Vicki Millehan - Vicki's Lake Homes - Smith Mountain Lake, VA

What is the best way to keep vacation costs down? Consider vacationing in your local area.

If you live in Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake is the perfect vacation spot. There are so many wonderful activities for you and your family to enjoy.

If you follow these tips, this beautiful vacation spot can be very affordable:

First, with the rising price of gas, take advantage of one of the credit cards that offers rebates or rewards when you purchase gas using their credit card. In order to reap the most benefits from credit card offers, make sure these charges are included in your vacation budget.

Second, consider planning your vacation during mid or low season. Peak season at Smith Mountain Lake is from June through August. Peak season demands the highest rental rates and the least amount of flexibility on check-in and check-out dates, as well as the length of your stay.

If you visit Smith Mountain Lake during mid season, four to six weeks prior to or after peak season, not only will it be less crowded, but your rates will be discounted. You will also have flexible check-in and check-out dates as well as the option of daily or weekend rates.

You will get the best bang for your buck if you visit Smith Mountain Lake during the low season, from mid-October through mid-April. Rental rates can be discounted by as much as 50%; check-in and check-out dates are very flexible; and you will have the option of renting by the day, week, or month.

Third, take advantage of Mariners Landing vacation packages. They offer a variety of packages from fishing and golfing to romance, wine, and honeymoon packages.

Fourth, as Rachel Ray always suggests, check with the locals to find the most affordable restaurants that offer the best food. Smith Mountain Lake locals are always friendly and will be glad to offer up some advice.

Remember, Smith Mountain Lake is not just a summer resort. No matter when you plan your visit, there will always be activities and events for your family to enjoy.

Or, call me, Vicki Millehan. I will be more than happy to give you some suggestions. I have over 19 years of experience in selling waterfront homes, and am a long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake. My web page always has a current list of events that are taking place in Smith Mountain Lake.

In a recent article in the Smith Mountain Eagle, our local American Red Cross was reaching out to blood donors. The article pointed out that its blood supply remains at a critically low level, even though hundreds of local residents donated blood after a national campaign reached out to them.

As a long-time resident and top Realtor of Smith Mountain Lake, I wanted to do my part in assisting Virginia’s American Red Cross by reaching out not only to Smith Mountain Lake residents, but all Virginia residents to donate blood.

The recent heat may be part of the reason why blood supplies are so low. Many don’t want to venture out into the heat, while those who do may have elevated temperatures that disqualify them from donating. On a daily basis 38,000 blood donations are required to meet the demand. In order to meet this demand, someone must donate blood every two seconds. On average three pints of blood are required for one transfusion. Only 38% of the population is eligible to give blood.

There are many benefits to donating blood. By donating just one pint of blood, you may be helping as many as three people! We all know how good it feels to help others…and all it takes is just one hour of your time!

Donated blood helps many Americans. Much of the donated blood is used for accident victims and cancer patients.

We know that blood transfusions are often required by accident victims. But I was surprised to learn that 100 pints of blood may be needed by a single victim of a car crash.

Almost all of us have friends or family who have been stricken by cancer, especially since over one million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many cancer victims require daily blood transfusions while they are undergoing chemotherapy.

The American Red Cross website is wonderful. It will answer all of your questions on donating blood.

The Appalachian Blood Services website has the contact information for the Roanoke Blood Donor Center as well as other Virginia blood donor centers.

I urge everyone in Smith Mountain Lake and in all of Virginia to donate blood. The American Red Cross states: “The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™”

If you are one of the 38% that can’t donate blood, but want to lend a helping hand, you can always host a blood drive or volunteer your time.

I love helping out my community, and I love assisting those who want to buy lakefront property, so call me, Vicki Millehan. I have over 19 years of experience in selling waterfront homes, and am a long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake.

Life is good in Smith Mountain Lake! Summer brings out the best of living at the lake, but even if you don’t own lakefront property, you can enjoy a day at the beach in Franklin County, VA. Both the Smith Mountain Lake Community Park and the Smith Mountain Lake State Park have beaches open to the public, and this year the best part is, both parks are free!

There are only a few weeks left to enjoy the beach at Smith Mountain Lake Community Park. The swimming area closes on August 16 for the season. Open from 10am – 6pm throughout the week, the beach has seen many swimmers beating the heat at the lake!

Smith Mountain Lake State Park has a beach that is bigger than its counterpart at the Community Park. While the State Park normally has swimming fees, right now you can enjoy swimming for free. That makes this an even better time to check out the 500-foot beachfront on the lake.

No matter which park you choose to visit, both parks have lifeguards on duty when the beaches are open. Take some time to get out and enjoy the sun, the sand and the lake before the summer season ends! It just goes to show, you can have some of the best stay-cations, right here in Franklin and Bedford County, VA.

