Lake Martin

My parents recently built a house on Lake Martin. Lake Martin is a 44,000 acre made-made reservoir with 750 miles of shoreline located in eastern Alabama. The reservoir was created by Alabama Power in 1926 when they built the Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River and flooded the surrounding area (remember what saved the Foggy Bottom Boys from being hanged in Oh Brother Where Art Thou? same thing). At the time it was completed, Lake Martin was the largest artificial body of water in the world. Now it is a beautiful recreational lake enjoyed by many in the southeast.
My parents' house is in the Kowaliga area (yes, as in the lovesick wooden Indian made famous in the Hank Williams song. And it's pronounced kuh-LIGE-uh). My grandfather, Daddy Mac, began buying land around the lake in the 1960's. Alabama Power leased most of the lots around the lake, but eventually allowed many leasees to buy the land outright. Thanks to Daddy Mac's foresight in buying lake property, we have enjoyed going to Lake Martin for several generations. Daddy Mac loved to spend time at the lake and water skied into his 80's. He created a wonderful legacy for our family and left us a lot of precious memories.
I took all three boys up there this past weekend. Jason had to work on Saturday...as he has for the past several Saturdays. Hugh & Grant spent hours playing on the beach and in the water, mother and I took a hike through the adjacent wooded area, Eli was mesmerized by the breathtaking view and Daddy grilled hotdogs during halftime of the Alabama game -- they were delicious.
We are so glad to have this beautiful vacation home in our family. We have gotten many days of enjoyment out of it and look forward to many more!

Mother & Daddy in front of the lot pre-construction


Finishing the landscape July 2007

Daddy fishing off the pier (last year's water level!)