Living with the Lake

Yesterday, my wife and I took a course on organic gardening. By no means are we experts and if anything have found out just how little we know about caring for and being caretakers of our environment. However, I did learn that we don't have to eat bean sprouts and wear Birkenstocks to do our part in reducing our impact on the environment and landscape. 

For some time now, we have been avid recyclers. Weekly, we sort the items for trash collection and when we were building our house, we tried to make choices in the building process that would save energy and further reduce our impact on the environment. Like everyone, we can always do better and by embracing the vision that this is a journey and not a destination, we can all take steps to lessen the impact on our world.  

But I digress, the course we took was in Matthews and sponsored by a company called Organic Plant Health. Billy Styles is the founder and President of the company and was a key participant in the panel of professionals. He is a fifth generation farmer and an international expert on organic gardening. This was one of the best things I have spent a Saturday doing in a very long time. I walked out with confirmation that my lawn would be an ongoing project (I've told my wife it will be no less than 5 years to get it where I want it and then I will have to maintain it) and living in such close proximity to the lake that there are no minor treatments to our garden and yard, that every thing we put on or in the soil effects everything around us, including LKN. Therefore, I need to be always aware of even very small things that I do. 

I have personally spent a lifetime working my way to living on what I consider one of the most beautiful and enjoyable places on earth, Lake Norman. It is now my responsibility to do everything I can to make sure it survives and even thrives for generations to come. Now I am going to have some bean sprouts and slip into my sandals before I head out to the yard. 

Lake Norman Hydrilla Campaign, a plan for Success

If you have ever launched a boat at a public access ramp on Lake Norman, you have seen the signs that advise you on removing any vegetation from your boat before entering the lake and as soon as you pull  you boat back out. But do you really know why? Well, think of it as not shaking hands with someone when you have a cold. Just as you can spread a cold through such a minor personal contact, you can just as easily spread unwanted plant life into our lakes and streams by introducing even very small pieces of plant life from the hull or out drive of your boat. 

Hydrilla is a very aggressive water plant that can clog water intakes, entangle boats, and make swimming dangerous. But thanks to a coordinated effort (and funding campaign), several local organizations, governments, and businesses have created a model of success in managing hydrilla in Lake Norman. Hydrilla is a nationwide problem for many waterways but several years ago, sterile, grass eating carp were introduced to rid LKN of hydrilla. Now after years of monitoring and only small investments by Duke Power, local governments, and interested parties, hydrilla is really only a minor issue. Yes we will need to monitor it for years to come (a sprig can lay dormant for up to 10 years) but we know how to manage this threat without using pesticides or harmful chemicals and that is a great story to tell. 

Lake Norman is such a wonderful place for us all to enjoy. Keeping the waterways clean and safe is just a smart thing to do now and for future generations. 

Recent Sites on the South End of Lake Norman

Here are a few recent photos from around Ramsey Creek. It seems the wildlife around LKN isn't too concerned with the winter chill. 

Las Brisas at Lake Norman

Fortunately for my wife, we dine out regularly. Fortunately for me, there is a great Mexican place here in Cornelius and Mexican is my true food guilty pleasure. Las Brisas Mexican Restaurant  is a local establishment with really great food, reasonable prices, and a very friendly staff. Located in the old Mom's at I-77 and Exit 28, this is a place where you will feel like a regular on your first visit. 

They have a full bar, extensive menu, and a great family atmosphere. Small group or big party, this place can handle whatever you throw at them. So, the next time you have a taste for something a little spicy, give Las Brisas a try, you won't be sorry!

This is a LKN Local Recommendation!

Sangam Indian Cuisine at LKN

When you think Lake Norman, you most likely think of casual living, a slower pace, and fewer of the options that living 15 miles down I-77 can offer in Charlotte. However, coming to LKN does not mean giving up your dinning options. Sangam Indian Cuisine at Lake Norman is a great not-so-secret to LKN Locals. 

Located at Shoppes on the Green (Torrence Chapel Road behind Lake Norman Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge) at Exit 28, this is a great place that locals know and love. For the non-local, it is a nice break from the burger and pizza joints that seem to be on every corner. The food is very good and the staff is genuinely interested in making your visit the absolute best. Expect a dinner meal with tip to run about $20 and if you add alcohol and/or appetizers, you can expect a bit more. But you will not be disappointed. 

This is a LKN Local recommendation!

Lake Norman is Not Just for Fun, Well Maybe a Little Fun Too

I've spent the last several months blathering about all the fun stuff and non-commercial aspects of LKN. But in the tag line on the masthead, it clearly states that this blog is about "Living, Working, and Playing in the Lake Norman Region".  So, to keep true to my mission, check out the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce. 

Personally, I work from home and live at LKN. Now, I may not be in the market to relocate my company from New York to Cornelius but this group is a key player in the quality of life we enjoy here. This is the same Chamber that supports the many businesses we rely on in our communities. 

So, do your part, support the small and not-so-small businesses around LKN. And if you do happen to be in the market for a great place to locate your company, you can thank me for introducing you to Lake Norman!

Go Boating on Lake Norman without a Boat!

Okay, that title is misleading but it does get your attention. It is a fact that you don't have to live on Lake Norman to enjoy boating here. Because this is a man made lake that has oversight from MANY governments/agencies and there are a fair number of public access points, all you need is a way to get your boat to LKN and in the water to start enjoying the lake. 

But what if you could enjoy boating on LKN without owning, maintaining, or renting a boat? Well, there is a way. The Queen City Boat Club is located in Cornelius at the South Street Seaport (in the Ramsey Creek section of LKN). I have friends in Wilmington, NC that are members of a similar club. They are very experienced boaters but since they don't have a water front home and don't want to trailer, they have found the boat club to be a great way to keep close to the fun on the water without all of the headaches that come from landlocked boating.

As well, if you are a time starved professional or boating novice, this is a great, lower cost way to dip your toe in the water (sorry, couldn't resist the play on words). Plus, the fact that you can spend your time boating and not towing, maintaining, repairing, etc. makes a boat club much more attractive. Of course, there are several places on LKN that you can rent boats but if you know you want to go boating but renting isn't the right fit, perhaps a membership is what you need. 

So, if you think boating is for you or you know you love boating but don't want the commitment, check out a boating club. You may find your passion is all wet!

Making Lake Norman A Better Place

So, if you have made New Years resolutions, please don't forget ways you can also improve life around LKN. For example, if you live in Mooresville or in Iredell County, here are three things in your area that you can do to enrich your life and those around you.

But no matter who you are and where you live around LKN, resolve to do you part to give a little of your time and talent to keep our local gem sparkling.