Laughing Waters and Hickory Nut Forest

11/04/2024

Shoutout to the amazing team from Ohio who has spent the last seven days at Laughing Waters! Their heroic efforts in cleaning up storm debris are truly making Laughing Waters look more beautiful than ever. We’re so grateful for their hard work and dedication!

10/19/2024

We’re blown away by the changes of the creek behind the lodge before and after Hurricane Helene. The first video was filmed on September 26th, and the second on October 17th.

The change is nothing short of powerful! The creek now flows boldly and loudly, with majestic boulders exposed and standing strong.

Nature’s ability to reshape our surroundings is truly awe-inspiring. What are your thoughts on the creek’s transformation?

10/04/2024

We hope everyone is managing as best as possible during this challenging time. Laughing Waters is currently inaccessible, but we are diligently working to rebuild the road and address any damages. Our operations will be paused until it is feasible to resume.

Our community is strong, and we are collaborating closely with the Hickory Nut Gorge Community. Please note that our Speaker Series Event scheduled for this Saturday will be rescheduled.

Many have reached out to inquire about our status following Hurricane Helene, and we’re pleased to report that the lodge is still standing (the post’s pictures were taken today! Thank you, Ryan Lubbers). We will keep you updated as conditions evolve.

We remain hopeful for the future and send our prayers for a strong recovery for everyone.

09/24/2024

Andrew and Sydni are focusing on themselves before the wedding while Casey and Nick are planning their 2025 wedding💍

09/18/2024

In recognition of our many years in the NC Highway Trash Pick-up program, the NC Department of Transportation has made a video about our beautiful hometown.

If you've been living here a while, you will remember Grayson and Jean Bradley's passion for keeping our community clean. They are recognized in this video.

Thanks to Mike Hamlin for leading this effort and for all who participate in our quarterly litter sweep!

Here are the links — same video, different platforms

Youtube: https://youtu.be/JGBJ7f0hd8E

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1004182094?share=copy

This is "Board of Transportation Video - Adopt-A-Highway in Gerton, N.C." by NCDOT Communications on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people…

09/10/2024

Fall is in the air and a beautiful fall wedding season is here! Can’t wait to welcome our couples this autumn.

Photos:

09/04/2024

Summer tours, retreats and found little treasures

Plan your 2025 event with Laughing Waters! We are here for you😊

Visit www.laughingwatersnc.com

08/28/2024

Family time by the creek behind the Laughing Waters Retreat Center 😎☀️🌞🌻🍉

08/22/2024

Join Conserving Carolina in the orchard at
Laughing Waters Retreat Center for a free program entitled,
“Forest Lifeways: Food, Medicine, and More” with Sara Jackson of Bat Cave Designs

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
Location: Laughing Waters Retreat, 3259 Gerton Highway, Gerton, NC

This Forest Lifeways discussion explores the myriad lifeforms and lifeways of the forest from a naturalist’s perspective. From fungi to flora to fauna, we will first take a bird’s eye view of the intricate web of forest life. In the second part, we will delve into the ways that people have lived with, stewarded and been part of these very special places from early on, up to the present day. Shelter, water, food, medicine, materials, and deep connection are all ways that humans always have and continue to benefit from one of the greatest strongholds of life on this earth: our incredible forests.

For more information about Laughing Waters Retreat Center, visit laughingwatersnc.com.

Pre-registration is required. For more information, visit conservingcarolina.org/calendar to find the event and RSVP.

08/14/2024

It’s a great day to tour Laughing Waters!!!

08/06/2024

Farewell party for the Bancer family last week.

The Bancers moved here about 10 years ago from Florida. They have been an instrumental part of the community, holding positions on the board at the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Club. They helped bring about needed renovations to the community center building and re-invigorated the community in many ways. We will miss them as they move to be closer to their grandchildren.

