Life and Real Estate on the Eastern Shore of Virginia

NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO PLAN YOUR SUMMER VACATION IN CAPE CHARLES, VIRGINIA

February 22nd, 2019 by Marlene email

As I write this post, cold rain is sloshing down here on Virginia’s Eastern Shore but almost everywhere else on the East Coast, folks are digging out from under another miserable storm, with yet another avalanche of snow and ice. Brrrr… So what that says to me is that it’s time to turn to more pleasant thoughts …. like planning a beach vacation ! Nothing like dreams of summer fun, of toes wiggling in the sand and sea breezes cooling the brow to push away the reality of winter blues. ( Did the groundhog see his shadow? How many more weeks to go ? )

And if you’re looking for a weekly vacation rental which offers both a relaxed and quiet atmosphere paired with lots to do, might I suggest Cape Charles, VA as a great destination. Coastal traditions, historic towns and tiny villages to explore, soft sandy beaches to relax on, off-shore Barrier Islands to visit, broad saltwater inlets to boat and kayak, fabulous fishing and crabbing, artist’s studios and antique shops to visit, seafood restaurants to sample, Palmer and Nicklaus golf to take a swing at– from A for Art Galleries to Z for Zesty clam dip, there is so much to do. Or… just laz around on the deck, book in hand, a iced tea or cold glass of Chardonnay waiting close by, letting the tension just slip away like an outgoing tide. That is the promise of a Simply Relaxing Vacation on Virginia’s Eastern Shore because Virginia’s Eastern Shore is not just a place, it’s a relaxed coastal state of mind !

Which brings us to the list of the 9 terrific vacation homes offered this year for weekly vacation rental through Blue Heron Vacation Rentals ( Use this link to email them your desired dates and the house you are most interested in at easternshorevacationtime@gmail.com . Or call them at 757-678-5277 ) Though the homes vary by size and price, each has a distinctive personality– historic, waterfront, beachfront, in-town, in the country. From a ” 1 bedroom cozy nest for two” through ” 5 bedrooms, sleeps 14″, there is something for everybody. ( And a couple are even for sale, so if you fall in love with it, it could be yours for life !! How cool is that ?

“SEA GATE”-Ca. 1912 Charm. 1 Block to Beach. Sleeps 14. Equipped Rec. Room.

“BayPlace”-Exquisite Historic Home, 7 Bdrms, Sleeps 18 ,Comfy Furnishings, Fully Equipped Kitchen.

Historic “Peach Retreat” Sparkles Like New! Great Location. Pets Considered.

“SEASHELL COTTAGE” -Enjoy Your Vacation With Only Steps To The Soft Sand Cape Charles Beach.

“BayView Cottage”- West Indies Style Home; Community Beach & Pool; Waterfront Dining Nearby.

“SEAHORSE RETREAT”, Only 1 Block From The Beach, A Sweet Beachy Vacation Nest For 2 Or 4 In Quaint Cape Charles.

“Dolphins’ Doorway” 3 Bedrooms, 3 1/2 Bath With A Backyard Beach!

“Bayfront Breezes”- Charming Bayfront Home, Spectacular Sunsets Over the Water, Beach Access.

“SANDY HARBOR COTTAGE” A Waterfront Vacation Home With Beach Access On Virginia’s Eastern Shore Offering Both Beach and Boat Dock.

Tags: Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Posted in At the Beach, Birding, Entertainment, Fishing, Golf, Historic Homes, Just Having Fun, Nature, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns, Vacation rental homes | No Comments »

Beautiful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home custom beach access home in small Eastern Shore Virginia beachfront neighborhood close to Cape Charles.

February 8th, 2019 by Marlene email

Located on 1 acre plus and offered at $375,000, this like new home offers a light and airy open floor plan, hardwood floors, custom cabinets, granite counters, recessed lighting, stainless appliances, 6 ceiling fans, etc. First floor master bedroom accesses back deck and has beautiful master bath with jetted tub, walk-in shower and exquisite hand painted dual sinks, large walk-in closet. 3 nice sized bedrooms upstairs with full bath and a large room over the garage perfect for recreation, fitness, home theater or office. Asphalt driveway & large two car garage gives plenty of room for keeping boat, kayaks and other beach toys. Large backyard that backs up to wildlife refuge. Easy access to amenities of Kiptopeke State Park (Beach, fishing pier, hiking trails, etc.) Just a short drive to Cape Charles offering 2 marinas, Palmer and Nicklaus Signature golf, restaurants, art galleries, theatre and shops. This relaxing coastal property is perfect for a leisure home, retirement home or year round living.

Tags: Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Eastern Shore VA real estate, Kiptopeake State Park, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Posted in At the Beach, Fishing, Real Estate | No Comments »

WATERFRONT DUTCH COLONIAL ON VIRGINIA’S EASTERN SHORE

January 25th, 2019 by Marlene email

This attractive 3 bedroom, 3 bath Dutch Colonial style home with backyard dock located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore is priced to sell at $299,000 . Plenty of elbow room, located on a partially wooded, well-maintained 2.1 acre parcel. Spacious kitchen features granite countertops, and custom cabinetry, opens to a very comfortable sunroom overlooking the water. Beautiful views of the saltwater inlet from the Chesapeake Bay. Great property to enjoy the property’s abundant bird life and many species of water fowl. Hardwood floors and tile downstairs in the common rooms, solid wood doors, multiple ceiling fans, two balconies upstairs overlooking the water. The backyard dock is perfect for a small boat or kayak. Property includes a detached three car garage, large storage shed and a potting shed. Boat launch for a larger boat is located only about 3 miles away. Come live the Eastern Shore coastal life !

