Like much of the eastern United States, Smith Mountain Lake (SML) is experiencing drought conditions. Shorelines have receded, and small islands are beginning to emerge. Full pond levels generally measure 795 feet but the lake is currently 4-5 feet down from that. 

However…the lake is open and ready for action.  Just safe action!  

There are numerous boat rental businesses with pontoons, fishing boats and speed boats for rent.  

We enjoyed a wonderful ride aboard the Virginia Dare (a riverboat cruise ship) last week.  The ramp was steep to get on the boat, but the crew is waiting to help passengers board safely.  

Water Safety

Whether you are skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, or wake surfing, there are added responsibilities for everyone on the water. Mainly, be aware!! Look around you and always maintain at least 200 feet from shorelines, docks, and structures. At towing speeds, that distance closes quickly. A wipeout near a dock or rocky bank can cause serious injury, and your wake can damage docks and shorelines. 

Choose your location wisely and stay out of small coves, narrows, and busy stretches of the lake so you can avoid other boats and they can avoid you. Be a good neighbor and avoid making repeated passes in the same area, especially if you’re throwing a large wake.

Finally, never head out without a dedicated observer on board. The driver simply cannot watch both the rider and the water ahead. Your observer’s only job is to keep eyes on the person being towed and alert the driver to any hazards (courtesy Smith Mountain Lake Association).

Watch your speed.  With shallow areas, hitting a shoal at high speed can be total dangerous!  Some rocks or tree tops may be just below the water line!

Life jackets are required for children under age 13.  Children understand this as they do care sweat safety. No jacket, no boating!

This year marks the. 60th anniversary of SML becoming full pond! We who live at the lake continue to celebrate this as one of the cleanest lakes for recreation! There are at least 14 restaurants you can visit by boat, an ice cream boat, a boat church and many other cool features! Continue reading some interesting facts about SML.

Enjoy be safe and book your stay with Bedford Landings Bed and Breakfast! Doolittle is waiting for you!

Off the shores of Normandy, France, on the morning of June 6, 1944 hundreds of thousands of soldiers joined by 5000 ships, thousands of tanks, airplanes, and trucks amassed to fight one of the most strategic battles in our lifetimes.  Among them were 44 soldiers, sailors, and airmen from the town and county of Bedford, Virginia, just 25 minutes from Bedford Landings B & B. 

Thirty-seven of these young men belonged to Company A of the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division. Of the 37 assigned to Company A, 31 loaded into landing craft and headed for Omaha Beach in the first wave. En route, a landing craft struck an obstacle and sank, stranding dozens far from shore, including five of Bedford’s own. The remaining 26 successfully reached Omaha Beach, where 16 were killed and four wounded within a matter of minutes. Three others were unaccounted for and later presumed killed in action. 

Because of the devastation of so many families in Bedford, in 1996, Congress officially designating that Bedford, VA would be host to the National D-Day Memorial. Though declared a national monument, the project received no federal funding. Peanuts cartoonist and World War II veteran Charles Schulz, whose depictions of America’s favorite beagle Snoopy in scenes from the Normandy invasion appeared in newspapers across the country, signed on as national campaign chair. Saving Private Ryan director Steven Spielberg was among the Memorial’s early donors. Their combined star power helped take fundraising efforts nationwide.

Just this year, Jack and I had the privilege of visiting the Normandy beaches were there is an identical statue honoring the Bedford Boys.  The entire experience was not only humbling, but by seeing the actual site of the invasion, it became clear how strategic and collaborative across allies this invasion was. 

These photos are from Normandy where 60 miles of wide shoreline stretched before us where this incredible story took place. The beaches of Omaha, Utah, Gold, Sword and Juno were all landing locations. 

Of course, when we got home, Jack insisted on watching the movie, ”The Longest Day,” which does a good job of depicting how important it was to pick the right day, the right weather, and the right time of day at low tide for the invasion.  The maps in the monuments at Normandy graphically represent the various responsibilities of each allied force that took part.  Success did not happen in just one day.  It took until September that year to push the Germans back and take ownership of that which had been taken and declare victory.

For visitors to this part of Virginia, we highly recommend taking a guided tour of the National D-Day memorial. Four days after we returned home, we were drawn to visit our national memorial. This photo depicts the Bedford Boys statue.

The term The Bedford Boys was popularized by author Alex Kershaw’s in his 2003 book referring to the soldiers from Bedford, Virginia, serving in Company A who participated in the Normandy Invasion. The community lost many of its sons, some including brothers that day. Since, the community has grown together and still honors these brave soldiers on Memorial Day and at the memorial regularly.

Our Bed & Breakfast guests always seem to inspire us!  Through conversation, we learn a lot about them, but more importantly, we learn from them. When we welcome a guest, we will ask about their life, family and careers.  In turn they ask how we got into the B & B industry; did we build our house, and how long have we been in business.  This is the get acquainted phase.  

Maybe over breakfast the first morning, we enter more into a relationship with our guests as we learn how a couple met, how a mother-daughter traveling itinerary works, or how guests from Germany are experiencing the United States.  Amazing conversations evolve.  

This past winter, a guest at our B & B inspired me.  I enjoy writing, but sometimes I lose my inspiration.  One comment inspired to do some writing.  In sharing stories with her about how we built the B & B while living in our airplane hangar and how we got our loan because of being extras in the movie “Wish you Well,” she said we should write down some of our stories to be sure they are passed down to our children.  She commented that these are “Blessings.”  Indeed.  

This bit of advice helped me turn a corner in writing to consider my life’s stories of gratitude, grace and blessings. Just released, “Whispers of Grace” is my collection of stories that Jack and I have experienced that are wrapped with my interpretation according to how I believe God spoke to me, acted through me, or was present beside me during situations in my life. It is published under the name Karen DeBord Phillips (along with my other children’s books)

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

Recently I finished the lovely book entitled “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi.  It was given to me by a dear friend for my birthday.  Not a very exciting title nor cover art, but I could not put it down.  My feeling is that this is a story about relationships.  It’s a story of listening over talking and hearing over being heard. 

Both of these works may point to the phase of life in which I find myself.  As life’s lessons are hard to learn, being present and listening (for even what is unsaid) is something I am continuing to work on in my hospitality practices and indeed day to day life. It takes time, and it takes stepping away from being a parent and teacher; two roles which has filled my life.  How about you?

Come see us at Bedford Landings!  We can chat (if you want). I will listen!

Ever heard of a Staycation?
stay·ca·tion  ˌstāˈkāSHn/  noun,informal
a vacation spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.

If you just need an overnight- we are happy to host you.  For a little bit more of a relaxing time, stay two nights!  Jack and Karen at Bedford Landings B & B will greet you, give you a map, a list of restaurants, things to do and cook you a hot tasty breakfast the next morning! Their goal is to provide you with “comfort better than you have at home!”

We have space where you can just watch a movie and munch popcorn in our theatre room, sit on the deck and rock, sit by our water feature and ponder life, or go out into the community for a historical day, a shopping day, a wine tasting excursion, a hiking day or a boating-fishing day!

Just click Book Now or call us directly!

Late January and early February 2026 has been colder than a…well it’s been cold baby! Jack and I took a short cruise to try to warm up mid January but we are back and missing our guests! We know it’s not prime travel time, but we are afraid we will forget how to cook our PecanEncrusted Bacon! So, we are offering you a deal in February. Just indicate HELLO FEBRUARY in the comments line of the reservation.

We will build a fire for you, pamper you, give you the wifi password and warm your stay with conversation and good food!