Since I have moved to the area, I have been intrigued by the giant Island in the North East corner of Smith Lake. Every one calls this place "Goat Island". It comes by it's name honestly because of a rogue band of goats that live on the island. 
On occasion, when we feel like trespassing, we like to point the old Julie B in that direction and check it out. I don't really know how big the Island is, but it is quite large, maybe 30 acres? Rock cliffs start high and submerge deep into the crystal clear water and are visible up to 15' below the surface before fading into the lakes abyss. The island is umbrellaed by a canopy of large trees that cast so much shade that there is almost no undergrowth.
Evidently this was a mountain top at some point that sat high above Ryan creek before Alabama power made the dam and flooded the valley which is now the lake bottom . It is said that the lake is 350' plus at some points.
The most interesting thing to me ,other than the goats, is the giant old wooden house. The old house has cedar siding and has obviously been standing much longer than the lake. It's tin roof is rusty and the windows have succumbed to vandals. Keeping the old house company is a 50's model truck with "Tucker house moving" hand painted on the door. Some have told me that although the house is older than the lake, the Tuckers continued to live on the island after the lake was complete and had a barge to take the truck to the main land. I can just see an old timer wearing boots with no laces and grasping a shotgun on the front porch ,refusing to leave, as the lake makes a steady rise. Straight out of an "Waltons episode" huh?
Anyway, it's a peaceful place with killer views from any direction. It would be cool to see it made into a wildlife refuge or a managed boaters campground someday. Until then, I guess it will just remain a playground for goats, raccoons, vandals and little explorers.
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