Posted in Birding, Boating, Fishing, Kayaking, Nature, Real Estate, Uncategorized | No Comments »

LIGHTING UP THE SKY WITH EASTERN SHORE HOLIDAY SPIRIT !

December 20th, 2018 by Marlene email

Say it with lights – -that’s a wonderful way to spread effervescent holiday cheer ! Beautiful colors and dazzling designs can radiate joy and exuberance from a chimney top to the shrubbery below and all points in between. So take a moment, take a drive, check out some of the beautiful light displays on the lower Shore this season. On Fairview Road, just past Kiptopeake School, a dazzling Christmas wonderland, with music ! In Cape Charles this year, from Central Park to the Beach Gazebo, up and down every street, sparkling lights are glowing in the dark, brilliant colors of illumination, brightening the holiday season for every passerby. Cheriton is on board too ! Lots of colorful lights twinkle hello. And congrats to Blue Heron Realty agent Mike Killebrew of Cheriton, your house looks really great, beaming a silent but sparkling and vibrant Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all !

Posted in Events In Cape Charles, Historic Homes, Just Having Fun, Our Little Towns, Uncategorized | No Comments »

We Saw An Elf At The Palace On Sunday !

December 18th, 2018 by Marlene email

Yes, we definitely, positively, absolutely, unequivocally …… saw an Elf in the Palace. The Palace being the historic Palace Theatre in Cape Charles and the Elf being the star of “Elf Jr. The Musical”. With a delightful stage set and a large and enthusiastic cast, this newest live Palace production by the GEAR School of Dance and Theatre, was a bubbly holiday treat. Plenty of singing and dancing, from tiny tots to tweens and adults, they put on a real show ! It may have been cold and rainy outside but inside the audience was toasty warm and enveloped in cheery Christmas spirit. So bravo to the cast members and all the volunteers whose time and hard work made this holiday entertainment possible, thanks so much, we loved it !

Posted in Events In Cape Charles, Just Having Fun, Our Little Towns, The Arts, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Pick Up Some Holiday Vibe ! Two More Chances To Experience A “Festive Friday” Evening In Cape Charles This Holiday Season !

December 17th, 2018 by Marlene email

If you haven’t been to Cape Charles on a Friday night this holiday season, happily, you still have two more opportunities to enjoy the fun during the 5th Annual Festive Friday evening celebrations in the historic downtown area. Strolling down Mason Avenue will give you a Close Encounter of the Best Kind with Santa and Mrs. Claus. You can find them relaxing in front of their Cape Charles “vacation home” at Strawberry Street Station, a respite from their busy North Pole primary residence at the Toy Factory. Nearby, a ballooning project will be happening, myriad shapes and colors magically fashioned for delighted boys and girls. Last Friday at the Candy store, busy kids gathered around a table of colorful icings to decorate their gingerbread men, a tasty task. Across the way at Lemon Tree Gallery, the Boot Scootin’ Belles were bursting with energy and ready to go, those boots were made for dancing and dance they did ! Out front, a magician made one tiny foam rabbit turn into about 8 tiny rabbits right in my own chilly hand- – amazing, still can’t imagine how he did it !

So many things to see and do for kids and adults alike. Beautiful and cheery shop windows along Mason Avenue and down Strawberry Street, dressed to the nines for the holidays, beckon to smilingly folks strolling past. Lively songs by Christmas carolers, horse drawn carriage rides, clever street performers, candlelight story reading by Mrs. Claus at the Library, free holiday movies – – always something to delight everyone. Many of the shops feature live music to entertain customers who clearly love it all.

Festive Friday is the perfect opportunity to get your holiday spirit on and shop for your Special Someones. Check out the new jewelry at Moonrise, find a unique piece of art at the Lemon Tree or Ellen Moore Gallery, relax over a scrumptious gourmet dinner at Hook Up, warm up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate at the popular Cape Charles Coffee House, indulge in a hot read plus hot coffee at the newly-opened Peach Street Books, explore international gifts at Voiajer, browse the new inventory at Periwinkle’s. Try sampling the wonderful flavors of sweet balsamic vinegars at Drizzles or head down Gull Hummock’s way to select your New Year’s Eve champagne. Take some time to drop in for info on new listings from Blue Heron Realty or browse the gift shop at the gorgeously renovated Northampton Hotel. This and so much more awaits you each Friday night until Christmas !

It’s so, so easy to get into the swing of things and pick up some holiday vibe. On Friday, December 14th or 21st, just grab your whole group and head on out to one of the Eastern Shore’s best holiday events, Festive Friday in historic downtown Cape Charles. Get ready to discover the old-fashioned fun of a small town coastal Christmas . You’ll have a great time, guaranteed !

