3 Ways to Explore the River This Summer

The James River is the veritable lifeblood of our city. From its founding when the waters were used to bring commerce and growth to Lynchburg to today when thousands charter batteaus, kayaks, canoes, and boats each year in the name of exploration and fun, the James River has kept our community thriving in more ways than one.

Ready to take on the James yourself this summer? Here are three ways you can get out there and explore.

James River Adventures

James River Adventures, located across the river from downtown Lynchburg, is our community’s go-to for water adventures. Book a batteau trip with them this summer, or schedule a kayak, canoe, or tubing trip with them. They’ll keep you safe and informed as you navigate a well-planned route—they’ll even shuttle you back when you’re done!

Guided group paddle trips are also available.

Get a Bird’s Eye View

If you prefer to keep your adventures on land, you can still get a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the James River and its abundant wildlife by exploring the Percival’s Island Trail. A one-and-a-half-mile trail which crosses directly over the James River via a train-bridge-turned-pedestrian-walkway, you’ll have the opportunity to watch river goers, get a little exercise, and maybe identify a native bird or two.

Reel in the Fun

Not quite on land, not quite on water, flyfishing will give you the best of both scenarios. Downtown Lynchburg business Tale Tellers can outfit you for a day of successful bass, catfish, or sunfish fishing, whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned pro. Just don’t forget to get your freshwater fishing license in order before you go!

Maverick Seafood Brings the Coast to Central Virginia

It all started when a young couple, Gabriel and Nikki Cook, came to Lynchburg full of ideas and great amounts of passion.

“I came to Lynchburg for a Doctorate degree in psychology,” Gabriel explained. “Then, [Nikki] inspired me to do catering, which then turned into a pop-up restaurant at Apocalypse Ale Works.”

The couple opened the Apocalypse location in early 2023 to great success. Located right within the Apocalypse footprint, they were able to deliver fresh seafood dishes—from fish tacos to crab cakes—directly to brewery-goers as well as hungry customers just stopping by for a quick bite.

Their business quickly grew and, by June, Maverick Seafood required a larger, more permanent location. They relocated to Forest Square in Forest. 

Maverick Seafood prioritizes fresh, quality ingredients, despite Lynchburg’s land-locked position.

“The owner of Best Catch on Fort Avenue came out of retirement to help us,” Gabriel said of their connections to bring fresh seafood to this area. “He was able to give us advice and we were able to uplift him as well. For Best Catch, he was using nine plus distributors and knew where to get the best lobster for lobster rolls.”

Customers who dine at Maverick Seafood can expect build your own lobster rolls, crab cakes and crab cake sandwiches, fish or shrimp tacos, and quintessential accompaniments like hushpuppies, tots, and fries.

Each menu item can be customized to a customer’s unique preferences—from additional meat or veggie toppings to a comprehensive selection of delicious sauces. Maverick Seafood will also continue to iterate on their menu—offering new specials as seasonal selections change and different seafood becomes available.

In the future, Maverick Seafood hopes to offer a brunch menu as well.  

Maverick Seafood’s hours and menu information can be found online at www.mavericknutritionandfoods.com or on Facebook.

Artist Krys Kinsel blends mediums and tells stories

Krys Kinsel has always been making something. As a kid in the 90s, Kinsel was making comics, doodling in bright colors, experimenting with abstract designs, and seeing just how far their art could take them.

“In middle school and high school, I started making comics about daily life and zines about the goings on at school,” Kinsel remembered. “I would sell them so I could buy lollipops.”

Kinsel explored fine art, theater, and music in high school; dabbling with the cello and viola. After high school, they went to cosmetology school and spent a few years taking art classes at community college while they got their associates.

That creative exploration continues today and has manifested itself into an entire community of creatives dedicated to expressing themselves and telling unique stories.

Kinsel has brought two annual zine fairs to the Lynchburg area, which brings artists from within the local community as well as from hours away. Not quite sure what a zine is? 

“A zine is essentially a self-published magazine made by one or many people,” Kinsel explained. “It’s very DIY and small press. The thing is, though, that you can’t fully describe a zine because it’s almost an abstract concept in a way—you can have a zine about anything, from poetry, prose, comics, photojournalism, or cookbooks. There are so many different ways to make a zine that there is no wrong way to make one.”

The zine fair has created the beginning stages of a unique community, which Kinsel only hopes will get even bigger.

