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Ready, Set, Go— Now Is The Perfect Time To Lock In Your Week At A Cape Charles VA Vacation Rental House

Friday, March 21st, 2014

It probably seems a bit counter-intuitive to be planning reservations for a warm, sunny summer vacation in the midst of all this cold, snowy weather which seems like it has been making East Coast life miserable for eons. Or maybe not. Definitely planning can take the mind to a better place, sort of like warming one’s hand on a hot cup of cocoa on a cold winter afternoon brings a smile to the face, it just feels good. When I was a child, my mother used to pull out her seed catalogues on a wintry Sunday afternoons and work on her garden plan. Not that she had such a huge garden but she had it organized down to a T– what needed to be rotated to a new spot, what plants complimented the other, where to stick insect repelling marigolds, she planned it all in detail, usually changing her mind numerous times before she was satisfied. But it seemed to me that she enjoyed working on her garden project most on a really cold, miserable day– and in Ohio, unlike on the Eastern Shore, there are a whole lot of really cold, snowy, icy winter days ! Just like back to the future, she was mentally transported from winter’s wind and ice to the cool days of Spring, outdoors in the sun, in her garden.

But, I digress, my point being that planning one’s vacation is a task that offers a lot of fun in the execution. Just deciding where to go is key and offers lots of opportunities for on-line exploration of lots of great places– for instance, not that I’m biased of course, the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Naturally a lot depends on the type of vacation one is looking for. If its bright lights and loud music, then the Eastern Shore isn’t the place. But if you’re looking for a quaint, restful area with lots to do, the Shore is a great place to enjoy a unique coastal vacation experience. Not only can you enjoy our pristine natural beauty, there is nearly an endless list of fun things to do, from “A” for artists galleries to “Z” for zesty clam dip.

Savor sunset strolls on our uncrowded beaches, feel the exhilaration of kayaking our to our string of off-shore Barrier Islands. Charter a boat for a deep-sea fishing expedition. For golfers, the Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus Signature courses which front along the Chesapeake Bay in Cape Charles offer opportunities to challenge your game on some of the most beautiful waterfront courses on the entire East Coast. Or check out our museums and art galleries, treasure hunt on the beach or in one of our antique shops. Get wet swimming, clamming or crabbing. Explore our quaint little towns, visit a vineyard and winery, check out our Wildlife Refuges or State Park. Or just chill out on the porch, gentle breezes blowing, book in hand, letting the stresses of everyday life disappear. And at Blue Heron, we call this “Simply Relaxing The Shore Way.”

This year the Blue Heron Realty Co. vacation rental department is introducing a new vacation rental home, “Seashell Cottage“, located just a quarter block off the soft sand beach in the little Victorian town of Cape Charles, VA. Seashell Cottage offers 4 bedrooms, 2 and a half baths plus a 3 rd floor loft overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Its open floor plan, comfortable furniture and close proximity to the beach make this a great vacation home. And the wrap-around porch is perfect for outdoor dining and soaking up the dazzling sunsets. Check it out at www.blueheronva.com, click on the Vacation Rental section under “Listings” and give us a call at 757-678-5277 to reserve your vacation week at one of our great vacation rental beach homes. From a cozy in-town cottage to a beach home on acreage in the country, the Blue Heron Realty Co. vacation rental agents can help you select the best home for your needs and budget.

Tags: Blue Heron Realty Co. Machipongo and Cape Charles, Cape Charles Virginia, Capee Charles Vacation Rentals, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Real Estate, Vacation rental homes on Eastern Shore VA
Posted in At the Beach, Boating, Climate and Weather, Golf, Just Having Fun, Our Little Towns | No Comments »

Gorgeous B & B Listed For Sale In The Charming Victorian Beachfront Town Of Cape Charles, Virginia

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Beach blanket and flip flops at Cape Charles VA beach

Cape Charles, VA Was Named One Of Southern Living’s “5 Best Little Beach Towns” In 2012

What better opportunity to marry a love of fine historic homes with a spirit of entrepreneurialism than operating a B&B ? And what better place to purchase a gracious Bed and Breakfast featuring fine Southern hospitality than in Cape Charles, VA which offers an exciting coastal lifestyle in an intimate small historic town environment ? Presto, Blue Heron Realty Co. has just listed a fine opportunity to follow your dream of both owning a gorgeous historic home and running your own business with this charming 7 bedroom, 8 bath beauty. Located on the beautiful Southern Tip of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, which is the slender terminus of the DELMARVA peninsula, bordered on the West by the Chesapeake Bay and on the East by the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia’s Eastern Shore is a dream location for anyone interested in coastal traditions. And the charming Victorian town of Cape Charles is the epicenter of cultural and maritime events on the Shore, so it’s a terrific place to live a water-oriented lifestyle as well as to operate a business that takes advantage of these special assets. In fact, in 2012, Cape Charles was named by Southern Living magazine as one of its ” 5 Best Little Beach Towns.” And we’re also proud to announce that Cape Charles and Blue Heron Realty Co. were recently chosen by the Home and Garden TV Network (HGTV) to be a featured episode, airing in January, 2014, of its exciting new series entitled “Beach House Bargain Hunt”.

Cape Charles House B & B, A Classic Colonial Revival Featuring 7 Bedrooms And 8 Baths

Introducing the Cape Charles House Bed and Breakfast, one of the town’s largest and most opulent homes. Constructed in 1912 on the highest point of land in Cape Charles, this 5900 sq. ft. classic Colonial Revival was lovingly restored by the current owners. Featured on the well-known HGTV program, “If Walls Could Talk” and a recipient of the coveted Governor’s Award for B & B Hospitality, this long-established B & B has been welcoming guests since 1993. With 5 spacious guest rooms, each with a sitting area, an en suite bath and individual climate control, Cape Charles House offers guests a great place to just unwind and relax. Numerous large, sunny windows in guest rooms and in the spacious common areas create a pleasant, light and airy feel throughout. The gorgeous original hardwood floors were hand restored. The original moldings, pocket doors and high ceilings help maintain the integrity, warmth and beauty of this stately historic home. Outfitted with comfortable furniture and plenty of reading material and games, the common rooms include a large dining room with fireplace, a spacious living room with fireplace, a roomy parlor and, of course, the cheery kitchen with “never-ending” self -serve coffee and tea service plus guest ice maker .

