Lake Martin Voice Realty
Archive for the 'Where To Go' Category
Kowaliga Marina on Lake Martin: Video Tour
Kowaliga Marina is one of Lake Martin’s oldest and largest marinas. It’s located on the south central part of Lake Martin, off of Highway 63 and next door to Sinclair’s restaurant . It was home to Aquapalooza 2009, featured on Country Music Television (CMT).
Kowaliga Marina has a huge boat showroom, boating and skiing gear, gas docks, plus wet and dry boat storage. Check out their facilities in the video below. Enjoy the tour!
Pizza by Boat: Hard to beat Chuck’s Marina on Lake Martin
The website for Chuck’s Marina on Lake Martin says it best, so let me quote:
“The Marina beckons boaters like a Key West dream, with brightly colored buildings ranging from deep turquoise to lime green. It’s a perfect place to dock and enjoy the lake view.”
(The restaurant also serves a great pizza!)
If you haven’t been to Chuck’s yet, it’s a must-do on your next Lake Martin adventure!
Meet you at Chimney Rock . . . or is it Acapulco Rock?
Chimney Rock is THE place to meet by water on Lake Martin. If you like a crowd, this central Lake Martin location is the spot where boaters tie up together and cheer (or heckle) those who dare jump off of Chicken Rock or Chimney Rock.
The funny thing is, this really isn’t Chimney Rock . . .
Daredevils of all ages are actually hurling themselves off of Acapulco Rock. Check out the video and let me show you:
Regardless of what we call it, the Chimney Rock area is always a fun place to be!
Lake Martin Fall Colors On Cherokee Ridge Trail
We have had a lot of beautiful clear fall weather this year at Lake Martin. Recently I was driving back from checking on a home for sale in The Village when I decided to stop and snap some pics of the fall colors.
The Village is a subdivision off of Highway 50 on Lake Martin. It is very close to Chimney Rock and Acapulco Rock and Martin Dam. So as I was driving back to my office, I passed right by the Overlook, which also serves as the trail head for Lake Martin’s Cherokee Ridge Trail system.
Since it was such a pretty day I decided to stop at the Overlook and get some pics of the fall colors, maybe even the famous landmarks of Chimney Rock and Acapulco Rock. I figured it would take a quick 30 minutes.
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I ended up taking a couple of hours, mainly because I went the wrong way on the Chimney Rock Loop Trail.
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As usual I missed a couple of pics of hawks. But this turtle could not escape my speed photography:
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I probably need to get a polarized filter or something that will help out with the color balance:
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Chimney and Acapulco Rocks look lonely in the fall:
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This boater breaks the silence:
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In the end, I was too far away from Chimney and Acapulco Rocks to get decent pictures, even with my long lens. But it was a really fun hike, and the leaves were just right.
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Click here for the entire set of pics on Flickr
Bay Pines Marina, Lake Martin
Bay Pines Marina has been around Lake Martin as long as I can remember. More accurately, it has always been there, but has been run by different folks.
That’s why I was excited when I read of Bay Pines’ renaissance under current owners Jim and Bill.
As the name would indicate, it is in the Bay Pines area of Lake Martin. To get there by car from Alex City, go east over the Highway 280 (aka River) Bridge. Take a right on County Road 40. At the stop sign take a right on Bay Pines Road, and go all the way to the end. Click here for a map to Bay Pines Marina.
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Here is a link to their ad on lakemartin.com
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Also, in a sign of the times, I am pleased to see that they have a Facebook Page. Now, when Marty’s Marina gets a Facebook Page, I really will be surprised. (quick self promo – please become a fan of the Lake Martin Voice Facebook Page)
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They sell non ethanol gas and are proud of it, by God. In fact, according to their ad, “We have ethanol-free gas at the dock and on the street. The street gas is a little lower price but still the same mid-grade all the way around with NO ETHANOL EVER!!! BOAT GAS IS NOT MADE FROM CORN“ Too funny.
Bay Pines Marina seems to be very geared to fishermen. You can launch your boat, get gas, buy coffee and C store food- plus Bait! I am not sure but it may be the only place you can buy live bait on the waters of Lake Martin. If someone knows for sure, please comment below and help us all out.
