If you have run races before through Active.com – you will be saved a step in registering.  If not, that is OK too, an account is free.

The race fee is $40 for the 10k and $20 for the 5k.

I plan to run again this year, it’s my third year in a row. It is the only 10k I have ever run in, so I don’t have much in the way of comparison.  I think it’s hilly, but my Birmingham friends tell me it is not so bad.  Whatever.

At any rate, it gives me great motivation to stay active while I train for it.  Even though it’s not very hilly where I live, and I run only on roads or the treadmill, that seems to prepare me pretty well.

The race is run over the trails in Russell Forest.  Honestly, “trails” – is not quite accurate, they are really dirt roads.  True, there are sections that are gravelly, but for the most part it is hard packed red clay.  The roads meander through the woods by Lake Martin, and are just beautiful. Many moons ago, when Russell Lands still leased that area for hunting, my dad used to take me quail hunting all through there.

I think one of the best parts of the race is the after party.  Russell Lands the power of Russell Crossroads and has the Chef from Springhouse there serving tasties (I think they did a squash bisque last year) and the folks at Catherine’s Market are supposed to have cold beer and drinks.

Plug For Runkeeper

To anyone that is training for the Russell Forest Run, or if you like to run or walk in general, take note of the Runkeeper app.

A friend of mine told me about this app for my iPhone. I love it for many reasons.

First, it’s free. Secondly, it keeps up with all of your workouts and syncs them to the runkeeper.com site. You can set your own running routes, and it calculates distance for you. When you start your run, you let it know what route you plan to run, and it tracks the GPS on your phone and updates you with distance, time, and pace announcements through your earphones. You can even select what playlist you want to play while you run, and whether or not you shuffle.

When you are done, you let it know, and it uploads your results to your private runkeeper.com account.

My only complaint is that it is not compatible with my heart rate monitor. I have one of those older chest strap monitors that transmits your heart rate. It works great on the treadmill but my iPhone 4 won’t put it through to runkeeper. Maybe it’s an iPhone thing, I don’t know. It would be really cool to be updated on my heart rate because that’s how I train anyway, not by timed pace per mile.

Enough about me.

I hope to see YOU at the Russell Forest Run. It’s a fun event that shows you that there’s plenty of things to do around Lake Martin in the winter.

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That’s right, Jake and Elwood have gotten the band back together, and they are performing at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium in Alex City on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012, at 7:30 PM.

They are playing complete with the intercontinental Rhythm and Blues Band, with a “piping hot” horn section, with gospel singers, and dancers. In fact, their sax player Murph Dunne got in a huge fight with his wife. He lost her and a job to be here, so the least you can do is show up.

I will grant you, there will be a few elements missing from the normal show. While they do feature gospel singers, I am pretty sure that James Brown will not be doing back flips on a trampoline. But on a positive note, there will be no crazed women firing M-16s at the boys.  Here’s a link to their latest promo video.

Seriously, this is for a really good cause – The Alex City Arts, and was funded in part by a grant from the Alabama State Council of the Arts.

Doors open at 7pm. Tickets: $15.00 for adults, children 12 and under $5. Tickets will be available February 1st at the Russell Hospital Gift Shop; The Chamber of Commerce; and ‘Main Street’, Alexander City, or at the door. For more information call; Ron Morgan, President, Alex City Arts at 256.234.9806 or e-mail Topdog@Lakedog.net

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Aliant Bank is auctioning the Water’s Edge neighborhood.

Water’s Edge, formerly known as Eagle Point, was a proposed waterfront development on the Big Kowaliga section of Lake Martin. It was (by my unscientific estimation) one of the largest, if not the largest, waterfront loan in Aliant’s history. It is located at the end of Coosa County Road 20, directly across the water from the old Veazey’s Marina near Willow Point.

Aliant loaned the money to real estate developers that tried to market it as Eagle Point, but the bank ended up taking that land back, and now has hired auctioneer JP King to auction off the whole shebang.

I have read JP King’s promotional materials and also called and emailed them for more information. At the time of this writing, they did not have a location map, neighborhood covenants and restrictions, but did have about 15 photos. Here are the major points:

Date: Saturday, March 10, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM Central Time
Place: “On Site” – I don’t know which part of the property that means, but if you take Coosa County Road 20 all the way east, surely they will have signage up.

