In celebration of the ‘lakation’

For Caroline Bundy, it was Lake Martin. For Valerie Boyd, it was Lake Ponchartrain.

That was where they first discovered the “lakation” state of mind.

If you’ve ever spent time on a lake, you know what they mean. 

“It’s the re-creation of memories, the ones that conjure up feelings of bliss and relaxation, the ones that settle your soul in trying times,” the duo writes on their Lakation website.

Boyd grew up spending summers swimming, crabbing and boiling crawfish near Slidell, La. Bundy’s lake seasons were filled with skiing, catching bream, tubing and jumping off Chimney Rock. 

“I spent every summer there,” Bundy said. “It’s part of who I am. I don’t know if I could live anywhere that wasn’t in driving distance of Lake Martin.”

Today both Mountain Brook residents are making new lake memories with their families on Martin and Smith Lake, where a friend has a house. That made their new business inspiration an easy one.

“People in Alabama love their lakes and want to identify with the lake they love,” Bundy said.

The duo owned Homegrown Special Foods next to Savage’s in Homewood for three years in what Bundy calls the “pre-Tria Market and pre-Whole Foods days.” A new venture had long been in the back of their minds when they finally landed on an idea that excited both of them equally.

They had started to note the increasing popularity of coastal and beach life themed T-shirt and lifestyle brands such as Salt Life — and a lack of a similar brand with a lake theme.

“You see a lot of Guy Harvey, but don’t see a whole lot about lakes that have photographs,” Bundy said.

Together they launched lifestyle brand Lakation in June. So far its website boasts T-shirt designs and other lake-themed retail items.

“Our main emphasis is to create memories since we have had so many memories on the lake,” Bundy said. “Then we started thinking about things that apply to activities on all lakes like water skiing, rafting and camping.”

The first images that came to mind were iconic ones of a dock chair and a cannonball, Sand Island and Chimney Rock at Martin, and Rock Creek Marina on Smith. They used their own photos and a four-color process to create watercolor-like looks for the shirts. As a result, Bundy said people talk about the authentic look of their designs.

From there, they started thinking about bass fishing, camping and other fall lake activities they will incorporate into designs launching soon.

The L in the Lakation logo dips down to make a ripple in the water, just as Bundy and Boyd hope their line will inspire others to do.

 “We want people to know how precious memories are and how important it is to give back,” Bundy said.

The company is working with community organizations that organize lake cleanups and other advocacy efforts. Part of the proceeds from their retail sales currently go toward Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Group and Lake Martin Resource Association.

“It’s important to keep lakes beautiful,” Bundy said.

In the future they hope to branch out beyond Alabama lakes, especially with Boyd’s native Louisiana in mind. But they also have learned that Alabama has more than 80 lakes, giving them plenty of fodder for future designs.

“People have a lot of state pride, and we want to support that,” Bundy said.

Lakation shirts are now available at The Pants Store in Crestline, Kowaliga Marina on Lake Martin and Rock Creek Marina on Smith Lake. For more or to order shirts online, visit lakationlife.com.