Weekend Getaway: Lake James

It's a Father's Day Weekend Getaway to a place that my father loved. The sunsets are spectacular and the view of Table Rock is stunning. The place is Lake James near Morganton. Look on your map and take I-40 west toward Asheville. But before you get there take the Nebo exit. You will love this beautiful mountain lake which covers parts of both Burke and McDowell Counties. Lake James was created nearly 90 years ago by Duke Power Company for hydroelectric power. Here where the chilly waters of the Linville and Catawba rivers converge deep fishing holes are coveted by the locals. Largemouth bass is the prize catch. Walleye is another favorite. My uncle Charles used to take me fishing. We had some wonderful times together. Boating is also big here. I learned to ski on Lake James. A state park at Lake James offers several impressive hiking trails. You might even run across the area where the "The Last of the Mohicans" was filmed in 1991. You will enjoy the 20 picnic sites. There's even a sandy beach for swimming and sunbathing. Take me home for Father's Day to Lake James, the shimmering jewel of Burke County.