Gracious Front Porch on Cape Charles House B & B

The Gracious Wraparound Porch- The Perfect Place To Relax, Unwind And Enjoy The Virginia Eastern Shore Slower Pace Of Life

The gracious wrap-around porch is a favorite guest amenity and the perfect place to kick back on a balmy summer’s eve. Filled with pots of blooming flowers and decorated with white wicker furniture, guests love to relax and unwind here, enjoying the refreshing breezes flowing off the Chesapeake Bay just a few blocks away. The town’s soft, sparkling sand beach and swimming area is not just a favorite of Southern Living magazine, it is one of the many prime recreational amenities that attract guests to Cape Charles House year after year. Golfers fall in love with the two side- by- side 18 hole award-winning Arnold Palmer Signature and the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses located less than 10 minutes away. The deep water Cape Charles Harbor Marina and the King’s Creek Marina are both boater’s delights– in fact, lots of B&B guests arrive by boat and golf cart rentals are available for guests to tool around town during their stay. For Nature enthusiasts and bird watchers, the nearby Eastern Shore of Virginia Wildlife Refuge and the Hawk Observatory at Kiptopeake State Park offer a full range of unique outdoor activities. The Cape Charles Historic Area boasts vibrant little shops, art galleries, restaurants and the beloved Palace Theater, a lovely venue for live dramatic and musical performances. ( As a matter of fact, some impressive artists, including the Virginia Philharmonic Orchestra, have played at the beautifully restored Art Deco design Palace. Theatre. ) Fine and casual dining opportunities, both in-town and nearby, offer a variety of delicious cuisines including luscious local seafood, the famed steamed Chesapeake Bay blue crabs and authentic Southern-style BBQ.

Prospective purchasers will really appreciate being able to retreat to the roomy owner’s quarters. Offering total privacy from the rest of the house, the third floor has been remodeled into an owner’s penthouse apartment, complete with a master and a guest bedroom, an office area, a sitting room and a kitchen. The owner’s quarters sunny master bedroom overlooks park-like grounds and includes a huge walk-in closet and a sumptious master bath. At the end of a busy day, the owner’s apartment provides the perfect place to relax and retire into your own private world. What a great house and terrific town for actually being able to live the dream of owing a spectacular historic home and being your own boss !! In addition to the real estate itself, the purchase price of $695,000 for Cape Charles House B & B includes most furnishings, as well as ownership of the trade name, website domain name, the telephone number, the B&B’s very attractive website and its valuable guest list. Financial information is available upon request by calling the Blue Heron Realty Co. listing agent team of Gerry Forbes and Heather Brady, who may be reached at 757-678-5200.

Tags: Blue Heron Realty Co. Machipongo and Cape Charles, Cape Charles House B & B, Cape Charles Virginia, Cape Charles Virginia historic home for sale, Chesapeake Bay real estate, Eastern Shore of Virginia, HGTV, Home and Garden TV Network, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Palace Theatre Cape Charles Virginia, Real Estate, Virginia historic home for sale
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The 21st Annual Eastern Shore of Virginia Harvest An Unqualified Success

Friday, October 18th, 2013

Harvest Fest on Virginia's Eastern Shore

Harvest Fest On The Eastern Shore of Virginia

When you live on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, as the first week of October rolls around, you can look forward to a few traditional pleasures– mums start to bloom gloriously, pumpkins appear in riotous hues of orange at roadside farm markets but, best of all, it’s time for the annual Virginia Eastern Shore Harvest Festival, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Ticket sales are limited to about 2500 each year and there is no better hangout for an entire afternoon of food, fun, hospitality and some old-fashioned “howdy-I’m-so-and-so-and-our-candidate-would-appreciate-your-vote” state and local politics. Ground Zero is the Sunset Beach hotel’s spacious beachfront acreage at the beautiful southern tip of the Eastern Shore , right at the edge of the mighty Chesapeake Bay.

So Little Time, So Many Seafood Goodies

Although there is always lots of great local art for sale, the seafood, of course, is the big drawing card, a veritable cornucopia of Eastern Shore delicacies from the deep, plus a few harmless veggies ( i.e., French fries and corn-on- the-cob, although this year there was also a salad station, which mysteriously I somehow managed to miss ). And for the landlubbers, fresh, local BBQ and the ever-popular Southern-style chicken wings do the honors. First off, the trick is to start out by making a big circle around the entire venue, checking out exactly what’s on offer and then setting one’s eating strategy. To dive enthusiastically into one’s favorites or to go with the conventional appetizer/entrée’/dessert strategy, that is the question. Personally, I think most folks just dive into their favorite seafoods right off the bat in this all-you-can-eat heaven but almost everybody in our little group went with an “appetizer first” strategy, meaning that first up were the steamed little nicks, everyone picking up baskets heaped with the ever- so- tender, half-dollar sized beauties, accompanied by melted butter. And for those who love ice-cold oysters on the half shell, an army of volunteers was kept busy popping opening these glistening beauties, enticingly displayed on deep beds of crushed ice.

Snagging A Nice Cool Glass of Local Chardonnay Wine, Perfect To Accompany An Afternoon Of Munching On Luscious Local Seafood

But, heresy of heresies, here in the land of prolific clam and oyster aquaculture, I don’t like either clams or oysters! So, while others were busy smacking lips over the bi-valves, I was moseying on over to the other side of the grounds to scoff up on a nice cold glass of Chardonnay to enjoy with my seafood. On the Eastern Shore we are fortunate to have three great local wineries, Chatham Vineyard, Holly Grove Winery and Bloxom Vineyard. We’re not Napa Valley but still, it’s great to be able to brag about having our own wine appellation, the Eastern Virginia Appellation. And from there I headed straight into the arms of the Shrimp Station tent. Now I really love shrimp, they are my personal seafood favorite, but I am very particular about shrimp preparation. Be they steamed, fried or scampied, what reader of this blog has not suffered through rubbery, what-the-heck-are-these, grossly over-cooked shrimp ? I must congratulate the charge’ d’affaires of the Shrimp Station for a job really, really done well. It’s hard to even imagine the challenges of on-site cooking for literally hundreds upon hundreds of people, in an open air tent, with portable equipment, grappling with the logistics of assuring that every single ingredient is on hand, in the correct amount, definitely no possibility of just stepping into the pantry for more. But to do this with shrimp, which are so easy to ruin with a too-thick, greasy coating or by over-cooking, is even more of a challenge. But these were excellent, tender, succulent, crisp in a light, crunchy tempura style batter, congrats to the whole Team Shrimp ! And did I mention the accompanying sauce, a smooth, mayo- based sauce, delicately seasoned with tangy horseradish, a few spices and a bit of mustard, offering just enough bite to contrast with the sweetness of the shrimp, absolutely delightful.

Toads By Any Other Name Would Be More Delicious

After a couple of turns with the whole shrimp thing, it was off to Toads–fried toads. Not the jumps-out-from-behind-the-flower-pot kind of toad but rather a toadfish toad. When cooked, they’re just tiny things, about three inches long and about an inch or a bit more across. But despite the off-putting name, they are delicious, with a delicate white meat, not fishy at all, This was the first time that I can recall toads being served at Harvest Fest but they seemed to be very popular and I certainly enjoyed them, several helpings worth. From there, it was off to the Flounder Station. Flounder is a fav fish of mine, I especially like it served a la Sting Ray Restaurant’s style, topped with a rich Crab Imperial and finished under the broiler until smoking hot and crispy brown. Totally yum ! Sadly, but of course, the Fest Flounder wasn’t topped with crab, but it was still very good, tender, with a crisp seasoned coating, very nice.