Disclosure Of My Extreme Bias

I have a lot of personal bias when it comes to both Aliant Bank and Water’s Edge, nee Eagle Point.

Firstly, growing up in Alex City, I either know or am related to just about everyone that works there. Fine folks and experts at Lake Martin lending. In fact, they are about the only source that I know of right now that will loan on Alabama Power leased lot homes.

Secondly, I have a lot of personal history with Water’s Edge / Eagle Point. I helped Aliant do much of the homework (market studies, comparable sales, realtor stuff, etc.) when they first foreclosed. I also listed two of the spec homes that they had for sale. I had those homes listed during the construction phase and for several months after they were completed.

However - and this is a big however - I never listed any of the lots nor the Island parcel. Not the lots close to the spec houses (which the auctioneer is calling “The Cottages at Eagle Point”), nor the “island” portion (which the auctioneer is calling “Narrows Point at Water’s Edge”).

The only time (to my knowledge) that Aliant has put any of these lots on the market was when they listed lots 3 and 4 with Rhonda Gaskins at RealtySouth, the brokerage that listed the homes on lot 1 and lot 2 after my listing period expired. As was apparent in our Lake Martin MLS, they listed the lots for $195k and dropped the price to $159k before that listing expired late this fall.

Why The Water’s Edge Auction Will Be Interesting

I think Aliant’s auction of the foreclosed Eagle Point / Water’s Edge waterfront development will be interesting for three major reasons:

1.) Waterfront auctions on Lake Martin homes, lots, and other property have not gone well in the past. Foreclosed or not, I can only think of one auction where a sale has been consummated in the last five or so years. I sell Lake Martin real estate for a living, and that’s the sole example of success, but I can also recall five or six aborted attempts. One in particular, the auctioneer allegedly marched off in a huff after no one submitted an opening bid.

2.) The auction is not absolute. This may change, but as of this writing, according to auctioneer JP King, none of the parcels is being sold absolute.  Selling absolute means, essentially, if you bid $1, and you’re the high bidder, you get to buy it at that, regardless. If it’s not absolute it means that the bank has a minimum price, and if the bids don’t meet their minimum, they are not compelled to sell to you. Granted, this may change. When I talked to the auction company, they admitted that their information was incomplete right now. (Sidebar – the auction is in about 10 weeks. When will it be complete? Who will bid without complete information?)

3.) Only two of the lots have ever been on the market. As mentioned above, they last asked $159k each for lots 3 and 4 on the “Cottages” parcel. They have never – repeat never – put the island portion on the market (that is the parcel they call The Narrows).

Would you like to bid on waterfront lots or homes at Water’s Edge? Please contact me using this form or call me at 334 221 5862.

More Information about Water’s Edge At Lake Martin

I have written extensively about Water’s Edge in the past and also taken tons of video. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND that these are old posts from when I had the homes listed, so the pricing etc. NO LONGER APPLIES:

 Lot 2, Water’s Edge

Does Ceiling Color Keep Away Bugs?

Water’s Edge Featured In Lake Magazine

Lake Martin Seawall Construction

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Their stated purpose is: “building a better Alabama and preparing for future disasters.”

They want to hear feedback from people in the Lake Martin area who were affected by the April 2011 tornado.

For more information about this meeting, please contact the TRAC directly through their website: TRACalabama.org

Here is their flyer:

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On any given Saturday morning you’re sure to run into the Jones family, Lake Martin homeowners from Atlanta, who are hip to things culinary, and fans of local produce. Despite having a world of foodie options in the city, they frequent the Alex City farmer’s market (and then the Piggly Wiggly meat counter right up the street) and create fantastic dishes to serve lakeside.  If you’re lucky enough to be invited to dine with them, leave your cooler of Natural Light and pimento cheese at home.  Allow Mr. Jones to set the menu.

