Archive for April, 2018

The Center of the Lower Eastern Shore Universe

Monday, April 30th, 2018
DSC_9722On Saturday April 28th, it really did seem that Cape Charles, Virginia became the center of attention of the Lower Shore Universe. What an absolutely glorious, sunny day for all the events ! The New Roots Youth Garden to kicked off its 2018 growing season with its 7th annual Open Garden event, colorful balloons, flags and wind spinners beckoning folks in at the corner of Fig and Randolph ! Down on Mason Avenue, Cape Charles Candy Company was settling in for its 1st sweet weekend- – as a friend used to say, its just not possible to have too much good candy….. And further on down Mason, after a long, long, long winter, Brown Dog Ice Cream was celebrating Opening Weekend 2018, our fav goodie parlor was packed with ice cream lovers of all ages, plenty of delicious 2 or 3 scoop cones walking out the door and bobbing down the street in the golden sunshine. ( Favorite flavors were on offer plus some new ones including “Asteroid”, although , as usual, I opted for the wonderful milk chocolate, yet resisting the temptation to get more than 1 scoop ! )
But the really big event Saturday was the Eastern Shore’s 71st Annual Virginia Garden Week celebration. This year it was centered primarily in Cape Charles with theDSC_9723 Garden Club hosting Tours of 3 homes in the Historic District and 2 homes in Bay Creek Golf Resort. Leading off in the Historic District was majestic “Bayholme”, one of the grandest of the Grand Dames of Cape Charles. With large classical columns and an imposing portico, it overlooks the beachfront on Bay Avenue. The owner’s well-behaved dog was casually sitting on a prime spot on the front lawn, a keenly interested but aloof observer of the comings and goings around her, a charming snapshot, “Man’s Best Friend”, providing a sweet, quiet vignette in an otherwise busy day. Next, over to Six Tazewell Avenue, which to my eye has one of the most beautiful and shapely porches in all Cape Charles. And I love the motto enshrined on its wall, “Be Kind”, the perfect sentiment for today’s contentious world. Over on Mason Avenue, Tour goers were treated to sights of the Harbor from the Wilson Building’s 4th floor condo. Enlivened by the gentle murmur of street life in the shops and galleries below, it offered visitors amazing views out to the Chesapeake Bay and a chance to revel in gentle breezes and the warmth of a glorious Spring day.
Onward and upward, over The Hump and through the woods to “Tide’s Point”, an imposing new home with a gorgeous entry courtyard, located on a wide finger of Old Plantation Creek in the Plantation Pointe village in Bay Creek Golf Resort. From there, to the Heron Pointe village sited along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, featuring a delightful entrance pond and flowing waterfall, accentuated by a life sized bronze waterfowl sculpture. The garden tour’s open home, “Serenity”, is aptly named, located on a quiet cul-de-sac with views of quiet woodlands and water. Overall, an interesting day, with sunny skies and warm temperatures combining to make it memorable.
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This Cozy Waterview Cottage In Oyster, VA Is Move- In Ready For Tons Of Summer Fun 2018

Thursday, April 19th, 2018

Looking for a cute little getaway cottage with waterviews ? This 2 bedroom, 1 bath bungalow located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore in the tiny fishing village of Oyster, VA could be perfect ! Priced at just $179,900, it has been throughly renovated– new paint, new carpet, new Trane HVAC system, Rinnai water heater, appliances and more. Sit on your large covered front porch overlooking sleepy Oyster harbor and enjoy watching the boats go by. Or launch your own boat at the Oyster ramp and cruise out to some of the very best fishing on the Eastern Shore. A great location as Oyster is only about 10 minutes from the soft sand beach in Cape Charles as well as 2 marinas, Palmer and Nicklaus golf, restaurants, shops, etc. Good vacation rental potential too. Move right in, this great little cottage is ready for lots of 2018 summer fun!

 

 

 

 

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THE PERFECT HOME IN CAPE CHARLES, VA TO GET AWAY FROM ALL THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF EVERYDAY LIFE

Friday, April 13th, 2018

frontviewRecent restoration has breathed new excitement into this circa 1910, historic 3 bedroom, 2 and a half bath home located in the quaint little beach town of Cape Charles, VA. Offered at $349,000, this charming home captures the gentle feel of yesteryear but includes many modern amenities including new kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, ready and set for you to prepare some of the Eastern Shore’s succulent fresh seafood and fresh-from-the-farm veggies and fruits ! Elegant entryway, original pine floors throughout, pocket doors, original trim work. French doors open to the back deck overlooking a well landscaped, fenced backyard which includes a spacious custom-built golf cart shed. Heat pump provides comfortable central heat and A/C. This home is on a quiet, tree- lined street near the Cape Charles Central Park. Go Green- – Walk or zip by electric golf cart to town’s soft sand beach, shops, galleries, restaurants and golf. Perfect getaway or full time home in a quaint little town nestled on the beautiful shores of the Chesapeake Bay.