Eastern Shore Harvest Fest Crabcake Tent

Waiting In Line For Some Savory Crabcakes

While strolling around, scooping up shrimp, toads and flounder, I had also been keeping my eye on the Crabcake Station which been sporting a pretty long line all afternoon. However, when you’ve got seafood on the brain and there are savory crabcakes to be had, well, trust me, like the Sirens tempting Ulysses, those crab cakes call out, long line or not. So, hey girl, better just get in line with the dozens of other folks looking for their crabcake fix. Presented this year by the well-known Exmore Diner, prepared on a sizzling grill instead of deep-fried, I did wonder at the outset if these would be worth the wait. But reaching the end of the line and picking up my prize, a plate of two aromatic crabcakes, made from the famously flavorful Chesapeake Bay blue crab, subtly spiced, with a pinch of parsley added, delectably rich, melt-in-your-mouth, I had to say, oh yes, they were worth the wait !

Harvest Fest - Virginia Eastern Shore art tents

Surveying The Local Art Talent

By then, totally sated, I was ready to move on to the Arts and Crafts tents and check out all the paintings, carvings, sculpture, etc. Harvest Fest always has always included great variety of local artisans displaying their creative works. Among this year’s group were Billy Crockett, a well-respected local carver, Mary Onley, known affectionately as “Mama Girl“, whose whimsical paper-mache’ figures have become quite famous locally and Copper Creations, well-known for their Nature based copper art figures as well as garden art. It’s always fun to browse through, taking in all the beautiful things on display, especially as I have no talent whatever along those lines . I’m always amazed to see how many really gifted artists we have here on the Eastern Shore and I love wrapping up the annual Harvest Fest with a stroll through the art tents, a real feast for the eyes after such a delightful feast for the tum-tum.

Tags: Cape Charles Virginia, Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Eastern Shore vineyards, Eastern Shore Virginia Harvest Fest, Events in Cape Charles, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore
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A GLORIOUS FOURTH OF JULY 2013 IN CAPE CHARLES, VIRGINIA

Friday, July 19th, 2013

Sun And Fun On The Cape Charles Beach

We spent a few days over the 4th of July at a charming Victorian home overlooking the Chesapeake Bay and sparkling sand beach on Bay Avenue in the quaint historic town of Cape Charles, VA. The plan was to have a couple of grandkids for a sleepover on Wednesday night, then a big family gathering to watch the fireworks on Thursday night and finally for Hubby and I to grab a well-deserved day of peace and quiet on Friday. For once, things went some what according to plan. We rolled into town just after a kid-friendly lunch at Mickey D’s, intent on getting all cold items unpacked and stuffed into the refrigerator at the house before heading out to the Wednesday Aftenoon Chess Club at the new public library on Mason Avenue. I say “new” library not in the sense of the building, which is a grand bank building built in the early 1900’s, most lately inhabited by Bank of America, ( and now owned by the Town thanks to the very affordable terms offered by BOA ), but in the sense that it just become the library. Space to be able to offer chess for kids is just one of the perks of making the building a public building rather than just another retail business as some had hoped. I personally think time will prove that this expenditure by the Town was a brilliant decision.

Brown Dog Ice Cream Shop In Cape Charles VA

To Try It Is To Love It— Brown Dog Ice Cream !

But what is located conveniently adjacent to the library, beloved by young and old alike, the perfect after-chess treat ? The Brown Dog Ice Cream Shop, of course, home of made-on-the-premises, good as Haagen Dazs, 6 or more rotating flavors everyday, served in a cup, sugar cone or crunchy waffle cone, delightfully cold, deliciously creamy ice cream. I tried the for- adults-only lemoncello which hit the spot on a warm summer’s day but I must say that Hubby’s coffee ice cream made with the Eastern Shore Roasting Company’s coffee was absolutely wonderful and I don’t even particularly like coffee ice cream ! The kids all had the Simply Berries, full of raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, the yummy way to sneak in extra antioxidants. From there it was off to the pool for a couple hours of pure splashing, jumping, laughing fun for the kids and a little relaxation in the shade for us.

Cape Charles Fishing Pier at Sunset 4th of July

Cape Charles Fishing Pier On A Soft Summer’s Eve

Back to the house for a fast, kid- friendly dinner of grilled hamburgers, corn on the cob and salad plus plenty of watermelon for dessert. I think that no fruit says summer better than sweet and juicy chunks of deep red, crisp, ice cold watermelon — unless it’s a tree-ripened, dripping with juice, sweet-as-sugar peach, plucked at the peak of perfection from a tenderly cared for tree at the Nottingham Farms orchard just south of Cape Charles. Anyway, we wanted to get in a walk at sunset and headed for the lighted fishing pier just down from the house. It’s a wonderful facility, stretching out into the Chesapeake Bay quite a ways, protected by a jetty, perfect for a relaxing after-dinner meander, no hurry, enjoying the sights and sounds, watching folks still sitting on the beach or wading in tide pools, just savoring the last few minutes of daylight, boats drifting back into the harbor, sated with a day of fishing, lights on the channel markers blinking red and green, a peaceful end to a busy day. Once back at the house, early lights-out for all in anticipation of a busy morning on the 4th, grandparents definitely tuckered out, grandkids not so much, which I guess proves we’re not spring chickens anymore.

Vendor Tents Cape Charles Beach July 4th

Getting Ready For A Busy Day

Awoke on the 4th to stiffled giggles downstairs, where the kids were trying hard (and almost succeeding) to keep the sound levels to a low roar. A dash for the coffee pot, zip-zip for a breakfast of yogurt and sausage & egg biscuits, then out the door for adventures down the street as the artist’s tents and the bouncy house folks were being set up for what they hoped would be a profitable day. Food vendors were already bustling about, the Italian sausage guys busy slicing up mounds of onions and bell peppers to grill, delicious aromas starting to waft across the sidewalk even at that early hour. We poked our noses into everything, easy to do because we were more or less the first visitors on the scene. The kids got fixated on the possibility of a funnel cake later, I bought a light-weight hat with an amazingly wide brim and the biggest flap down the neck I ever saw, perfect for extra sunburn avoidance. We took a moment to say hi to Billie Crocket, a terrific local carver, and then back to the big front porch to settle down with a tall glass of lemonade awaiting the parade.

And Where Are The Clowns ? Send In The Clowns…

What I have always loved best about the Cape Charles 4th of July Parade is the active participation of so many folks in the Parade itself as well as a great turnout of spectators to cheer them on. Led by the Color Guard from the Cape Charles Coast Guard Station, followed by our first responders– fire truck after tanker truck after ladder truck after ambulance, full of volunteers from Fire and EMT Stations all over Northampton County, giving we the served a chance to cheer and wave to these folks who risk life and limb to help us everyday. And then the long procession, a whole array of organizations from Veterans to the Girl Scouts to the ESO Clown Troupe, followed by the Golf Cart Parade, this year with at least 30 gaily decorated golf carts full of waving people throwing candy to the crowd, followed by the Kid’s Bicycle Parade, with the Horse Parade bringing up the rear. So much participation, so much spirit, a joy to see, no apathy here, we love the Parade and the esprit de corps, it beats slick commercial floats a ten times over.