“I’m not the first person who wanted to do a zine fair in Lynchburg. Stephen Kissel at the Academy Center of the Arts wanted to do one in 2020, but it was pushed back because of the pandemic,” they explained. “But when I was a vendor at the punk rock flea market, Kaleb Gay encouraged me to bring it to life. You’d be surprised at some of the zine makers who have come out of the woodwork.”

Kinsel is also cultivating that community through the YouTube channel Zineville—a pandemic project that has now been running strong for three years.

“It’s my chance to talk about something I’m completely passionate about,” they said. “In the early 2000s, I didn’t see a lot of zines but I’m starting to see them come up now. So [on the show], I talk about the zines I find, show how to make a zine, and show what other people can do with them. I’m starting to see a new generation wanting to express themselves—not on a blog but in a physical way. Everyone wants to make something because it makes them feel good. Zines are an easy way to do that.”

Kinsel waves the banner for zines whenever they have the chance, including local makers fairs where they are often a vendor.

“I go to the Maker’s Faire in the spring and I generally do the same project every year,” they said. “Everybody gets to make a zine at my booth. I show kids and adults how to make a zine just out of one piece of paper. You can see the spark happen in that moment.”

Currently, Kinsel is planning the next zine fair for the Lynchburg area, which they hope will take place next spring. They are also working on a collaborative zine project with multiple contributors called Granny Creatures Folk Wisdom which explores Appalachian folklore.  

Tips for Keeping Your Skin Fresh and Healthy this Season

With the summer months well on their way; it’s time to buy those new bathing suits, fun pool inflatables, and the best skin care products out there. You may be wondering why skin care products made the “fun in the sun” list when there might be way more exciting items to spend your money on, but the answer is this: without these products, your skin might just end up being the one to pay the price. 

It might be the most fun outside when the temperature reads seventy degrees or higher, but it also can be the most dangerous for your skin. Increased exposure to the sun’s rays can not only damage your exterior within hours, but can also build up over time. 

“Without sun protection, this damage can build up over time,” said Kari Bohrnstedt of Seven Hills Dermatology. “Eventually you see signs of sun damage like freckles, age spots, and wrinkles.”

Dr. Alexandra Hickman of Dermatology Consultants dove deeper. “Sunshine contains ultraviolet rays that can damage the DNA inside of skin cells,” she said. “Unprotected sun exposure leads to permanent cell damage, also increasing the risk of developing skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.”

These harmful rays from the sun can be identified as “UVA and UVB wavelengths,” Dr. Jason Givan of Ridgeview Dermatology noted. He continued, “UVA light is both invisible and does not produce any warmth. UVA exposure is consistent year-round, regardless of the temperature or “cloudiness” of the day. Therefore, sun protection should occur consistently year-round.”

So, what can sun seekers do to remain safe this summer?
First, as the transition from winter to summer continues, your normal daily routine may also need to change. For those who typically use moisturizers, Dr. Hickman recommends ensuring
the bottle reads “non-comedogenic,” which means that the moisturizer won’t clog your pores. 

“Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides are naturally-occurring chemicals that help your skin hold onto water,” Hickman said. 

“Dermatologists recommend bland, thick moisturizers to promote a healthy skin barrier to the environment,” Givan added.

In addition to modifying your moisturizer for the sun, it is also essential to begin adding in SPF as a part of your daily routine, even if your sun exposure is limited. Ensure that all parts of your body are lathered in sunscreen, too, as it can sometimes be easy to forget about certain areas. 

Those with sensitive skin, rosacea, or even those taking medications for acne, may want to avoid chemical sunscreens and select mineral sunscreens instead, as these products interact less with the skin and can be better tolerated. Hickman and Bohrnstedt both advise to look for skincare products, like SPF, that contain the active ingredients of zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as well. 

Prevention and protection are the two main goals to keep in mind when being out in the sun for a long period of time. When it comes to shielding yourself against potential harmful diseases, Bohrnstedt recommends that everyone use sunscreens that offer a broad-spectrum protection which protects against both UVA and UVB rays, such as an SPF of 30 or higher that is water resistant. 

“Sunscreen alone cannot fully protect you,” advised Bohrnstedt. “Additionally, we recommend taking steps to prevent skin cancer early by dressing in protective clothing, seeking shade when appropriate, and avoiding sun between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM.” 

