Catawba Falls is Back Open!!
Woohoo!!After a loonnnngg few years of anticipation - one of the best swim-hole hikes in the Blue Ridge is BACK ON! The trail reopened on May 30th and you better believe we already hit that ground running... cheering... and dancing with glee! Dang, Mother Nature - you're looking GORGEOUS as ever. And it's true what they say - absence makes the heart grow fonder. And not only is the trail reopened, but they made it better - and now this epic swimming hole at the upper falls is much easier to access. Because of THESE. They built out decks and stairs to help make the access easier. They also made the trail a loop so now we get to make a full circle in and out - which is always fun. I've never been much of a person who likes to back track - physically or metaphorically. Straight on ahead with constant diversity! And a ramble about an epic trail wouldn't be complete with a jaw dropping view. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, this blog is basically a photo dump. There's not much one can say about a journey through stunning landscapes that leavs you speechless. So my best advice to you is - GO HIT THOSE TRAILS RUNNINGand cheeringand dancing with glee! Oh yeah, and hit us up if you want to go see some homes! ;)
Feng Shui In The Home
Feng Shui is about bringing harmony into the home, it’s nuances and intricacies are practiced for the intention of increasing the flow of Qi, or energy, throughout the home unobstructed. A space, much like a person, that has all its channels open, clear and receptive, invites creativity and productivity. In practice, Feng Shui is to address a space and optimize it’s functionality and openness to increase the flow of Qi, which in turn brings balance to the home and to the people within it. As a traditional Chinese practice, a lot of it’s nuances and applications are lost on our culture. Feng Shui is not just about designing a space or organizing the furniture - every room serves a function and a purpose towards our overall well being. The direction a room faces, the way utilities run through the house, the layout of the land and even the neighborhoods we live in hold a certain energy and affect us at a subconscious level. If you’re looking at building a new home, you could even talk to a Feng Shui consultant to advise you on the Qi of the lot,what kind of layout will optimize Qi flow and the timing of when an optimal time to build would be. Wheeling it back, a lot of us have homes that are already built and already in relationship with the land and neighborhoods they are in. In this scenario, the approach to Feng Shui is then to maximize a homes potential Qi flow. This blog is aimed at helping you take the first steps to understanding some of the most important elements of Feng Shui in regards to your current home, or the one you’re about to buy. One of the main elements to address when considering your home’s Feng Shui is the overall feeling in your body when you step through your front door. Do you automatically tighten up and feel constricted or do your spirits rise and feel spacious? Do you feel inspired, creative and relaxed? Or do you feel overwhelmed, unsupported and unhappy? Too many things that clutter a room or allowing your house to stay dirty and untidy will soon start to take a toll on your overall motivation and productivity. When we come home, we don’t want to feel bogged down and resentful towards our living space, our home is our sanctuary and we should feel inspired, excited and comfortable in our homes. The three most important areas to consider for optimal Qi in the home is the front door, the kitchen, and the main bedroom: The front door is the pathway for the Qi outside to enter into the home. It’s crucial to keep clutter out of the entryway, keep it spacious and flowing. Kitchen Qi determines health, so a clean, vibrant and “healthy” kitchen will translate into a healthier body and ultimately, flourishing spirit. The main bedroom is the place where you get your deep rest and rejuvenation to maintain good energy and vitality throughout your day. Having a calming color scheme and a peaceful setting will promote good sleep and in turn, higher productivity through your day. Another key element to be aware of is the landform and the areas around the house. An open, well maintained yard will contribute to your overall sense of well being and harmony. Also, certain land forms like ditches, overarching hills or erosion all holds unique energetic imprints that will feed into the subconscious of the home owner. Likewise, living near a body of water can be a symbol of wealth and can bring prosperity to the household, whereas living near a busy street may be a symbol of wealth leaving. One of our friends and colleagues here in Asheville has been running a Feng Shui consulting and organizing business for over 7 years. Roberta Anderson took the time to talk with me a bit and answer some questions so that