07/29/2024

We are so happy and appreciative of all your kind testimonials we receive on a weekly basis. Thanks for your honesty and your great reviews🙏🏻

07/24/2024

Waterfall wedding in NC Mountains during Fall? Absolutely!!! Laughing Waters is gorgeous all year around but Fall in the mountains is particularly gorgeous! We still have several open dates in the fall for you to consider. DM us if you have any questions🍂🍁🍃

Event Credits:

Photography .merithew.photography

Venue

Wedding Cake

Florals

Featured

07/16/2024

Lisa and Sam touring Laughing Waters a couple of weeks ago😍

07/10/2024

Josh and Jenna from Hygge Elements bring their mobile sauna and cold plunge studio to Laughing Waters. They want to provide this service for our guests who would like to have this experience 💦💦💦

07/05/2024

Anna and Benji’s wedding! Congratulations from all of us! May the years ahead be filled with lasting joy🎉

06/25/2024

Laughing Waters sits on Cherokee land. Saturday we had a magnificent presentation from Elaine Eisenbraun of the Noquisi Iniative. She shared bits of wisdom reflected in the Cherokee language and history, and how the Cherokee people regard their relationship with the Earth. I will post their core values in a comment below. Please take some time to listen to what Elaine shared with us.

06/21/2024

Happening TOMORROW‼️Join Conserving Carolina in the orchard
for a free program entitled,
“Cross Cultural Understanding and the Landscape”
with Elaine Eisenbraun, ED of the Nikwasi Initiative, & Juanita Wilson, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Training
& Development Manager & Enrolled Member of the EBCI

Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

Location: Laughing Waters Retreat, 3259 Gerton Highway, Gerton, NC.

People have lived on, learned from, and altered this extraordinary landscape for millennia. Noquisi Initiative invites people to cross the bridge between Cherokee heritage and today’s society. How does the scenery out our window, the stories we tell, even the language we speak bring us together as people and with our homeland. How can we incorporate Cherokee wisdom into our approach to the land and each other? What can we offer in return? This presentation will share the interplay between people and place and how it is influenced by our own experience.
For more information about Laughing Waters Retreat Center, visit laughingwatersnc.com.

Pre-registration is required. For more information, visit conservingcarolina.org/calendar to find the event and RSVP.

06/16/2024

Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads, step-dads, grandads, uncles and male figures in our lives! Thanks for your love, support, care and protection💙💚❤️

06/11/2024

Ariel and Ian’s Woodland Elopement Styled Shoot at Laughing Waters😍😍😍

Photography/Styling
Gadson Photography and Design


Venue
Laughing Waters Retreat


Florals
Why Not Wildflowers


Cake
Gateaux Cakes and Pastries


Models
Ariele and Ian

06/06/2024

Join Conserving Carolina in the orchard
for a free program entitled,
“Cross Cultural Understanding and the Landscape”
with Elaine Eisenbraun, ED of the Nikwasi Initiative, & Juanita Wilson, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Training
& Development Manager & Enrolled Member of the EBCI

Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

Location: Laughing Waters Retreat, 3259 Gerton Highway, Gerton, NC.

People have lived on, learned from, and altered this extraordinary landscape for millennia. Noquisi Initiative invites people to cross the bridge between Cherokee heritage and today’s society. How does the scenery out our window, the stories we tell, even the language we speak bring us together as people and with our homeland. How can we incorporate Cherokee wisdom into our approach to the land and each other? What can we offer in return? This presentation will share the interplay between people and place and how it is influenced by our own experience.
For more information about Laughing Waters Retreat Center, visit laughingwatersnc.com.

Pre-registration is required. For more information, visit conservingcarolina.org/calendar to find the event and RSVP.

05/30/2024

Laughing Waters was so honored to host and his magnificent crew of talented musicians and a beautiful community choir.
Their voices and instruments filled the property with joy and love.

…As they gathered to create a new Resilient Beings , community inspired album❤️

https://gofund.me/af9148ce

05/21/2024

Spring at Laughing Waters 😍😍😍

05/14/2024

Woodland Elopement Styled Shoot at Laughing Waters😍😍😍

Instagram Vendor Credits
Photography/Styling
Gadson Photography and Design


Venue
Laughing Waters Retreat


Tablescape Design
Dreamscape Luxury Picnics & Events


Florals
Why Not Wildflowers


Wedding Dress
Birchwood Bridal


Cake
Gateaux Cakes and Pastries


Models
Angel and Jarad


Makeup
Laken Brianna