Bohrnstedt also said that it is essential to look for shade outside, wear a hat, always use sunscreen, be careful of reflections when you’re around water or sand, and stay away from tanning beds. In addition to topical solutions, Givan also advised that “long-sleeve UV protective shirts are fantastic for outdoor events, such as the beach or sporting events.” He noted these shirts are “lightweight, cool, and very protective of ultraviolet light.”

But, if the occasional inevitable does happen, the best methods of recovery from a sunburn first start with simply being easy on your skin.

“If you are able to, take anti-inflammatory medications like Ibuprofen or Tylenol,” recommended Hickman. “Do not try to exfoliate, peel, or rub off any flaking skin. Soak in cool showers and apply ice packs to the worst areas.” 

Hickman also suggested moisturizing two to three times per day with a thick product like Vaseline or Aquaphor to keep the skin protected and hydrated.

Now you’re ready for all that fun in the sun you had planned out for summer. Write down these simple steps and your skin will thank you in advance!  

The Local Trails to Love This Summer

A little more than a decade ago, while living and working in downtown Richmond, if someone had asked me to go hiking, I would have run in the other direction. But now, as a wife and mother living with my family in beautiful, mountainous Central Virginia, hiking is a weekend activity we enjoy as often as possible and it’s even better when we add a few friends into our mix. Be sure to download the free AllTrails app on your phone to search for trails by location, length, difficulty, elevation, and more.

Another suggestion for the day of your hike: pick one of these scenic and gratifying trails, enjoy the views, the exercise, and the time with friends and family, then stop at a local spot on the way home like Town Kitchen & Provisions in Bedford, The Water Dog in Lynchburg, or The Briar Patch in Amherst for a rewarding après hike drink and snack. Sounds like the perfect way to spend a Saturday enjoying the natural beauty of the place we are lucky enough to call home.

LYNCHBURG

Blackwater Creek
Activity: Biking, Running, Walking
Difficulty: Easy  |  Length (in miles): 7.6
Dogs Welcome
If you live in Lynchburg, you have probably hopped on the Blackwater Creek Trail at the Ed Page entrance near Farm Basket and St. George Orthodox Church off Langhorne Road. This entrance offers public restrooms and the added bonus of Nomad Coffee Shop, open seven days a week. Be sure to walk through the Awareness Garden that honors and remembers those impacted by cancer and see the Garden’s iconic bell. 

Liberty Mountain Trail System
Activity: Trail running, hiking, walking, mountain biking
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Length (in miles): This system is comprised of six trails ranging from one to just over three miles
This trail system has easy-to-follow signage and is well-marked for hikers of all experience levels. Some parts of the trail get muddy and slick after a large rain so be mindful of these conditions. The LMTS is for individuals only. Any groups interested are encouraged to email hydaway@liberty.edu.

Peaks View Park
Activity: Birdwatching, hiking, mountain biking
Difficulty: Easy  |  Length (in miles): 5.7
Peaks View Park is the second largest park in Lynchburg. Be prepared to see hikers and walkers of all abilities as well as mountain bikers. There is a playground, tennis and basketball courts, disc golf, and multipurpose fields where a variety of local sports leagues converge on weekends and weekday evenings.

Clemmons Lake Trail – Ivy Creek Park
Activity: Walking  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Length (in miles): 1.1
The main trail is flat and easy to navigate for walkers and beginner trail runners. The lake provides a nice view and this trail tends to be pretty empty, giving visitors solitude. Be sure to look for wildlife as several animals have been known to make this area their home including birds, turtles, and deer.

Lynchburg Riverwalk Trail
Activity: Road biking, trail running, walking
Difficulty: Easy  |  Length (in miles): 5.7  |  Kid-Friendly
This hike has plenty of beautiful scenery and people watching as it is often well-traveled in the warmer months. It takes a little less than two hours to complete and strollers are welcome. 

BEDFORD

Johnson Farm Trail
Activity: Birdwatching, hiking, walking
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Length (in miles): 2.6
This trail offers scenery including the old Johnson family farmhouse, barn, springhouse, and vintage farm equipment. If you’re lucky, local volunteers who are knowledgeable about the trail and its history will be onsite to share stories, give tours, and answer questions from visitors.

Apple Orchard Falls Trail
Activity: Hiking  |  Difficulty: Challenging 
Length (in miles): 2.6  |  Leashed Dogs Welcome
Surrounded by babbling streams, this trail is great for those who may want to get their feet wet, go for a swim, or even camp overnight. Some places on the trail prove challenging so take it easy and watch out for snakes!

