Summer is in full swing at Bedford Landings Bed & Breakfast:Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia! Running a Bed and Breakfast is busy work, but we are also trying to be contributing members of the community. So, we have been involved in many of the extra special events planned for this summer, which is a celebration of the 50 years that this lake has been in existence.

Smith Mountain Lake became full pond in 1966 (on Karen’s birthday actually March 7^th! And yes, she is a little older than the lake!). The events that are planned for this year are happening almost faster than we can keep up! We have attended a Photo exhibition, an author signing (Sharyn McCrumb), the New Crusty Minstrels sing-along performance, a Caribbean night featuring Jane Powell, a jazz singer; The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, complete with a special composition by Maestro David Stewart Wiley; and a Sunday afternoon festival at the Virginia Dare.

Lending leadership to a few events, we helped host a Wings and Wheels fly-in at the SML airport. It seemed like a fun time for those who attended except those who showed up right as a storm was rolling in. We had to close down 15 minutes early. Classic cars and antique planes don’t like wind, mud and heavy rain!

Since February, we have been giving leadership to recruiting/hiring a director, and recruiting singers to prepare for the Lakeside Singer’s Wake the Mountains, Rock the Shores concert. Under the (new) direction of Josh O’Dell, and with 60 voices strong, we practiced weekly for five months before the concert. We heard raving reviews of this being among the very best concerts they have heard the Lakeside Singers give! Dressed in “Lake-type Colors,” we crafted a program full of music about water and lake life. It was great fun for those of us singing too!

 

All the while we are leading and planning these events, we are still hosting guests at the B & B, getting up early to prepare breakfast, waiting on guests to check-in and washing and folding sheets and towels. One couple we hosted were travel bloggers and we appreciate their blog about the B & B as well as the Air Tours business. They were here on the day we had the Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Bedford Landings Air Tours. (Video)

We took off one weekend to fly to Indianapolis to attend the 100^th running of the Indianapolis 500 race. Jack joined his brothers in a traditional family event and we donned ear plugs to experience the decibels of the race while enjoying the hot sunny day complete with balloon lifts, flags, traditional singing and celebration. Rookie, Alexander Rossi, won the race, “drank the milk” and kissed the bricks after his victory. While at the race, Karen’s sister and husband watched over Bedford Landings, serving our famous pecan-encrusted bacon and making everyone happy on Memorial Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, summer is in full swing, and we are enjoying every minute of our life here at Smith Mountain Lake and running our B & B. The gardens at Bedford Landings are improving.

I must thank my high school friend, Agnes, for the work she has done to help me get many of these plants established. She came for a very quick visit to see what had grown since last fall, so I took her out for a ride on the jet-ski. It didn’t scare her a bit, especially since is used to having the wind in her face.

 

The birds and the bees love our house. The Carpenter Bees love to bore holes. I go around plugging them with bits of cork! Mud daubers think they have found a special spot, wasps are building under deck boards. It’s a full time job keeping up with nature! The birds think we have built them a large birdhouse. Baby birds in my hanging ferns, mama birds have built more than one nest on the ledge of the porch timbers and Mama Dove finally hatched two babies on the star gazing deck.

The fields nearby have been mowed and baled and the sunsets are a time you just can’t help but snap a photo. Each one is just an incredible gift!

These are fun and busy times and we live in an amazing place. It is a little piece of paradise at Smith Mountain Lake.

I must admit that turning on the television, hearing the news of terrorism, the sadness of Orlando families, and the political rhetoric being tossed around all distress me. We continue to offer prayers and surround ourselves with the happiness of the good people who have chosen a life at Smith Mountain Lake. It is a jewel in the crown of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

There are more things to celebrate and take part in this summer! Jack has a mental picture of what he will build for the cardboard boat regatta. We await excitedly for the time when we can get over 600 people to float as part of the Guinness Book of records for the most number of people floating on inflatables on a lake at one time. and we hope to go to a couple of the Sunset Saturdays at Hickory Hill Winery!

Plan your visit soon! We are filling up fast for weekends. Many weekdays still available.  We welcome you to Bedford Landings: Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia! We will try to make you feel right at home!

Life at Smith Mountain Lake

We are sure enjoying Smith Mountain Lake and all of the 50^th Anniversary events! We have been busy not only with the B & B the past few weeks, but with preparing for and attending fun events that would not want to miss!

Three weeks ago, we had an exhibit at the Business Expo telling folks about the B & B and Jack’s new Air Tours business. He gives sightseeing rides in his airplane over the lake.

 

Two weeks ago was “60’s weekend.” We went to the New Crusty Minstrels performance, which was a “bring your own picnic dinner and sing along-type of concert.” We danced and sang along to “American Pie,” “Under the Boardwalk” and many other 60’s favorites!

