We are pleased to host this month’s artists at Bedford Landings from the Art Visions Gallery. Joining my friend, Nancy Rae Brown are Lana Mcculloch, Rose Marie Atkins, Julie English, Marie Campbell, Rita Carroll and Jane Schafer.  If you are interested in seeing this month’s works by the artists at Bedford Landings please contact us through email or phone (540-488-4600). We would be happy to show you their work when we are home! Actually they will be up for the months of December as well.

There are several holiday gifting opportunities for you that we can help you with this season.  Of course you can purchase the featured art of one of the artists are Bedford Landings.  But we also can help you with a gift certificate for a stay at Bedford Landings.  I can help you with that via email or over the phone.  Jack can set you up with a gift certificate for a flight over the lake with Bedford Landings Air Tours. We have my books in stock including my children’s book.  I also have a few copies of Sue Coryell’s books. We have a few jars of honey left from our little busy bees and just a few jars of those wonderful Methodist Men’s peanuts.

The season has slowed a bit and we miss hosting guests every day!  So think cozy and come back to see us!  Most of our returning guests are house hunting.  But then they find a house and we don’t see them as much anymore. It just makes the winter longer when we are cooped inside with no friends to serve breakfast.  But what better place to be cooped up than Bedford Landings!  We have movies, puzzles, games and hot chocolate! We are prepared for warm mornings and evenings by the (inside or outside) fire this fall and winter.  We have built 3 fires so far in the outdoor fire pit but only one inside since it has been such a warm fall so far.  If you stay with us, however, and it is below 40, we will build a fire where you can enjoy your early morning coffee.  Come see us!

Don’t you just love the seasonal change? With crisp fall temperatures, we are watching fog drifting just above the lake, picking ripe apples at nearby Gross Orchard, watching the colors as they change, and being amazed that our grass seed is growing at Bedford Landings!  This fall has been busy (once the rain stopped!) as guests realize how that the weekend weather could lend itself to a last minute getaway.

Bedford Landings has now been in business almost two years (22 months). Although we consider ourselves novices, there are still things we observe about our Bed and Breakfast clientele. These may not be trends for all Bed and Breakfasts, but it is what we are noticing.

Bedford Landings Trends

1. Traditionally B & B’s were seen as weekend getaway places but trends in the B & B industry indicate that B & B’s are being booked more now for business travelers. That is NOT a trend for us. We still get the traditional weekend getaways but we also host a great deal of spill over from local family reunions. Besides, who comes to the lake for business? Our guests are seeking either a place to truly relax and get away from the busyness of everyday stressors or a flying destination.
2. Our typical commuter guest is from 3-4 hours driving distance away. That may include the Northern Virginia area and parts of North Carolina like Raleigh, Winston Salem, and Greensboro. Common is the traveler who has left a little early from work to fight traffic, then trek over the mountain, drive in the dark, then scurry up to our door with the same tension as when they left work. They talk rapidly, look weary, and are often late. We rarely plan social engagements for ourselves on Friday nights just because of this effect. As we check them in, we try to help them relax into a slower pace, talk calmly, and help meet their immediate needs while we watch them melt a little as they begin to unwind.
3. We have many guests who arise on their first morning who say, “that’s the best night’s rest I have had in months!” Well of course sleeping on a pillow top mattress on Comphy sheets in a quite, climate controlled room is part of that formula! By the way, we can order the sheets for you and have them sent to your home! Take a peek at the great new log bed in the Forest Room!
   
4. We have more and more “over 50” and “over 60” guests arriving by motorcycle. I was wondering if that was a national trend so I looked it up and found that indeed, the demographic of motorcycle owners has shifted toward older owners.  Often they travel with another couple and need two rooms which is fine with us when we can accommodate them!
5. There are those guests who have never been to a B & B. They don’t realize that we live here. Those are the ones who walk right in the front door. That’s why I try to remember to lock the door when we are in the house. Many a time I have been in the middle of something at my desk or just getting out of the shower when I hear strange voices and realize that people think this is like any business and just walk in. Just FYI. We do live here so ringing the doorbell is totally appropriate!
   

