River Jam

I’m blessed to have the National Whitewater Center practically in my backyard, and we buy the parking pass every year. It’s free to go, $13 to park, or $45 for a pass. River Jam is every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening from late April through September.

We go to a lot of shows there, and, as you can see, it’s dog-friendly, so we can bring Chief (although sometimes we leave him home, but not often). We have a friend who works there and keeps us up to date in the best things on the restaurant menus, best beers on tap, etc.

If you like outdoor living, it’s a haven: hiking, biking, kayaking, zip lines, and whitewater rafting as well as yoga, concerts, and climbing wall.

Last night, we went a little late, music had already begun, and we waited at the bar at Water’s Edge for an outdoor table. Our beertender (no hard liquor, just beer and wine) was fantastic, and we met a few people and enjoyed some laughter and conversation.

When we were seated, we opened up the chessboard and set it up. Our server, Jenny told us that she’d always wanted to learn to play, so when her section slowed down, we taught her the basics—how each piece can move— and began a fresh game to demonstrate the pieces moving and decisions necessary, traps to watch for, etc. We also left a generous cash gratuity since we didn’t order much but were at the table for a relatively long time (note to those who have never waited tables—if you linger at the table, add a little extra to your tip; otherwise, you’re actively costing someone income, especially if people are waiting to be seated. Don’t be a self-important asshole).

In the interim, we enjoyed a couple of appetizers: the elote dip with tortilla chips, which was fine but not spectacular, and the cumber melon gazpacho with prosciutto, mint, and melon skewers, which was divine. We shared a bowl and had plenty. Adding the prosciutto, mint, and melon chunks to the watermelon-based soup next-leveled it. The balance of flavors and textures was perfect, and, at $9, it’s of the least expensive things on the menu, except for sides.

While we watched the sunset, sipped our beers (Modelo for my husband, Bed of Nails brown ale from Hi-Wire in Asheville for me), enjoyed our soup and chips & dip, we played a game of chess and listened to these guys perform on the stage.

In addition to their original songs, they did a couple of Tom Petty covers, and every was relaxed, chill, and easy. I vascillated about going out, wasn’t sure I felt up to it, and I’m glad I chose to get back to life and enjoy the quality experiences available to me by virtue of where I live.

If you’re planning to visit the Charlotte area, make sure you put the Whitewater Center on your list of places to see. Even if you don’t choose to participate in the activities on offer, you can enjoy the venue by relaxing with a beer while watching others in the big water track, on the zip lines and climbing walls, and enjoy some live music and a spectacular sunset.

In addition to the Whitewater Center, just a few miles away on the Catawba River is Tony’s Bar, which opened in the 1930s. You can tell by the coloration of the one dolmar bills stapled to every inch of wall when smoking laws changed to prohibit indoor smoking in bars and restaurants, plus mtie decks and a stone staircase down to the river. An episode of Netflix’s The Hunting Wives (filmed up on the lake in Mooresville) was filmed there this winter.

As we say down here in the land of Dixie, y’all come.