The next day, we helped host the “Wings and Wheels” fly-in featuring classic cars, antique planes and quilts held at the Smith Mountain Lake Airport. It was another anniversary event and was a free & family friendly. However, we took in donations in exchange for a ballot to vote for best of show for cars, planes and quilts.  Yes, Jack’s Pietenpol air camper won best of show for planes. Awardees received hand carved wooden plaques.

Through the best in show donations, we collected $201 to contribute to a fund affectionately called Vicki’s Vision fund. Now the fund raising effort has become incorporated and is called  Smith Mountain Lake Center, Inc. with the purpose of raising funds to build a multi-purpose civic facility to supplement lake venues.

This past week, we held a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting to officially introduce Bedford Landings Air Tours. Thanks to members who came out on a cold and rainy day for a chicken salad croissant!!

This weekend, it was another 50th Anniversary event. We truly enjoyed a delightful evening with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra (RSO).  Maestro, David Stewart Wiley composed an anniversary song especially for Smith Mountain Lake. Entitled Golden Fanfare for the Lake, it was such a relaxing and lovely piece!  There was also a song they shared from the movie (about SML) entitled Lake Effects. This song from the movie, “Concentric Circles,” was on a CD that we purchased entitled Full Circle.  It sounds as if it will make good breakfast music for us.

Upcoming Anniversary Events

In a few weeks, we will be performing the Lakeside Singer’s Concert June 3 and 4.  Jack and I are both singing and he is the featured “whistler” in a few songs. He actually has a very strong whistle!  All of the songs are water or lake related.  It is shaping up to be a really good show!

We really want to enter a boat in the Cardboard Boat Regatta being held at the SML 4-H center. We must find time to design and build it though!

Check out the other numerous events coming up this summer at Smith Mountain Lake.  And if you need a place to stay…Bedford Landings B & B!

When my mom turned 65, we gave her what she had always been wanting—a dollhouse with miniature furniture. The dollhouse was in flat pieces and needed to be assembled and she had no clue what to do, so it was never assembled. She died two years ago and I am still sorting through some of her belongings. Along the way, she must have given the dollhouse away, but recently, I found the doll furniture.  Pondering what to do, I want to thank my friend Lewanna for the great idea for how to use some of it! Take a look at this sequence of photos to see how we turned something in the great room into a dollhouse at Bedford Landings!

Look closer where I have drawn the red arrow on the seat base

The door opens and inside I have placed the furniture into a little living room. There is a wine rack, little wine glasses, a lamp, chairs, etc.  I have ordered some little “characters” to go inside.  We will peek at that later once they arrive. Anyway it was fun to make it.

So this little dollhouse at Bedford Landings is a secret to share with children who will pass through our doors! We hope they will enjoy it!  We have a little 5-year old staying with us now and I can’t wait to show it to her tomorrow after breakfast!

Ewww!

But… while I was working on the dollhouse, I kept seeing shadows out the window.  There were very large birds flying.  Look!  There are turkey vultures in the trees.  Aren’t they the kind of birds of prey that just hang around looking for something to die; like a rabbit, a deer or a raccoon?  Kinda creepy if you ask me!  As many as 5 just sitting in the trees.  And this one surveying from the top of the hangar.  Ewww!

Upcoming

Next week, Bedford Landings B & B and Bedford Landings AirTours are going to host a booth at the Downtown Moneta Business Expo on May 6th.  If you are in the area, drop by and say hello!

The following weekend, we are helping host a Wings & Wheels event at the Smith Mountain Lake Airport.  A free family-friendly time with classic cars, antique airplanes and handmade quilts displayed.  Come vote for your favorite car, quilt, and plane, have some lunch, bring a chair, watch remote controlled airplanes fly and listen to 60’s music! There will be an airport scavenger hunt for kids.  It is FREE and lasts from 10:00-3:00 on May 14th.

There is a lot going on this summer.  But most importantly, come see my Secret Dollhouse at Bedford Landings!  Happy Spring!

 

 

On the Bedford Landings Website, we explain that when you travel to stay with us, you might consider planes, boats, and cars as transportation to and from our Bed and Breakfast. This week, we had guests that included each mode of transportation. One came by plane (and it was a beautiful “Symphony). One came towing a boat (a BIG boat) and one came by car. It is amazing the reasons that people come to the lake- some to check the lake out as a potential retirement location. Some return after visiting to house shop, others to visit family, and some just “escape” to let us pamper them! And we like that!

 

We are enjoying spring at Smith Mountain Lake…sneezing, yellow pollen and all! We are watching the plant shoots pushing through the soil and mixing up the anti-deer spray in preparation for the beautiful hostas to fully leaf out. They are like candy to deer! And we are spring-cleaning! We still have left over wood and plumbing supplies from building the house. I listed the plumbing fitting on Craigslist but would be willing to donate to a good cause!

