Time to Start Planning that Smith Mountain Lake Vacation!

Believe it or not we are just a few short days away from February! It seems like it was just last week we were enjoying the fun of the fall harvest! Now we are already turning a longing eye towards spring with summer just a few months away! If you want to visit Smith Mountain Lake this year, it is never too early to start planning! So here are some highlights of what’s coming up for the spring and early summer this year!


Make your reservations early for the ESPN Bassmaster Elite Tournament: Blue Ridge Brawl! The big event takes place April 15-18, 2010. Hotels fill up early for this one, so make your reservations soon! It is the “can’t be missed” event of spring! Weigh-in will be at the Parkway Marina in Huddleston, VA! And you might just hear more than just fish stories at the tournament! It was at the 2009 Blue Ridge Brawl the The Southern and Southwest Virginia Fishing Trail had its big premier!

Another event not to be missed is the 9th Annual Pigg River Ramble! Scheduled for May 14-16th, the weekend begins with a special Friday night fun float on the Blackwater River. Saturday brings the Pigg River race! You have to be ready for adventure if you are going to take on the 7 ½ mile race. There are no guarantees that you’ll make it over Pigg River’s well known “Ledge”! Great food and family fun will be abundant!

And of course we can’t forget Bluegrass Music! Festival in the Pines will be held April 28th through May 1 this year. Held at Triple Creek Music Campground, this event features some of the best Bluegrass music in the area. The festival is sponsored by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America and will be celebrating its 30 years history! So if it is a “toe tappin’- knee slappin’, get up and dance” vacation you are looking for, this one can’t be beat!

These are just a few of the highlights for our spring and early summer events! As we are fond of saying around here, come for a visit, if you like it then move here! If you are ready to enjoy life on Smith Mountain Lake, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert!

Smith Mountain Lake Home with a View!

Spring is in the air at Smith Mountain Lake! Well, not quite, but you can begin to sense that spring is just around the corner. With the recent monster snow storm and very wet fall, many lakefront homeowners are thinking about spring clean up! As visions of landscaping dance in your head, there are a few extra considerations to make when you have the pleasure of living on the water!




Let's talk trees! One of the reasons most people buy lakefront property is for the view! As you turn an eye to landscaping, don't forget to carefully plan where you are planting your trees. Knowing how tall a tree will grow and how wide its branches will spread is key in maintaining your line of sight to the water.



You also have to remember that there may be some restrictions to the plants and trees you can remove from your waterfront property. For Smith Mountain Lake residents there are no significant regulations for removing vegetation above the 800 foot contour line. What that basically means is the normal lake level for Smith Mountain Lake is 795 feet above sea level. So on most lots, to avoid the "Project Boundary" (the AEP regulates this area between the lake level and the 800 foot line) you will need work to be five VERITICAL feet above the lake. The usually comes to about 10-15 feet back from the waterline.



Trees do enhance the look and value of your lot, so you want to maintain them. You can get help from a local landscaper to help with tree trimming and removal. Now some neighborhoods may have home owner association rules on tree removal and trimming, so be sure and check with your HOA to find out if there are any restrictions for your area.

If you are clearing a wooded lot, you will have to apply for an Erosion and Sediment permit. There are certain ways erosion has to be controlled at a work site. Again, this is where using a local contractor will come in handy. They should be well aware of any permits needed to clear a lakefront wooded lot. They will also be familiar with typical lakefront erosion controls such as silt fences. You can find out more about what you might need for different types of project through the Smith Mountain Lake Association.



There is nothing like living on the water! Come for a visit, if you like it then move here. For questions about lakeside living or if you are looking for a yard of your own to landscape, call Vicki Millehan! She is a long time agent and resident of Smith Mountain Lake.

