Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Divide at Bald Rock thrives in the wintertime. You can find our property nestled in Western North Carolina, just 2.5 hours north of Atlanta, GA, and an hour from Asheville, NC.

The Divide gives you access to the nearby urban environment as well as the luxury of being surrounded by nature. Easily accessible from our mountain property are the communities of Cashiers and Highland. Both towns offer visitors a variety of dining, lodging, and shopping opportunities. So if you are trying to stay warm and out of the cold, shopping around the downtown areas could be an excellent option for you.

The cold temperatures and wild winds won’t deter our resident outdoor enthusiasts. Around The Divide, you will find well-maintained hiking paths that are even more beautiful when covered with fresh snow. We highly recommend that you use snowshoes and have proper gear when you are exploring our intricate labyrinth of hiking trails.

Owners of property in The Divide also have access to the amenities of nearby Sapphire Valley Resort. Those offered in the winter months include skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Bring your family out for an afternoon of winter-sport-filled fun. 

An option for those who don't always enjoy spending time out in the cold is taking a scenic drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can enjoy the stunning snow-capped scenery from the warmth and comfort of your car. 

While there is nothing wrong with deciding to hunker down during the cold winter months, many of our residents enjoy getting outside and enjoying everything that the winter at The Divide has to offer. Are you ready to start your life in luxury? Reach out to us at info@dividenc.com to get started.

Mountains are a very powerful symbol of Feng Shui. They provide a strong support and backing, standing as an anchor to prevent you from being swept up in bad luck. They are an image of protection. There are certain ways to pull Mountain imagery into your house to further the spread of good Feng Shui.

Bedroom

In order to bring mountain Feng Shui into your bedroom, you need to have a solid wall behind your bed and headboard. Solid backing behind your head as you sleep represents the support of the mountain. The direction your head points as you sleep is not as important as having a sturdy foundation.

Office

Much like the bedroom, you need to have solid backing behind you. You should incorporate a high-backed office chair into your desk space. This is the same idea as having the support of the mountain behind you. Not to mention, it’s much more comfortable to have back support while working at your desk rather than sitting on a stool all day.

Backyard

The best solution is to have the back of your house facing a mountain or have a slight rise at the rear of your home. However, if that’s not an option for you, adding a stone wall to your backyard can simulate mountain support. In addition, tall buildings behind your house can be a modern symbol of mountain Feng Shui.

Mountain Imagery

To bring more overall support into your life, incorporate mountain imagery around your house. Wherever you see fit, add an image of a mountain. This will bring a sense of ease and optimism into your daily life. Adding a mountain picture behind you in your office space can also represent career support.

Mountains symbolize support, strength, wealth and resources. Whether this is a real mountain or an image of a mountain, it will give support in Feng Shui. Adding this to your home can provide extra positivity and support throughout your life.

Going for a day hike in the Blue Ridge mountains is the perfect summer activity. But what do you need to pack for a day trip? Although day hikes don’t require as much gear as an overnight trip, there’s still a few things you won’t want to forget:

Hiking Shoes

Getting the right pair of hiking shoes is a step you don’t want to overlook. If you wear the wrong shoes, you could be left with uncomfortable blisters and rashes by the end of the day—or much worse. In some terrains you can make do with tennis shoes, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Keep in mind that tennis shoes are not waterproof, and they don’t do well in slick areas. The best line of action is to get a good pair of non-slip, waterproof hiking boots that will keep you protected throughout your hike.

Clothing

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing clothes for a day hike during the summer is the weather. Most likely, it will be hot, but there’s also a good chance of rain in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With that in mind, it’s best to steer away from cotton clothes as they will not hold up well in the rain. The best solution is non-cotton, “quick dry” moisture wicking clothing. It can’t hurt to bring a rain poncho with you either, just in case! Quality underclothing is also a great investment to prevent chaffing.

Day Pack

As mentioned earlier, you don’t need as much gear on a day hike as you would for an overnight trip; however, it’s still important to bring a day pack to make sure you’re covered for all situations. Food and water are essentials. You always want to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. It’s important to remember you will be in a remote, wilderness area, so it could take a while for rescue personal to get to you. That’s why it’s also a good idea to keep a first aid kit in your day pack.