I could put together this blog for you. She exudes care and reverence in everything she does, and as stated on her website, she “sees your home as a life-sized altar dedicated to you, beautiful in its accumulation of treasures, stories and love.” When I first considered writing this blog, there was no doubt in my mind that she was the best person to connect with. For a quick reference, Roberta put together a basic Do’s and Dont’s when designing and decorating your home in consideration of it’s Feng Shui: I asked Roberta what a person can expect from a consultation with her. When meeting with her, she’ll go over things such as the most ideal directions for you to sit/work/eat/sleep in and if your home is in a cycle or annual lock. She'll analyze how the energy of each direction applies to each area of your home and even the best and worst colors to paint your house and front door. And yes, for all you interior design and decorating enthusiasts, you'll also talk about the best placement for your furniture, and so much more! Overall, you can expect to learn all about the specific feng shui of your unique home and how to increase it's flow of Qi for more balance, harmony and inspiration. Starting with a zoom call, then to a walk around your property and within your home, a follow up 12+ page Feng Shui report of your property to a final follow up call to ensure your satisfaction and adress any next steps - She’s an all in and very thorough person to have on your home design team! Learn More About Roberta Here Whether or not this blog inspires you to pick up the phone as get professional assistance to Feng Shui or declutter your home, we hope that you’ve received some good insight, tips and information on how to maximize the flow of energy and inspiration in your home!
Our Top 3 Favorite Hikes Within 90 Minutes of Asheville
Spring is on the horizon and I am LOVING our outdoor time! Sandals and tank tops, sun kissed skin and the most refreshing sound of bird song that invites us outdoors and into nature. It’s re-wilding time! So the family is excited and we are starting to plan our day hikes and camping weekends. Musing around on which trails to hit first - we narrowed it down to our top 3 favorite hikes within a 90 minute drive from Asheville center. Graveyard Fields Accessible by the already-beautiful-just-to-drive-it Blue Ridge Parkway, Graveyard Fields is a must trek every season stop for us. The spring wildflowers alone are enough to bring the bird song out of you, but what I absolutely love about this hike is the sense of diversity. There are moments, especially along the bridge, that give you a very spacious view, where you can see out among the brush and welcome the warmth from the sun. Then the trail curves along in brings you deep into the forest where you’re climbing through trees and crossing creeks. It can get a bit marshy and I definitely recommend some good water proof boots or straight up BARE feet to move through this hike - but beware of wearing sneakers as they are likely to get muddy and wet. Along the loop we get to stop and play mermaid by two absolutely beautiful waterfalls. Overall, it’s a great day hike and the access is super easy, so we call it a winner. Little Bradley Falls You may be picking up a theme here - my family LOVES a good waterfall. When they say we are all descendants of ocean organisms, I have zero doubt that’s true when I’m watching the kids as they’re fully immersed in their water play. Little Bradley is a nice and brisk 1 mile hike in and out. It’s one of those, when you’re in the area, it’s sort of silly not to stop for a few hours and refresh. With a few ankle deep creek crosses the journey lands at at a 40 ft waterfall with a very dippable pool at the bottom. It's a great place to cool down and have a little nature time in the midst of a busy day. Mount Mitchell When we’re feeling like a day is not enough, we often plan our backpacking weekends at Mount Mitchell state park. Boasting the highest peak east of the Mississippi, this trail is not for leisure walking. With a steady incline up to the summit, you will 100% get your steps in and strengthen those winter thighs up while you’re at. Within the park there’s over 30 miles of trails and more link up with other trails that’ll take you far out of the park (including the Mountains to Sea Trail). There’s a lot of adventure to be had on any trail of choice, and there are some carved out tent spots with fire pits so it’s not too hard to find a place to settle for the night. We make sure to pack our lightest gear so we can stock up on snacks and fire friendly foods for the evenings. While you can daytrip a 6 miles up and 6 miles down pinnacle hike, we prefer to extend our stay in this neck of the woods. Happy Spring, Y'all! And may there be many trails to greet your feet through the warmest of seasons that we are approaching! See you in the woods!
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