The best thing about spending the morning like this is simply the fact that everyone is having fun. While the boat operator is zipping around the cove pulling a tube or a wakeboard, everyone else in the boat is either tanning on the bow, or just enjoying the feeling of the wind in their hair. One of the best parts about renting from Bridgewater Marina is that all of their boats are equipped with incredibly nice speaker systems. Any time you decide to stop for a break, crank up the bass and take a dive into the water! Just be mindful of noise and remember that sound travels over the water very clearly.

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12:00PM - Lunch, relax, and swim

On the map above, there is an island highlighted in red. This is a great convenient place to beach your rental boat and pull out that pre-made lunch that you prepared Thursday night. Be aware that this is a very popular spot for boaters to hang out, so as long as your group is okay with meeting new people this is often the best idea. Otherwise, it can also be super fun to just motor around and find a quiet cove to anchor in and eat right on the boat.

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1:00PM-3:00PM - More wakeboarding/tubing

It really goes without saying...after that short lunch break, it’s time to crank up the motor again and start throwing your friends off the tube again! You only have the boat for two days, might as well make the most of it!

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3:00PM - Head back to Bridgewater Marina to fuel up

Strategics are always tricky when you have a large group like this. By 4PM, the Airbnb is probably ready for check in, so the best option here is to fuel up the boat at the marina, drop someone off (or a group of people) to drive the car back to the Airbnb, then after the boat is all fueled up, head over with the boat and have everyone meet up at the Airbnb. It’s only about a 15- 20 minute drive from the marina, and a about 15-25 minutes for the boat.

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3:45-4:45PM - Meet at Sailors Cove Retreat, obtain boat decal, settle in

If you are planning on parking your boat in one of the slips that comes with the property, you will need to obtain a boat decal from the Bernard’s Landing office (which is right down the road) before 5PM, or call 540-719-1041. Decals are 10 dollars a night for guests. This is about the time where you settle in, test out your sore muscles on that new king-sized bed, and explore your new weekend home.

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4:45PM-6:00PM - Dinner

Depending on your group’s budget, you can either finish up that pre-made food from earlier, or you can check out some of the restaurants on Bernard’s Landing. Places like Napoli By the Lake are going to be a bit more on the pricey side, but it’s conveniently within walking distance from the Airbnb. Another good dinner option that’s slightly more budget friendly is Los Amigos Bar and Grill which is only about a 6 minute drive from Bernard’s at Crazy Horse Marina. It could also be fun to take the boat out to the marina and park it in one of the slips while you eat.

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6:00PM-8:30PM - Rope swing and sunset views

Being on the lake is all about being on the water. That being said, what better way to spend the remaining daylight hours than a rope swing and beautiful sunset views? Most visitor’s guides or websites won’t advertise little known spots on the water like the rope swing, but the location is a great way to end a long day. A simple google search should be sufficient, but the best way to find it is to head straight to Smith Mountain Gap where the dam is. Once there, hang a right and hug the shoreline with the mountains on your left for a half mile until you see it. Once there, just weigh anchor and have fun! During the summer months, the sun generally sets between 8:15 and 8:40, so this should make for a beautifully serene boat ride back to the condo.

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8:30PM-9:30PM - Head back to the Sailors Cove Retreat and wind down

After a short trip back to the Airbnb, it’s time to get cleaned up and change into your favorite hoodie. It wouldn’t hurt to steal a late night snack while you’re at it!

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9:30PM - Play a game with friends

Be sure to choose a game that doesn’t take too much brain power. Some of my personal favorites include: Snake Oil, Apples to Apples, Balderdash, and Cards Against Humanity. Whichever game you pick, the goal is low mental energy, high Serotonin levels.

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11:00PM - Stargaze

Not only is Bernard’s Landing far from any kind of light pollution, it also has a lush wide open grassy field making it the perfect place to spread a blanket and lie on the ground to stargaze.

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11:30PM - Bedtime

You’re gunna be sore tomorrow, so better make sure you get some sleep!

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SATURDAY

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9:30AM - Breakfast at SML Coffehouse

Depending on how much your group is willing to spend on gas for the boat, either drive or boat over to Bridgewater Marina for breakfast at SML Coffeehouse. You can park the boat on the far right in any of the uncovered boat slips temporarily while you eat. This restaurant has won awards, and their customer service is top notch!

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11:00AM - Fuel up and motor down to Bird's Island

Grab some gas from the dock pump (if you chose to drive the boat to get breakfast) and motor down the channel to Bird’s Island. It’s almost due south of channel marker R6 about a half mile, and approximately a half mile east of Vista Point Resort. It would be an understatement to say that the views of the mountains from this island are stunning. At sunset, the view of Vista Point is also incredible. Because of the location on the lake, the water here is also extremely clear. If you’re lucky, you’ll get the entire island to yourselves.

 

Be careful though, do NOT touch any of the foliage on the island! Most of it is poison ivy, and this would be an excellent way to ruin your vacation. But the island has plenty of open space with paths through the trees.