Labor Day Madness??

I was updating my website the other day, and wanted to add fun things to do on Labor Day to my Lake Wylie Events and Activities page. Surprisingly, there are very few public events held on Labor Day in this area. I found a parade in downtown Charlotte, and an ad for Carowinds, but other than that, nada. What gives?

Maybe it's the origin of the holiday - - commemorating the accomplishments of organized labor. Labor unions have not been as active in the South as in some of the other parts of the country. Plus, the timing is a bit off - - Labor Day has traditionally been known as the "end of summer." Up North, it's the last weekend before school starts, and lots of families are finishing up their time at the "shore." In the South, however, schools have been in session for a couple of weeks already, and our fall schedules have already cranked up.

It's still quite hot and humid, of course, so that tends to put a damper on our festive spirits a bit. So just kick back with some neighbors or friends and enjoy a cookout by the lake this weekend. For upcoming Fall Festivals, check out my website TheLakeWylieMan.com!

Thanks for reading my blog! For Lake Wylie, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Tega Cay Events and Activities, please visit my website, TheLakeWylieMan.com. Your source for Lake Wylie waterfront real estate and more!

High Water

Wow - - what a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, Lake Wylie was at record-setting low water marks. The drought really did a number on our region, and the lake levels were the lowest that I ever remember. My website has a link to Lake Wylie water levels, and you'll see what's the norm and where we are in comparison.

This year, the lake levels are the highest I've seen in years! Many floating docks are level with the piers, and I've heard of many items floating away. In fact, yesterday I went on a rescue mission to help someone retrieve their boat which had simply floated off of its lift!

That being said, let me caution everyone that the lake can be dangerous this weekend. With the recent rain & increase in water levels, there is a LOT of debris in the water. Things that have been along the shoreline have floated into the channel & coves. Some things (branches, paddle boats, everything you can imagine) may be just under the surface. Waterskiing, tubing, and boating can be VERY hazardous in this situation.

If you do choose to go out on the water, please go slow and watch out for debris and underwater hazards. Be careful around "islands" - - connectors between the "mainland" and "islands" that are normally very visible may be covered with water now.

Have a safe & fun Labor Day weekend!

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New Museum on Catawba River

I just received my copy of "Links", the official magazine of the Culture & Heritage Museums of York County. I was excited to read about the master plan for the new museum that is being built along the Catawba River. This museum will be housed in an ecologically designed building, and will feature aquariums with live fish and river animals, a planetarium, interactive exhibits, and a restaurant featuring local foods.

The museum's three strongest resources will be 1) The Catawba River, 2) local culture and crossroads, and 3) education about sustainability offered in the Kanawha community.

The Kanawha community, being developed along the banks of the Catawba River, is a unique community grounded planned design and environmental awareness. It is to be a place where "educational, social and cultural activities are an integral part of life." Community gardens, hiking trails, green space, pedestrian oriented shopping and dining will all be a part of this area.

More than ever, the Catawba River is vital to our community. I am excited about these new developments that will promote conservation awareness and efforts to preserve our natural resources!

Thanks for reading my blog! For Lake Wylie, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Tega Cay Events and Activities, please visit my website, TheLakeWylieMan.com. Your source for Lake Wylie waterfront real estate and more!

Taking the Back Roads

What's summer in the South without a trip to the beach? I got to take a few days off recently, and enjoyed some time at the beach with friends. Picking the route to drive, I ignored the advice of my GPS and headed down Highway 74.

Driving on back roads to the beach took me back to my childhood. No matter where we lived, we’d make the trek to SC in the summer and go to the beach. Back then, interstates weren’t an option. I-40 ended in Raleigh, and that was the wrong direction from the SC beaches, anyway. We’d go thru all the small towns, driving past watermelon stands, a gazillion little churches, fields and fields of corn, and run down service stations that were few and far between.

All along the way were shacks where people lived. Most of the time the whole family was sitting on the porch, as the indoors was not air-conditioned. On Saturdays, they’d rock and watch the parade of cars going to and from the beach. I remember wondering, each year, what the occupants of those homes did for a living, where they bought groceries, where they went to the dentist. I still wonder that.

My father was always in a race against the clock to arrive at his destination. “Just took us 4 hours and 23 minutes this year,” he’d brag. If I was lucky enough to get in the car driven by my grandfather, however, I could be assured a stop at a fruit stand to pick up some fresh peaches, and a stop at a roadside ice cream hut as well.

This year as I drove, I passed many of the same landmarks that I remember from years ago. Some were still standing, some were crumbling. Rest stops were still tough to find. Forget about pay-at-the-pump. While bait and Mountain Dew's were readily available along the route, working rest rooms and good coffee were not!

All along the way, my GPS continued to encourage me to find the nearest interstate. But the way I figure, when going to the beach, taking the back roads is just part of the package. And yes, I did stop for fresh peaches.

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Thanks for reading my blog! For Lake Wylie, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Tega Cay Events and Activities, please visit my website, TheLakeWylieMan.com. Your source for Lake Wylie waterfront real estate and more!