Places to Go (Vacation) - Ending Our Summer at Smith Mountain Lake (Huddleston, VA)

I know there have been a crazy amount of vacation posts lately (but vacations are fun, right)? So bare with me, I promise I have other things to write about too. Anyways, 1.5 weeks after returning from Europe, we packed our bags again for seven days at Smith Mountain Lake with Dan's parents and his brother's family. Dan, unfortunately, could only come for some of the trip as he had lots of work on a new big case, which, of course, settled right after our vacation ended.

Have you ever visited southern Virginia (i.e. Sally Mann's chosen territory)? It is insanely beautiful and secluded. There aren't even garbage trucks (but there is a town dump). Farms everywhere you look and in the middle of it all a 32 square mile man made lake. The perfect place for a lazy, relaxed week with family. Of course, there were a few bumps in the road, despite having a strong internet signal, I could not attain internet access. Further, I decided to use our week in the country to quit Diet Coke. So taking away my two major addictions made me a little cranky (sorry everyone). Luckily, there was wine. Lots of wine.

And children. And cousins. And floats. And kayaks. And Settlers of Catan.

So I slept in. And read 3.5 novels (I highly suggest both Her and Suite Francaise). And floated. And cannonballed. And fell asleep in the sun. While the kids ran and explored and read tons of old Archie comic books (the rental house was full of them).

Oh, summer, how I am already starting to miss you!








Have I mentioned the sunsets? Pretty spectacular, huh?



And the nights full of books and boardgames/cardgames?


And the awesome (okay, so I'm using this term lightly) storebought cake we made for Dan's birthday?






Or our hike to the turtle-less Turtle Island?



But most importantly, let's not forget the cannonballs!

Places to go (Vacation) - Fishing and Floating at Smith Mountain Lake (Moneta, VA)

After spending a week with my mom in Indianapolis, we drove straight to southern Virginia to vacation with Dan's family at Smith Mountain Lake (we rented this house). After an awesome but exhausting week of museums and attractions, we enjoyed doing nothing for a few days. I even read a whole New Yorker (as in cover to cover).

During the day, Dan and T fished while I floated in the water with my mother in law and sister in law. Growing up in the Midwest, I spent most of my childhood summers visiting one lake or another and I almost forgot how thrilling it feels to jump off a pier - nose plugged, bracing for the cold waters below. Smith Mountain Lake was gorgeous (deer everywhere) but also dark and very deep, so within mere centimeters the water temps dropped considerably, perfect for floating. At night we enjoyed stars, smores, glasses of wine and hard-battled games of Dominion on the deck.

Happy Friday everyone! Next week, no more vacation posts next week as everyone is (finally) back at school.



* Dan caught a huge bass on the morning of his birthday, which really made the whole day.

* Monopoly is now played with credit cards. I find this so odd.



P and her cousin are only 1 month apart in age and personality wise they are totally in sync. Cousin twins.