Tag: lake life

5 Things Only Lake Murray Natives Would Know

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person kaying on lake murray, south carolina

Lake Murray is a reservoir stretching across 50,000 acres in upstate South Carolina.

Since its creation in 1930, Lake Murray has become the epicenter of the region, with four counties and several communities all possessing ties to the lake, including the state capitol, Columbia, only 25 miles away.

In addition to providing hydroelectric power for the region, Lake Murray has quickly grown into one of the region’s premier recreational destinations, one you know to be among your favorite places: you also refer to it as home.

Continue reading “5 Things Only Lake Murray Natives Would Know”

You Might Be a Lake LBJ Local When

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Lake LBJ colorful during sunset

Lake Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) is a 6,200-acre, constant-level reservoir located on the Colorado River in the famous Texas Hill Country.

Originally named Lake Granite Shoals, Lake LBJ is just an hour’s drive from Austin, Texas, and is the perfect combination of rural, relaxed lake living and big-city accessibility.

Whether you grew up visiting the lake during the summers, or grew up on the water, you’ll recognize Lake LBJ by these amazing qualities:

At Lake LBJ, Wildlife Lives Next Door 

Father and son fishing at Lake LBJ

In the Texas Hill Country, wildlife is abundant.

Fishing, of course, is one of the more popular past times during the spring and summer months. Amateur and skilled anglers from all over the country flock to Lake LBJ for a chance at record-breaking bass and crappie.

Along with its impressive variety of fish species, the area surrounding the lake is populated by a myriad of wildlife including foxes, coyotes, rabbits, and deer.

Because the areas surrounding the lake are made up of incorporated subdivisions, hunting is strictly prohibited, so a wide variety of beautiful wild animals will be among your neighbors.

Celebrity Sightings Are Routine

lake aerial view

While it may not be Los Angeles or New York City, Lake LBJ holds its own when it comes to attracting the best and brightest.

Influential businessmen and women from several of the largest cities in the state (and the country) flock to the lake for weekend getaways or for retirement.

In fact, the lake is one of the top three choices for retirement in the United States!

Celebrity actors like Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey as well as a number of professional athletes also love calling Lake LBJ their home.

If you’re lucky, you may see Matthew and his kids driving the boat around Horseshoe Bay.

The Beauty of the Highland Lakes is Unparalleled

Whether the blue from the sparkling expanse of water or a rainbow of Texas wildflowers, you know that stepping outside and gazing at the lake is all the color you will need some days.

Throughout April and May, people travel from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the amazing assortment of wildflowers scattered along the shoreline and surrounding fields.

Every year, visitors are drawn to the vivid colors and unrivaled charm of the Lake LBJ  area, however, you are lucky enough to call it home.

There is No Shortage of Things to Do

person boating on still waters

Whether a regatta, boat race or the annual Fourth of July Fireworks display, there is always something going on at Lake LBJ.

Aside from the usual lake activities like boating, swimming, sailing, and skiing, Lake LBJ offers a wide array of other opportunities to get outdoors.

During the day, you like to visit Lake LBJ State Park for its top-notch hiking trails. And if you’re feeling adventurous? The state park offers archery clinics, fishing days, conservation workshops and celebrations.

Rich, Texan Culture

Texas flag and USA flag

One of the most popular lakes in Texas, Lake LBJ is visited by thousands of Texans from all over the state.

Named after the 36th U.S. president, who spent a great deal of his downtime on the lake, this lake brings a touch of Texan (and national) pride to the area.

The lake’s beauty, rich history, and lively atmosphere make a great day at the lake inevitable!

Interested in making Lake LBJ your home? Residents, lake experts, and real estate agents would tell you you’d be surprised at the variety of homes found on Lake LBJ’s 30 miles of shoreline.

Homes on the Lake LBJ market range anywhere from $80,000 to $7,000,000. To get a taste of the real estate diversity on Lake LBJ or browse our 468 listings, visit lakehomes.com or contact lake expert Bruce Jones.

Nicole Walters to be Featured on Lakefront Bargain Hunt

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Nicole Walters

UPDATE 5/2: Nicole’s episode is now set to air this Sunday, 5/8/16 at 7PM central! Be sure to tune in!

UPDATE 4/29: HGTV has made changes to their Lakefront Bargain Hunt schedule and Nicole’s episode has been pushed back to a later date. We will have another update when it is rescheduled and set to air.