Tall ship at sunset in the Cape Charles VA Harbor on July 4th, 2013

Cape Charles Harbor At Sunset

After the Parade, a stroll down Bay Avenue, flowing with the crowd, snagging some of those aromatic grilled sausage/onion/bell pepper sandwiches, just generally enjoying the day until time for more splashing & laughing at the pool where one of the mothers took over kid supervision responsibilities and Hubby and I went back to the house for a well-deserved iced tea, just chilling out in an overstuffed chair, newspaper in hand, silently singing the praises of whatever brilliant person invented AC. Evening brought a spectacular sunset and some great “people watching” as still-decorated golf carts cruised merrily up and down the avenue, folks arrived to watch the fireworks from the beach, bikes and joggers silhouetted against a glowing sky of deep pinks and reds. Down at the harbor, white masts contrasted with the midnight blue sky. It was lovely, a truly wonderful day. Yet to come, the fireworks, this year a 30 minute display of grand explosions, a profusion of blazing flower patterns, brilliant petals glowing in bright reds, greens, golds, white. It was awesome ! The kids loved it, we loved it, the crowd loved it, a colorful and exciting end to another great 4th of July in Cape Charles, VA.

Tags: Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Events in Cape Charles, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Posted in At the Beach, Boating, Crafts, Entertainment, Events In Cape Charles, Fine and Casual Dining, Just Having Fun, Our Little Towns | No Comments »

TALL SHIPS AT CAPE CHARLES 2013 FESTIVAL ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA

Thursday, June 27th, 2013

Runners in the Great Bay Run in Cape Charles VA registering to participate

Last Chance To Register To Compete In Cape Charles Tall Ship Festival’s Great Bay Run

Eagerly awaited with much anticipation, Saturday June 15, 2013 saw the little Eastern Shore Virginia historic town of Cape Charles abuzz with events from the town center to the outer reaches of the Harbor. First off in the morning was The Great Bay Run, kick-off at 8:30. Organized by Blue Heron Realty Co. agent Eva Noonan and her friend Gary Hack, the Run was off to an early start by 7:30 am when participants could begin to sign in and receive their official PIB badges for either the 1.25 mile fun walk/run or for the more serious folks, the 5k event. Over 180 people registered, including kids of all ages, the young and young of heart, moms & dads pushing 3 wheel jogging strollers. Up and down Mason Avenue, in the heart of the Cape Charles historic area, guys and gals of all shapes and sizes gathered in little groups, stretching ham strings, doing warm-up deep knee bends, trying to get ready for the Run, psyching up in anticipation of a hard final push needed to cross over “the Hump”, the steep overpass above the railroad tracks near the finish line at the Marina.

Runners taking off from the starting line for the Great Bay Run

Wooosh, They Are Off !

By 8:15 am, runners were lined up clear across the road at the corner of Harbor and Mason Avenues, awaiting the starter’s gun to begin a course that would wind them down streets of Victorian and other historic homes, past views of sparkling sand dunes and shimmering blue Chesapeake Bay waters, on out to the finish line at the new marina. Then wooosh, they were off and I slipped over to the Cape Charles Harbor to await the first arrivals. I’m proud to say that of the 7 Blue Heron agents and/or their family members who ran this event, 3 won first or second place in their age group– go Herons, go ! In line with being a carefully budgeted event, the donated trophies were inscribed antique bottles and large shells– but winners were all proud smiles as they accepted their unique prizes. Everyone who finished the course got a colorful Great Bay Run T-Shirt as well as free after-the-race pizza and Coke to rebuild energy for the rest of the day’s fun. Race proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia Society and to Broadwater’s Track & Field Team.

The sailing ship "Alliance" moored at the Cape Charles Harbor for the Tall Ships Festival

The “Alliance” berthed in Cape Charles for the 2013 Tall Ship Festival

Next up, a stroll through the marina to see the Tall Ships in the soft morning light– we had brought the grandkids down at sunset Friday evening to enjoy the music events scheduled for the Harbor stage and view the ships, always interesting for young and old alike. Although our old friend, the tall ship Kalmar Nyckel, had earlier dropped in for an overnight anchorage, for the Festival weekend this year Cape Charles was host to the 97 ft. Sultana, a replica of a 1768 British schooner whose job was to enforce the tea taxes prior to the American Revolution, the 105 ft 3 masted schooner Alliance and the 126 ft Virginia, a replica of a harbor pilot boat used on the Bay in the early 1900’s. No matter how many of these replica ships I see I never cease to feel amazed that back in the day, 100 foot vessels like these routinely sailed across stormy oceans with nothing between them and disaster but a skilled captain ( hopefully) and sheer luck– no auxiliary engine, no GPS mapping, no radar, no depth finder, no marine weather service, no ship-to-shore radio and no rescue helicopters, just strong canvas sails, grit and determination. And a daily rum ration…… Each Festival ship offered deck tours as well as 2 hour day-sails out on the Chesapeake Bay, a great opportunity for landlubbers and sailors alike to enjoy a taste of maritime history. And the weather was so co-operative– cool temps, clear skies, steady breezes all weekend.

A Crunchy Waffle Cone Filled With Brown Dog’s Lush Ice Cream Is Not To Be Missed

Good food and plenty of it, paired with lots of music, is part of the secret to a good festival and there was plenty of both in Cape Charles. From BBQ ribs to Greek gyros, deep dish pizza to “Aden’s Dawgs”, washed down by everything from Kona ice to Bud Lite, plenty of variety was available to satisfy the ole taste buds. The Shanty, a great new-as-of- last-year seafood restaurant right at the edge of the water at the marina, was doing a landslide business. Huge platters of steamed hardshell crabs accompanied by luscious grilled corn on the cob were zooming out of the kitchen at the speed of light, I think the servers must have been wearing jet pacs they moved so fast ! Downtown, just a few minutes walk from the Harbor, Kelly’s Gingernut Pub was going full blast, the Cape Charles Coffee House had extra tables outside for al fresco dining and the Hardware store was putting on a “bring your own hot dogs” BBQ bash for friends and customers. But the really, really big smiles were coming from the folks leaving Brown Dog Ice Cream shop holding crunchy waffle cones stuffed full of the best ice cream I’ve had in a long time, made right on the premises. The only other thing I’ll say about Brown Dog is that when you’re in town next, try a scoop of their pina colada topped with a scoop of rum raisin. Double yum !

