This was a small weekend get-a-way to the moutains of
NC. We had to pick up Joey from his camp at
Camp Wayfarer in Flat Rock
NC. It was certainly good to see him after 10-days at camp. He had a great
experience, although it did not start out too well. He took a few days to get
acclimated to the food, structure and such. He went hiking, he shot a rifle,
bow and arrow had a class in fencing and kayaking. He also had fun in the lake.
This was good for him.
After picking up
Joey we met up with the Judge family and drove to (2-hours or so) north of
Charlotte, NC to Lake Norman. A rather large lake just 30-mins north of
Charlotte. We only had two days here so we planned on renting a boat on the
lake and then going to the Carowinds amusement park .
Day one: Weather was
looking really ugly, however we decided that we would just drive around the
lake the 1st day and if weather was good we would take the jump and rent a
boat. Well as it tuned out the weather was fine and we rented a pontoon boat at
the Lake Norman Marina on Route 150 on the north side of the lake. We had an
absolute blast with the tube (see pictures below) and just relaxing in and on
the lake. We did get lost on our way to lunch at the deli, but eventually found
our way.
The second day: We make a huge mistake and decided to
adventure to Carowinds amusement park. The three strikes for us were...summer,
Saturday and high noon. The park was jammed pack full of people, we went on
very few rides and this park stinks, literally! Cara and Joey did go on a very
cool bunge type of flying ride which was fun to watch. But other than that,
this event was a "bomb". If you are going here don't go in the summer on a
weekend, go on Monday through Wednesday and first thing in the AM.
All
in all we did have a great time away. The company of the Judge family is always
a great time, they are truly beautiful friends/family and are fun to be with.
The weather worked out in our favor and the hotel, boat, restaurant and park
were all very reasonable. We rate this trip a very high 8 on the trip'orama
meter and would go back to Lake Norman. |
Prior to going to Lake Norman we stopped by
Camp Wayfarer to pick
up Joey from his summer camp. This image is from picking his up. The camp is
located in the moutains of NC. |
This was Joey's (and ours) first camp experience. He had a
great time and said he would like to go back next year. His system was a bit
mixed up from not eating too well. |
This image is from a Duke Power rail road that lead to the
power plant. |
Cara making a statement. |
Keleigh just doing what she does best, being good at most
all times. She does howerver like to go the potty very often. |
This is an image of a bunge flying ride that Cara and
Joey went on. The ride sent them up 150 feet into the air and dropped them head
first and they went flying. An unbelievable ride that scared us
all! |
These Judge family looking to find a fight. |
Part of the Judge family looking to hitch a ride. |
Cara ran into a bit of a rough crowd. Do you know anyone who
might like to rescue her? Is so please send them fast! |
Beautiful Lake Norman. |
The Judge's in front of the Duke Power dam. |
In the Lake at Norman. The water was absolutely
perfect. |
A bit about Lake Norman:
Lake Norman is 34
miles long, covers 32,750 acres with a shoreline of 520 miles extending over
four counties – Mecklenburg, Iredell, Catawba, and Lincoln. The average
depth is 25 feet with the deepest point being over 100 feet. The annual
drawdown of the lake starts in September at 98% full pond and ends in February
at 92% full pond for snow run-off and rains. Maximum drawdown is 15 feet.
Lake Norman was completed in the 1960’s, Lake Norman is the
largest of 11 reservoirs in the Catawba River built by Duke Power to supply
energy to new industries in the growing region. It was named for Norman Cocke,
a longtime Duke Power company president. Lake Norman is host to three power
stations: Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station, Marshall Steam Plant – Duke
Power’s second largest coal-burning plant, and McGuire Nuclear Station.
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Shane and Joey on the boat. |
In
the lake. |
Felicity and Cara make a great attempt to ride this knee
board...but no go. Could not figure how to stay on this thing. We are just not
lake people yet... |
The Captain of our boat (Mr. Judge) and that Chicago guy. You
can take the guy out of Chicago but not the Chicago out of the guy. |
Our
Captain...scarry. |
Cara and Joey on the tub. This was an absolute
blast. |
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Lake Norman Visitor site