Lake Norman, North Carolina
By Jim Hunt for the Harrison County News & Journal
This year’s Labor Day gave our family the perfect occasion to gather at Lake Norman,
near Charlotte, North Carolina. We had planned the trip months in advance, juggling
jobs, cheerleading practices, college schedules, and a myriad of other activities to settle
on a date that worked for everyone. Our daughter and her family, who live in South
Carolina just across the North Carolina border, had traveled to Canaan Valley last year,
so we decided to find a location closer to them. A spacious VRBO house right on the
lake fit the bill for our growing family.
Lake Norman, a man-made lake, was created between 1959 and 1963 when Duke
Power Company constructed Cowans Dam across the Catawba River. Today, the lake
spans over 32,000 acres and boasts 520 miles of shoreline across four counties. Many
people catch a glimpse of the lake while driving on Interstate 77 near Charlotte, but
that’s just a fraction of what it offers. It’s a popular home base for many NASCAR
drivers, and development continues to spread throughout the entire lake area.
We stayed in Sherrill’s Ford, a small town on the quieter northern end of the lake, not far
from Mooresville. We rented a pontoon boat for the weekend, which was delivered
Friday night just in time for a sunset cruise. Our son-in-law, Matt Sellhorst, a boating
industry consultant and licensed captain, expertly took the helm. With Matt’s lifetime of
boating experience and no-nonsense attitude toward safety, we all felt secure, and our
granddaughter Sadie nicknamed him "Captain Matt" for the weekend.
The weather was perfect, and everyone took turns cooling off in the lake throughout the
day. Matt treated the adventurous among us to exciting rides on a large inflatable tube,
bouncing and tossing us into the air. Our granddaughter Ali and her boyfriend Eli even
learned to wakeboard, with expert coaching from Avery Sellhorst, who spends countless
days on the lake. A few sunburns, bumps, and bruises later, we were all tired but happy,
ending the day with family card games.
We wrapped up the weekend with a final dinner at Toucan’s Lakefront Restaurant in
Mooresville, followed by a peaceful night’s sleep. Sunday morning was spent packing
and tidying up the rental house, with lots of hugs before everyone went their separate
ways. With our busy lives, these weekend trips have become cherished moments, and
Lake Norman provided the perfect backdrop for family fun.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly getaway, consider Lake Norman, North Carolina.
It’s a beautiful place to unwind, and the sunsets are sure to bring a smile to your face!