LAURIE EDWARDS

Alan and Naomi Arthur's dock in Waterpointe 2 is relatively small at less than 700 square feet, and simple with no amenities, but the couple said they make their own fun with family and friends.

LAURIE EDWARDS

Alan and Naomi Arthur's two sons, Koen, 6, and Paxton, 2, enjoy jumping into the lake from the top deck of their parents' dock. The top deck also is the site for parties and sunbathing.

Alan and Naomi Arthur

When Alan and Naomi Arthur moved from Deer Creek to Waterpointe 2 last year, they were in a bit of a rush.

"We actually moved on New Year's Eve and threw my niece's 18th birthday party up on the dock," said Alan.

They started their move around 8 a.m. and had everything set up and unpacked by 4:30 p.m. About 60 guests arrived a few hours later for the shindig.

"We cooked right around 500 chicken wings," said Alan, adding that the wings were slathered in his cousin's own barbecue sauce, Parker's Big Lick Rub. "It was awesome."

The dock where the party, and others that followed, was held stands out because of its simplicity. At under 700 square feet, the wooden dock features a lower deck with one boat slip and a top deck furnished with a long wooden bench and two lounge chairs.

There's no cabana, no television and no bar for entertaining. But it suits the Arthurs just fine. They make their own entertainment, hanging out above or below with friends and family.

"We call it wholesome family entertainment," said Alan.

The dock also is the place to be when the Arthurs host a play date between their two sons -- Koen, 6, and Paxton, 2¹₂ -- and their friends.

"With the kids, they could stay out there all day long," said Naomi. "They wear me out."

Alan said the children enjoy using the top deck as a launching pad to jump into the lake. He said the children are required to wear life preservers when engaging in the activity.

A young couple by lake-area standards, the 30-somethings have lived at the lake since they were married 10 years ago in July. They met at Franklin County High School in 1994 when Alan's family moved from Salem to Smith Mountain Lake where they had vacationed since 1978.

"We were high school sweethearts," said Alan. "I fell in love with her my very first day at the new school."

The couple have lived in various subdivisions since moving to the lake in 2000. They've maintained a close proximity to their parents. Alan's parents, Steve and Donna Arthur, are a couple miles away; Naomi's, J.D. and Debbie Abshire, live in Rocky Mount.

Alan works at Blackwater Boat Company near Hales Ford Bridge, which is owned by his father. He drives a boat to work every day. Naomi works as a Realtor for her father's company Abshire & Associates in Rocky Mount.

The Arthurs said having close relationships with family members who live nearby makes it easy to host cookouts and parties on the simple, yet functional dock. Alan said he's looking forward to kicking entertaining into higher gear this summer.

With the weather already turning warmer, Naomi said she plans to spend time lounging on the dock's top deck to work on her tan. Alan said he plans to take Koen wakeboarding.

They're also talking about decorating, as the dock is void of adornments.

Naomi said she plans to install baby gates in various places to keep Paxton, who loves the water, from taking an unauthorized dip in the lake.

As for Alan, it's "flamingo lights and LED palm trees."

"If he puts them up, I'm jerking them down," joked Naomi.