What is even better than a day at the free community beach? Owning your own private beach on Smith Mountain Lake of course! If you are ready to find the perfect luxury waterfront home, call Vicki Millehan today! She is your local real estate resource for Smith Mountain Lake.

Starting as an idea in January of 2003, "The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail" quickly became an amazing and well-received over 300-mile trail accentuating the extraordinary vitality of the region's musical heritage. Due to the tremendous response from counties, cities, towns, state agencies tourism organizations and music venues, a steering committee with representatives from these organizations and places meets every month to guide the direction this is going, make decisions and even implement policies. Many of the events take place near Smith Mountain Lake, making it convenient for residents to take the "crooked road" to fun.

If you are a music lover, you don't want to miss out on this incredible chance to experience the history of this region's music in such a distinctive way. Keeping in mind that the focus of "The Crooked Road" is the musical heritage, do not just dismiss experiencing this unique opportunity because you are not necessarily a music enthusiast. There are plenty of other things included on the trail such as museums, crafts, historic and cultural programs and even outdoor recreational activities.

As mentioned above, the trail includes so many different venues-over 300 miles worth. In Franklin County alone, there are at least a dozen places included in the trail. For instance, on Mondays 7pm - 9pm, 77 Restaurant would be a great place to go. Thursdays can be fun-filled days beginning at Dairy Queen on Franklin Street (weekly Sept-May) from 9am-10am. Then, on the 3^rd Thursday of the month, head on over to Franklin County Department of Aging on Tanyard Road from 11am-Noon. Also, on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of the month, Waidsboro Ruritan Building on Ruritan Road is the place to be from 7pm-9:30pm.

Maybe you'd prefer a weekend musical treat; in Franklin County, Rocky Mount Community and Hospitality Center is part of the trail on the 2^nd and 4^th Fridays of the month from 6pm-9pm. There is a small admission of $5 per person, but is a great time for all. If you'd rather experience part of the trail on a Friday for free, on the 2^nd Friday of the month, go to Crossroads Ruritan Building on Dry Hill Road from 7pm-9pm (except December).

Franklin County even has weekly Saturday events as part of the trail. If you want something earlier in the day, go to Sheriff Shively's Storehouse from 11am-4:30pm (weekly through Nov 7^th). But if you would enjoy something a little later in the evening, the place to be is Redwood Ruritan Building on Old Franklin Turnpike beginning at 7pm. There are plenty more Franklin County participants in the trail and whatever your schedule preference, it is well worth your while to experience "The Crooked Road" and see first-hand where the unique musical heritage has led Virginia throughout history.

For more information about events in your area, click on The Crooked Road Interactive Map. For assistance in buying lakefront property, contact Vicki Millehan. I have over 19 years of experience selling waterfront homes in Smith Mountain Lake and am a long-time resident of the area.

While enjoying your summer at Smith Mountain Lake, don't miss out on a blast from the past. Feel like you are taking a step back in time when you visit the Mayberry Drive-in & Diner. This is a great way for you to be a little nostalgic and let your children and grandchildren get a taste of yesteryears!

Make a day of it since there are things to do from morning till night. The doors open at 6:30am and don't close until 10pm (11pm on weekends). So get there early to enjoy a delicious pancake and bacon breakfast in the 1950s-style diner. Go outside and play with the kids, even bring the family dog. Play soccer or kickball with family and friends, monkey around on the jungle gym, get faces painted and run with the dog.

In keeping with the nostalgic theme, amusement park rides that mimic the ones popular in the 1950s and 60s, like Jet Ride, Swing King, Scrambler and more were recently added. They are open from 11am - 7pm Wednesdays - Sundays. In between rides, you can grab a snack from the concession stand outside. Choose from pizza, soft pretzels, candy or popcorn to name a few.

When you get hungry for dinner, come back inside for some old-fashioned cheeseburgers and onion rings. But be sure to leave room for the pièce de resistance-DESSERT! Banana splits, milkshakes and even deep-fried moon pies are among the many delectable sweets offered at the Mayberry Drive-in & Diner.

Finally, as everyone is settling down and wanting to relax, get nestled on a cozy blanket, open the tailgate of your truck or grab some lawn chairs and enjoy the featured movie in front of the big theater screen. The movies start at dusk, are almost always first-run, and sometimes they even show more than one in a night.

For more information on how to experience this throw-back into the 1950s at the Mayberry Drive-in & Diner or for assistance in buying lakefront property, call me, Vicki Millehan. I have over 19 years of experience in selling waterfront homes, and am a long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake.