LOCAL
LAKES
While Washington D.C. is perfectly
situated on the Potomac River for
enthusiastic seafarers, it may have
become tiresome for those grown
weary of concrete and political
banter. Perhaps new bodies of
water to quench an aqua fi x? If
solitude, tranquility, autumn scents
and colors with a dash of bad cell
service all sound like music to your
ears, look between 70 and 300
miles from D.C.’s front door for
plenty of lakes to sooth your mind
and revive your soul this fall.
FLYWASHINGTON.COM 52 AUTUMN 2017
BY LISA FRANCE
Deep Creek Lake
Photo: William Fox
Take the scenic route along Skyline Drive and admire the harvest hues on your
way southwest of D.C. Breathe in the scents of fresh air and feel the temperature
drop as you make your way through the mountains until you reach New River
Valley. Mountain Lake Lodge, less than a 5-hour drive away, is tucked into this
Blue Ridge heaven. As you approach the resort, you may be stuck with a moment
of déjà vu given the familiarity of the building. You have not come from a past life,
you are simply recalling a classic American movie, Dirty Dancing, as Mountain Lake
Lodge was the shooting location for the timeless fi lm.
Mountain Lake Lodge has it all! Farm to table fare fi ll the menu at Harvest.
Sunday brunch is a must through October 29th, with the buff et including
endless seafood, breakfast and lunch. After a hearty meal, it’s time to work it
off with a hike, some bubble ball, a zip line tour or perhaps, if weather permits,
several trips down the Sky Slide! Mountain Lake is home to the largest infl atable
water slide on the east coast. The fi ve-story slide is guaranteed to get your heart
pounding and whittle off some of the monster brunch.
For something slightly tamer, head about 8 miles out of town to Cascade Falls
in Pembroke, VA. There are two 2-mile hikes from the trailhead; an upper and
a lower. They are both relatively easy to hike, but we suggest hiking shoes
if you are prone to slipping or twisting ankles. Take one trail to the falls and
return on the other. Head back to the lodge for a refreshing local craft brew
at Stone Creek Tavern.
If you like the idea of a larger lake, with less elevation and the same travel
time, check out Smith Mountain Lake. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains,
Smith Mountain Lake is celebrating 50 years since it was created by the
Smith Mountain Dam. The lake was initially formed to generate electricity,
but currently is a leisure destination for fi shers, water skiers, wakeboarding,
parasailing, boating and jet skiing.