Spring has officially sprung in Lake Lure! After a long, cold winter, we’re excited to celebrate the signs of spring popping up at the Resort and in the Hickory Nut Gorge. Here’s our list of the top 5 signs of spring in our area, we hope you’re able to get out and experience a few of them.
Spring Ephemerals
Edwin Curran said “Flowers are the music of the ground from earth’s lips spoken without sound.” Some pieces of music, however, are shorter than others as is the case with the short life span of a group of flowers called spring ephemerals. As explained in this blog from Around Lake Lure, spring ephemerals are perennial plants and woodland wildflowers that emerge early and quickly in the spring. Some may blossom, pollinate, produce seed, and die back to their roots- even before the last of the winter snows have melted away. Spring ephemerals typically emerge between February and April, and have vanished by May. Luckily, there are many different ephemerals native to the Hickory Nut Gorge. For more information on the species and where to find them, click here.
Crew Teams
If you’ve visited our area between mid February and early April you may have noticed an interesting sight on Lake Lure…crew teams. That’s right. Year after year, rowing and crew teams from across the country visit Rumbling Bald to take advantage of our excellent training facilities and convenient proximity to Lake Lure. Many of these teams visit during their college or university’s Spring Break and with summer residents away, they find plenty of water time to hone their skills. Many residents of Lake Lure know that the presence of crew team members is sure sign that spring is on its way!
Greening up of the golf courses
After months of playing in cold weather on a dry, brown golf course, the first signs of spring comes with the greening up of our courses, and that makes the sweet swing of the golf club only better. When spring awakens and the weather warms, you know you will soon be playing on one of our two lusciously green championship golf courses, Apple Valley and Bald Mountain. Our courses weave themselves through the Resort property and offer golfer of all ages and abilities the opportunity to hone their skills while enjoying the scenic beauty of Lake Lure and the surrounding mountains. Experience the springtime views yourself by taking advantage of our Spring Stay & Play Package.
Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
Blooming flowers are a sure sign of springtime but in Lake Lure, one of the biggest signs are the gorgeous blossoms that can be seen on Lake Lure’s Flowering Bridge. Officially dedicated Oct. 19, 2013, the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge blooms on the historic 1925 Rocky Broad River bridge in Lake Lure, NC. When the bridge was closed to traffic in 2011, the Friends of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge came together to create gardens on the 155 feet of the bridge and along a pathway at both ends of the three-arch span itself. Visitors of all kinds delight in spending time savoring the gorgeous work this group has put together. Be sure to like them on Facebook for up to date news from the Friends of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge.
Birds
Lake Lure and the Hickory Nut Gorge area is known as a birder’s paradise. According to the Carolina Bird Club, Chimney Rock Park, located just minutes from the Resort, is a prime location for spotting some of your favorite North Carolina bird species. From mid-April through mid-May Chimney Rock Park attracts many neotropical migrants. If you’d like to catch a glimpse of these springtime travelers, visit the park early as the birds are most active during that time. For more information on Chimney Rock Park, visit their website.
