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. 

Early Voting in Mecklenburg County

I was on vacation last week and so my wife and I decided to go to early voting. We went on day two and still waited an hour! 

Red state, blue state, or any state, please get out and vote! Don't wait, early voting ends this weekend!

Lake Norman Leaf Cruise

I propose we start a new (at least to me) tradition, a fall leaf cruise on Lake Norman. This year, we have a great lake level and based on the leaf color on the island, I am betting the peak on the lake will be this coming weekend (November 1-2). 

So finish up the left over Halloween candy and enjoy some beautiful views this weekend on the lake!