A Colonial Village at Tall Ship Festival in Cape Charles VA

Colonial Village- Fun & Educational

But my favorite events were back at the Festival grounds where a very talented group from Raleigh, NC, Historic Interpretations, Inc. teamed up with a group also from Raleigh, called the East Coast Pirate Crew, to set up a Colonial Village. Dressed to “kill”, the East Coast Pirates manned a ” pirate gear for sale” tent plus a tent featuring typical pirate weaponry as well as a display of the typical foodstuff found aboard a pirate ship, with members on hand interpreting same and offering samples of the 17th century on-board daily food staple called “hard tack”. ( No grog offerings though, a true pirate wouldn ‘t stand for that. ) Historic Interpretations program offerings were quite interesting, completely interactive, with all their members dressed in authentic period costume, looking great. The Village included a “typical Colonial kitchen” tent, complete with homemade strawberry and lemon cordials brewing, ( for which I got the recipe ), a games tent, herbs and medicines tent and 17th century “home ec” tent staffed by two very knowledgeable ladies who demonstrated weaving, embroidery , sewing and fashion tips of that era.

A Pannier To Increase Hip Widith Appearance Under Colonial dresses

Just what every modern woman wants– a pannier to make her hips look wider !

Probably doesn’t sound that interesting but it was really fascinating. The ladies had a large hunk of what I thought was spun wool but which was actually flax ready to be spun, then woven into linen cloth, which they demonstrated on a tiny portable loom. Wow, no wonder most folks back in the day had only 2 sets of clothes– at the most. Every woman had a ” housewife”, abbreviated to “hussif”, a cloth strip with multiple pockets on one side for important small implements such as scissors, pencil, glasses, etc., all expensive to replace. The hussif could then be rolled up tightly and stored in her sewing box which contained the rest of her sewing equipment. A typical box would hold lots of handmade sewing aids including a wooden “egg” for darning, a lump of beeswax to stiffen thread, a thimble made of horn, soapstone to mark lines on cloth, a cloth tape measure wound up in a casing made of a large nut shell, hoops of various sizes, and the list goes on and on. And the fashion accessories were pretty interesting too. Corsets were laced up with a long metal instrument called a bodkin. And if you’ve ever wondered how Colonial ladies managed to have a slender waist but appear as if they were four feet wide from hip to hip, well it was thanks to a “pannier”, a very narrow belt with two short cloth barrelly things hanging from each side to make the dress stand way out from the hips. Go figure !

The Festival was all this and so much more. Strolling musicians in town and at the Harbor, the Cape Charles Orchestra playing sea chanteys on Strawberry Street , sidewalk art, a Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt, helicopter rides all day long,Coast Guard water safety program, artists and artisans galore with lovely items for sale, a great display by the Waterman’s Association, an old time oyster “buy boat” at the marina. All capped off with the Pirates & Wenches Ball, everyone dressed in costume, dancing the night away, proceeds benefiting Cape Charles Central Park. But memories now– but we do have Tall Ships Festival 2014 to look forward to.

(Posted by Marlene Cree, licensed Virginia agent with Blue Heron Realty Co., 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr., Machipongo, VA. )

Tags: Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Events in Cape Charles, Tall sailing ship Kalmar Nyckel, Tall Ships Cape Charles Festival
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The First Annual Great Bay Run in Cape Charles, VA

Friday, June 7th, 2013

The Great Bay Run

This summer an exciting new event is coming to the Eastern Shore of Virginia ! On Saturday, June 15, 2013, in conjunction with the Tall Ships at Cape Charles Festival, the town will be the site of the First Annual Great Bay Run.

Organized by race directors Eric Hack, a teacher and coach at the Eastern Shore’s Broadwater Academy and Eva Noonan, an agent at our own Blue Heron Realty Co., this is a first for both of them. Eva also works with Eric as volunteer assistant cross country and track coach at Broadwater. This is expected to be a premier event, kicking off the debut of what they hope will be an exciting annual runner’s challenge.

Cape Charles beach with Victorian homes in background

5k Run will pass along Bay Ave.in Cape Charles, VA

The Great Bay Run in Cape Charles will offer both a 5k race and a 1.25 mile fun run/walk. Both events start at 8:30 AM on Saturday, June 15th, near the Blue Heron Realty office at 113 Mason Avenue. The route will take runners along Bay Avenue, with its grand dame’ Victorian- era homes overlooking beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay and the sparkling sand dunes along the Town’s soft sand beach, weave through the Historic District, then out past the Coast Guard Station and finally into the Cape Charles Harbor of Refuge. By concluding at the Cape Charles Harbor, participants will be able to enjoy all the events at this state of the art marina which will be be filled for the Festival with sailboats of all sizes and descriptions, including three Tall Sailing Ships and a US Navy patrol ship, all of which will be visiting for the entire week-end. The three Tall Ships berthed there will also be offering deck tours and 2 hour day sails all weekend long so it’s a great opportunity to experience maritime history. Additionally, the winners will be presented with their trophies down at the Harbor right after the race.

Eric and Eva look forward to putting on a competitive and fun race experience that the hundreds of athletes of all abilities already signed up will enjoy. Eva has recently started a local women’s running group which has inspired many locals to join the June 15th race as well. And it’s really exciting that runners have signed up to participate from as far away as Ohio and Pennsylvania. For additional information about the race, visit its Facebook site at: https://www.facebook.com/greatbayruncapecharles. Anyone interested in registering for the race can still sign up, registration will be active until 7:30 am on the morning of the race.

Online registration is available on Active.com at this link: http://www.active.com/5k-race/cape-charles-va/the-great-bay-run-in-cape-charles-2013. So, whether you’re interested in being a spectator or a participant, come on down, we think it’s going to be lots of fun.

The Great Bay Run would like to thank it’s sponsors: Blue Heron Realty Co., QS LLC, Eastern Shore Custom Carts, Eastern Shore Signs, Hook U Up Gourmet, Rayfield’s Pharmacy, and Kelly’s Gingernut Pub. The proceeds of the race will be split equally and donated to benefit two causes: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as well as the Broadwater Academy cross country and track & field teams.

Tags: Cape Charles Harbor, Cape Charles Tall Ships Festival, Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Great Bay Run, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Tall Ships Cape Charles Festival
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Attending Cherry Blossom Festival 2013- In Virginia Beach VA

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

View of the two spans of the 17 mile long Chesapeake Bay Bridge & Tunnel connecting the Virginia Eastern SDhore to the Virginia mainland.