According to a sign posted on the window, Bay Pines’ winter hours are:
Friday – noon till dark
Saturday – 8 till dark
Sunday – 10:30 till dark
Discover The Old Cemetery In The Pleasure Point Area
I was over in the Pleasure Point area the other day, going by two homes for sale that I have listed over there. One is on Claytons Lane and the other in on Captains Road.
If you are ever riding around in that section of Blue Creek, off of Tallapoosa County Road 34, you might find it interesting that there is an old cemetery off of, you guessed it, Old Cemetery Road.
I snapped these pics:
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Here are some closeups:
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And one last one:
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If you do happen by there, BE CAREFUL. Proceed at your own risk.
How To Get One-Up On Lake Martin Wannabes
Have you had Lake Martin waterfront property all of your life, but you’re tired of the Johnny-come-latelys who can’t find Chimney Rock without a GPS? Or maybe you’re new to Lake Martin, and have heard enough hot air from old timers that think they should have shut the gates of the lake back in 1958?
Here’s a way to way to shut both of them up.
Ask:
When’s the last time you volunteered your time for the Lake?
After they quit mumbling a response, get over on them by bragging about how you participated in the 2007 Lake Martin Clean Up.
Each year, Renew Our Rivers (a joint effort between Alabama Power and the Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership) hosts a clean up day. It’s a chance for regular folks to pitch in and help beautify Lake Martin.
When?
This year it is Saturday July 14 from 8 AM to Noon. (No, you don’t have to work the whole time. 30 minutes will do.)
Where?
Four locations: 1. Kowaliga Bridge Boat Ramp, 2. DARE Park, 3. Union Boat Ramp, and 4.Alex City Boat Ramp
Any swag?
You get a t shirt, gloves, and a bag.
Contact?
Tammy Jones (256) 234-5271 ext. 3
4 Great Lunch Meals Around Lake Martin
It’s lunchtime on Lake Martin – where should we eat? When I was growing up on Lake Martin, there weren’t many restaurants around the Lake, much less on the water. Families had to pack their on provisions and make do. You drove to the cabin, unpacked everything, and lived on ribbon sandwiches, chicken salad, hamburgers, and BBQ.
Today we have many places to eat, with more on the horizon. I eat a lot of lunches around Lake Martin, so let me suggest four great lunch orders, in no particular order:
1. Cotton’s BBQ – a couple of miles south of Kowaliga Bridge on highway 63. In my humble opinion they have the best Q the closest to Lake Martin. When I am really hungry I go for a double cheese with a BBQ sandwich and polish it off with a slice of egg custard pie. Otherwise I go for the sandwich with fries. I absolutely love good BBQ, but I detest bad BBQ. Cotton’s passes every time.
2. Oskar’s – when in Lake Martin’s Blue Creek area, it’s a great spot. I have tried almost everything on the menu, it’s hard to go wrong here. If I’m in a big hurry I do the lunch veggie special. Also I love the catfish fillet sandwich – but I get it blackened – not fried, with no sauce and no onions. Oskar’s is a rare find in that they actually know how to cook fish correctly – juicy and hot yet not overdone. Lots of restaurants, most of which charge quadruple their prices, could learn from Oskar’s.
3. Kowaliga – You can call it Sinclair’s on the Lake or Cecil’s at Kowaliga or whatever, but it will always be Kowaliga 
to me. The name has changed over the years, but the best lunch order has not. Order the same thing we have been getting since they were in that old building with the carpet hanging from the rafters. Forgo the fancy stuff and order a plate of onion rings. Wash it down with a cold beverage and soak in the ambiance. If you’re really hungry get a burger. The rings and the view are the best on Lake Martin. You won’t be disappointed. In the springtime they are only open for lunch Friday through Sunday, so you may want to call to make sure they are open.
4. Chuck’s – another Blue Creek gem. Your order? What else? Pizza. It’s very good, even by city folks’ standards. Great atmosphere, too. They sometimes have a band there, and it’s perfect for people watching. Tip - call ahead from your boat to place your order if you want to grab and go.
Bonus meal – it’s a couple of miles north of highway 280 in Alex City, but Sho’ Nuff BBQ is worth a look if you are in the area. Order the Sho’ Nuff Baked Potato. It sounds weird but trust me, it will hit the spot.
Can you think of a great lunch meal that I have left out? Leave a reply, and share it with everyone else, too!
