Lake Norman Fall Cruise
On Friday, October 23, a group of Blue Ridge and North Carolina Coastal & Piedmont Chapter members got together for a fall foliage cruise on Lake Norman. The weather was sunny and a bit cool, and although the fall colors had not yet reached their peak, the scenery was still beautiful. We had 3 boats and 10 people participating, with Craig and Theresa McMullin bringing their stunning 1946 Chris Craft U-22 from South Carolina. Rob & Beth Weller, from Lake Norman, ran their 1963 21’ Lyman “runabout”, and Jim Caudle, also from Lake Norman, ran his 1949 Hutchinson-design/Grew-built 26’ varnished lapstrake beauty. Other enthusiastic participants were Jim Alexander, Art Swanson, Terry Fiest, and Jim and Colleen Barrick.
We cruised north from the Highway 150 bridge, through a number of long coves, deep into the State Park, and almost as far north as navigable for a couple hours and 15-20 miles. On our return, we stopped at a Lakefront restaurant “Toucan’s” for drinks and lunch. Jim Barrick had arranged for nearby dock space and even golf cart transportation to the restaurant. The boats ran well and the camaraderie was great – a fun time was had by all! Although we had a concern for Friday afternoon traffic, I was told that traveling back was uneventful, and everyone got home safe. It was stirring to see a group of beautiful vintage wooden boats out on the Lake for a late-season run.
Respectfully submitted,
Rob Weller
