Situated on the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau over 3,000 feet high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, the exclusive mountain community of River Rock will be composed of five separate villages, each with its own charms and amenities yet joined through a common thread—the desire to create “properties for generations.”

The topographically distinct parcels of land are arranged in a cluster between the ?>Tuskasegee River and Lake Grenville, the most elevated lake east of the Mississippi River and one of the cleanest bodies of water in North America. From the top, there’s Bear Pen, with 4,400-foot Wolf Knob as its high spot and, fittingly, the River Rock Stargazing Pavilion, with telescopes and cantilevered deck as this 96-home neighborhood’s keynote amenity. At Lake Grenville’s 70-home Summer Sail area will be croquet lawns, swimming docks a Victorian-style clubhouse and in the marina a fleet of wood-hulled Chris Craft boats reserved for residents.

The largest parcel, 1,800-acre Webster Creek, with 800 home sites, will be home to The River Rock Golf Club, Phil Mickelson’s first project since forming his golf-design company a year ago. Scheduled to open in late 2009, the course taking shape has some fascinating features, most made possible by its 2,000-foot range in elevation, from 2,250 to 4,250 feet. Rest assured, Phil won’t be giving you billy-goat golf: 12 of the 18 holes play downhill, including a 65-foot drop on the second hole, a 305-yard par-3 from the tips, to the 114-descent on the fourth hole. The River Rock course will be joined at the 800-home Webster Creek by a unique, 20-hole instructional short course, called King's Grant, designed by Mickelson's one-time swing consultant and close friend Rick Smith.

More leisurely options are in store for Trout Creek and Tuskegee, from the infinity pool and culinary school at Grand Tuskegee Lodge, with an equally diverse and appealing array of residential options.

Running Y Ranch
Klamath Falls, Ore.; 877-851-6975
RunningY.com

If you aspire to get away from it all at a place that has it all, steer a course for the Running Y Ranch, in the high desert of south-central Oregon near Klamath Falls. The Running Y Ranch is a full-service resort community framed by the Cascade Mountain range to the west and Upper Klamath Lake, with the California border to the south, and golf-rich Bend, Ore., a two-hour drive to the north, past world-famous Crater Lake National Park. Ashland, an hour away to the east, is home to the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival from March through October.

Now that we’ve got you situated, kick back and relax at the Running Y Ranch Lodge. High above scenic Payne Canyon, the 82-room western-style resort has a mix of comfortable guest rooms, executive king rooms and one-bedroom suites, some featuring balconies overlooking the Arnold Palmer-designed golf course—the only Palmer design in Oregon. Play along meadows and through wetlands on the front nine, then besides lakes, stands of Ponderosa pine and into Payne Canyon on the back. The area boasts 300 days of sunshine a year, so take advantage of the long summer days with one of the unlimited golf packages: One night’s stay in the lodge and a day of unlimited golf for two is $290, cart and range balls included.

Klamath Falls is a gem of a small town, with a wealth of recreational activities within easy reach. The Klamath Basin itself is the most important gathering point for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway, making the area a top destination for bird-watchers. An elevation of 4,095 feet helps keep the humidity and summer temperatures pleasantly low and comfortable.

Like to stay awhile? Know that the Running Y Ranch has a wide selection of town homes, chalets, homes and homesites. You’ll soon see why Relocate-America.com named Klamath Falls to its 2007 list of Top 100 places to live in America. Seems like once you get to Running Y Ranch, it can be hard to leave.