Sharp Top Trail
Activity: Hiking, trail running, birdwatching
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Length (in miles): 3.3  |  Leashed Dogs Welcome
This is a popular and well-traveled hike but also quite the leg burner! Sharp Top offers a shuttle that will take visitors almost all the way to the mountain’s summit. Bring your camera for breathtaking 360-degree views.

Flat Top Mountain
Activity: Hiking, birdwatching
Difficulty: Challenging
Length (in miles): 4.7  |  Leashed Dogs Welcome
This hike can take up to four hours and you will often be met with unsteady dirt and rock trails. Once you make it to the top, enjoy the various lookout points then hurry down for a picnic lunch at nearby Abbott Lake.

Appalachian Trail
Activity: Hiking, backpacking
Difficulty: Easy to strenuous
Length (in miles): 2,180
The AT is mostly through forest but passes various towns, roads, and farms across 14 states, including Virginia. Bicycles are prohibited except for the Virginia Creeper Trail portion in Virginia. Our state has the most mileage of any state on the AT with 550 miles with McAfee Knob in Catawba known as the most photographed spot on the trail.

James River Otter Creek Trail
Activity: Hiking, trail running, walking
Difficulty: Easy  |  Length (in miles): 2.1
Kid-Friendly
This is the perfect hike for families with small children—it takes less than an hour, you’ll come across deer and other wildlife, and there are ample places for kiddos to splash in the creek. 

AMHERST

Mount Pleasant Trail
Activity: Backpacking, birdwatching, hiking
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Length (in miles): 6.3
Dog-Friendly & Kid-Friendly
This year-round strenuous route is often frequented by backpackers and ornithologists and those wanting to have their dogs off leash. The route is well-maintained and signs are clearly marked but the drive up can be pretty bumpy. 

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail
Activity: Hiking, running, mountain biking 
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Length (in miles): 14.1
Leashed Dogs Welcome
This rail trail can be used for walking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There are restroom facilities, plenty of sights to see along the Piney and Tye Rivers, and an abundance of wildflowers to enjoy in the spring and summer months.  

A new food and shopping campus on Bedford Ave. does more than revitalize a building

It’s 2:30 p.m. on a Friday and shoppers mill about, hopping from business to business experiencing something new and unique to Lynchburg. That unique experience can transform a shopper into an environmentalist, a cooking student, or a foodie when they are at this one-stop destination that houses various businesses.

These new businesses share a 19,000-square-foot building that is part of a bigger picture for restoring Bedford Avenue. The building is located at 2204 Bedford Avenue.

“The goal is to revitalize Bedford Avenue. It is the bridge to downtown,” said developer Daryl Calfee. The 2204 Bedford Avenue property is just two miles from downtown Main Street.

Calfee, owner of Penny Lane Properties, a company that focuses on property restoration, noted that the area had been abandoned and no one had done anything to it. So they stepped in to change that.

The 2204 Bedford Avenue building was once a Dr. Pepper Bottling Company—one of many locations in and around Central and Southwest Virginia in the 1950s. Based on permit information from the Lynchburg City Planning Commission, the site was sold in November 2021 and a site plan for the property was approved in the Summer 2022.

The businesses that opened this spring at the location share the property—with guests having the ability to float from shop to shop via open interiors. The building’s facade features dark wood and charcoal paint, while the interiors each have their own unique charm and look.

From the outside, this location appears like a mini outdoor mall that supports a small food campus. The businesses that are nestled within are Truss, a restaurant that boasts a seasonal menu and crafted cocktails in an upscale casual dining environment; The Flour District, a community bakery with mouthwatering European-style pastries; Scratch Pasta Co., an extension of the already well-loved local pasta brand, where shoppers can purchase pasta, salads from the cold case, and curated kitchen wares; Rivermont Refillery, a zero-waste and sustainable store; and Rhodora, a specialty gift shop. 

The staff at the businesses believe that the revitalization is a great opportunity for a pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining experience.

“It is such a good connector to Rivermont,” said Rivermont Refillery manager Anita Fontaine, referring to the proximity to Rivermont Avenue, which includes residential properties and Randolph College and is a main thoroughfare to downtown Lynchburg.