   Just ring the bell 🙂

6. There are those who are intrigued with flying and airplanes and there are those who are frightened by it. Jack has just introduced sightseeing rides. Booking a flight over the lake with Bedford Landings Air Tours is a beautiful experience any time of year. I have to chuckle when people say, “no-ooo—oo I am afraid of heights!” Well Jack (our resident pilot) is also afraid if heights, yet he has been flying since he was 15 years old. It is different. He did not like climbing more than 4 rungs on a ladder when we were building the house but he doesn’t sweat 6000 feet up in an airplane!
   

   Smith Mountain Lake from the air

7. There are early risers and there are those who don’t rise at all. We serve breakfast at 8:00 am. Coffee is ready by 7:00 am. Sometimes folks like to come down and talk with us while we cook. We like that, but we may not engage in total eye-to-eye contact if we have to reference a recipe or measure an ingredient. Then there are those who say, “I’m not much of a breakfast eater.” Of course, after reminding them that “breakfast” is half of our specialty, we tell them that they don’t want to miss the bacon! Ninety-five percent of the guests are at the table ready to enjoy their breakfast at 8:00 am. The remaining 5% enjoy less social interaction and a breakfast that resides in the warming drawer for as long as they sleep. They are welcome to their plate when they arise, but we just hope that they remember when they write their review, that the “on time” delicacies are piping hot and arranged appealingly on the plate at 8:00am! We clean up the kitchen by 9:30.
   

   Breakfast Room

8. And speaking of reviews. Trip Advisor seems to be the most watched location for reviews of places to lodge and we thank all of our past guests (and 61 reviewers) who have written five-star reviews! Appreciation makes it most enjoyable to share our home with you!

Lastly, just in time for Fall, we are christening our new fire pit! So come warm up at Bedford Landings so we can help you turn your getaway into an experience to remember!

I am late blogging this month. I wanted to share the lovely Mulch at Bedford Landings in the front yard and I wanted to say what a great summer it has been with our kids and especially wonderful grand children visiting!

 

I wanted to say that our guests this season had been particularly interesting and delightful.

I had wanted to share that in 2016, the lake will have been at full pond for 50 years and that there are many events being planned and that the Chamber of Commerce along with some wonderful lake volunteers are taking the lead to plan cool events including a Fly-in at the SML Airport featuring antique cars, antique planes, and a 60’s sock hop May 13-14, 2016.

And I wanted to reveal the cover of the new Discover Magazine that Jack is on with a wonderful feature story about his flying experiences. The story is well-done!

 

But, instead, a cloud came I over the lake last week.

Last week, something horrible happened and the atmosphere here has just been slower, quieter, meditative, and sad. The unthinkable threw many of us into a distracted state, pre-occupied with reading social media inordinately and listening to stories on the news, vigilantly praying for the families who have lost their dear children while we reach out to our own to assure that they are safe.

Prayers continue to surround two devastated families. Prayers continue for Vicki Gardner and her family working toward her healing so that we can highlight “good” not dwell on the evil. The media correctly reports that Vicki is such a “good person” and we echo that at Bedford Landings as we have experienced Vicki ‘s goodness. She welcomed us to the community, advised us, introduced us, and spoke at our Ribbon Cutting and our Business After Hours event for Chamber members. She is one who can always find the right words, the right positive attitude, and the right way to provide the welcoming face. She finds a unique way to welcome each person with whom she comes in contact. We can’t wait to hug her in the flesh to see for ourselves that she is ok. And we are amazed at her husband, Tim’s, stamina and ability to nurture her while providing the media with brief stories regarding her recovery and the events that happened nearly one short week ago.

I know Vicki would want to spin the terrible into something more positive for us to again smile over the fact that SML indeed is The Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Jack and I often look at each other and marvel that we discovered Smith Mountain Lake and the wonderfully friendly community that it is. We frequently host guests at Bedford Landings B & B who ultimately ask us about living here, ask about property, or begin considering retiring to this area. And we don’t want such a cloud to continue to loom over our lovely lake.

When I taught 7^th graders in Sunday School I recall teaching (but also learning) the meaning of the Rainbow. It is a promise from God.

I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh… (NASB) Genesis 9:11-15

Sighting a rainbow is indeed up-lifting. We need rain at this lake! And remember that after the rain there just could be a rainbow. Look for one and lift your eyes upward. Then give thanks for that rainbow and for the your life.

When I am confused or need to sort out my thoughts, I write. So today, I offer a poem focusing on the beauty that can emerge after a storm.