Tune into HGTV’s latest episode of Lakefront Bargain Hunt this Sunday, May 1st at 7 p.m. Central to see Lake Homes Realty’s Logan Martin Lake agent Nicole Anderson Walters!

Nicole, who is a seasoned Logan Martin Agent, will be helping a couple from Alabaster find their dream home on Logan Martin after they spent years taking weekend trips to the area.

Lakefront Bargain Hunt features families who are seeking to purchase a lake home on a budget. Each episode highlights a different lake and local expert real estate agent.

Nicole is the second Lake Homes Realty agent to be featured on the show this year; Justin Dyar and Smith Lake were featured earlier this month.

For more information on Nicole’s upcoming episode, visit the Lakefront Bargain Hunt website.

 

You Know You’ve Spent Time on Lake Lanier When…

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Lake lanier satellite mapNestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, breathtaking Lake Lanier spans 37,000 acres and features more than 692 miles of shoreline.

It also happens to be less than an hour away from Atlanta, making it the easiest of commutes.

Whether you grew up visiting the lake or call it your permanent home, you’ll recognize your favorite lake from these landmarks.

Current residents and expert-agents weigh in on their Lake Lanier Highlights.

Lake Lanier has two distinct personalities

Call it a West Side story, but you know Lake Lanier has two completely different personalities, South Side vs. North Side.

The South Side of the lake is the nearest to Atlanta and always has something going on at the Lake Lanier Islands Resort, the waterpark or restaurants, at LanierWorld, or the larger marinas.

The North Side of the lake is nearest to small towns like Cumming as well as a small city, Gainesville.

This is the side of the lake you will canoe and paddle board on. The shoreline remains a little more residential and the water is peaceful.

Lake LanierWorldLanierWorld

It isn’t just for the kids.

Yes, thousands upon thousands of visitors and tourists make their way to LanierWorld every year.

You may pretend to roll your eyes at the park’s 11 waterslides, wave pool, carnival-style rides and lakeside grill. But let’s be real…you love it.

No matter your age, you love spending the sunny, summer days flying down water slides and riding the Raging River rapids.

And after a day on the waterslides, head over to Pigtails or Fishtails for dinner and dessert.

Port Royale

This is the perfect place for your lake pit stop.

Located on the North side of the lake, Port Royale is by far your favorite marina on the lake.

With 5-Star amenities, the Lighthouse convenience store and Pelican Pete’s, Port Royale rivals even the most impressive of marinas.

Great food, live entertainment and a guaranteed good time are waiting for you down at the Port Royale Marina.

Rich History 

You’re hopelessly fascinated with the history surrounding the lake.

Everyone knows North Georgia has a rich history dating back before the Revolutionary War, but there are some spots around the lake especially surrounded by myth and legend.

War Hill, a 108-acre park, for example, has almost no documented history regarding its origin and early history.

Local experts say there was most likely a significant Native American battle on the site. However, it’s rumored that evidence of what really happened at War Hill is buried under the lake.

Fabulous Fourth of July Celebration 

You can’t imagine spending Fourth of July anywhere else.

Every year, places like Lake Lanier Islands host a swanky “Red, White and Blue Luau,” and Laurel Park serves up hot dogs, cotton candy and snow cones courtesy of the Paul E. Bolding American Legion.

But whether you spend the Fourth in your backyard on the dock or at any of Lake Lanier’s parks, you are sure to have the perfect view for a fantastic firework spectacle.

They See You Rowin’

You wish you had what it takes to be a professional rower.

You’re proud that YOUR lake was home to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and that the Lake Lanier Rowing Club is one of the most prestigious rowing venues in the world.

Some days you look out your window and see five sculls rowing by, and you know this is totally normal.

Sunset Cove

You spent entire days at Sunset Cove.

Whether you drove up in your boat or your car, you know Sunset Cove is the place to be on a clear, summer day.

With live entertainment, a powder-white beach, beach volleyball courts, fire pits and delicious food, what’s not to love?

Park your boat, turn up the music, and stay ‘til the sun goes down.skogies on lake lanier

Eat a Skogie Sammich

Skogie’s Famous Grouper Sandwich has your heart (and your stomach.)

Recently voted best restaurant on Lake Lanier, Skogie’s is the perfect place for good food and cold drinks on a summer day.

Located at the Gainesville Marina, Skogie’s for dinner is the perfect way to cap off a great day at the lake.