Fontaine noted that Rivermont Refillery, open since April, offers people the opportunity to make sustainable, environmentally friendly choices by reducing plastic waste. Shoppers can refill containers of products such as detergents, shampoos, and other household products versus buying them in single-use plastics.

Rivermont Refillery offers a wide range of nontoxic vegan beauty products including soaps, lotions, as well as laundry detergents and fabric softeners as well as other items ranging from jewelry to stationery.

Residents have expressed excitement over the revitalization, as well.

“I am really excited about it,” said longtime resident Hailey Anguire, who first heard about what was happening on Bedford Avenue through Instagram.

Co-owner and chef of Truss Wray Warner said there is a lot of hype around town about the area.

Warner and Jill Fees share ownership of Truss, which is currently 2204 Bedford’s only full-service restaurant. Walking into Truss feels like an experience in and of itself. Entering through the front door, guests get an immediate glimpse into the kitchen, where seasonal dishes and a rotating menu are thoughtfully and carefully prepared. There is also a 40-seat banquet room along with a 10-seat chef’s table, the perfect gathering space for intimate food and wine tastings, meetings, or special events. 

“I am excited to have it open and be a part of the Lynchburg restaurant scene,” Warner, who has been a chef for 20 years, said. “I want it to be a place where people can come three times a week whether it is for dinner or for a snack and a drink.”

Other business owners see the new combined businesses as a plus, as well.

“We want it to be a community gathering space,” said Stephanie Fees, longtime chef and owner of Scratch Pasta Co.

Scratch Pasta Co. will offer different varieties of pasta for sale, like their fan-favorite Virginia Wheat Campanelle, Spicy Garlic MoHawks, and Lemon Basil Gemelli. Shoppers can also purchase freshly made pasta and pasta salads from Scratch Pasta’s cold counter as well as meticulously curated kitchen wares, from artisanal salts and spices to reclaimed fabric napkins to stunning cookware.

“The vision is to make dinner easy for people,” explained Stephanie Fees, who formerly was a professional chef in New York City and ran the kitchen at West Manor Estate for a number of years before launching into her Scratch Pasta venture full time.

Another stop within the 2204 Bedford space is The Flour District—a bakery that offers a variety of pastries and other foods ranging from cinnamon rolls and European-style muffins to breakfast sandwiches. They also offer a drink menu for specialty coffee, seasonal tea blends, and celebratory mimosas.

Maria Niechwiadowicz, pastry chef and CEO of The Flour District said there will also be cooking classes in the future. 

“We hope that we will be both a place that neighbors can walk to as well as a destination spot in Lynchburg. We hope that customers will feel welcome and excited to invite a friend to share a pastry or beverage over a good conversation and ultimately be a point of connection,” Niechwiadowicz said. 

The 2204 Bedford Ave. project is unlike anything Lynchburg has seen in our area in recent years, or perhaps in our city’s history. Within one space, an idyllic afternoon stretches out in front of you—starting with an espresso and pastry at The Flour District, meandering through the shops, and culminating in a truly local meal at Truss. Simply walking through the doors of any of the businesses within the campus, you get the understanding that something truly magical has taken place—not just the revitalization of an almost-forgotten building, but the revitalization of epicurean enjoyment in Lynchburg.   

Retail therapy has a different meaning to Jessica Bishop

Bishop is the owner of JBohnBishop Mercantile, a boutique store located at Smith Mountain Lake that sells clothes, shoes, gifts, and accessories. 

But if you told her several years ago that she would become a boutique owner, Bishop probably wouldn’t have believed you. 

“I felt like I always needed this self-assurance [growing up],” Bishop said. “I would constantly ask my mom how I looked.”

However, what was once an insecurity has now become a ministry as Bishop uses her store— and her passion for cute things—to help women feel confident. 

Bishop is no stranger of Smith Mountain Lake. Born and raised in the area, Bishop serves on the Board of Directors for the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce and has been a big advocate for helping other local businesses succeed. 

While Bishop has been in the social retail space since 2013, she never expected to have a physical location. 

“I moved into this 10 by 10 space in 2021,” she said. “It was really supposed to be my office, but we kept building relationships with people.” 

From that space blossomed three locations: a main location at Halesford Center along with a location inside Gills Creek Marina & Lodge, and a market space in partnership with Evie’s at the Lake featuring local vendors from the area. 