The Beautiful Chesapeake Bay Bridge Seen From Fisherman’s Island area

Early April is the time of year when we usually look forward to going to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. Unfortunately, this year we were not able to go. About three weeks ago, when I was bemoaning to a friend that scheduling conflicts were going to prevent us from going to DC, she mentioned that nearby Virginia Beach, VA also has a Cherry Blossom Festival, why not check it out ? There won’t be the fabulous blooms along the Tidal Basin, the National Mall or Parkway Drive said she, but it might still be interesting and fun. I took her advice and after some research found to my surprise that 2013 marked the Virginia Beach 9th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Who knew ? Anyway, that Saturday dawned bright and sunny, most welcome after all the spring rain we’ve had this year, a little breezy but expected to be near 60 degrees, a very pleasant day. So after lunch we decided to go for it, jumped in the car, zipped over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, waves sparkling in the afternoon sun, making a bee line for Redwing Park , about an hour’s drive from our house, planning to get there in time for most of the program, including the Taiko ensemble’s performance. (Another little plug for life on the Eastern Shore of Virginia is how close we are to the Hampton Roads area which is the 32nd largest metro area in the US. It’s like having your cake and eating it too– enjoy a low-key, relaxed rural feel here on the Shore but be able to access virtually every known metropolitan amenity in less than an hour in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, etc. Love it, love it, love it ! )

Taiko Drums At The Virginia Beach Cherry Blossom Festival

I was especially looking forward to the Japanese drums, called Taiko, which are really amazing, nothing like what we are used to as drums in a regular band. A Taiko drumming performance is something really special. Construction of these drums dates back to feudal times, many are very large, made from beautifully grained wood, highly polished, often about the size of barrels, most actually sit horizontally and can be played simultaneously by two drummers, one on each end. The rhythms are hypnotic, with point and counterpoint, played in long mesmerizing “songs” Historically, these drums were often used on the battlefield because their loud “voices” could communicate over long distances. Taiko were also frequently used in religious ceremonies in Buddhist and Shinto temples which had really fabulous drums, usually fashioned from trees with huge diameters, resulting in amazing drums with faces 10 to 12 feet across. Drums like this could not be easily moved and were played only by men who received special permission from the monks. The first time I ever saw a Taiko performance was about a hundred years ago, in the Japanese Pavillion at EPCOT. I was just transfixed by the “song” of the drums and their mesmerizing beat– in fact, I went around for days with the beat from one particular “song” replaying over and over in my head. Taiko drumming is quite demanding, not only because of the physical strength needed to control the depth of sound and the tempo changes, but also for the sheer physical endurance required. Certainly I wasn’t expecting professional quality taiko from the Virginia Beach group, called Soka Tiako, but they sounded great and looked quite colorful in their costumes, garnering lots of applause when their number was completed.

Dancing the flower dance at the Festival

Flower Dance At Cherry Blossom Festival

Lots of other terrific performances of traditional Japanese music and dance in addition to the Taiko were offered all afternoon. Among the most interesting was a group from Old Dominion University who played the koto, a zither type instrument about six feet long, with 13 strings, which creates the high pitched sound I most associate with Japanese music. The koto looks incredibly difficult to master and in speaking to one of the performers just before the show, I was assured that it is indeed difficult to master, even more so outdoors which involves a knack for playing while breezes ruffle one’s music sheets. The performers all wore traditional garb, kimono with obi, gorgeous and colorful. In fact, quite a few folks in the audience, both men and women, wore traditional garb which gave the whole event a very authentic feel. One of my other favorite performances was by the Virginia Beach Okinawa Sanshin-Kai band which played traditional three string lutes and featured a very sweet, almost ballet-like dance by a mother and her young daughter, both wearing beautiful kimono and elaborate “flower” hats symbolizing the first blooms of Spring.

For martial arts fans, various groups from around the city offered martial arts demonstrations throughout the afternoon including karate, judo and some a very proficient kobudo with impressive moves with the traditional swords. I personally am not into any of that but a lot of applause went their way from folks who are. Shopping is more my style and I enjoyed seeing some of the little gift items for sale in the tent area. The most popular item seemed to be a selection of colorful parasols, attracting gals and girls alike. In addition, the origami and calligraphy demonstrations were fun, lots of folks crowding around to get their names written in Japanese by some volunteers who were amused as they tried to write names like Henrietta and Martha in characters. A local rescue group for Akita’s was on hand with two of their charges, a handsome grey and a placid sand colored dog–I had just recently seen the Richard Gere film “ Akita” ( based on a true story) and we all agreed that it was a real tear jerker of a movie. Who can even imagine a depth of loyalty that would compel a dog to wait outside a train station each night for 9 years, waiting for his owner who was long dead ? Wow !

Tori gate at RedWing Park in Virginia Beach

Tori Gate in Miyazaki Garden at Redwing Park

Reflecting Pool At Miyazaki Garden

Apparently part of the impetus for the planting of the lovely cherry trees at Redwing Park, as well as for the creation of the Festival itself, was that about 14 years ago Virginia Beach established a “Sister City” relationship with the city of Miyazaki , Japan. This special relationship resulted in many cross-cultural exchanges and eventually in the city’s construction of Miyazaki Garden, a lovely traditional Japanese strolling garden, as well as the planting of hundreds of ornamental Japanese cherry trees in the Park. The trees were only in about 25% bloom that Saturday due to the cooler than normal Spring this year, but that was enough to see how gorgeous they were going to be this year. Miyazaki Garden was beautiful though, an early blooming tree leaning over a reflecting pond was the site of much photo taking, prompting me to take pics of people taking pics. All in all, as my friend forecast, it wasn’t the National Mall and it wasn’t the Tidal Basin, but the Virginia Beach, VA 2013 Cherry Blossom Festival was definitely quite nice and we’re glad we went.

( Posted by Marlene Cree, licensed Virginia agent with Blue Heron Realty Co., 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr., Machipongo, VA. )

Tags: Cherry Blossom Festival, Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Eastern Shore of Virginia, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore
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A New Cape Charles Vacation Rental Home, Introducing “Beach Villa”

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Sand beach at "Beach Villa", a Cape Charles VA vacation rental home

Relax on the soft sand beach at “Beach Villa” on Eastern Shore Virginia

We get a lot of calls here at Blue Heron Realty Co. for a vacation rental home with lots of seclusion but with lots of amenities too and that’s usually a hard order to fill. However, we have just acquired “Beach Villa” as a Cape Charles VA area vacation rental. This exquisite villa style home, sleeping 10, offers water views galore plus old world charm and the use of its 37 acres with beautiful Virginia Eastern Shore Chesapeake Bay waterfront. Best of all, Beach Villa offers a gorgeous sand beach, private to the owners and their rental guests, offering wide soft, soft sands, glittering in the golden sun, perfect for relaxing under a beach umbrella, book in hand, some sweet Southern-style ice cold tea in the cooler. And as you wade from the beach into the Bay, the salty Chesapeake waters start out quite shallow but gradually reach swimming depth so bring your mask and snorkel to check everything out. Surrounded on two sides by a pristine little freshwater lake, imagine waking up in the serene environment of this home to the calls of seabirds overhead and waterfowl out on the lake. Love jogging ? Imagine the pleasure of making lazy circuits around 37 acres surrounded by such natural beauty. Surely this is a vacation opportunity extraordinaire.