Christmas Lights Galore

Magical Nights of Lights means that Christmas is officially on its way.

Every year, Lake Lanier Islands hosts this six-mile animated light display that ends with the Holiday Village.

The Village features carnival rides, bonfires, Santa’s workshop and a live nativity scene.

One of the most treasured traditions on Lake Lanier, driving through the Magical Nights of Lights with a car full of loved ones is the best way to kick off the holiday season.

Lake Lanier sunset

Unparalleled Beauty

You know you live on the most beautiful lake in the Southeast.

Visitors love the lake because of more than 50 parks and public access points on Lanier, but residents love it because this body of water is unmistakably home.

The best part of living on Lake Lanier? There is something for everyone.

With a lake that touches five counties and 600 miles of shoreline, it is easy to find a piece of Lake Lanier that fits every personality.

Whether you enjoy the hustle and bustle of Lanier Island or the serenity of a secluded northside cove, living on Lanier is the perfect oasis.

Interested in making Lanier your home? Residents, lake experts and real estate agents would tell you you’d be surprised at the variety of homes found on Lake Lanier.

Homes on the Lanier market range anywhere from $250,000 to $4,000,000. To get a taste of the real estate diversity on Lake Lanier, visit our Lake Lanier page and see what we have to offer!

 

Considering Selling Your Lake Real Estate - Learn More Looking for Your Dream Lake Homes? Start Here

Big Bass Splash – Lake Guntersville, April 1-3

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Live near Lake Guntersville and looking for something to do this weekend?

Register to compete in, or just come watch, the Big Bass Splash April 1-3, 2016!

big bass splash posterThe Big Bass Splash is an annual amateur bass fishing competition series that takes place on Lake Guntersville, AL, Lake Sam Rayburn, TX, Lake Toledo Bend, LA, and Lake Fork, TX.

This 3 day event is different from other bass fishing competitions, as it has a pro-like payout of over $200,000, but is only for the amateur anglers.

The grand prize winner will receive a 2016 Triton 19 TRX bass fishing boat, followed by $2,500 for second place, $2,000 for third, $1,500 for fourth and $1,000 for fifth.

There will also be more than $100,000 in hourly payouts for the heaviest bass, with the angler who catches the heaviest bass each hour receiving $1,000.

Weigh-in hours each day will be between 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be conducted at the Goosepond Bait & Tackle located in Scottsboro.

For more information about signing up, prizes, locations, and more visit the official Big Bass Splash Lake Guntersville page.

 

 

 

Can’t Miss Events on Jackson Lake, GA

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Jackson Lake is a wonderful, moderately sized lake located only one hour from the heart of Atlanta.

It features a tight knit community, anchored by the Jackson Lake Homeowner’s Association (JLHA).

This group meets four times a year, and their main goals include promoting fellowship, education, communication and improving the quality of life at Jackson Lake.

The JLHA also plays host to many of the lake’s most exciting events throughout year, including the following events in 2016:

purple, yellow and pink sunset over open water

Lake Cleanups

February 20th | May 14th | August 6th | November 19th

A clean lake is without a doubt the most enjoyable lake. Volunteer your time to make Jackson Lake looks its best year round.

In addition to cleaning up the lake and meeting all your neighbors, you will also be treated to a free lunch!

Cleanups start at Lloyd Shoals Dam on the dates listed above, all starting at 8:30 a.m.

Don’t forget to bring a pair of boots and some work gloves!

Paddle the Rivers

April 30th – South River | July 9th – Alcovy | September 10th – Tussahaw

Just as the title suggests – bring anything that you can paddle! That includes kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards.

Make your pickup reservations by emailing JLHAReservations@gmail.com.

Poker Run

June 18th

Poker runs are fairly common across the south, particularly during the summer months when everyone is out boating in full force.

It involves traveling by boat to each of the 5 sponsor’s docks, picking up a playing card, then finishing up at Reasor’s Landing.

At this point you have a “poker hand” and the boat with the best hand wins!

The cost to participate will be $25 per hand, and proceeds will be used to promote boating safety and the use of a designated skipper around Jackson Lake.

For more information contact michelle_turgeon@yahoo.com.

These are just a few of the events taking place across Jackson Lake this upcoming spring and summer.

For more information about other exciting events, such as the July 4th Boat Parade, feel free to reach out to Wally Cawthon.