“I’ve really been just following God’s direction,” she said. “Having the Mercantile has brought me a lot of joy and we’re bringing a whole new vibe to the lake.”

When describing her store, Bishop jokes that it “definitely feels like it’s owned by a millennial.” Many of the clothes and accessories are fun, bright, and bold to help people express themselves through what they wear.

“We have the trendy items, but we also have staple pieces that anyone would love in their closet but also some options that can help people branch out to try new styles,” she said. 

When she first opened the shop, Bishop knew that she wanted to fill a gap that was missing at the lake while also not taking away from the other businesses.

“Smith Mountain Lake has been mostly a retirement community,” she said. “We’re starting to see the demographic change, but we wanted to bring more people in to shop.”

But Bishop wanted it to be more than just another boutique. She wanted to make sure no one felt excluded—whether it’s a 25-year-old or retiree. 

Bishop also wanted to make sure she was bringing in great plus-size options, something that stores seem to struggle with. 

“It can be really hard to find cute plus-size clothing,” she said. “But I’m doing my research and trying to bring the best options because people want to feel confident in how they look and feel.”

Bishop said being more confident in her body is something she’s had to learn in this process. After gaining weight during the pandemic, she’s also juggled with her own insecurities. 

“I am probably the heaviest I’ve been in my life,” she said. “But I can look back at pictures from when I was skinny and see how unhappy and miserable I was. It’s just amazing to see how God has turned it around and how I can encourage women.”

Bishop eventually was diagnosed with OCD, anxiety, and depression. She went on to start therapy and medication. The process helped show her how much God could turn her journey into something that could glorify Him. 

“After I was diagnosed, my mom said she was sorry that she didn’t see that I needed help sooner. I always told her I felt like I was sick. Before I started the healing process, I don’t think I would have been able to do this,” she said. “But [with healing] I’ve been able to let go. Having the store is honestly like a celebration of how far I’ve come since one of the darkest seasons of my life.”

Healing has also helped Bishop become more hands-off with her business too. As a marketer and creative, Bishop said it can be hard to feel like you can let go of something that you’ve poured your heart and soul into.

“In marketing, it’s all about your reputation,” she said. “But I also know that I have the right people on my team to make sure I can go on vacation. I want my team to feel confident that they can make decisions without consulting me on every little thing.” 

Letting go of the little things and not focusing on perfection is also the advice she’d give anyone who may want to open their own small business—or whatever they may be passionate about.

“Start with a brain dump,” she says. “That can be the best kind of therapy. Get everything out in the open that you’re scared about and ask yourself why. When you approach it that way some of these things become less scary and help you see that you can do it.”  

Summertime in the south-is there anything better? We’ve corralled the best ways to beat the heat, soak up the long days, and enjoy local summer bounty so you never have to spend a single moment wondering what to do this summer.

Gregory and Lindsey Smith’s Home is a Lesson in Connecting with Where You Are

We fell in love with Lynchburg from afar,” said Lindsey Smith, standing in the kitchen of the A-frame home she shares with husband Gregory and 13-year-old son Oliver.

Both Louisiana natives, Lindsey and Gregory met in their senior year of college and connected over growing up in small towns outside of Baton Rouge.

“We grew up 20 minutes apart from one another, but never met,” Gregory, who now leads the development department for sporting equipment company Marucci, remembered.

After living in Baton Rouge together for 10 years, the Smiths knew they were ready for a change but weren’t sure where to move.

“I’ve traveled out West a lot and I knew I wanted mountains, hiking, and easy access to the beach,” said Lindsey. “But the West Coast felt unattainable.”

“If we tried to move there, it would be so expensive,” Gregory added.

But in the summer of 2017, the Smith family road-tripped north, stopping in Lynchburg before making their way on to Charlottesville and then Richmond. After just five hours in Richmond, the Smiths turned around and made their way back to Lynchburg. Lindsey had been following a handful of Lynchburg accounts on social media, and already knew how special the area seemed, and how much it offered similar outdoor amenities to the West Coast.

“We booked an Airbnb on the way back and also contacted [realtor] Victoria Bartholomew,” Lindsey remembered. “We knew this was home.”

By 2018, the Smith family had moved to Lynchburg—tucked into an early 19th-century home close to downtown Lynchburg. That home became a transitional home for them, emphasizing just how much they valued space, peace, and quiet.

