Life and Real Estate on the Eastern Shore of Virginia

On 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 the 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.