Wally is the local lake expert and the number one real estate agent on the lake! See Wally’s profile on LakeHomes.com and visit his website for more details.

How to Restore Your Home’s Curb Appeal

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multi-story lake home on the waterfrontYou know that great curb appeal your house had when you first bought it? Is it looking a little haggard?

Maybe the paint is fading, or peeling. The gutters are bulging from dead leaves or this winter’s monsoon.

Maybe the porch has settled, and is drifting away from your house.

There are lots of things that can happen to a house that make it look, well, not so great. Here are a few quick tips to get your house back into curbside appeal mode.

Under Pressure

Power wash your house.

Rent a power washer, buy one, beg a friend or relative. Whatever you have to do, power wash the exterior panels, siding, or bricks and windows all the way around your house.

This removes the stuck on grime, and also gets rid of leaves, webs, and general yuckiness that tends to stick around.

Power washing is really quick fix to make your house sparkle on the outside.

Paint the House Red

Well, maybe not red unless you’re really going for a bold statement.

But if you notice your paint is peeling or fading, invest in a paint sprayer, or hire a professional.

Do touch-ups throughout the year, or just plan on one huge project in the summer when it’s nicest.

A fresh coat of paint has the power to make a house look brand-spankin’-new.

Get Your Head Out of the Gutter

Clean your gutters, people!

Stuffed gutters can cause structural damage, leaks and costly repairs if your gutters get so heavy they fall off. It happens.

Instead of letting it get to this point, clean your gutters out especially during spring and fall when all the new or dead leaves are falling from the trees.

If notice a bird’s nest or other blockage, get up there and clean it out. If you are not able to, hire someone that is.

Trim The Bushes

Landscaping is a great visual addition to a spruced up home exterior.

If you already have landscaping, maintain it. Trim the bushes, trees, or hedges and keep the flower beds weeded and grass mowed.

It’s amazing how much nicer a house looks when it’s got a well-kept yard.

If you have dirt instead of grass, think about investing in sod, grass seed, or having a landscaper do it all for you.

Clean Up

Don’t be that neighbor; get your car off the lawn, your trash bags off the porch, and your kids toys off the sidewalk.

Tidy up after you have a party on the lawn, and don’t let junk accumulate on your property.

It sounds simple, but so many people underestimate how much nicer their house looks from the outside when people aren’t greeted by a lot of junk at the curb.

Don’t Forget Your “Shore Appeal”

The term “curb appeal” refers to how your house looks from the street, or curb.

With a lake home many times the “front” of the house may be oriented towards the lake.

If this is the case make sure you make the appropriate side of the house your priority. Also, include your dock into the equation.

Make sure that any year-round furniture is secured, there is no clutter such as life vests or fishing supplies, and that your boat is secured and orderly.

Hopefully after reading these tips, you’re motivated to get out there and clean!

Do the easiest steps first, and build up to the big projects, like repainting or landscaping. Then, you can enjoy the view every time you pull into your garage or driveway.

 

3 Reasons You Have to Visit the Lake This Fall

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lake view in the fallFall is here, and with its arrival, many people end their great summer vacations, get back to school, and get ready to enjoy hot cider, pumpkins, and fall leaves at home.

But wait! Just because fall is here doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a nice getaway.

In fact, there are many points in favor of taking a getaway to the lake in the fall rather than the summer.

After all, who wants to fight traffic, crowded boat landings and lakes full of cruisers, skiers and anglers?

Kids can get grumpy in the summer heat and parents, exhausted. And don’t forget the bugs are out, and there are just so many people.

Ok, ok, so the lake in summer is not that bad (it’s actually great!), but there are some experiences you can only have if you visit the lake this fall.

Fewer People

There are fewer people visiting the lake in the fall.

Sure, people come to hike or take photos, but the beaches around the lake aren’t packed with college kids or families coated in sunblock.

The access roads are actually accessible in the fall, and the main channel isn’t overcrowded with other boaters.

If you don’t like crowds of people, or suffer from “boat” rage, the lake during the fall is the ideal.

Scenic Views

Everything just looks better in the fall.

Lakes are beautiful year-round, but imagine the trees around the lake in fall colors, and a lovely fall sunset that makes everything seem much more vivid.

The fall twilight makes your beloved lake home look and feel even more cozy. Enjoy long walks while taking in the views, and appreciate the wild outdoors at its most beautiful.

Better yet, hit the lake.