Aerial view of "Beach Villa", a beachfront home near Cape Charles VA

“Beach Villa” offers old world charm on 37 acres near Cape Charles VA

With 3 bedrooms and 3 and a half baths plus a day bed in the sunroom, there is plenty of room to catch up on some sleep in this nearly 4000 sq. ft. home. Large great room with living and dining room groupings plus a gourmet kitchen make conversation with your group a breeze. The gas log fireplace in the living area is perfect for cool fall evenings. Sliding glass doors lead from the great room to the spacious fieldstone patio overlooking beautiful flower beds, the lake and the Bay, the perfect spot for a steaming cup of morning coffee. Paneled den and enclosed sunroom provide additional space for just relaxing, letting the mind and body unwind in this gorgeous setting. First floor master suite, so convenient, with a master bath which includes jacuzzi tub with marble surround. Everything about this home is top of the line, you will not be disappointed by selecting this home for your vacation.

Aqua Restaurant at Cape Charles offers fine and casual dining on the Chesapeake Bay

Be Sure To Try The Delicious Seafood At Aqua Restaurant During Your Stay

Nearby amenities include Kiptopeake State Park, Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge and the Rails to Trails jogging/biking trail. The historic little Victorian town of Cape Charles is less than 10 minutes away and offers restaurants, shops, art galleries, marinas,boat ramps, train rides, special events, holiday parades, etc., as well as Palmer and Nicklaus Signature 18 hole golf courses. The Eastern Shore of Virginia is a terrific spot for a relaxing, low-key vacation, for what we like to call ” Simply Relaxing The Shore Way“. From A for Artist Galleries to Z for Zesty clam dip, there is nearly an endless list of things to do and see here on the Eastern Shore. Savour sunset strolls on the beach, kayak to our unique off-shore Barrier Islands, charter a deep sea fishing trip, treasure hunt in our antique shops, attend a live performance at the Palace Theatre, ride horseback along waterfront trails, explore our little coastal towns, visit a local winery, get wet clamming, enjoy a superb seafood meal at Aqua Restaurant, see the artifacts of yesteryear at the Barrier Island Museum. ( By the way, the Tall Ships Cape Charles Festival will be held this year the weekend of June 14-16, an exciting event for adults and kids alike. Three tall sailing ships will be in port offering open deck tours and day sails, the Navy’s USS Tornado will also offer tours, individual owners will be there with their sailboats, skipjacks and antique “buy boats”, the harbor will be bursting with great stuff. Plus loads of other activities are part of this Festival, it’s a really fun-filled event. ) But whatever you do, memories of your Simply Relaxing Eastern Shore Vacation will stay with you forever. To reserve your week at Beach Villa, email us at easternshorevacations@blueheronva.com or call 757-678-5277. (Posted by Marlene Cree, licensed Virginia agent with Blue Heron Realty Co., 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr., Machipongo, VA)

Tags: "Beach Villa" vacation rental, Aqua restaurant Cape Charles Virginia, Blue Heron Realty Co. Machipongo and Cape Charles, Cape Charles vacation rental homes, Cape Charles Vacation Rentals, Chesapeake Bay waterfront home, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Kayaking, Nature, Palace Theatre Cape Charles Virginia, Tall Ships Cape Charles Festival, Vacation Rentals on Eastern Shore Virginia
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Antares Rocket Launch On Wallops Island VA Scrubbed But We Had A Great Time Anyway

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

NASA photo of aerial view wallops island va launch pad

NASA Photo of Rocket Launch Pad At Wallops Island VA

It’s still hard for me to believe that the Eastern Shore of Virginia has entered the Space Age in an important way at Wallops Island, located at the extreme northern portion of the Virginia Eastern Shore just a few miles from the Maryland state line, nearly an hour and a half from our stomping grounds in Cape Charles VA. Wallops Island has long been home to what I have generally thought of as a rather remote NASA outpost for launching weather satellites, etc., but no longer, its entered the big time. Now named the Mid Atlantic Regional Spaceport and an important part of a NASA program to commercialize space efforts, Wallops is about to begin a whole new life as the re-supply location for the USA team’s efforts on the International Space Station. For reasons which I don’t entirely understand – it is rocket science after all – the physical aspects of Wallops, latitude, longitude, something, make it one of the few places in the US perfect for launching satelites and launching rockets with payloads into orbit destined for the Space Station. So now a company by the name of Orbital Sciences Corporation has a contract with NASA to fly 8 resupply missions to the Space Station from little ole Wallops Island and is in the process of test flights of its Antares rocket and its companion Cygnus cargo spacecraft there. ( The Orbital Sciences story is pretty interesting in and of itself because it was the brainchild of the folks behind Pay Pal. Who could have guessed that all those little Pay Pal fees would be enough to launch a brand new space enterprise ? )

People leaving after Antares rocket launch scrubbed at Wallops Island June 17, 2013

Leaving after Antares rocket launch at Wallops Island scrubbed 4/17/13

Which brings us to yesterday. My husband, who loves the concept of flying in outer space, thought it would be interesting for us to go watch the launch of the Antares rocket and educational for the young grandkids to see it too. Unfortunately, one was out of town, one was home with a fever, which left just one able to go with us. So off we went, Hubby, 11 year old grandson who is in the Rocket Club at school, and moi, a little bit on the late side, surprise, surprise, but we made good time, remembered to slow down at Temperanceville so as not to get caught in their 45 mph speed trap, ( still looking for temperance in Temperanceville, which by the way is only a short distance from Modest town) . We took a back road to a little neighborhood which we knew overlooked one of the small bays between the mainland and Wallops which we thought would offer a great view and not be too crowded, arriving a mere 10 minutes before launch time. No sooner had we pulled into the only parking spot left on the whole road and begun walking across the grass to where about 50 other folks had lined up folding chairs to watch the event, when somebody shouted out, Mission Scrubbed and everyone began to leave. We waited around a bit, from our vantage point we could see everything perfectly, the rocket standing tall on the launch pad and then puff, a huge cloud of smoke, apparently from oxygen being released because of mission cancellation, still exciting to witness even without the liftoff.

Chincoteague Ponies Have Distinctive Markings

With a couple of hours of daylight left, we decided to drive to the nearby Assateague Wildlife Refuge, home of the well-known Chincoteague wild ponies. The ponies, made famous by the book Misty of Chincoteague, are part of the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim conducted in July each year by the volunteers of the Chincoteague Fire Dept. who care for this little herd of distinctively marked wild horses, compact in size, who live in the marshes, eating primarily salt marsh grass and sweet hay that the firemen put out for them in the winter. After swimming across the channel from Assateague to Chincoteague during the Roundup each year, the young ponies are auctioned off, the proceeds supporting the costs of maintaining the herd . Pony Roundup Day is a huge tourist day, with literally hundreds of thousands of folks visiting Chincoteague for the Swim, which is the reason why I’ve never attended. I just can’t imagine swiveling my neck 180 degrees around for a glimpse of a horse with 200, 000 other folks crowded round trying to see the same thing. But during the rest of the year it is not unusual to spot a pony or two when driving through the Wildlife Refuge. Didn’t see any ponies yesterday but we did decide to stop along the oceanfront beach and watch the waves rolling in for a bit. But even more fun was watching a fellow who was getting into surf casting big time, three extra fishing poles stuck in the sand and making some hefty casts into the rolling surf with the fourth. Didn’t catch anything while we were there but he seemed to be having a mighty fine time anyway.