Seeking Rainbows

In this universe they do exist
Disgruntled unhappy minds;
Seekers of ways to make sense
Struggling to find simple peace of mind.

Struggle is part of the journey in this path of life
Navigating the fight outside and in,
To find answers to suit us,
Seeking ways to build and blend. 

But in the quest to become complete
Simple answers are not always present
For like a Bridge over troubled water
Answers are complex and often are not evident.

Higher, we must search turning eyes to the sky
Seeking rainbows instead of wondering WHY.

Look beyond the clouds, seek the sun, evermore remembering
The promise the rainbow brings
Allow hope to shine anew
Hope–floating in on angel’s wings.

Smith Mountain Lake continues to be the Jewel of the Blue Ridge.
Smith Mountain Lake IS Strong. So turn your eyes upward. Wait for the rain to clear and SEE the rainbow!

Painting at Bedford Landings?  Of course!

Bedford Landings supports local artists.  We are also members of the Bedford Artisan’s Trail.  This month, we have a new artist displaying her work at Bedford Landings. Nancy Ostroff’s art will be here through October 1st.

Nancy O. paints in oils, watercolor, pastels, acrylics and pen and ink. Her love of color is reflected in her landscapes, still lives and portraits which are painted in an impressionistic way. You also may be interested in calling (to be sure we are home) and coming by to see her work. There are mountain scenes, lake scenes and still life pieces. Her website is nansart.com where you can peruse and also see that her paintings are very reasonably priced.

 

And, if you haven’t heard, we are offering a Happy Hour Painting Class on August 17 (Monday).

Artist, Nancy Brown will be teaching acrylic painting using one of her landscapes as the product that students will paint. The class starts at 5:30 on August 17. All painting supplies will be furnished. You just have to bring your own wine. Bedford Landings will supply iced tea as an alternative beverage.

Last year we had so much fun with this event, we are repeating it.  Please give us a call to sign up (540-488-4600) or email Karen.  The class is limited to 8 participants and costs $35.

Below is Nancy Brown’s painting entitle “Autumn Colors” and it is the inspiration for what class participants will paint in the class August 17th.

Besides painting at Bedford Landings, we have enjoyed new faces and family visits this summer. We have been on the water more, worked hard, traveled a bit, and are ready to host guests this fall for the Wine Festival (9-26 & 27), the Hot Air Balloon festival (9-11) Classic Boat Festival (9-12), the Charity Home Tour (10-10 & 11) and the Chili fest (11-7) and more. See the upcoming lake events at visitsmithmountainlake.com

Words cannot express how much we thank Sherry and John for taking care of business (literally) last week while we were away at Oshkosh enjoying the roar of airplane engines and mingling among the aviation enthusiasts! My inn-sitting sister and brother-in-law juggled the duties of caring for guests superbly! Thanks sis and John!  You look so much at home, maybe you would like to so this more?!?!

While away, we went to Brodhead, Wisconsin to see Jack’s Pietenpol building friends before going to the largest fly-in in the world at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  Landing there was interesting as the calm and collected air traffic controllers landed three at a time on the colored dots marking the runway. We stayed in a private home where we were way comfortable with folks who have now become friends who may just trek south to see us soon!

I had the opportunity to sign at least 15 books for kind, supportive people who showed an interest in my little children’s book “Cloudy with a Chance of Dreams.” It was fun to have this as a mission while attending the largest fly-in in the world! And it felt good to have my book stocked on the shelves of the EAA Wearhouse! Susan Dusenberry interviewed me in the Vintage aircraft area after the book signing where I could tell more about the story and why I wrote it.  Since our grandson Jaxon was the inspiration for this book, I talked with young girls who were at both Brodhead and Oshkosh about what they think a book with a female character should be about. On the plane ride home, I started a new adventure story with a female protagonist!  Thanks Abby (age 12) for chatting with me about a new story!

If you are interested in knowing more about this huge event, take a look at some of the videos. There is no way that I can describe how large of an event it is.

Jack is the one who can name about every airplane. But I had fun taking some cool photos of planes and other things! See what you think of these!

We got home safely to a well-kept B & B.  My sister and the guests met us as we landed and counting our blessings in addition to all of the planes, friends and inn-sitters, it has been a pretty wonderful week!