|
Welcome aboard!
It’s not something I tell many people, but I actually live in Charlotte. Even (worse?), I’m a native. Not many can claim that these days, with the growth our region continues to experience. Of course there are nearly as many reasons for that growth as there are Yankees living in Mooresville. More than you can count without taking your shoes off.
But one of the big reasons for that growth has to be area lakes. All of them, all the lakes ... and there are lakes, believe it or not, other than Lake Norman, though it is the largest. Consider the number of retirees coming to the area, many hauling their boats. Think also of the corporate relocation people looking for a particular quality-of-life that they’ll use to lure current and future employees. Water and water sports is certainly a draw.
The first function of that public resource is drinking water, then power generation. But all that water adds immeasurably to the overall beauty of this region and adds more horsepower to the engine of growth. Confirmation of the beauty theory came earlier this year when Chaparral Boats chose Lake Norman for their 2011 catalog photo-shoot.
With all that growth has come all manner of construction to accommodate all those new people. As with most things man-made, much of that new construction is simply, Biblically put, blight upon the land. On occasion, though, something gets built that is just, well, right. Mark Lancaster has built four docks for his friend, Rusty Wallace. This recent effort combines the latest dock-building technology and components with years of experience. It’s a showplace where form and function go hand-in-hand. On page 10, you can catch a glimpse and read the story.
Another product of this growth is the sheer volume of people and boats on the water ... everywhere. In and of its self, that’s not a problem. The problem arises when those people decide its ok to drive a boat without first using their heads and second without taking at least a rudimentary boating safety course. There are way too many accidents on the water as a result, some with very sad consequences. On pages 44 and 56 you’ll find some resources that can help you avoid trouble on the water, and improve that quality-of-life thing for all of us.
Continuing the quality thread, you’ll find some yummy recipes from “everyone’s favorite galley gourmet,” Capt. Jan Robinson on page 84, and some tips for a productive fishing trip from Capt. Gus Gustafson follow that over on page 86.
As usual, you’ll find some great maps, the Pilot Marina Guide, the Marine Service Index and all the rest in this issue. I hope you’ll find it useful.
Visit us online at www.pilotmedia.us or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PilotMedia. Let us hear from you. Become a fan.
See you on the water,
-Mike

Mike Aldridge
Publisher


|