Blue Ridge Institute in Ferrum VA

Just a ways down the road from the Smith Mountain Lake Visitors Center on 122 South is the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum in Ferrum, VA. The museum is considered by many to be the center for Blue Ridge Mountain Folklore. The institute was created in 1970 by Ferrum College to preserve the folklore of the Blue Ridge region. They offer more than just exhibits and galleries, but also have a living history farm. The farm is a re-created 1800’s Virginia-German farmstead.

The farm museum is like stepping back in time. You will be able to experience what life was like in the rural Blue Ridge Mountains. The farm’s interpreters dress in period costume and live life as it was in 1800. A thirty mile trip took the whole day or more! As you watch them cook over an open hearth, tend heirloom gardens, and complete the never ending list of farm chores,you realize how fast things move in the modern day.

The exhibits like the Virginia Rocks: The History of Rockabilly in the Commonwealth and other galleries at the museum are free. The Heritage Archives held in the Blue Ridge Institute are a collection of photos and recordings of the area. They even have the Galax Old Time Fiddlers Convention tapes available to listen to. There are admission fees for the farm museum, but you can make reservations for a more “hands on” experience through the different programs they offer.

History runs richly throughout the area. From Jefferson’s Poplar Forest home to the National D-Day Memorial, every generation will find something to interest them. Come for a visit and if you like it, then move here! Vicki Millehan, your local real estate expert, can help you find a place to call home in the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Winter and Wine on the Bedford Wine Trail

The day of wine and roses is just over 3 weeks away! No matter how you celebrate Valentine’s Day, you can’t go wrong adding a bottle of Virginia wine! Of course picking the right wine takes some research! So shake off those winter blues and hit the Bedford Wine Trail!


100 years ago you would have found tobacco and tomato fields in the landscape of Bedford County. Today, you can find some of the best wines produced in Virginia! You can sample these wines by visiting the wineries that make up the Bedford Wine Trail. Of course this is all just in the name of research! After all we are just trying to find that perfect Valentine’s wine!

You can start out at the Savoy-Lee. Grab some friends and head over to enjoy your own winter games! Every weekend in January and February from noon to 5pm, you can enjoy board games while sharing a bottle of wine or a glass of sangria. You can even pick up a great fudge recipe in the process!

If you are looking for something to do the weekend of Valentine’s Day, check out the Winter Whites and Red Hearts event at Hickory Hills Vineyard and Winery. Hickory Hills is well known for its white wines and many of them are award winners! You have to try the Smith Mountain Lake Mist or the Lake Chardonnay. One of their most recognized whites is the HHVW Vidal Blanc. This dry white wine is aged in stainless steel and has won multiple awards!

There are several ways to check out the wines at Peaks of Otter Winery. You can see what they have to offer at the Virginia Wine Valentine Showcase at Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA on February 6-7. The debut of the 2008s is part of the showcase. February 12-14 you can enjoy a Happy Valentine’s Day at the winery itself! A warm fire and wonderful wines! Newlywed can even receive a free gift! Best of all it is free!

Virginia is for lovers and people love Smith Mountain Lake! Come for a visit and if you like it, then move here! Call Vicki Millehan when you are ready to relocate!

Dirty Dancing In Pembroke, VA!

There are several movies that have been filmed in or around Smith Mountain Lake, but one of the most beloved is Dirty Dancing! With last year’s loss of the film’s star, Patrick Swayze, many are thinking back on the movie with fond memories of their own. You may not know it, but you can stay at the “Kellerman’s Resort”! The actual name of the resort is Mountain Lake Conservancy and Hotel in Pembroke VA.

In 1987, Mountain Lake Hotel was featured in the movie Dirty Dancing. If you are a fan of the movie, then you can’t miss out on experiencing one of the hotel’s Dirty Dancing Weekends! They offer guided tours and even dance lessons to commemorate the movie. In November of 2009, the hotel held a memorial for Patrick Swayze. While filming the movie Swayze stayed in room 232.


