so impressive and unique that the British Museum of Natural History has collected samples of them.
Azalea lovers from all over the world come here to visit perhaps the finest display of flame azaleas anywhere on the planet. Imagine acres of fire red, wine red, orange, salmon, yellow, white, pink, and even multi-colored azaleas. This place is truly special and people are deeply moved by the azaleas and the incredible views. This hike should be on the Bucket List of any self-respecting hiker, gardener, or nature lover.
Gregory Bald is located along the Tennessee-North Carolina border and rises up about 3,000 feet from the trailhead and is located just a few miles from the lodge.
by bluewaters | Jun 15, 2017 | Uncategorized
Pristine night skies are an endangered habitat.They are beautiful to behold, but the thousands of stars once visible to the naked eye are now obscured by the glare of industrial light and the haze of pollution. On the other hand, it is estimated that stargazers in the Smoky Mountains can see over 15,000 stars that are on display as well as the sprawling Milky Way. Those lucky visitors might see 30 or more meteors per hour, experts say.
The forecast for this summer’s viewing for the would-be astronomer is phenomenal.
Venus is often considered the Evening Star or the Morning Star. Until late September 2010, it will appear as a brilliant yellow star in the evening sky, right after sunset. Located 15 degrees above the western horizon one hour after sundown, it will remain in view until after 10:00 p.m.
Mars is also known as the Red Planet, although its color varies from rusty orange to gray. Mars can be found after sunset in the western sky, far upper left of Venus along the ecliptic.
Saturn will be in excellent position for observation until at least early July. Look for Saturn high in the southwest after sunset.
There are countless asteroids in our solar system, of which around 160,000 have names or identifying numbers. However, only Vesta, the fourth of the large asteroids becomes close and bright enough for us to spot with the unaided eye during the summer months. Mars, the brilliant star-like object in the west during early evening, serves as a good guidepost for locating it. Vesta is about 5 degrees north of the planet.
As the sky darkens on June evenings, a solar system visitor lies due north and more than one-third of the way from the horizon. Comet C/2009 K5 McNaught tracks through our sky. Glowing with the combined light of a 10th-magnitude star, the comet will be easily visible and should be seen until mid-July.
People spend a lot more leisure time outdoors during the summer months, so it is no wonder they observe more meteors at this time of the year. A June evening can be a great time to view a few shooting stars blazing across the sky. The only equipment you will need is your eyes and a modest amount of patience. The best meteor shower of June, terms of both sky position and meteor activity, is the June Bootid stream. This well known annual shower usually produces several visible meteors per hour.
The warm nights of June offer prime conditions for galaxy hunting. The winter Milky Way is lost in the glare of the Sun, while the star clouds of Cygnus and Sagittarius are just rising in the east. It is on these evenings that we have unobstructed views of what lies beyond our own galaxy.
Happy Gazing!
by bluewaters | Jun 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
The Cherokee called this territory Shaconage (shah-cone-ah-jey), meaning roughly ‘land of the blue smoke’ for the heather-colored mist that hangs over the ancient peaks. The Southern Appalachians are the world’s oldest mountain range, with mile upon mile of cool, deciduous forest carpeted in blue-green hemlock, pine and oak trees.
Seekers of all sorts have been drawn to these ancient mountains for hundreds of years: the Cherokee came to hunt, Scots- Irish immigrants came in the 1700s looking for a better life, fugitives hid from the law in these deep forests, the ill came to take in the fresh air, and naturists came to hike the trails.
In an area full of stunning places, Lake Santeetlah could very well take the top prize. Roughly 2,800 acres that are surrounded by National Forest, this picturesque spot should be referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Smokies.’ Crystal clear Lake Santeetlah is surrounded by mountains that paint a natural picture that could not have been engineered to be more aesthetically pleasing.
Removed from the hustle and bustle, Lake Santeetlah offers water sports of all kinds including boating, jet-skiing, as well as swimming, water-skiing, canoeing and kayaking. The activities don’t stop there; the area is renowned for the hiking, climbing and white water rafting adventures. And for the photographers, there is another jaw-dropping photo opportunity around every bend.
by bluewaters | Jun 2, 2017 | Uncategorized
As early summer visitors are increasingly flocking to the area to see the phenomenon of synchronous fireflies, researchers are hoping to learn more about how and why these beetles produce such amazing light shows.
It may well be the most beautiful mating ritual on the planet.
Deep in the Great Smoky Mountains, from the edge of Lake Santeetlah near Joyce Kilmer Forest, male fireflies hover along mountainside and open areas. At dusk, there will be a light blinking here and there. Then as more fireflies join in, their lights blink together in unison. By 10 p.m., whole glades and hillsides flash like massive strings of Christmas lights blinking in unison.
It’s an experience that inspires nothing short of awe.
Scientists aren’t sure why fireflies coordinate these brilliant light shows, but the spectacle seems to center around mating. In order to attract mates, different species of fireflies produce different light patterns. Some give off a steady bluish-green glow, others a series of bright yellow Morse Code blinks, and still others a tiny, double-blink beacon in the soil. It’s the Photinus carolinus — the synchronous firefly — is starting to attract the curious to Robbinsville in early June.
Fireflies, or lightning bugs as they are also called, are technically beetles. Contrary to their name, not all fireflies light up at night (some cruise around by day) and not all have wings (some females remain ground-bound). Generally the males outnumber the females and appear to have larger bodies. When it comes to signaling with their abdomen lanterns, fireflies use different colors and frequencies depending on the species.
The male Photinus fireflies blink about four to eight times in the air, then wait about six seconds for the females on the ground to return a double-blink response. Once the male locates a female, he lands and mates on the ground. An adult female will produce about 50 to 80 eggs at a time and lay them in the ground (even the eggs glow). After about three weeks, the eggs hatch and the little glow-worms will live in the soil for about two years before they undergo a metamorphosis, sprout wings and develop a shell over their backs.
The synchronous firefly show, which researchers have identified as a rare form of simultaneous bioluminescence, exists in high-elevation wetland areas in Southern Appalachian forests as well as in China and Thailand.
Generally, synchronous fireflies have been reported in wetland areas in high altitudes above 2,000 feet, though recent sightings claim they exist in lower altitudes and other regions previously not thought to be “normal” firefly habitats — coastal Georgia, for example.
According to the Web site of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 20 species of fireflies have been found in the park. (Some 126 species of fireflies exist throughout North America.) About eight species in the Park don’t produce light; they cruise around during the day. The other 12 have powers of illumination and various blinking patterns.
