THE GOOD LIFE
OUTSIDE EMBERGLOW Emberglow is just minutes from Chimney Rock State Park and the sandy beaches of Lake Lure. Don’t miss these spots when you venture off site.
STAY
Community Around the Embers
Ex-Charlottean Tim Murphy’s resort makes nature comfortable for everyone BY VIRGINIA BROWN
EMBERGLOW OUTDOOR RESORT allows anyone, from camping enthusiasts to novices, to explore nature in more comfort than traditional camping. (Most units have indoor bathrooms, in other words.) Near Lake Lure, Emberglow is roughly a two-hour drive from Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina, Asheville, and Charlotte—one reason owner Tim Murphy and his business partner committed to the spot. From Charlotte, take U.S. Highway 74 west and exit at Pea Ridge Road, right by the sprawling buffalo farm. Murphy, a Cleveland native who moved to Charlotte in 2005, left the Queen City with his wife and four kids, ages 6 and under, in 2019 to commit fully to life in the Blue Ridge foothills. He wanted to offer families like his outdoor adventures with a sense of community: great conversations by the campfire, kids making friends with other campsite kids, and the freedom to explore. Guests can choose from a range of lodging options: yurts, tiny homes, pods, treehouses, RV campers, shiny restored vintage campers, and no-frills tent sites equipped only with freestanding water hydrants—53 sites in all. Glamping (“glamorous camping”) pods accommodate two and have heating and air conditioning, a bathrooms, and a kitchenettes. (Note: The glamping pods are quite small and not for the mildly claustrophobic.) The treehouses are like something out of Swiss Family Robinson, with off-kilter windows, a slide from the second floor to the ground, a wild oak that bursts through the elevated front deck, and cargo nets that connect lofted sleep spaces. Murphy wants to appeal to multiple generations, too. That’s in part why he has purchased, refurbished, and pristinely outfitted seven vintage campers—like the “Canned Ham” camper, a classic of the 1950s; and Boles-Aero Trailers, with shiny aluminum exteriors and beautifully crafted birch interiors. The primitive tent sites run $60 for a two-night stay, while the large, luxury vintage campers run from $204 to $282 for two nights. Campers can enjoy musical acts on the site’s stage and movies on the lawn, as well as the resort-quality pool, sand volleyball court, nature trails, a dog park, and stories at the community fire pit. “Sitting around a fire, those embers get really hot—that’s when the best conversations are had,” Murphy says. “But you don’t just light the fire and instantly have embers. It takes time to develop.” For more information and to book a stay, visit emberglowoutdoorresort.com. VIRGINIA BROWN is a native Charlottean and local writer whose work appears in Departures, AAA Go magazine, USA Today and BBC News Magazine, among others. Reach her at @virginiarbrown or vbwrites.com.
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CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // MAY 2020
DO
For a quick cup of joe, pop over to Carolina Moon Coffee to start the day and take a signature Lake Lure or Chimney Rock blend home to family or friends. Then head to Chimney Rock State Park and explore some of the state’s best hiking trails, vista views, and waterfalls. Or take a hike to the top of Chimney Rock for a 360-degree panorama of the Blue Ridge foothills.
EAT
Even if you didn’t snag a room at The Esmeralda, stop by for a quick lunch outside on the patio—The Chef’s Table restaurant offers great views of Chimney Rock from below—or elevate the experience with dinner and special wine pairings from the mind of Chef Keith Chinn inside. (If you go on Wednesdays, wine is half off.) Traveling with a group? Cooking classes are available. Other options include waterfront Legends on the Lake and the popular The Veranda Restaurant at 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa.
EMBERGLOW OUTDOOR RESORT
WEEKENDER
Stay a night or two at The Esmeralda Inn & Restaurant, a historic lodge that’s hosted authors and movie stars, including Clark Gable. The Hickory Nut Gorge area became a popular spot to film silent movie stars, and several silent films were actually filmed on the site. For a Kellerman’s-style experience a la Dirty Dancing (which was filmed in the Lake Lure area), reserve a room or condo at the sprawling, family-friendly Rumbling Bald Resort.