On November 21st, they also dedicated “the lift stone” to the memory of the fallen actor. The lift stone was retrieved from the lake in the general location where the water lift scene took place. The Dirty Dancing Weekends have always been a big hit at the hotel, but this year they hold special meaning to those who remember when the movie was filmed here.


The weekends start with a visit to the gift shop and then dinner in the Dining Room. From there you can enjoy a viewing of the movie, a guided tour, trivia games and even private dance lessons. The hotel has one goal, that you have the time of your life!


There is so much history in the area. You can learn about times gone by or celebrate one of the best loved movies in the last 25 years. Come for a visit and if you like it, then move here! When you are ready to make Smith Mountain Lake your home, call Vicki Millehan! She can help you find your own magical place on the lake!

Making Cents on Smith Mountain Lake

People in Smith Mountain Lake and around the nation are looking for ways to cut back on their expenses! If you have tightened your belt to the point of breaking and are looking for some simple steps to cut back on utility costs, here are some tips that just might help! Most homeowners can easily take care of most of these on their own.


One of the easiest steps you can take is to do an energy audit. This may help you pinpoint the areas you can improve your home’s efficiency. Some utility companies will provide an assessment free of charge or you can do your own audit online. This assessment tool can even help you calculate how long it would take to recoup the costs of upgrading your appliances to more energy efficient models.

Sealing off leaks is a big step in the right direction. Weather-stripping, caulking and weather tape are all fairly inexpensive. One area that is often missed by homeowners is sealing around the plumbing. Windows account for 10% of leaks, but 13% of leaks can come from where pipes enter the structure. A word of caution: make sure you know what you are covering! Some pipes may be exhaust pipes for a gas furnace or water heater. Sealing them improperly may compromise the way they work. If you are unsure, ask a professional!

This may sound too simple, but install a programmable thermostat. These thermostats can be more expensive, but they quickly make up for that in heating and cooling savings. You can program the temperature of your home by what your actual needs are instead of running at full blast 24/7. You will see significant savings by adjusting the temperature while you sleep and while you are away at work.

Now this may sound strange, but you can save money on your water bill by creating your own low flow toilet. You can fill a mason jar with water or put a clean brick in the back of your tank. This displaces the water so you actually use less water when you flush! This conserves water and keeps money in your wallet!

There are several state and federal programs available to help you upgrade the energy efficiency of your home. The Federal tax credit for energy efficiency will be available through December of 2010. You can upgrade appliance or even add a renewable energy source. There is a new program in the works that may cover even more in energy upgrades, so keep an eye out for the Home Star program.

Making your home more energy efficient can increase its worth! If you have questions on what kind of upgrades will make your Franklin County home more valuable, call Vicki Millehan. She is your local real estate expert in Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding area.

Be Amazed in Lynchburg, VA

Are you ready to be amazed? Well then, you need to take the family to visit Amazement Square in Lynchburg, VA. Less than 30 miles from Bedford, you will find this “hands on” children’s museum. Children can jump, slide and climb their way through four floors of interactive exhibits! Every second and fourth Saturday of the month they even have a family fun night with a reduced admission 5pm-8pm. But, on Saturday January 16th, you can get the whole day’s admission for $3 and take part in Maltese Mystery Day!


From 10 am until 5pm your children can enjoy the fun of the Big Read/Little Read Lynchburg kickoff event! The programs and exhibits for the day focus on crime solving science! Forensics, a special presentation by the Police Department, a falcon program and a visit from the Humane Society are a few of the things going on to celebrate the day!

You can check out the events calendar and find other mysteries to solve throughout January and February. In the Exhibition Galleries the On Stage: The Rockstar Experience and the Discover Silver exhibits are interactive fun! Visitors can also experience what it is like to be someone with a disability in the Access for All exhibit. You can learn Braille and American Sign Language, play wheelchair bowling or basketball and explore interactive stations that will stimulate your senses!

