The Current is a twice monthly online publication for Smith Mountain Lake and surrounding areas. It is designed as a gentle read to introduce you to people and places in the community and encourage you to create a life you love. We are a reader-supported e-magazine and resource website.
When I recently stopped by the newly reimagined space that once housed Amanda's, I was delighted to find some familiar faces manning the decks. They were quick to extend the same warm welcome folks have come to expect when walking through those antique wooden doors.
Owner, Pam Gabriel, named the store after her Grandmother Ruby, and her Aunt Jane, from whom she inherited her love of flowers and fashion, respectively. Gabriel also owns Ruby Jane's sister store, Tink's Boutique, in Westlake.
Ruby Jane's (on 122, beside Reclaimed) offers a hybrid collection of gifts, clothing, decor, and classic furniture. You'll feel the relaxed vibes of life at the lake woven throughout each display. Whether you're looking for a small hostess gift, accessories to elevate your next dock party, or you're in the market to redecorate an entire room in your home, stop by to see what Ruby Jane's has to offer.
I loved the interest-specific collections…making this the perfect place to find a little something for that friend who is really into pickleball, or your wine-loving sister. The fashion section is vibrant, fun, and very casual-summer-comfort ready. They swap out styles regularly, so peek in often to catch what's fresh.
It's always exciting to see a new business open up here at SML. Welcome, Ruby Jane's!
“To be at peace, does not mean that you are amiss of every storm, it only means that you can find a calm within [it].”
-Tania Elizabeth
Image By: Kelly Osborne
two.
- SEA TOW -
Many a stranded boater has a Sea Tow captain to thank for their safe return to shore.
Founded on Long Island over four decades ago, in response to the Coast Guard's need to focus their resources elsewhere, this independent, on-water assistance company now has over 120 franchises in operation. The Smith Mountain Lake location has been serving our area since 2009, and has 11 captains manning four rescue boats - ready to help a boater in need 24/7/365.
Sea Tow is a membership-based organization, much like AAA, and for the $169 Inland Freshwater Plan annual fee (there are a variety of plan options to cover you in off-shore and trailering scenarios as well), members avail themselves to services such as dead motor towing, gas delivery -paying only for the gas delivered, jump-starting, soft-grounding, and more, for no additional cost. They will tow your disabled vessel wherever it needs to go - whether that be your own dock, a boat ramp, or an on-water service marina. No distance or dollar limits, and coverage follows your boat even outside of home waters. Sea Tow also works with insurance agencies to provide recovery service for wrecked or sunken vessels.
Smith Mountain Lake captains, all Coast Guard certified, are stationed around strategically to help minimize response time. Rescue services are available to non-members, but there is a minimum dispatch fee of $300. Members will always receive priority attention - which is a great perk on busy holiday weekends.
Sea Tow members enjoy the added benefit of club discounts to local and national businesses such as Advance Auto and Rock Outdoors. See the full list HERE.
Our SML franchise has a huge heart for the on-shore community as well. You'll find life jacket (PFD) loaner stations at most public boat ramps, which are perfect for when you have company (just don't forget to return them when you're done!). They also partner with area fishermen to collect peanut butter for the Pack-A-Sack program, and Lake Christian Ministries, for an annual holiday toy drive.
To find out more about becoming a member, just follow the button below. - And at the very least, each and every boater on the lake should have Sea Tow's emergency response line saved to their speed dial. You never know when you might need to give them a call!
Early one morning, while the holiday crowd was still working on their first cup of coffee,
we shoved off in search of a quiet cove.
The essentials:
a fresh fruit-and-herb salad,
egg and sausage sandwiches,
a cheeky spritz,
our daily crossword.
The soundtrack:
chirruping tree swallows arching and diving in their aerial collection of the days first meal, and a group of placid, old-money geese exchanging all the latest gossip.
We ate, and talked, and worked the puzzle (a challenging one, at that!).
Then there were two quick work calls to take...
Finally, it was time. I slipped gently into the water, escaping the confines and protection of the boat…instantly heightened to my surrounding: the lawnmowers on shore, the jet ski in the distance, the warmth of the top twelve inches of the water, and the coolness below. The playful fish splashing a few feet away, the smell of sizzling bacon that suddenly wafted by on a breeze (drool).
I swam for a while and then rolled luxuriantly onto my back for a float. Feeling weightless. Effortless. Whole.
The sky was a rich, deep cerulean blue that day. Not a single cloud.
A free-spirited butterfly danced overhead, tugging unconsciously at the corners of my mouth. Beyond: a seaplane buzzed diagonally into my frame of vision - and after a lazy moment, back out again.
The sounds of the overworld became muted as I leaned my head back into the water and breathed. Deeply…
Soaking in a pool of Gratitude. Peace. Repose. A sense of Home.
It's a law of nature, really: whenever a child of the water returns to it - they step back onto land with the most basal part of their soul well and truly restored.
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Smith Mountain Lake Moneta, VA 24121, United States
