About

PELICAN POINT EXPEDitions

Pelican Point Expeditions is your go-to “full experience” travel blog, creating thrilling videos for you to live the adventure yourself!

We are Lake Martin’s OFFICIAL full experience travel blog!

We travel throughout the state of Alabama hiking, camping, and exploring some of the most unique destinations, events, and attractions in the state, with a special focus on the Lake Martin area.  Our blog also dives into history and urban legends that make the locations and stories so fascinating. 

Our goal is to create the most realistic experience for our viewers through our videos and inspire you to get out and have an adventure of your own. Welcome to Pelican Point Expeditions.

- shaylee & stephen

Shaylee and Stephen smile together and hold up a geochaching log book in the woods - Pelican Point Expeditions

meet the explorers...

Longtime outdoor enthusiasts, Shaylee and Stephen originally met in Tuscaloosa, AL. 

Stephen was a biomedical student at the time, who continued on to pursue his PhD in Neuroscience at UAB School of Medicine. Shaylee was a part of starting a brand new brewery in downtown Tuscaloosa, the Black Warrior Brewing Company, where she worked for many years before transitioning into the nonprofit world. They found their common passion in hiking, camping, kayaking, and exploring the world around them. 

But things haven’t always been easy.  Shortly after meeting in 2012, Stephen was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disease, Dermatomyositis – an autoimmune disease that causes extreme pain, fatigue, and skin rashes as his body attacks itself and his muscles slowly break down.

Over the years, Stephen has tried many experimental treatments in an attempt to control his neuromuscular disease, including monthly infusions and chemo-like drugs.  There is currently no known cure for Dermatomyositis. 

For the full story watch- Episode 1: “Larger Than Life”

 

If living with a neuromuscular disease wasn’t hard enough, in the Summer of 2020 Stephen was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, more commonly known as Kidney Cancer.  Cancer, along with heart and lung complications, are known risk factors associated with his neuromuscular disease. 

Stephen underwent surgery to have the cancer removed and is currently in recovery today.  He is still being monitored for additional signs of recurrent cancer.  

Despite the looming statistics and odds against him, Stephen and Shaylee remain positive about their future and continue to seek adventures around them.  

“I won’t let this slow me down,” Stephen smiles. “There’s too much life out there to be lived… and we want to share those adventures with you.”

Stephen and Shaylee have made plans to continue filming their newest videos throughout the Spring and Summer of 2021 on Lake Martin and in many parts of Alabama. Watch for upcoming episodes on kayaking the Cahaba Lilies, illuminating rare glow worms at Dismals Canyon, exploring an abandoned movie set, the return of goats to Goat Island, and much more!

COMING SOON –  Support this blog and help fund expeditions!  Sponsorship opportunities coming soon. Submit inquires to pelicanpointexpeditions@gmail.com

feel inspired....

watch episodes

Our official blog motto is to “Live Larger Than Life”.  We hope our videos and story inspire you to get out, try something new, and never be held back by obstacles.  So what are you waiting for? 

"pelican point"

A wooden tower called "The Tower" sits in the middle of lake water with the sun setting behind it at Pelican Point

 

Located on Lake Martin, AL, the Pelican Point lake house has become the inspiration for the stories and adventures that we do today.  The original cabin was built in the 1940’s shortly after the dam was completed and Stephen has become the fourth generation of his family to be on the lake. He grew up hearing the tall tales and legends surrounding Lake Martin, many of which were often handed down from family member to family member during lazy Summer afternoons and watching sunsets on the dock. 

The tales and traditions have become bonding moments at the lake house and we can’t wait to share them with you! Also watch for the iconic Pelican Point “Tower” as well as “The Roost” in our Lake Martin episodes!

 

Mission

“Live Larger Than Life”. That’s our motto. We hope our videos spark excitement and inspire adventures of your own. 

Vision

Our goal is to create the most realistic “full experiences” of unique destinations, events, and top attractions throughout Alabama via our thrilling, full length episode videos. 

travel locations

  • North Alabama
  • Central Alabama
  • Lake Martin
  • South & Gulf Coast