If you have a great time at Amazement Square then you need to vote! Amazement Square is one of the finalists in the Clorox Clean-Up Power a Bright Future! Everyone is Special offers multi-sensory, hands-on education for children with special needs. It is an amazing program that brings a whole new experience for these children. If the program wins, it will receive a $10,000 grant and be featured in People Magazine! So Vote! Vote! Vote!

All around Smith Mountain Lake area, there are wonderful things to do for all ages and abilities! Come for a visit, if you like it then move here! Call Vicki Millehan to help you relocate to the best part of Virginia! From Pittsylvania County to Franklin County, she can help you find the place to call home!

Water Quality and Property Values at Smith Mountain Lake

Smith Mountain Lake is known for its crystal clear waters. Most of the lake’s 500 miles of shoreline enjoys these clear waters all year around. There are some properties, however, that may have seasonal issues with water clarity and quality. Normally these are found close to the mouth of a few of the small stream inlets at the back of some of the coves. While this does not pose any environmental issues for the owners of the waterfront property in the area, it can affect the property value of the lot.


This is where having an agent who is familiar with the Lake will come in very handy. The problem is actually very common with bodies of fresh water that have small river or stream inlets. During a few times of year this can cause the water quality to be variable. Your local real estate expert will be able to help you know what areas may be affected by this.

Some home owners do not mind the seasonal fluctuation in the water quality. They like the fact that they can get a nicer home then they may have been able to afford on a different lot. They still have perfect water conditions 95% of the time and they are not put off by the other times when it may be an issue. Others would prefer to have a smaller home in an area where water quality is not seasonally variable. Whatever is the priority for your waterfront home, a reliable agent will be able to let you know if water conditions may be an issue for your property’s value down the road.

The residents of Smith Mountain Lake love it here! They take very seriously protecting the water quality. The Smith Mountain Lake Association help monitor the quality of the water. SMLA's goal is to protect the lakefront way of life and the life of the lake itself. For those who have fallen in love with the lake, protecting its beauty and the property values for future generations is one of their main focuses.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit Franklin County or Bedford County, you need to start planning your trip! Come for a visit, if you like it then move here! When you are ready to relocate call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert and has been a resident of Smith Mountain Lake for over 20 years! From a winery to a lakefront home, she can help you find a place to call home in Virginia!

Virginia Is for Lovers!

Go into just about any department store this week and you will have no doubt the Holidays are over. Pre-lit Christmas trees are on sale for $10 and that $3 wrapping paper is now fifty cents! So what will you see when you head down that seasonal product aisle at your local stores? Those candy hearts and heart shaped boxes of chocolates can mean only one thing! Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Virginia is for Lovers! So if you are looking for a romantic place to spend time with that special someone, head to Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia!


Now you may wonder, why even mention Valentine's Day? After all it is only the first week of January! Well it is never too early to book a romantic getaway in the area! There is no better place to spend Valentine's weekend than Franklin County or Bedford County, VA! From cabin retreats to spa "staycations", we have got what you need!

One of the popular Valentine's Day destinations is The Hotel Roanoke. This beautiful hotel offers the Regency Package that includes dinner and dancing as part of your romantic weekend. Or you can enjoy one of their wonderful spa treatments! It doesn't matter if you want to spoil that special someone or give yourself a special weekend away, you will come away refreshed and relaxed!

You should also check out Ashleigh Manor. This bed and breakfast is an antebellum plantation reproduction. Guests can enjoy the beauty of Smith Mountain Lake right from the veranda. The Manor sits on 1200 feet of lake shoreline and on 9 wooded acres. Of course, with over 500 miles of shoreline and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in the background, there are many wonderful places to enjoy your Valentine's Day weekend.

You should be warned though; you may fall in love on your weekend getaway! With the area that is! If you do, that is not a problem! We have a saying here, Come for a visit, if you like it, then move here! When you are ready to buy your waterfront home, call Vicki Millehan! She has been selling luxury lakefront real estate for 18 years, but she has been in love with Smith Mountain Lake even longer than that!