Before winterizing your boat and docking it for the year, hit the water to take in all the colors of the fall leaves.

Weather

Anyone who says they don’t like fall weather is just crazy, so don’t listen to them. Autumn marks cooler temperatures, but straddles the line between “hot” and “cold” perfectly.

In the summer, you’re sweating on your walk or in the boat out in the open lake, the sun is burning you, and you’re tired before the day is done.

In the fall, you can walk or boat all day without truly getting overheated, and the bugs have mostly gone away so you won’t be lathering yourself in DEET.

Let’s paint a new picture, shall we?

Imagine cruising down the open highway, enjoying a sing-a-long with your kids, headed to your weekend getaway in a great cabin by the lake.

You get to enjoy the fall foliage while you  walk along your favorite trail, which is no longer crowded, at your leisure in the crisp air.

The bugs have gone or quieted down, and the animals are out in full force, giving you a great wildlife-watching experience.

The climate is perfect sweater weather, and you can stay out all day without getting cold or hot.

The leaves on the ground, and the colors of the trees, provide a fantastic backdrop for your new Facebook cover photo, making all of your friends instantly jealous of your fall retreat.

At night in your comfy cabin, the kids rest peacefully as there are no late night boaters out creating noise pollution, and you and your spouse enjoy a nice cider or pumpkin beer on the patio, listening to the rustle of the leaves.

While a lake home is typically seen as a great place to spend the summer, if that is the only time you utilize your space you are only getting a fraction of the benefits of lake living!

 

 

The Joys of SEC Football and Lake Life

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SEC lake mapWith less than one week ’til the kickoff of college football, it’s time to take a look at two common passions in the South: SEC football and lake life.

With regional temperatures generally staying warm well into the fall, and many lakes in close proximity to college campuses, it makes for a natural fit!

Whether you are having family and friends over to party and tailgate at the lake home, or attending the game and returning to the lake home as your out-of-town getaway, the lake will definitely enhance your experience.

University of Alabama – Lake Tuscaloosa

Located only 20 minutes from Bryant-Denny Stadium and Alabama’s campus, this reservoir features 177 miles of shoreline and serves as the main water supply for the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport.

Its close proximity to these cities and clear waters also make it a popular spot for recreational activities such as swimming, boating and fishing.

Nick Saban, coach of the Alabama football team even has a house on Lake Tuscaloosa. He is known invite his players out to occasionally enjoy the use of his boat and jet skis!

SEC logoAuburn University – Lake Martin

Jordan-Hare Stadium and the Auburn campus is conveniently located less than 1 hour away from gorgeous Lake Martin, which boasts more than 700 miles of shoreline.

In addition to pristine waters and luxurious houses, the lake boasts natural attractions like Chimney Rock, as well as numerous local restaurants.

Search the web for Lake Martin rentals, and you will find no shortage of properties promoting “Auburn Football weekends on the Lake” and “Auburn Football Weekends.”

University of South Carolina – Lake Murray

USC, located in Columbia, SC, is minutes away from the fishing and recreational hotspot that is Lake Murray.

The lake, which has more than 500 miles of shoreline, can reach depths of up to 200 feet.

One draw for Lake Murray is the consistency of its water levels, fluctuating only 4 feet between the summer and winter seasons.

Another perk of lake is the convenience to Columbia, which is the home of the Riverbanks Zoo, Broadway shows, concerts, and of course, the USC Gamecocks and Williams-Brice Stadium!

vol navy tailgating
Photo courtesy of http://www.tailgatingideas.com/

University of Tennessee – Tennessee River/Fort Loudoun Lake 

UT’s Neyland Stadium is located 30 minutes from Fort Loudoun Lake and sits directly on the shores of the Tennessee River.

With almost 400 miles of shoreline, there is a lake property to match anyone’s needs, and if there is not, you can even look for a houseboat to live directly on the water!

UT fans take tailgating  to a whole new level, so much so that it has spawned its own title, known as “sailgating.”

That’s right, a group of super fans and boating enthusiasts, known as the Vol Navy, arrive by boat and tie up outside of Neyland Stadium to celebrate with traditional tailgating activities on their boats and on the three-mile riverwalk.

The bottom line is, no matter where you go in the SEC footprint, you’re bound to be near a beautiful body of water.

While most people think of a lake home as a great spring and summer getaway, it can also function as a one-of-a-kind tailgating experience on the weekends during the fall and winter months!