Aquapalooza

Well I just recently got back from Alabama...again :), but this time it wasn't for a wedding. Kevin was invited to cover an event on lake Martin called Aquapalooza. He brought me along A) to be his photographer and B) he said he would just feel weird going to Alabama without me. Sea-Doo wanted Kevin to cover the event because they had a pretty big precence there. They had a demonstration booth where people could come and test their latest watercraft. They seem to be pretty proud of it, but kevin wasn't too impressed. Of course that is his job, to test ride all the different personal watercraft and point out the good and bad qualities so the average guy who doesn't have the opportunity to check them all out can have the facts. Sometimes to the manufacturers dismay. What a boring job huh?

The main event, however, was an outdoor concert venue. They had a huge stage along the sand facing the water so everyone could bring their boats and wave runners and enjoy the show. They also had several different booths set up so people could buy food and memorabilia of all sorts. The headliner of the day was Alan Jackson. Unfortunately, we didn't stay for that concert. Being in the sun taking pictures and being five months pregnant can take a toll on you. Instead, we went back to the hotel and cooled off in the pool and then went inside to the nice air conditioning.

Of course I couldn't travel all the way to Alabama and not see some friends or family SO...we stayed an extra day and hung out with Monica and Kyle one night. It was a lot of fun. We went out to eat, went to the movies, and then mostly went to their house where monica and I enjoyed playing scrabble and family fued. They boys played but were not as enthusiastic as we were. Monica and I laugh because we both LOVE to play games, but never get to play them in our own homes. At least she has sisters close by that will play with her. I have to wait for company to come over and then pounce :)

The next day our flight left at 12:45 so we got to grab breakfast with my sister Tamara. It had been a while since I had seen her and I'm glad that her schedule was open that morning. We had a good time catching up over pancakes. She has a really great job and is thinking about buying a house soon. It looks like things are going really well for her.

The sad part of this trip is that it would have usually included spending time with my friend Corey. I did get to go to his gravesite, but it was so soon after the funeral that is doesn't have a marker yet. Monica and Kyle had to point out where it was. I didn't breakdown like I had expected. Instead, I calmly talked to Corey like he could hear me somehow and told him I loved him and hoped he was at peace.

I have the feeling that I could move to Australia and I would still be making trips back to Alabama. It will be a part of my life forever.Here is a church along the lake. On the big poster of scheduled events they actually listed for Sunday-worship service at church in the pine. (Only in the south right?)

Anyone who lived in Alabama at one point in their life KNOWS that their has to be a place you can buy Auburn or Alabama gear.Here is Kevin being interviewed for a promotional video about Sea-Doo.

Here are some watercraft we saw parked along the beachAhhh a boiled Peanut stand floating in the water. I personally would never eat them, but it gave me a real sense of nostalgia seeing this. I was definitely in the south again.

Being surrounded by all the trees and by a lake you just felt like you were part of nature. I saw the butterfly flying around and then all of the sudden it just landed and kept still...I just felt like I should take a picture.This is just a picture of a Dam we would pass to and from the lake everyday. It just caught our attention.
Another picture of the Dam
This is an old boat I saw on the side of the road. I just thought it would be fun to photograph.
A view of the stage
Monica and me....As you can see I am looking pregnant now:)
We don't really know what we were doing.
The Shaws and the Ishees
This was Kevin's breakfast the morning of our flight home. He thought he was ordering normal looking pancakes with apples and it came out like this. Tamara and I had a good laugh about it. As you could probably guess it wasn't too great. A word to the wise if you are eating at the original pancake house in five points...DO NOT get the apple pancakes!
Tamara and me