Conditions at Smith Mountain Lake

We are being affected by the remnants of Ida/the coaster Nor’easter too. Lots of road closings and Franklin County schools are closed today. We’ve had 6.91 inches of rain in the last two days at our house (I have a weather station but I had to go out and double check with the stationary rain gauge to make sure what I was seeing was correct!). The lake is rising rapidly…here is a site to check the lake level…it is updated every hour (try to ignore the webmaster’s own guidelines!)….www.smithmountainlakelevel.com/SMLLevelWeb.exe. The weather service is predicting record flooding in Danville. AEP has put out a press release to say that they are moderating releases at the dam.
If you want visuals…channel 7’s weatherbug cameras are collected on this page www.wdbj7.com/Global/category.asp?C=168381…click on the one for Bernard’s Landing and look at the lake level with regard to the stationary docks…
Everybody stay safe!

Smith Mountain Lake – It’s Not Just the Lake

Lee’s out today showing log cabins in the countryside…some with considerable acreage. Sometimes we forget to mention that the “lake area” is larger than just the lake and the waterfront and water access properties. There is something for just about everyone here…lakefront, lake views, mountains, mountain views, country, back country, close to Roanoke, close to Lynchburg, far away from a city, raw land, land with primitive structures (we saw a listing with a “picnic pavillion” yesterday), land with old singlewides, new doublewides, modest homes, new mansions, old mansions, condos… One of the reasons we really like selling real estate here is the amazing variety…is there something we can show you?

Halloween at Smith Mountain Lake

It’s cloudy and cool here today…but our trick or treating was yesterday. Many of the houses here in the area are fairly far apart or do not have full time residents. Years ago our merchant community got together and started trick or treating at the businesses in the area. To include all merchants this year, trick or treating was scheduled for Friday. Expect pictures in the Eagle on Wednesday!

By the way…if you are planning ahead…next “big” excuse to come to the lake is the Chili Cook Off on November 7th at Bridgewater Plaza.

Leaf Peepers Update

I have been trying to take some pictures of the beautiful fall color here at Smith Mountain Lake but the cloudiness has muted the pictures enough as to be not so useful on the web. SO…in words…here is the color report.
About half the leaves have turned and it is a very colorful year! Even the oaks are showing some red which has not been the norm in the last few years.
A front has finally blown through and taken most of the cloudiness with it however it has brought some strong breezes and rain showers have been taken over by leaf showers in some areas!

The next couple of days are supposed to be pretty nice so if you live close, come over to the lake and enjoy the color!

Smith Mountain Lake’s Signs of the Seasons

As I was walking to the mailbox yesterday, I smelled the unmistakable smell of a woodstove just getting cranked up. It was damp and in the 40s…a good day for it. There are a couple of maples around us that have become bright red but the majority of trees are not quite colorful yet. I suppose these are all signs of fall and not unique to Smith Mountain Lake.

It got me thinking about some of our local signs of season change. Spring is when the Bradford pear trees at the Food Lion (soon I will have to specify which Food Lion since they’ve started on the one on the Bedford side!) come into amazing bloom…and the Food Lion runs out of hamburger buns on Friday afternoon because they haven’t anticipated the need! Summer is when the rare occasions occur when you have to wait two cycles of the light on Scruggs Road at 122. Late fall is when the guys who work on the water start complaining about the chill in the air when they go out to winterize the last of the boats (they’re a hardy bunch…I wimp out much earlier!). Winter is when the “fish lady” isn’t outside of Dr. Luke’s office…and spring is when she returns…

Please leave a comment with your own sign of season change here at the lake!

Excuses to come to the lake this weekend

It promises to be a busy Saturday at Smith Mountain Lake…and as of the moment and always subject to change, the weather is supposed to be accommodating (clearing skies Saturday with temps around 70, sunny Sunday with temps in the mid-60s).

There will be a flea market sponsored by the White House Association at the corner of Smith Mountain Lake Parkway and Toler’s Ferry Road. Starts at 9AM.
Another flea market will be held at the Trinity Ecumenical Parish on 122 from 8 to 3.
Along the same lines, the Epworth Memorial Church on 122 will hold their Fall Festival to include a yard sale and a bake sale from 8 to 2.
And the Resurrection Catholic Church Women’s Group will hold their Fall Craft Bazaar from 9 to 3.

Several merchants will be holding a Fall Festival with children’s activities, crafts, food and more at The Forum, The Plaza, the General Store in the Westlake area and P.W. Morgan’s Pumpkin Patch in Huddleston.

Overdue Restaurant Review

We’ve lived here almost ten years. I realize that Smith Mountain Lake is a BIG lake with more than 500 miles of shoreline but it’s funny how you can miss something right in your own backyard. We had breakfast this morning at Bay Roc Marina. First time we’ve stopped in…gone past it too many times to count. Good home cookin’. MMMMMM MM (take that spellchecker!). We both had omelets…I had sausage in mine and it was just the right amount of spiciness! Atmosphere reminds us of the old Camper’s Paradise (it also reminded me of the marina my Dad owned in Florida in the 60s). Indoor and outdoor dining.
The owner was telling us that they are having an OctoberFest next Saturday starting at 6pm and will have bratwurst on the menu with several German and Octoberfest beers being brought in just for the occasion. There was an extended discussion of the proper mustard to go with bratwurst!
I am looking forward to boating in for lunch someday…

Smatterings from Smith Mountain Lake…

I’ve got a little bit of this and a little bit of that saved up this week.

On the restaurant scene:
Red, Wines and Blues has closed.
Viera’s has been cited for violations by the ABC Board and is considering closing.
Cancun has taken out an additional building permit for a range hood. Not open yet.

Things to do:
The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall is in Franklin County this weekend.
The Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour is also this weekend.

Comments to make:
Franklin County is seeking input for the new Hales Ford Park in the Lakewatch subdivision. A meeting will take place Tuesday October 6th at 6 pm at the Westlake library branch. Put your two cents in on ball fields, multipurpose fields, skate park, farmer’s market, pavillions, and rest rooms.

Come enjoy the nice weather!

Smith Mountain Lake Restaurant Reviews…Part 3

We checked out the Tuscan Tavern Wednesday night. First of all let me say that this is the best redo of this space yet! Very laid back comfortable surroundings and atmosphere. Our table ordered the veal parmigiana (declared average), shrimp scampi (very good with large shrimp), pasta all cabrabese (good) and the night’s special with was pasta with chicken with a lemon sauce (salty but good…more food than the person could eat so she shared). All came with a nice salad and your choice of pasta. The rolls were delicious…I could have made a whole meal on the rolls alone!
There were quite a number of people in there for a Wednesday night in the fall at the lake so they must be doing something right. The owners were there helping, cooking, and generally taking care to make sure customers were satisfied.
They also have luncheon specials and do catering.

Fall Weather at Smith Mountain Lake

Weather wise, we had one of the nicer summers here at the lake that I can remember…especially if you don’t like TOO hot! I was surprised to learn from Kevin Myatt’s weather column in The Roanoke Times today that the summer actually averaged out seven tenths of one degree ABOVE normal.

This past weekend was a picture postcard fall weekend here at Smith Mountain Lake with clear blue skies, a light breeze and temperatures just around 80 degrees. It is nice today but they are saying a little rain is coming mid to late week. Most are saying that the rain will end before the weekend…we’ll see. There are times when they can’t forecast an hour in advance so I am skeptical although this is the time of the year for glorious weather.

I will keep my fingers crossed for all of you who are coming for the Antique Boat Show and then the Charity Home Tour for good weather!