When I got ready to write this column, I couldn’t resist the allure of an ideal October day on the lake – or at least in view of it. So, I gathered up my notes, tucked my laptop under my arm, headed out to my porch and pulled up an Adirondack chair.
“Ahh, the lake is my muse,” I told myself. And you know what? I was right. I cannot begin to count the number of stories and columns inspired over the years from this very spot.
The distinctive sound of the leaves rustling, set in motion by a gentle breeze signals the arrival of autumn’s falling temperatures on the heels of a hot – really hot – Alabama summer. A clear, blue sky overhead is interrupted only by a sphere of sunlight casting a shimmering reflection in the water below as if the sun were gazing into its own mirror. It’s a work of art suitable for framing.
The scenery and the surroundings never tire me, but of course, I’m not alone. Ask any lake dweller, and they’ll likely tell you the same story. It’s their “happy place,” as the popular saying goes. I just get to write about it.
I have lived on the lake for decades now, and the one constant I found is that it really doesn’t matter what lake, river, stream, creek, ocean or sea that happens to be within that frame, it’s the water that draws you in like a good novel.
Put simply, it’s my happy place, too. Just like for thousands of others on Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes, it never gets old. It’s a place where memories are born, no doubt spurred by special events, occasions, people and community – the perfect ingredients.
When we created LakeLife 24/7 Magazine®, it was with the notion that we wanted to capture those memories in the making. That’s our aim in every issue.
Helping us reach that target are those who share their stories, allowing us to discover or rediscover the people, places and events that make our lakes so special.
One such event is Gadsden Habitat for Humanity’s Dragon Boat Races. The Coosa becomes the habitat for an ancient Chinese sport tracing its roots back 2,000 years. The community comes together, supplying intrepid teams of more than a dozen rowers who power each dragon boat in the spirit of competition and raise needed funds for the mission.
The dragon boat teams working in sync are a reminder of Habitat’s own teams who swing a hammer, spackle a wall or handle a paintbrush en route to providing affordable housing in the community.
Other events worthy of note are of the musical kind – Live at Logan Martin, Lakeside Live and Riverfest at River Rocks – guaranteed to draw the crowds for days and evenings of great music and boatloads of fun.
In our Remember When regular feature, step back in time for these memories – when Buck’s Island was merely a dream, a vision young Buck had to create a special place for people to enjoy the water.
What sets our lakes apart from others, I think, is community, how people come together to rally around good causes, large and small – how they connect with one another around these places we call home.
And while social media has brought about so many changes in our society, not always for good, it’s reassuring to see platforms like Love Logan Martin Lake on Facebook bringing people together in a positive way around this bond that connects us all.
Those are some of the people, places and events you’ll find in this issue of LakeLife 24/7. There’s more! Turn the page and discover them all with us.
