Smith Mountain Lake visit....

[BigKahuna]

Last weekend we were on 81 south in Virginia coming home from the DC area. We decided to swing by Smith Mountain Lake for lunch and to look around. (It's been years since we have been there.) Member Big Dog gave us a couple of restaurant suggestions and we found our way to Bridgewater Plaza and planned on eating at Mangos. But we walked in and we saw 1 person sitting at the bar. They weren't quite ready for lunch so we ate at Moosie's upstairs. We walked around the complex of restaurants, shops, mini golf, and the marina that had multiple covered/roofed docks to house boats and jet skis. Nice area! We also visited Bernards Landing. A nice collection of waterfront condos with a marina and a restaurant. We would like to see more of SML one day.....

 

[BigD]

It's a shame as nice as the weather has been this fall, but things begin to shutdown at SML in October. There are some 65 restaurants and 15 marinas at SML that all can be experienced in the summer months, but September and October are our favorite times there as things begin to slow down and the leaves turn. It's really, really busy there on the weekends in the summer. Bridgewater is the biggest rental spot on the lake and is open year round. They have several satellite rental spots that are open during summer. Bernards Landing is the best of the best for vacation rentals along with Mariners Landing. The ultimate place to live is probably Waters Edge CC on the south side at Penhook. Many, many super high end areas to own there, but it would be tough to beat Waters Edge. Spectacular lakeside golf club, and it's very, very private. If you only have a couple mil and up.

 

[BigD]

Spectacular place in the fall. Deep water.

 

[BigKahuna]

It's a shame as nice as the weather has been this fall, but things begin to shutdown at SML in October. There are some 65 restaurants and 15 marinas at SML that all can be experienced in the summer months, but September and October are our favorite times there as things begin to slow down and the leaves turn. It's really, really busy there on the weekends in the summer. Bridgewater is the biggest rental spot on the lake and is open year round. They have several satellite rental spots that are open during summer. Bernards Landing is the best of the best for vacation rentals along with Mariners Landing. The ultimate place to live is probably Waters Edge CC on the south side at Penhook. Many, many super high end areas to own there, but it would be tough to beat Waters Edge. Spectacular lakeside golf club, and it's very, very private. If you only have a couple mil and up.

Yeah the marina at Bridgewater had about 12 or so rental Manitou tritoons all lined up with 150's and 200's on the back! As well as deck boats and fishing boats. It looks like they do a good business there! I remember seeing a waterfront country club and neighborhood on the way to Bernards Landing. Is that Waters Edge?!?

 

[Potomacbassin’]

Spectacular place in the fall. Deep water.

Really deep, IIRC it's 200ft deep right in front of the dam. Fished that island and you go from 5' down to 100' just 20 ft out.

 

[BigD]

Yeah the marina at Bridgewater had about 12 or so rental Manitou tritoons all lined up with 150's and 200's on the back! As well as deck boats and fishing boats. It looks like the do a good business there! I remember seeing a waterfront country club and neighborhood on the way to Bernards Landing. Is that Waters Edge?!?

No. That's Waterfront CC. Very nice, but no comparison. Three CC's on the lake. Mariners Landing has one, too. That's on the NE side of the lake.

 

[BigD]

Really deep, IIRC it's 200ft deep right in front of the dam. Fished that island and you go from 5' down to 100' just 20 ft out.

Yep. Lot of private docks are in 30 foot of water. Gets deep really quick off the banks of much of the lake. Striper fishing there is bigtime.