By consensus, Wright’s Seafood Restaurant just a few miles away was selected as our dinner destination. Wright’s is located right on Watt’s Bay and I do mean right on— the front pilings of its foundation are actually right in the water. So if you want to enjoy waterviews during dinner, Wrights is a great option if you’re near Assateague. In business since 1971, Wright’s is famous for it’s Flounder Imperial, a fillet of juicy flounder layered with crab imperial and gently browned under the broiler. The sun was low in the sky as we pulled into Wright’s , the views were lovely, the three of us had a great time discussing the rockets our grandson is helping build in his school’s Rocket Club and looking at some images from the the NASA app on the iPad while waiting for dinner to arrive. A fine time was had by all even though the mission was scrubbed — and we still have hopes of trying again when the launch is rescheduled. ( Posted by Marlene Cree, licensed Virginia agent with Blue Heron Realty Co., 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr., Machipongo, VA )

Tags: Antares rocket launch, Assateague Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague Pony Swim, Chincoteague VA, Eastern Shore of Virginia, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, wallops island va
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5 Tips For Investing In A Second Home On Eastern Shore VA & Considering Doing Vacation Rentals To Help Defray Carry Costs

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Aerial view of southern tip of Eastern Shore VA showing Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean

Eastern Shore Virginia Beautiful Southern Tip

For those considering investing in a leisure home, the beautiful southern tip of the Eastern Shore of Virginia offers buyers an amazing variety of lifestyle choices as well as some opportunities to offset mortgage payments with income from weekly vacation rentals. And especially with the great deals and the low interest rates currently available, now is a great time to consider the purchase of a leisure home with a lifestyle that can make you feel like it’s vacation time all year long ! For those seeking to discover their inner mermaid , consider a beach home offering soft sands and pristine swimming waters. For boaters, how about a beautiful waterfront home with a backyard boat dock ? Virginia’s Eastern Shore offers mile upon mile of saltwater shoreline to cruise by power boat, sailboat or kayak. For golfers, what better home course than the Arnold Palmer Signature course and the companion Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Bay Creek ? For those who love small towns and historic homes, consider the fact that settlement of the area which is now Northampton County VA begin before the Mayflower ever hit Cape Cod Bay ! I’m guessing that nearly a thousand historic homes still exist on the Shore, some of which are for sale. Dreaming about a place in the country , on a spacious land parcel ? Got it in spades ! And since the main economic engine for Northampton County is still agriculture, if owning a farm with all the possibilities – from growing crops to raising alpacas or horses- that owning a farm offers, well, we have a few farms for sale too. Soooo……. how to get started ?

Tip # 1. It’ s really important to decide on the lifestyle you want to pursue. I know that this seems like it should be easy and possibly self-evident but it’s not. In fact, in my experience working with our real estate customers, there is usually a lot of soul searching that goes into that decision since so many folks have multiple interests and settling on the main one is not necessarily simply. Especially if the likes and dislikes of multiple people need to be factored into the equation. Nowhere is that more evident than in the choice between a beach home or a boating home. You might wonder why that is– usually it’s because one party prefers beach but the other loves boating and wants a backyard dock, leaving the conumdrum of which person will have to drive to get to the marina and/ or the beach.

Tip # 2. Decide on your purchase price budget. This is a bit easier than it seems because as realtors we can help you with this. Once you decide on the monthly payment amount you don’t want to exceed, we can work forward to give you a general home price range this monthly payment will handle. Given today’s historic low interest rates, I think you will be exceedingly pleased at the price range home that your stipulated payment will control in the current market.

Tip #3. Start previewing homes on- line to get a feel for the homes available in your price range with the lifestyle amenity you selected in step # 1. Blue Heron’s main website, www.blueheronva.com , is organized by lifestyle, we’ve tried to make it easy to locate the type of property you want without searching a hundred other things first. ( In fact, we have gotten a lot of complements on how user- friendly our website actually is.) Each property has an individual data sheet that can be printed or bookmarked, making it easy to keep track of any particular property. And don’t forget to order our free prime property catalogue, on-line from our home page or call 800-258-3437.

Tip#4. Make an appointment to come visit the Eastern Shore and see our beautiful properties for yourself. The Shore is a relaxed, low-key area with wide open green spaces and a comfortable rural feel, interspersed by small coastal towns and historic villages. And for icing on the cake, Northampton County is less than an hour’s drive from the Hampton Roads area ( Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake), the 32nd largest metro area in the US. We’re not for everyone of course, plenty of day-to- day shopping but no huge malls, not much for bright lights and loud music . But if Capt. John Smith’s 1609 comment about the Shore appeals to you: ” Heaven and Earth never agreed better to frame a place for man’s habitation” then you might be a great candidate for the Shore. Life on the Eastern Shore is like having your cake and eating it too, a relaxed lifestyle here but access major shopping, cultural and culinary amenities ( plus an international airport) within 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the neighborhood you select. Many of the folks purchasing a leisure home on the Shore are intending to live here full-time in the future, possibly for retirement or relocation, so then having metro type amenities within easy driving distance becomes more inportant in the overall equation.

Tip#5. Decide if you want to defray some of your carry costs by doing weekly vacation rentals. Blue Heron offers a vacation rental department which can handle rental and most of the management of your vacation home. When you visit the Shore to look at properties we can introduce you to our Vacation Rental Manager who can discuss the program with you. We work with owners to set up a schedule of the weeks during summer that they want personal use of their home and the weeks they want to rent it. May to September is the main vacation season here which leaves plenty of time during the rest of the year for lots of additional personal use. Since Virginia’s Eastern Shore has a terrific climate, with long pleasant Springs and Falls, you can get a lots of use and pleasure out of your vacation home while still defraying some carry costs by doing vacation rentals.

Hopefully these 5 tips were helpful. We would love to hear from you and show you some of the great deals out there right now. With the deals available and the current amazingly low interest rates, we think it’s a great time to consider investing in one of our beautiful Eastern Shore homes regardless of whether or not you are thinking of becoming a part of a vacation rental program. So give us a call at 800-258-3437 to make an appointment or to order your copy of our free prime property catalogue. ( Posted by Marlene Cree, licensed Virginia agent with Blue Heron Realty Co., 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr., Machipongo VA )

Tags: Bay Creek Golf Resort real estate, Blue Heron Realty Co. Machipongo and Cape Charles, Cape Charles Virginia, Cape Charles Virginia historic home for sale, Chesapeake Bay real estate, Eastern Shore of Virginia, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Real Estate, Virginia beachfront property, waterfront home for sale
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Life and Real Estate on the Eastern Shore of Virginia