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Jul 6

4th of July Getaway: Smith Mountain Lake, VA

Posted on Monday, July 6, 2009 in Family

Every 4th of July since 1996 Lori & I have spent the 4thof July at her folks place on Smith Mountain Lake in VA, about 40 minutes South of Roanoke and Lynchburg.  It is a grueling, unpleasant drive for an hour on the PA turnpike, 4 to 5 hours on Rt.81 and then an hour on local roads twisting and turning to we get there.  It’s worth it!  The refreshingly cool lake waters are just a short walk down the steps from the lower deck of Dave & Marcia’s house.

The kids were down since the Saturday before the 4th, and Lori and I came down Friday the 3rd.  Lots of sunning, reading, floating, splashing, boating, eating, eating and more eating.  Marcia makes 3 huge meals every day, with more than just a little help from my brother-in-law David.  (Somehow I dragged my butt out to jog 3 miles each day!)

Weather has been great.  Only 1 rainy day.  We used that day to go to “The Bridge”, home to a ticket arcade, where Kate and Nathan played skeeball and other games to win tickets to trade in for fabulously wonderful prizes that would be overpriced in a Dollar Store.

We spent time inside playing Clue, Monopoly, Shut the Box and Farkel.  Ever played Farkel?  It’s a simple yet really fun dice game.

Four days is the right amount of time here, as we were just at the shore for a week in mid June.  The kids will be back in a month for more Nana & Pops time.   Nathan cashed in on his first ever attempt at water skiing.  Nana and Uncle Davey each gave him 20 bucks to get him to try it.  He is quite the negotiator!

Lori read The Quickie by James Patterson.  I finally finished Younger Next Year by Dr. Henry Lodge.  The Daves and I spent many hours watching Wimbledon tennis.  Crushed by Roddick’s tough loss.  No HBO in our house, so I caught Knocked Up one night.  Hilarious!

It’ll be tough to depart Tuesday morning, but always good to be home too.