What does spring at Smith Mountain Lake bring? De-winterizing boats! Yesterday we took our first outing by boat…mainly we sat in a sunny spot and cleaned it up from it sitting during the winter (including using ammonia and water sprayed on a few moldy spots on the upholstery) and blowing out all of the leaves. We bought the boat used and have done some repair work into getting it to run well. But we can’t figure out how to get the boat cover on. It requires taking down the bimini cover and apparently that is too complicated for us! So we are still learning how to navigate the boating life!  I know, it’s tough but here at the lake, we feel it is our responsibility!

Spring at Smith Mountain Lake blends quickly into summer. This summer we are busy…looking forward to more rides over the lake with Bedford Landings Air Tours.  And we are active helping plan many of the activities celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of Smith Mountain Lake.

This weekend (April 23-24) is the Photography show and contest sponsored by the Smith Mountain Arts Council and being held at Bethlehem United Methodist Church. Karen has entered 8 framed photos (just for fun!). It is a drop-in exhibit Saturday (10-4) and Sunday (noon-3).

We are hosting a Wings and Wheels Fly-in at the airport on May 14 from 11-3. Antique cars, antique planes, remote controlled planes, quilts, food and music. FREE! Come join the festivities! The airfield will be closed 11-2.

Jack and I are singing in the Lakeside Singers’ Concert June 3 (7 pm) and June 4 (4 pm). At Trinity Ecumenical Church. Tickets are $12 in advance through Paypal or at General Store, Print-n-paper, SML Florist and The Chamber Visitor’s Center. All the music is “water” music to honor the anniversary of the lake. Fun, fun!

So get in gear and make some plans to enjoy spring at Smith Mountain Lake and look ahead to the summer events too! So many fun things to do!

 

There are many things happening at Bedford Landings and at Smith Mountain Lake in 2016. Read on for a few of them. If you would like to subscribe to this blog, click the (FOLLOW) link at the side. You will get an automatic email when we blog (about once a month). That’s all!

Meet the Artist
Meet our March-April in-house artist;Lisa Floyd. Lisa has painted many murals in restaurants and other commercial art around Smith Mountain Lake. I have been privileged to become acquainted with Lisa and her husband, Dale and observe how they have been bringing their art to the lake area. We first contracted with Lisa to paint a wall in the Forest Room at Bedford Landings featuring birch trees. Then she painted faux wood and stone by the guest hot tub and topped it off with fine art of the lake and of course an airplane in the sky!

Lisa is featuring 10 pieces of art on the walls of the Bedford Landings great room. Five of these pieces are from her special numbered collection of 50 pieces developed for the Lake’s 50^th Anniversary celebration in 2016.

 

If you are interested in seeing her works, just email us and set up a time to come visit, book a stay, or contact Lisa directly. She can often be found at Stacy’s Sweet Spot in downtown Moneta holding fun paint classes.

Yard Work and Maintenance
Summers are the busiest time for us since guests book rooms at Bedford Landings for vacations primarily to enjoy the lake and surroundings. In preparation for the busy season, we do home maintenance and professional development in the winter. This winter, we added a few more heating units to the house, we had all of the windows professionally cleaned, and rearranged some rooms adding a few different accessories and window treatments. Also Jack planted grass seed and fertilized for the Spring and we are hoping that our grass will be green and lush for summer visitors.

Professional Innkeepers Conference
Jack and I attended the Mid-Atlantic Innkeepers workshop in Williamsburg, Virginia seeking new ideas and tips for high quality bed and breakfasts! We picked up a few ideas including some regarding our social media presence. Thus, we are now on Instagram!   Find us at SMLBandB on Instagram and add your own photos of Bedford Landings.   We also are on Google Business, Yelp, Facebook and Trip Advisor. These media sure keep us busy!

Murder Mystery
As you will recall, we held a Murder Mystery in early March. We hosted 30 people who eagerly began to disentangle the facts from the rumor to determine who the criminal was in the group. It was great fun complete with an array of good food, laughter, fact finding and new friends. Everyone who attended said we should do it again next winter, so keep an eye open for this in the future at Bedford Landings.

Bedford Landings Air Tours
Resident Pilot, Jack has his website up and running ready to take guests up for FLIGHTseeing rides over the lake. Contact Jack for your airplane ride!

Upcoming Events
Be aware that this year marks the 50-year anniversary for Smith Mountain Lake. Everyone is planning great events all year long. We are contributing to several events including the Wheels and Wings Fly-in on May 14 which will feature antique planes, cars and quilts (between 11am and 3pm at the SML airport- FREE!). Also Jack and Karen are singing with the Lakeside Singers in concert June 3 and 4. We will be singing water/lake songs and a special presentation of the theme song for the SML 50th anniversary- “The Jewel of the Blue Ridge.”

Times are busy!  Come see us!