We took our own family trip to the farmer’s market, and filmed this quick video so you can check it out too:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Lake Martin community extends well past the shoreline into the small towns and countryside around it.  The more you know about the area, the more you will feel at home here.  If you need help finding that perfect lake home, or just want some ideas of things to do while you’re here, give me a call at 334 221 5862.

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Aquapalooza is a free, on the water concert that you can boat up, anchor, and go dance by the stage.  It is tons of fun, and, in my opinion, becoming the 4th big lake holiday behind Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.

Lake Martin has experienced two really big Aquapaloozas – the nationally promoted signature event in 2009 featuring Alan Jackson, and this pretty doggone big event in 2010 with John Anderson.

In 2011, the headliner is Sawyer Brown.  Here’s the full lineup:

Lake Martin Aquapalooza 2011 Lineup

Sawyer Brown
Rhett Atkins
Chase Rice
Derek Welsh and the Cold Hard Truth

Lake Martin Aquapalooza 2011 Schedule

11 AM – 7 PM on July 23, 2011.

Memo to all you fast timers – we’re on Central Time.

Click here for the Official Aquapalooza Site

Lake Martin Aquapalooza 2011 Setup Tips

The prior years of fun have given us all some valuable experience. I shot a quick video below to go over some tips for Aquapalooza on Lake Martin.

Click here to view the embedded video.

1. Have a sober driver and sober spotter – I say this in the video but it’s worth repeating. The driver will need someone at the front of the boat that is looking out for other boats, swimmers, kayakers, etc.
2. Obey all Alabama laws – if you’re coming from out of state, study up.
3. Idle speed only – west of Kowaliga Bridge is idle speed only until you get to Governor’s Island. The surest way to get pulled over by the AL Marine Police is to be above idle in this zone. Make even the smallest wake and they will hammer down on you.  Quite frankly, you deserve it.
4. If you anchor up, use an anchor line – so many times I see folks throwing out their brand new mushroom anchor that is tied to ski rope.  Bad idea. It may be easy going down, but at the end of the day when you are hauling in 75 feet of it, and it’s slick, that thin ski rope will burn your hands.
5. If you swim to the stage, use a PFD – it looks like a short swim, but trust me, you will get tired. Swim with a life vest on your person.
6. Bring twice as many boat bumpers than you think you will need – even if you only use 2 to attach to your pier, you will need a bunch more when your friends (old and new) sidle up to you and anchor with you.
7. Buy all your provisions locally – OK, so I’m a big believer in supporting the Lake Martin locals, yes.  But on the practical side, I can tell you that the local C Stores will have plenty of ice, snacks, and beverages.  It’s the same price as your hometown’s.  Unless you just like to load a cooler 2 days in advance, the smart move is to get it in theater.
8. Take plenty of pics and video – you won’t believe how much fun it is to look at them later.  Local Lake Martin photographer Kenneth Boone usually has the best ones on his SmugMug account here.
9. Tweet it out – if you’re on Lake Martin and hip to twitter, use hashtags of #lakemartin and #aquapalooza and @SeaRayBoat
10. Check in on FourSquare – there’s a musical event set up on Foursquare – Aquapalooza on Lake Martin

Homes For Sale On Lake Martin Near Aquapalooza 2011

Do you have some time to kill, and maybe would like to cruise by some waterfront homes that are for sale near Lake Martin’s Aquapalooza site at Kowaliga Marina?

Click on the Request List link below:

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST HOMES FOR SALE

You will be asked for your name and email, and then you will be emailed two lists we have compiled of waterfront homes for sale on Lake Martin right now. One list is east of Kowaliga Bridge, the other is west of it. This list is from the Lake Martin Area Realtors’ MLS, so it’s any brokerage’s listings, not just mine.  Also, don’t worry, we DO NOT SELL, GIVEAWAY, or otherwise distribute your info.

Have a fun and save Aquapalooza 2011 on Lake Martin!

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I took my kids and nephews because I thought it would be fun to watch the pros show off their skilz.  But they did much more than that . . .

They had 4 boats taking folks out for lessons, and we spent at least an hour on the water with these guys.  They were great with the kids, generous with their time, and pretty good behind the boat, too.  I caught it all on tape, so check in out:

Click here to view the embedded video.