So when a fellow parent connected to Boy Scout Troop 29—their son’s troop—mentioned that their A-frame house just outside of the Lynchburg city limits was going on the market, the Smiths jumped at the opportunity to view it. From the moment they pulled into the tree-lined driveway, surrounded by nothing but bird and squirrel chatter, they knew they had found their new home.

The Smiths moved into their new home in 2019 and have been making it theirs ever since.

“Our strategy has always been to get to know a place and a space before making any big decisions or changes,” said Lindsey. “I worked for Juniper Ridge [a wilderness fragrance company] for a while and their owner was a great mentor to me. He would often quote writer Gary Snyder by saying, ‘Find your place on the planet. Dig in, and take responsibility from there.’ And so that’s what we’ve done.”

The home was move-in ready, with only the need for the Smiths to make the aesthetic changes they saw necessary to truly make the space their own.

“We absolutely loved the big windows [in the living room] and we wanted to choose a paint color that almost made the walls disappear so you only saw nature when you looked out,” said Gregory.

That intentionality to unobstruct nature is seen throughout their four-bedroom home and the surrounding two and a half acres. Wood paneled ceilings give way to towering windows and each room in the home has natural elements and textures on display.

“We like to blur the lines between inside and out,” explained Lindsey.

It’s not just nature that the Smith home connects with, however. There is a central line of generational and ancestral connection that tells a unique story of how the Smiths got to where they are today.

“We haven’t bought a ton of ‘new’ furniture,” Lindsey said. “Most of it is family heirlooms or from estate sales.”

With designers like Jersey Ice Cream Co. and Sibella Court and visually stunning locales like Wisconsin’s Camp Wandawega as inspiration, the Smiths have expertly woven familial elements throughout their home.

On one table, a tiny sleeve of postcards exchanged between Lindsey’s grandparents while her grandfather was away during WWII rests, inviting the passerby to pause. In the downstairs guest bedroom, an unassuming oak and pecan headboard tells the story of Hurricane Katrina and Gregory and his father’s combined labor to create a furniture piece that will stand the test of time.

Walking through their home, both Gregory and Lindsey can point to any piece or element and rattle off their respective stories with expert accuracy and great care.

In one room there’s a truck-tarp ottoman—full of texture and slightly undone—that Lindsey purchased from Anthropologie when she worked on their visual team. In the breakfast nook, a dining room table, lovingly purchased by Lindsey’s mom as an engagement gift, marks the years of Lindsey and Gregory’s relationship. Above their fireplace mantle, Great Blue Heron by painter John James Audubon—who often identified himself as a native Louisianan—casts a wary eye on a bobcat that Lindsey’s father hunted in the ’70s. Wooden walking sticks and a vessel full of bird feathers tell the stories of the countless hikes the Smiths have gone on as a family. Even the most subtle detail—a tiny stamped “X” on an All Roads Studio iron peg rail—marks the Smiths’ 10 year wedding anniversary.

No matter where one turns in the Smith home, stories and nostalgia abound. There’s a sense of permanence—of investing in pieces that last and of nurturing them so they do. That feeling makes its way outside of the large sliding glass doors and out into the porch and surrounding land, as well.

“I grew up gardening with my grandmother and mom,” said Lindsey. “They were the type that would knock on a neighbor’s door and ask them the name of a plant, and so that’s what I grew up with. And my grandmother grew up during the Depression, so she never wasted anything.”

Tucked into nooks, sprawling across river rock, and sweeping up the back hillside, native plant life thrives. 

“Most of our plants are propagated or grown from seed. It’s a great practice at being slow,” explained Lindsey, wearing a ring with the words “Live Slow” stamped onto it, putting a period to her point. “We think of ourselves as stewards of a place rather than owners. We’ve prioritized native plants and are a certified pollinator habitat.”

Even amongst the plantlife, heirloom pieces can be found. A cast iron cauldron that Gregory’s grandfather once used as a cookstove now lives a second life as a water fountain—water pumping from a cast iron pitcher pump they pulled from Gregory’s grandparents’ property.

“When we talk about getting to know a place, you have to think about nature,” said Lindsey. “Nature is different every single day and you can always see something new, whether we’re hiking the same hike we’ve done a hundred times or walking in our backyard.”

The Smith’s nature- and heirloom-filled home feels like an extension of that state of mind. With elements and family pieces expertly blending in with the home’s natural surroundings, there’s always something new to see and a new story to unravel.