If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen many posts about our "little slice of heaven" in the mountains of North Carolina. We happened upon it by chance really... because what are the odds that someone I connected with ten years ago, while we were both pregnant with twins and living states away from each other, would cross paths with me in real life? The internet is a funny little thing, as it turns out.
For years I've followed Andreina's posts about her vacation home in Tuckasegee, but two summers ago, we decided to book a random last-minute trip to see what "Bear Lake Reserve" was all about. We were in the dog-days of a South Carolina summer, which means you could cut the humidity with a knife and don't even bother with sunglasses... they fog up the minute you walk outside. We were over it and needed a reprieve, so we found a cute cottage at BLR and headed north!
We spent our days at the Lake Club and our nights by the fire, roasting marshmallows and listening to the creek... we were hooked! It was like the best of both worlds - a resort atmosphere but with your own private, tucked-away home to retreat to in the woods. You needed a hoodie to sit outside at night, even in July, and we couldn't get enough.
Fast forward one year.
In another twist of fate, we decided at the last minute (TRULY... bags were packed and loaded) to cancel our Destin, Florida family vacation. Side note: I'm one of those paranoid mamas and all the news of flesh-eating bacteria just completely consumed me. My kids were covered in scrapes and cuts - how would I EVER RELAX?! After a quick talk, Nathan and I decided to go the opposite direction, where we'd find crisp mountain air, cool lake temps, and no hustle and bustle... Back to Bear Lake! I called the office and booked one of the last rentals still available.
Once again, we had an amazing vacation. We slept in, sat around, read books, hung out at the lake club, played checkers, built fires, hiked the trails, fished the pond, rode jet skis, swam in the lake, and this time, even took part in a country music video filmed at the mountaintop overlook (and perhaps one of the most gorgeous scenes in existence). We were in love with this place.
As much as we loved it, though, we never thought of it as more than a place we'd love to spend a week every summer. We are travelers! New places, new adventures only!
... Or so we thought.
As it turned out, a house right down the road from my twin mom friend went up for sale while we were there, and it "just so happened" that her husband was friends with the broker in charge. They suggested we give it a look, because why not? We walked in and out without giving it much thought, but for the next day, something nagged at us. The house was great... the sellers were motivated... and we did LOVE this place. Bear Lake Reserve had already formed a special place in our hearts, and all we could think about is how when we're there, we feel truly unplugged. Disconnected from everything except our family, fully relaxed and enjoying the moment. We could see fall breaks during leaf season... chilly Thanksgivings and board games... snowfall over the mountains at Christmas time... and balmy summers that our kids would never forget. As much as we didn't "need" a home there, we couldn't seem to walk away from a great opportunity to have one.
We made an offer, and with motivated sellers ready to leave the mountains for Destin living (WHAT WERE THE ODDS?!), they accepted. The process went smoothly, and on August 30th, we became homeowners/members.🙌🏼
As much as we'd like to keep the place to ourselves, we've decided to share! It's on the rental market with Bear Lake Reserve Endorsed Accommodations, so click here if you're interested in booking (and make sure to note that you're a referred guest of mine when you do) The booking site has only a few pictures, so here are more to give you a glimpse of the house (click the arrows to scroll through the slideshow). Hopefully you'll love it as much as we do!