Rafting

Originally uploaded by sanna82

My family took my husband here for his birthday this week and this was our first visit! I can’t believe we’ve never been before! It was just awesome. There is so much to do for outdoor lovers!

Being a Wednesday in February the rapids were not “turned on” so I didn’t get to experience that firsthand. In fact, it was quite dead there on Wednesday, and we were informed that we shoud return on the weekends, when they have many kid and family-friendly activities.

From their website: Located on the banks of the Catawba River in Charlotte, N.C., the U.S. National Whitewater Center is the world’s largest artificial whitewater river and an official U.S. Olympic Training Site. The USNWC is a locally owned and operated non-profit dedicated to promoting healthy, active, outdoor lifestyles. Opened in August 2006 at a cost of $38 million, the 307-acre public adventure-sport facility includes whitewater rafting and kayaking, mountain biking and hiking trails, a climbing center and a ropes course, along with a 2,400 square-foot conference center and 300-seat River’s Edge Bar & Grill – all overlooking the home rapids of the U.S. National Slalom Canoe/Kayak Team.

The amazing thing is that it is located only minutes away from uptown Charlotte! Acres of hiking trails, white water rafting and kyaking, climbing walls and ziplines, eco caching, mountain biking, jogging and even eating at a great little restaurant on the banks of the white waters!

The day we were there, it was too cold to do anything but hike. There are several letterboxes hidden within the park, so if you are into that you can have a search while you hike.

Directions to the NWC

Rates

Hours of Operation

I don’t know about you, but my budget has whittled away in this economy.  Gone are the days of free spending (as if we ever had those!) so here are some tips I’ve found to help cut your grocery bill.  For some reason, though gas has gone down, food prices have gone through the roof!  Use these tips to whittle your food bill:

Time Savers do not equal Cash Savers

• You know those salad bags full of washed greens ready to eat?  They are about 3 times as pricey as a head of lettuce. 
• Single servings of anything.  Time to buy the big box of raisins and dole out individual portions.
• Trail mix is outrageously expensive, sometimes as much as $10 a pound.  Plus you have to pick out the junk you don’t eat!  Buy your favorite goodies and mix it yourself.
• Powdered ice tea mixes:  Grab some teabags and make it yourself.
• Bottled Water:  We all know that tap water is just as good, and you eliminate waste in our landfills and in your wallet.
• Boxed rice, potato or pasta side dishes.  Buy your own staples, add your own herbs.  Better tasting and better for you too!
• Tomato based pasta sauces:  I’ve seen some pasta sauces for over $5 a quart jar!  Have you seen the cost of a can of tomatoes?  And you probably have some spices at home that you need to use up before they go stale anyway!

Use Everything!

• Vegetable trimmings and bones can be used to make delicious stocks.
• Use leftovers to make pot pies, homemade hot pockets and casseroles.

Common Sense

• Buy in bulk
• Use your deep freezer to take advantage of meat sales.

Sources: Wallet Pop, Kim Tilley

Want to begin to change your attitude?  It will miraculously affect your success (and income).  Live these thoughts and exercises:

·        When something goes wrong, remember it’s no one’s fault but yours.

·        You always have (and have had) a choice.

·        If you think it’s okay, it is.  If you think it’s not okay, it’s not.

·        Ignore the junk news.  Work on a worthwhile project, make a plan, or do something to enhance your life.

·        For one year, read only positive books and material.

·        When you face an obstacle or something goes wrong, look for the opportunity.

·        Listen to attitude tapes, attend seminars, and take courses.

·        Ignore people who tell you that “You can’t” or try to discourage you.

·        Check your language.  Is it half full or half empty?  Partly cloudy or partly sunny?  Avoid why, can’t and won’t.

·        Say why you like things, people, job, and family.  Not why you don’t.

·        Help others without expectation or measuring (keeping score).  If you say, “I’m not because he’s not, “who loses?  If you say, “Why should I, when he only…” who loses?

·        How long do you stay in a bad mood?  If more than five minutes, something’s wrong.

·        Count your blessings every day.

Need a gift but short on money?  Here are some ideas that may help you make that special something for that special someone!

The cook in your life would love a taylor made cookbook.  You can print one out from Kraft for free, and pick the recipes that you’d like inside.

My children are constantly bringing home artwork from school and insist I display it prominently on the ‘fridge.  For the mom who has everything, you can make an Artwork Holder Magnet.

Sometimes the old toys are the best 🙂  Learn how to make a stuffed elephant using a red-heeled sock!

My mom-in-law made me a slew of these hangers one year at Christmas, and we still use them!  Shirts stay put and pants stay crease free and they are cute.

Getting my kids to eat what I cook is sometimes a chore I hate to undertake.  Here are a few ways to let kids have a little fun with their food, and maybe…just maybe get them to eat a bite or two!

Cheesy Volcano Meatballs are perfect for those little boys who crave explosions.

Earthquake Cakes are pretty much any cake that doesn’t turn out like you thought it would.  The typical ones are sheet cakes with cracks through the middle.

Baked Snowballs are a perfect winter treat!

The Penguin is an institution on Charlotte.  My sister lives just around the corner, so when she asked me to go one evening (after I’d driven over from Lincolnton) I thought she’d gone around the bend.  But it was artery-clogging goodness that awaited me and mine!

First, we began with a big basket of fried pickle chips served with a homemade Ranch dressing.  OMG.  It’s not that I’ve never seen or had fried pickles, but most places fry the entire spear.  No.  Not enough crunchy goodness.  Frying the chips is the way to go.

And the coup de gras:  a double cheeseburger.  Dear heavens.  I can feel my heart stopping. 

Full Menu

Recipes from the Penguin on Diners, Dives & Drive Ins

Get there quickly!

(704) 375-6959

*Thanks to Roadfood.com for pictures!