Happy Thanksgiving from LKN Local

The economy is crummy and folks are generally gloomy about the upcoming holidays but please stop and give thanks for everything you have. Yes, things could be better but the facts are that you have family, friends, health, a roof over your head, etc. These are all things to be thankful for. 

So, no matter where or how you celebrate the holiday, remember to send a up a prayer of thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Take it Outside at Lake Norman

So, the temperature is only supposed to hit 44 degrees today and by my standards, that is too darned cold to spend much time outdoors. However, there are plenty of things to do in your yard or garden this time of year. No sense is wasting these dormant months just sitting inside and waiting for spring! Start planning and on the milder days, start doing. You will enjoy the spring that much more!

To that end, just a few weeks ago, I found this great garden center in Mooresville, Lake Norman Gardens. If you are thinking about yard work and gardening as utilitarian chores, please take some time to visit this artistic vision of life outdoors. Owner Robbi Grayson is usually there and can walk you through most any question and knows ever square inch her store. From fountains, to palm trees, you will find common and many uncommon things for sale. Even if you live in a condo on LKN, this is a place you will want to visit. 

Things to do at Lake Norman

Amy Baldwin of the Charlotte Observer did a great piece today about just a few of the things you can do in the Lake Norman region. 

Now that the weather is turning brisk and we are spending more time on shore than on the water, these kinds of activities can be a lot of fun. Don't just think of LKN as being only about water!

Lake Norman Levels Still Strong

It looks like we are just a few feet below full pond. Target lake levels for this time of year are 96.5 but with yesterday's showers, we are now at 97.3. After the horrible year we had last year on LKN, it is so nice to see water where last year we saw "extended" shoreline. 

But let's not forget, we are still in a drought. So, just because we have great water levels on the lake and water restrictions have been eased, we still need to use water wisely. I am sure none of us are in a hurry to see a repeat of last year!

589 Acre Park on Lake Norman

One of the last large parcels of land on the northern end of LKN has been preserved as a park. While I normally focus on the southern end of LKN, it is really nice to know that the upper channels of our Carolina jewel will have an area preserved and made available for those folks that will eventually settle the northern most coves of our great lake. 

Here is the story that ran on Thursday!

Do Yourself a Favor, Service Your Boat

We all love boating on Lake Norman. There are so many places to go and things to do. Last weekend, we did our last LKN Leaf Cruse and as I had promised myself I would, I had our boat serviced for the year. Please don't think that winterizing is the same thing as servicing. Servicing is more than just some fuel stablizer and draining the block. 

We have a 2004 Bennington pontoon with a 115 HP 4-Stroke Yamaha. I love the fact that it starts quickly and has given me no trouble. However, I believe the key to a good boating experience, meaning no engine trouble, is maintenance and care (also, education and safety but that is another post). As I have mentioned in the past, we currently keep our boat at Westport, on the West Shore of LKN. For those who travel Hwy 16 to Denver, you may have noticed that Westport closed their boat sales lot BUT the Marina, Dry Storage, and Service Department are all still very much open. 

So, regardless of where you have it done or if you do it yourself, please have your engine serviced and if you have an outboard, don't forget the water pump and impeller. Take it from someone who has been stranded on the lake, it is a much cheaper and less stressful to KNOW your boat is ready rather than hoping your boat is ready for some fun. 

Happy fall boating, y'all!

NC Community Sailing & Rowing Center on Lake Norman!

As someone that proudly putters around Lake Norman on my pontoon boat, I am thrilled that the long awaited Sailing & Rowing Center has finally been approved. Admittedly, I am not overly informed on the center or the logistics surrounding the project. Perhaps that is a mistake on my part because I live just across the cove from Blythe Landing, the proposed center's home. Still, I think that raising the profile of sailing on LKN is a good thing. Specifically, on the south end of the lake. 

Yes, we see a fair number of sailboats on LKN but once you make your way down to Markers 1 & 2 (around Ramsey Creek), they are few and far between. No, I am not saying that we need to hold regattas in the Ramsey Creek channel but a good mix of power and sailing vessels is a good thing. But it will certainly beg the question about required boater safety courses. As I have noted on more than one occasion, it is painfully obvious that some sort of boater education and/or safety training is needed and missing on our lakes. 

Okay, I've packed a bunch of links and posturing into this one post. The bottom line for me, I'm glad to be adding public access to sailing to the LKN boating mix.