Miscellaneous

The three categories above are the most important to remember, but there are also some miscellaneous items that can improve your day hike:

• Toilet paper: You never know when nature might call, so it’s best to be prepared! Bring some toilet paper as well as a Ziplock bag to put your used toilet paper in when you’re done.
• Pocket knife: It’s always good to carry a pocket knife with you on a hike. They’re lightweight, so it’s not a bother to carry one along. They come in handy for many different scenarios.
• Sunscreen: During the summer, sunscreen is a must have. Even when you’re covered in shade under the trees, you should protect your skin.
• Bandanas: These are great for many different purposes, such as controlling sweat and cleaning up gear. Another lightweight item that is good to store away, just in case.
• Flashlight: Even though you’re on a day hike, flashlights are still a must have. In the worst-case scenario that you get lost or you just miscalculated how long it would take to get back to your car, you’ll be glad you brought one.

As always, be mindful of your surroundings and respect the wildlife while out on the trails!

At The Divide, we share amenities within the neighboring mountain community of Bald Rock. When you visit or buy real estate from The Divide, you want to make the most out of our many amazing amenities offered. 

The professional managed equestrian center at Bald Rock is available for stabling your horses while you enjoy your time at The Divide. Not a horse owner but enjoy watching them roam about?  Stop by and watch as the horses graze the lush pastureland.

Did you come to the area for the natural surroundings?  Our community is home to miles of hiking land as well as biking and horseback riding trails past multiple waterfalls and a rare highland bog. See amazing views of nature while getting some exercise in! 

Hosting an upcoming event soon? Divide and Bald Rock homeowners can reserve the open-air pavilion to host their event! Our community features a covered pavilion perfect for celebrations and events. The pavilion is flanked by two fireplaces and includes a full-service kitchen. What more could you ask for? How convenient! 

Those who own a mountain property at The Divide are entitled to all the year-round amenities of Sapphire Valley Resort for a nominal fee. Some, but not all, of the amenities offered through Sapphire Valley Resort are: indoor/outdoor swimming pools, 18-hole championship mountain golf course, tennis center, exercise facilities, miniature golf, boat rentals, and winter skiing/snowboarding/tubing. 

Take a dip in the pool, soak in some sunshine, take part in an afternoon golf outing, or challenge a friend or family member to a tennis match. Get into a healthy workout routine with our astounding exercise facilities. Looking for something fun? Try mini golf. In the summers, enjoy a day on the boat on 55-acre Lake Fairfield where you can fish, swim, and relax. In the winters, get outside with skiing, snowboarding, or tubing.

Adjacent to The Divide lies the magnificent Panthertown Valley. This 6,700-acre preserve is home to meandering streams and intricate waterfall systems to make it a haven for horseback riders, hikers, riders, and nature lovers, with easy access directly from the property.

There is a plethora of amenities for all of The Divide guests to keep busy and immerse themselves in nature! 

There’s no doubt that winter left the outside of your house a mess with mud, leaves, and other debris that have collected over time. It’s time to take on some early spring maintenance to prepare your outdoor space for the blooming season ahead.

Spring Cleaning Checklist:

1. Windows - Something often overlooked when it comes to preparing your outdoor space is windows. Grab a sprayer hose attachment, ladder, squeegee, rag, cleaning solution, and go to town. Check with the manufacturer of your windows to see how to best clean them. Newer windows often make cleaning from the inside easy to avoid ladders. 
2. Rain Gutters - Winter storms, fall leaves, and more can cause lots of debris to clog up your gutters. Grab a ladder and some gloves and scrape out as much as you can. Then follow up with a hose to wash away the rest that is left. Now, your rain gutters are cleared up to handle the runoff from all the spring rain that may come our way. 
3. Exterior Siding, Wood, or Brick - Don’t forget about the primary exterior surfaces of your home. All it takes is a good power washer to quickly remove all that mud and dirt on the outside of your house. 
4. Garage - Now is the perfect time to go through all that built-up junk that sits unused in the garage. Once you have tidied up, sweep the floors, wipe down any shelving, dust away cobwebs, and wash the floors.
5. Trim Away any Dead or Damaged Branches - Look to see where tree or shrub branches have been damaged and cut them back to the live stems. Use hand shears to snip off the branches. Trim summer-flowering shrubs before the buds emerge but wait to prune spring-flowering shrubs until they bloom. Trim overgrown evergreens back to the shape you desire. When in doubt, contact a local tree service or nursery when you have questions about what to trim and what to leave be. 
6. Clean Up Around Plants - Rake up any fallen leaves and dead foliage that you removed, pull up old annuals, and clear away existing mulch to prepare for a new layer. Give your new spring plants space to breathe and grow! 

Spring cleaning is not only for the inside clutter but the outside too. Don’t neglect your outdoor space!