My nephews are going back for lessons later this summer. They already knew how to get up on a wakeboard, and the pros helped them fine tune some tricks and tactics.  One of my sons tried it also, he had never ridden a wakeboard before, and they got him up on his 3rd try. After he got up once, he went three or four more times and we all had a blast.

To top it all off, we came back and watched the pros go over a rail that they had floating in the water by the gas docks, and they gave us free pizza!

If you hear about one of these events going on at the lake, I encourage you to go.  They happen all the time at the marinas – boat demos, wave runner demos, etc.  The next event at Blue Creek Marina is on July 22, 2011.

Thanks to Singleton Marine Group & Blue Creek Marina for this one.

It was a class A event and really opened our eyes to a whole new realm of water sports.

Quick Links:

Singleton Marine – Blue Creek Marina

Slingshot Wakeboards

Axis Wakeboard Boats

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Pack a cooler.  Find an island and anchor.  Cruise the entire lake.  Tie up at a restaurant for lunch.  Visit friends.  Ski and wake board in the calm waters of a slough.  Enjoy drinks on the boat at sun set.  Not a bad way to spend the day!

I recently sold a home to a couple who had been doing just this : day tripping from Georgia and putting their boat in at River North Marina.  They love to wake board, so they liked the calm waters on the north side of Lake Martin.  They had plenty of Lake Martin day trips and several rented lake houses before they finally decided to buy.  These are great ways to get to know the lake.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you’re interested in day trips to Lake Martin, there are plenty of places to launch your boat.  Click on this link for a list of Lake Martin public boat launches.  Click here for a list of Lake Martin marinas. If you don’t have a boat, and would like to rent one for the day, check with the marinas for prices and availability.

If you’re a pro at the Lake Martin day trip, comment below and let us know your tips.  Thanks for the input!

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I spent Friday, April 29, 2011, in the Tallapoosa County Road 34 area.  This area of Lake Martin was the site of much damage – a direct hit from the tornado that passed through on Wednesday, April 27.

The Alabama State Troopers had a roadblock up on County Road 34 to limit traffic flow to the absolutely necessary.  I was shocked and amazed when I saw the damage and destruction the tornado left behind, especially to two area businesses: Kelley’s Heating and Air, and The Green Monster Fishing Light.  They are located at about 11003 County Road 34, Dadeville, AL 36853.

I shot a quick video of one of the more amazing scenes I have seen: the tornado picked up weights and threw them about 200 yards.  One of them was a 70 pound dumbbell. It was hard for me to understand how it could pick up something so heavy, with so low a profile and center of gravity. But it did, and did it en route to completely destroying the Kelley metal building and ripping trees from the entrance to Maxwell Gunter Recreation Area.  Check out the video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

I then went and interviewed Ronnie Dennis of The Green Monster Fishing Light.com.  He lives close by ground zero, and his father somehow miraculously survived a direct hit from the tornado while inside the metal building. I found his story to be inspiring, I hope you do, too.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Tomorrow I plan to get back out to the Tallapoosa County area and talk to volunteers and firemen that are working feverishly to help those in need.  As of noon today, Tallapoosa County, Alabama was still not on the disaster area list.  This must be sheer ignorance on someone’s part.  If they could see a fraction of the tornado damage here, we would receive some more aid.

Lake Martin stretches over three Alabama counties: Coosa, Elmore, and Tallapoosa.

For more images of the tornado’s aftermath at Lake Martin:

Lake Martin Voice Photos on Flickr

Kenneth Boone Photos

Lake Martin Dock Company Photos

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One if our new listings, 155 Lakeview Drive, has put this Lake Martin/Auburn connection on my mind.  The home is in the Barron Bridge area of Lake Martin, which is as east you can get.  That makes it the absolute closest you can get to Auburn and still have a waterfront home.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s an easy drive to the stadium over peaceful country roads.

You’ve heard about those game day condos -  fans go in together and share them for a few weekends a year. Why not use this home for a game day condo?  Maybe 25 minutes more of a ride, but you get the HUGE bonus of having a waterfront home on Lake Martin to enjoy year round!

Click here for more information on 155 Lakeview Drive.

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