Charlotte NC| The Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville
June 18th, 2008 Categories: Move To Charlotte, Things To Do Charlotte
The Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville, NC- Nature, Fun, and Thrills
by Kelli Robinson
Between the cardinals dining at the bird feeder outside our kitchen window, and the house finch family that has established residency in a hanging plant on our porch, my kids and I have become quite the bird watchers this spring. With that in mind, I thought they would enjoy seeing birds of a different feather flocking together, so we headed to the Carolina Raptor Center (CRC). Located inside the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve in Huntersville, NC. The Carolina Raptor Center is home to over 100 raptors, or birds of prey, that have been rehabilitated from injuries too severe to permit their return to the wild. The birds reside permanently at the center, enjoying their new role as ambassadors for wildlife conservation and education.
The self-guided walking trail is perfect for children: It’s shaded and short! My three-year-old daughter was able to walk the entire trail. The map provided at the beginning of the trail is easy to read…and my son’s appointed “Keeper of the Map” role made him feel very important. I explained we were on a mission to find raptors, and off we went.
Aviaries are located throughout the trail, containing raptors of all shapes and sizes, including hawks, owls, vultures, and eagles. You encounter the three bald eagles at the end of the trail, and they leave a lasting, majestic impression. Each aviary provides information about the type of bird, as well as specific information about the actual bird you’re viewing (its given name, the nature of its injury and recovery, etc). My kids liked this. Instead of learning some facts about bald eagles, for example, they learned about “Dante,” one of the resident eagles who suffered permanent wing damage when his nest fell from a tree. Putting a name to the face made the visit more personable and impressionable.
There is a lesson to be learned at the Carolina Raptor Center- to treat wildlife and the environment with respect. On the weekends during the summer months, CRC educators offer programs that give visitors a more in-depth visit, such as “Backyard Tails - a free flight program,” “Behind the Scenes Tour,” and “Meet the Keeper.” Next time we go, we’ll likely venture there on a Saturday or Sunday. But today’s visit offered a shaded stroll, up-close views of some beautiful birds, and capped with a picnic lunch at the end. Not a bad way to spend a Monday!
The Carolina Raptor Center is open seven days a week, year-round (except for New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day). Admission is $7 for adults; $6 for seniors; $5 for students; free for children under age five. Directions to the center depend on your starting point, but it’s easily accessible from I-77.
Take your camera! If you think eagles are impressive on television, just wait until you see one 20 feet in front of you!
Thanks Kelli! Like this post? Check out Kelli’s last post Jetton Park in Cornelius, a family favorite
—————————————–
Moving to Charlotte? Considering a Move? Call me, Terry, about these or any other homes in the greater Charlotte area at 704-351-1519 or Search All Charlotte Homes , for that perfect home in Charlotte.
Related Posts
Search Charlotte Homes-By Area
Home Prices Rise in South Charlotte in First Quarter of 2008
Charlotte Greenways- Nature in the Heart of the City
| Currently No Comments » |
Charlotte Mortgage Update- May 28 2008
May 28th, 2008 Categories: Move To Charlotte, mortgages in Charlotte
The Charlotte NC Mortgage Update May 28, 2008 from Myers Park Mortgage
Mortgage Interest Rates
My advice is still to lock. If you are closing in the next 15 days, lock. The market is a little bit better today so far on mixed news. The consumer confidence report was bad, but new home sales were much better than expected, up 3.3%! With no more news coming today, traders will primarily be watching oil prices and stocks. Rates are still low, so I would not risk it right now. The odds are definitely against rates dropping in my opinion.
We offer rate protection against higher and lower rates! If that peeks your interest - give me a call!
HOT Products… Quality Loans to Consider
NO PMI? We are once again able to offer “Lender Paid” PMI for loans upto 97%!! This is a fantastic way to get around paying expensive mortgage insurance without having to put a ton of money down. This can also help relieve tax burden by making the PMI tax deductible. DOWN with PMI!!!
| Currently No Comments » |
Charlotte NC|For Those of You Considering Renting, Consider This…
May 14th, 2008 Categories: Ask The Broker-Terry, Move To Charlotte
What if you are renting and your landlord goes bust? What happens to you?
from Forbes.com
“It’s not just single-family-homeowners who can’t make their mortgage payments these days–landlords are busting out, too. Approximately 38% of all U.S. properties foreclosed between October 2007 and January 2008 were non-owner-occupied buildings (likely implying that the owner was an off-site landlord), estimates RealtyTrac, an Irvine, Calif.-based foreclosure-tracking service.”
Here for the rest of the When Landlords are Foreclosed from Forbes.com
Here are 7 slimy landlord schemes to watch out for, also from Forbes.com
In Pictures: Seven Slimy Landlord Schemes
Kudos to Forbes on this important topic… As always if you are planning or considering a move to Charlotte, please don’t hesitate to call me direct at 704-351-1519 TerryMcDonald
Related Posts
Charlotte Home Prices up in 2007
Is it Safe To Buy A Home in Charlotte? You Bet…
Search All Charlotte Homes by Area
| Currently 1 Comment » |
Charlotte, NC| US Olympic Team Trials Come to Charlotte For The First Time
April 22nd, 2008 Categories: Charlotte Community Reports, Move To Charlotte, Things To Do Charlotte
Canoing/Kayaking Olympic Trials in Charlotte
This weekend (April 25 - 27) the US Olympic Team Trials will be taking place in Charlotte at the US National Whitewater Center (USNWC). In addition to the US Team Trials there will be 5 other international events with athletes from 13 other countries: the 2008 Canadian Olympic Team Trials, the COPAC Pan-American Championships, an International Canoe Federation (open to all paddlers) and the Americas Olympic Continental Qualifier. Over a 130 athletes are expected to compete in the events. The US has already secured spots in the men’s and women’s Olympic kayak events. Approximately 60 athletes will be competing for 15 spots on the team. The US Team will also be trying to secure spots in the men’s and women’s, single and doubles canoe events.
The USNWC opened in August of 2006 and is the world’s only re-circulating multi-channel whitewater complex. The $38 million facility sits on 307 acres and includes many biking and hiking trails, a ropes course, and a rock climbing center. There is also an outfitters store and a large indoor/outdoor restaurant for those who need a bite to eat before or after 
their trip. The actual whitewater course consists of Level II, III and IV rapids and is quite a ride. Trips last approximately 2 hours, including a 20 minute safety talk. For the Olympic Trials next weekend the Competition Course will be closed but eager speakership’s and rafters will still be able to use the Freestyle Course.
Throughout the three day Olympic Trials there will be live music, a YMCA kid’s zone, a Red Bull energy zone, and a USA Climbing competition will take place on Saturday after the trials end. For those of you interested in attending the Olympic Trials advanced tickets are $10 per day or $15 for the weekend. Day of tickets are $15 per day or $20 for the whole weekend. For more information about the whitewater center please click USNWC. To see a map of the course and the facility as a whole click USNWC Map.
I’ll be there off and on this weekend. See you there?
Moving to Charlotte? Considering a move? You may Search All Charlotte Homes here. If you prefer, please don’t hesitate to call me direct, Terry, at 704-351-1519.
Related Posts
An Afternoon Hiking at Crowders Mountain
Ten Essential Do’s And Don’ts When Buying New Homes
2007 Charlotte in The Rearview Mirror
| Currently No Comments » |
