Smith Mountain Lake

This past weekend, Khai, Carter, John and I went to Smith Mountain Lake. The Moseley family goes every year but this was Khai's first time and he was more than excited. He had been anticipating the trip for weeks prior only to get sick the week we originally planned to go. Thankfully he got over his terrible cold and we made the 4 plus hour drive there the following weekend. This trip came with many firsts for Khai: first time on a boat, first time at a beach, first time playing in the sand and collecting shells, first time in a real pool, first time on a long car ride, first family vacation. He amazed us with his positive mood the entire time and his joy of each first. We were especially impressed with his fearlessness on the boat and in the pool. Most of the time in the pool he'd say "Mommy DON"T hold me! I can do it myself!!" as he kicked his little big boy feet and paddled off, testing his limits. And ever since his pool adventure, he now loves taking baths - which used to be torture for him.

A brief history on the lake:

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural southwestern Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake was created to generate electricity and to help manage water flows downstream and nearby. The lake was formed when they built a damn back in 1963.... and the filling of the lake was finally completed 2.5 years later. The lake is 20,600 acres with 500 miles of shoreline and is approximately 40 miles long. The surface covers some 32 square miles and the highest water level is about 795 feet above sea level.

We left early Friday morning and not long after we hit the highway, we were detoured due to a major accident. Someone got plowed by a mack truck. We stopped mid way for lunch at a Mcdonalds/gas station/who knows what else that place had.. it was awful. Never ever never again shall we stop there. We enjoyed the rest of the drive there though, lots of trees and mountain scenery but lots of stupid drivers on the road. We made it to the lake around dinner time and took the boat out to the marina and stopped in for some Chinese. Khai was a mixture of apprehensive and excited as he got on the boat. The ride back home was full on excitement for him. No more fear. Next morning it rained. We passed the morning at a coffee shop and afterwards the arcade. The kids had a blast earning tickets towards prizes. Finally the sun came out and we headed for the pool followed by the beach. Khai loved playing in the sand, collecting shells and rocks. We played on the beach until the sun went down and spent our last morning at the pool. Khai couldn't get enough of it and was really upset when we had to leave. We'll definitely be going back next year, and without a doubt will stay longer than two days this time!