The Alexander City Outlook

Why I love Lake Martin | John Thompson

What’s not to love about Lake Martin?

The spectacular sunsets and sunrises viewed over the sparkling clean, clear water are truly breathtaking. The beautiful, seemingly unending shoreline offers boaters interestingly different views no matter how many times a boat cruise is repeated. The sight of a fully mature American Bald Eagle soaring through the sky over glistening waters creates a feeling like no other experience can produce. Lake Martin is truly a wonderful place to live and breathe.

But what I love most are the people of Lake Martin. There are hundreds’ of “lake lovers” who spend thousands of volunteer hours working to protect Lake Martin. There are many who respond when needed as a volunteer fire fighter. These giving souls are called in the middle of the night to enter into dangerous situations and perform difficult tasks while helping their neighbors.

“Lake lovers” are willing to pick up litter dropped in the lake and on the roadsides by careless individuals. They are willing to spend time and energy in the placement and maintenance of hazard buoys in areas of the lake that represent potential danger for boaters. They are present at every meeting where controversial issues affecting Lake Martin are discussed. “Lake lovers” are very social and want others to enjoy Lake Martin but they anger quickly when the peaceful serenity of the lake is disturbed.

There are individual “lake lovers” who have given enormous sums of money and time to insure the natural beauty and exceptionally high water quality of Lake Martin will be sustained for the generations to come. There are others who have come up with creative ideas that developed into extensive shoreline projects that offer enhancements to the Lake Martin experience. There are dedicated school teachers who work diligently in educating our children on the critical value of the lake and the role that young people can play in its protection

Lake Martin has a natural quality second to none but without the people who have a passion for protecting and maintaining its purity for now and evermore, it will become just another large body of water.