Living Here Guide 2009
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Monday, Sep. 14, 2009

City troubles slip away when you hit the lake

By Joe Marusak - jmarusak@charlotteobserver.com
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    In spite of all the development, Lake Norman provides a relaxing escape.

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    Marusak

  • Hot picks

    Landmarks

    Birkdale Village I-77 Exit 25, Huntersville. People drive from across the Charlotte region to shop and dine there.

    Lake Norman State Park offers canoeing, hiking, picnicking, biking and the lake's only public swimming beach. 159 Inland Sea Lane, Troutman.

    Dining

    Offering great lake views are North Harbor Club in Davidson, Midtown Sundries at the Lake and Rusty Rudder in Cornelius, Wise Guys in Mooresville, Midway Boathouse Grill in Terrell and The Landing Restaurant in Sherrills Ford. The Catawba Queen replica Mississippi River paddle wheeler and Lady of the Lake yacht offer dinner excursions from Queen's Landing in Mooresville.

    Best Bets

    Carolina Raptor Center: The Huntersville center rehabilitates injured and orphaned birds of prey. www.carolinaraptorcenter.org.

    Davidson Community Players: Founded in 1965, the non-profit group offers the chance to participate in and experience live theater. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org.

    Why You'd Want to Live Here

    Lake Norman is near a major U.S. city but far enough away to allow for a much more laid-back lifestyle.

I rarely get to Charlotte in my off hours anymore.

Why should I, when Lake Norman has so much shopping and dining, along with galleries, concerts and plays, not to mention the state's largest manmade body of water?

The Lake Norman region has exploded with people and development in the 20 years since I've lived here. With more Interstate 77 interchanges and major developments on the way, I know I haven't seen everything yet.

But the region's tremendous growth is still worlds away when you're out on the lake fishing, swimming, boating or admiring the water from a bench at Cornelius' Jetton Park on a summer afternoon.

Like tens of thousands of others who've been attracted to the towns near Lake Norman's shores, I've always cherished the lake's tranquility.

Sure, its roads get bottlenecked, and nearby I-77 is no picnic.

But I soon forget it all when I'm out on a boat, sitting at a dockside restaurant or walking the trails at Lake Norman State Park.

Don't get me wrong. I love most things landside, too. I love strolling downtown Davidson and downtown Mooresville. I love having four major grocery stores, a SuperTarget, a Super Wal-Mart, numerous restaurants and my church within a mile of my front door.

I love having bought my home near Lakeside Business Park in Mooresville. A lifelong fan of racing, I get to drive each day past its NASCAR shops and the N.C. Auto Racing Hall of Fame. I always know it's Race Week when fellow fans from around the country show up to scrounge for sheet metal from their favorite drivers' cars and to admire the teams' 18-wheelers with their stunning murals.

Mix it all together and I'd still take a ride on the lake any day. I'll even bring the floatables.

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