SHORELINES

Logan Martin Lake and its waters have held a bit of magic for David "Bama" Smith since his teenage years. Smith spent his summers off from Woodlawn High School skiing and swimming with friends. Part of "the golden years before life responsibilities set in," he never forgot the epic sunsets across Logan Martin Lake. Smith and his buddies oen visited a little spot – a green island covered with trees that sprouted from the lake – marked as Grissom Island on maps, but nicknamed School Bus Island by longtime residents. When the lake filled, the protruding land held an abandoned school bus. ough floods carried away the school bus years later, the name remained. Locals say the area around School Bus Island is great for fishing. Some have stories about losing a bass "with a mouth as big as a hubcap" that could have easily topped 16 pounds. e history between Smith and the small plot of land is more personal than any fish tale. Many evenings, he and his friends would boat to the grassy island aer long hours in the sun. Happily exhausted aer skiing, they'd have a sandwich and enjoy conversation around an evening campfire. "I enjoyed being out with my friends on this little island," he said. Fast-forward some 30 years. Logan Martin Lake was always tucked into the back of Smith's mind as a future home site. When he and his wife, Reneé, decided to build their "forever home," they happened on a fortuitous find: Property about 5 miles from Logan Martin Dam was for sale. ey went to see the land in April 2001, and three days later, they owned it. From the two-story home his wife designed, the couple has a bird's-eye view of School Bus Island, 350 yards away. But Smith noticed worrisome changes during his 14 years on the lake. Photo: Meg McKinney APC, LOGAN MARTIN VOLUNTEERS PARTNER TO SAVE SCHOOL BUS ISLAND By Donna Cope Here to stay 16 | 2018 Vol: 3

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