 

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AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT LOTS ON THE ENTIRE EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA

Friday, April 6th, 2018

Aerial summer view-1Located in a tiny upscale waterfront neighborhood near the historic town of Eastville, VA, and priced at $495,000, this spectacular 6.7 +/- acre building parcel with high banks and loamy soils offers a special opportunity to have a spacious property with deep boating water on a colorful saltwater inlet. Plus simply amazing views out to the Chesapeake Bay, views that will never get old!! Buying a waterfront lot and building a custom home offers exciting opportunities to refine exactly what you want in a home, take advantage of modern building materials and create a special design that reflects your own personal style. If you love skies painted in deep pinks, golds and purple, this parcel’s East-West orientation offers the chance to showcase views of inspiring sunrises from your breakfast nook and brilliant sunsets across the water from your great room and deck. ( Also imagine the pearly moonrises and moon sets ! ) Let this exceptional property introduce you to the unique laid-back, coastal lifestyle of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Call Blue Heron Realty Co. at 800-258-3437 for more information. And check out our website for other opportunities. Owner is a licensed Virginia agent.

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HERALDING SPRING – – THE 39th ANNUAL CHINCOTEAGUE EASTER DECOY AND ART FESTIVAL

Thursday, April 5th, 2018

DSC_9302Saturday was such a beautiful and warm day, compared to most of what we have shivered through this March, that on the spur of the moment Saturday afternoon we decided to take a ride up to Chincoteague, VA to attend the Annual Chincoteague Decoy and Art Festival which is traditionally held the Friday and Saturday before Easter. The 2018 event was the 39th Annual, a real testament to the popularity of this delightful show which provides an important opportunity each Spring for local and national carvers, artists and photographers to exhibit and sell their works. And for art enthusiasts, it offers a wonderful chance to meet the artists and, in the case of some of the many carvers, observe them at work. It can be fascinating to watch someone with talent in the process of converting a plain old lump of wood into a work of art ! Attendees also have the opportunity to vote for the show’s “Best Carver” and “Best Artist” and to bid at two silent auctions.

Unfortunately, the show closed at 4pm, and we were running late, so we didn’t have as much time to tour the exhibits as I would’ve liked. DSC_9306But it was loads of fun nevertheless. We did stop and watch Russell Fish carve for a bit, I love his work and our decoy collection at the Machipongo office of Blue Heron Realty Co. includes one of his striking carvings, a tall pelican perched on a set of 3 pilings. My husband and grandson got to chatting with carver Bob Gray about his two horned grebes, one shown before molting where it presents with drab black and white feathers and one after molting where its white plumage becomes a riot of colorful orangish red. Nature is so amazing ! In the course of looking around, my husband found a walking stick he liked, my grandson discovered an interesting old poster depicting the off-shore Barrier Islands and at the “Silent Auction” table, I fell in love with a small framed print of a colorful waterfront scene painted by local artist, Grover Cantwell. So we each left with our own little treasure, icing on the cake.

DSC_9351After a quick bite at Bill’s, a favorite Chincoteague restaurant, we took a moment to admire a quiet garden spot across from Bill’s, complete with a colorful full-wall sea life mural, dedicated to “Miss Ruby Lee”. I’m not sure exactly who Miss Ruby Lee was, but clearly, as the dedication scroll proclaims, she was much beloved by the Islanders. From there, we were off to a leisurely drive through the Assateague Wildlife Refuge. There’s always something unique to see at the Refuge and, once again, we were not disappointed. But the most unique sighting Saturday was not some interesting wildlife or a wild pony come to town, no, it was a person sitting in chair, stock still.

Dressed in a camouflage jump suit covered completely by netting stuffed with twigs, leaves, pine needles, looking for all the world like a pileDSC_9417 of yard debris, this patient photographer was zeroing in on two great white egrets fishing in the shallow blue stream, using a camera sporting one of the longest lenses I have ever seen, also in camouflage colors. ( A treat to watch, quite interesting, maybe on assignment from National Geographic or some other Nature publication.) In Tom’s Cove, a flock of tiny ducks was out in full force, foraging away. Cearly something totally yummy to ducks was stirring about underfoot because they ducked and dived and dived and ducked, just munching away, ignoring us completely. The last stop on the way out was …. Island Creamery ! In Cape Charles, we are lucky to have the ever-delicious, ever-amazing flavor combinations offered at the now-famous Brown Dog Ice Cream Shop. And on Chincoteague they have Island Creamery, also home to some excellent ice cream, of which we quite enthusiastically partook, the sweet conclusion to our lovely Spring afternoon adventure.

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Located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore Near Cape Charles, VA This Contemporary Style Home Offers Beachfront Par Excellence!

Thursday, April 5th, 2018

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A lovely maritime forest shades this spacious 3 story, 4 bedroom and 4 bath beach cottage of about 3800 sq. ft. sited on over 2 acres with 200 feet frontage on one of the most beautiful soft sand beaches on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Priced at $999,000, this home features newly refinished oak hardwood floors, granite & ceramic tile treatments thru-out, elegant eat-in kitchen, living room with fireplace, huge master suite with elegant bath & walk-in closet, huge recreation room, formal dining room – all overlooking the spectacular sunsets on the horizon of the Chesapeake Bay. Beachcomber’s delight and a great home for entertaining! Also, 3 car garage, third floor loft, entry level guest suite & bath, grand waterviews from nearly every window in the house, beachfront patio & decks. The impressive beach neighborhood offers private walkways to the beach, community pool and tennis club, dock access to private fresh water lake for canoe/kayaks. A fantastic house on the beach of your dreams! Close to the historic little town of Cape Charles, VA with lots of amenities including golf, marinas, restaurants, shopping and galleries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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