Since moving to North Carolina 5 months ago, we spent so much time searching for the 
best location to build a house that we neglected the natural parks and beauty that surround us. Today, we found Jetton Park in Lake Norman and it was the perfect place to get back to nature. A stunning beach, lush trails, and quiet picnic sites filled the 106 acre lakefront park.
We strolled through the park slowly and relaxed as we took it all in. The trails were paved with leaves freshly fallen from the surrounding trees. Families, joggers, and people walking their dogs littered the path as much as the fallen leaves. With each friendly “hello” and “how are you”, we felt more and more at home. The people of North Carolina were the biggest draw to the area and we are constantly reminded that we made a great decision for our family.
Although the beach area is not for swimming, there is an unbelievable view and lots of picnic tables to set up a spot. It would be a great place to play beach games and we hope to return when our family visits in the next few weeks. As for today, Athena and I loved the warm sun on our faces and the slight breeze off the lake.
Some of the fall leaves are still clinging to the branches like a moth to a flame and their bright colors made the walk even more beautiful.
Rather than having a snack at the park, we used the picnic area as a place to get a better view of the lake and let Athena stretch.
Sometimes the greatest adventure can be found in the simplest places. Jetton Park was the natural place to be on a bright, sunny, fall day. Now that North Carolina is our home and we’ve found the community where we want to build, we can explore more new parks and towns regularly.
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North Carolina looks beautiful!
It’s a great place to live. We’re really enjoying exploring our new home
Lesley, Have you moved to NC? One reason I did not move to the beautiful Lake Norman many years ago is because of the nearby nuclear facility.
I wanna go, I wanna go!!!
NC is a beautiful state, my home state although my father’s work took us to Maryland before i was school age. Still visit NC and love the mountains, coastal beaches and all that lies between. I have not been to the outer banks yet. Always intended to visit Roanoke Island.
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford.
Thank you for sharing. NC is great, and I enjoyed my week spent there.
Your baby is beautiful! We lost all our leaves with the storm. I’m so glad your area of NC still has its foliage. Lovely pictures, as always!
I love living in the Lake Norman area. Welcome to the neighborhood! Beautiful pictures!
I especially loved your last photo. Wonderful mother and child picture!
Blessings ~ Wendy
Your baby is adorable!! N.C. sounds like a wonderful place to live. One of my favorite states to visit.
Beautiful pics. your baby is beautiful!
Great adventures can be found in the simplest places, so true — which often are right in your own backyard. Travel need not always involve long distances to create a memory! ~ Kat
Dear Lesley, best wishes to you three in your beautiful new home state!
Thank you for your visits to my place!
Maria
I love that last photo! Radiates a lot of love and happiness!
So beautiful! That last picture took my breath away. the colors behind you and Athena (with her infectious smile) and the angle of the shot were perfect!
Love the fall colors!! Wish Texas leaves would change!
Reblogged this on James' World and commented:
Lake Norman is great!
That place looks amazing!! What a great place to live at
Amazing place, it looks really peaceful. I would definitely leave L.A and move somewhere like that.
I love happy babies! She’s gorgeous.
I love the picture of the lake and the trees – such beautiful color!
I LOVED North Carolina, and this is reminding me why
Wow, simply beautiful!
North Carolina is definitely somewhere I need to visit!
Beautiful photographs thank you for sharing your happiness
Both are looking happy and That place looks amazing
How beautiful your daughter and you. And the foliage
man this place sounds like total bliss…i can even smell the woods…
Reblogged this on i cittadini prima di tutto.
What a beautiful place to call home!
What beautiful pictures! =) Thank you for sharing them…and your daughter looks absolutely adorable!!
Glad you are enjoying NC.
Baby, baby! You’re sooooo adorable! Thanks for sharing, Great place! :*
missgreyshus.wordpress.com
It looks just marvellous!! What a great area to live in…and what a little sweetheart is Athena
Athena and the park are gorgeous!
Love that park and Lake Norman! When I lived in Charlotte, I loved that area!
Great pic of mom and baby!
A winter’s stroll without a jacket, gloves and hat! I may have to come investigate NC. It was 28 here yesterday am. You live in a lovely place.
Glad ot see you are taking a break to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. I recall a canoe trip as a young military officer beginning at Lake Jocassee. There were areas where you could tube and slide over rocks. Worth a trip!
Isn’t North Carolina spectacular?! Always wanted to be able to retire there. Spent all my summers (when I was a kid) in various areas of the state. My family had a home on top of a mountain in western NC. Wish we still did. It’s a great state with a little of everything going for it – from the Atlantic coast and lowlands of the east to the Smokies in the west.
Best wishes, NC is a place with loads of treasures just waiting to be discovered!
The beauty of North Carolina is all around you — as you check out the small towns you’ll find more and more beauty. I miss living there so much.
Looks beautiful there, and you all look like you’re having a wonderful time!!
Wonderful! I would love to set up a picnic on the beach area for nice little day trip.
love the photos, love your baby, love your writing, love who you are as a mum, writer, adventurer
It’s nice to know people are still enjoying a colorful fall
I have never been to the Carolinas but they seem really nice.
Beautiful photos! Those autumn leaves look so lovely! And little Athena looks so dear! Thanks for sharing – will put this park in my list of places to visit when I make it to the Southeast Coast.
Athena is such a cutie pie. Thank you for sharing her with us. Beautiful park. Lucky you.
That is a lovely area. We visited the park and lake a few years ago. And your baby is sooooo cute!
Love the pics! Athena seems to be enjoying NC
Wow! Beautiful Autumn colors! And, Athena is such a precious little doll!