Posted in Business, Entertainment, Events In Cape Charles, Our Little Towns, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Candles, Holiday Music, Decorated Golf Carts, Lights and Smiles Highlighted the 8th Annual Grand Illumination In Cape Charles

December 7th, 2018 by Marlene email

We’ve all heard the phrase “The show must go on”. But last weekend we saw it in action as, after holding off for most of the day, rain began falling at a pretty good rate just as the Lighted Golf Cart Parade, traveling down Peach St., crossed over Tazewell Ave. and headed into Central Park for the 2018 Grand Illumination. But no worries, everyone just kept going, undaunted, this unique- to-Cape-Charles Parade and Illumination kept moving forward, offering dazzling lights and decorations, wonder and joy to the many kids and adults who ventured out to see it. Tots bundled in zipped up strollers, parents with umbrellas at the ready, headed into the Park. Over at the Gazebo, plenty of hot chocolate on hand to warm cold hands although fortunately temps were pretty mild. In fact, in retrospect, rain doesn’t seem so bad, actually a silver lining- – thank heavens it wasn’t sleet !

It was a wonderful evening, with candles lit and a moment of silence held in memory and honor of loved ones and first responders. Then the traditional countdown, a flip of the switch – – voila’ ! Holiday lights strung around the Gazebo and the trees were revealed in their shining glory. (A shout-out here to Citizens for Central Park, without whose hard work we would not have this amazing community amenity.)

Definitely a highlight of the event was a rousing performance in the Gazebo by the impressive Tidewater Concert Band. What a splendid treat to have live orchestral holiday music, 30 musicians strong ! The Band was great, playing favorites of the season, the percussion section making Little Drummer Boy and Do You Hear What I Hear particularly delightful, loved their rendition of Feliz Navidad with its upbeat tempo and joyful wishes. Super Kudos to those who arranged the booking of this Band, I really hope that having the Tidewater Concert Band back every year could become a favorite Cape Charles Grand Illumination tradition!

Of course, no Christmas event would be complete without a visit from the jolly old Elf himself. Pretty sure the little kids and big kids alike loved seeing Santa and Mrs Claus who dispensed hugs, danced do-se-do with youngsters and posed for many a photo, kids smiling ear to ear ! ( Another Shout Out, this time to Trina Veber, Santa’s better half since the very 1st Grand Illumination. On that freezing evening, December 4th, 2010, so many folks, young, old, toddlers and teenagers alike, poured into Central Park for the celebration. Chris Bannon, aka Mr. Cape Charles, dressed jauntily in a bright red Santa hat and jacket, was the first Master of Ceremonies. Mayor Dora Sullivan threw the Illumination switch for the very first time and Trina & Larry Veber made the first “surprise” Santa visit, passing out candy canes, sitting for photos, listening to kids earnestly whisper Christmas hopes and dreams in their ears. )

Not to sound too sentimental, as a lot of water has passed over the dam since that first Illumination, yet I believe that the same spirit of goodwill, hope and holiday joy that was present when the very first Memory Candles were lit 8 years ago still prevails today. In that spirit, Blue Heron Realty Co. wants to wish you a Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad from the bottom of our hearts.

P.S. if you’re interested in seeing photos from that 1st Grand Illumination in Dec., 2010, click the link http://www.easternshorevablog.com/2010/12/ to our Life and Real Estate blog and open the Dec. 2010 Archive in the right- hand navigation bar.

Posted in Events In Cape Charles, Just Having Fun, Our Little Towns, Weather | No Comments »

Autumn on Virginia’s Eastern Shore

December 4th, 2018 by Marlene email

I love Frank Sinatra’s rendition of “Autumn in New York”. I’m especially intrigued by his question “Why does it seem so inviting?” which question applies equally to Autumn on the Eastern Shore. Why does it indeed seem so inviting? To me, Autumn is one of our most beautiful times of year, offering common yet timeless scenes of crops being harvested, fields newly tilled for winter grains, myriad yards with fall azaleas and camilias blooming in gorgeous shades of rosy pinks and fuscias. Along blue waters, marsh grasses slowly fade from brilliant green to butterscotch to winter’s brown. Halloween pumpkins come and go, Fall events like the Agricultural Fair, Birding Festival and Thanksgiving Artisan Tour are exciting but really, the main event is color, the amazing colors of the season taking center stage, everywhere – – leaves with near infinite shades of tangerines and ambers, crimsons and scarlets, rustle on trees from seaside to bayside, acres of cotton transform brown fields to snow-white, late soybean leaves gleam like bright yellow mustard, open landscapes of tender green blades of newly sprouted rye crops lend a pastoral feel. And the Air, the breezes blow fresh, cool, crisp. But best of all, clear cerulean skies frosted with billowing white clouds that float boldly above the cobalt blue waters of creeks and bays. All of which is why the Eastern Shore in Autumn seems so inviting to me!

Posted in Climate and Weather, farming, Nature, Weather | No Comments »

Cloudy Then Rainy. Yet the 2018 Artisan’s Guild Holiday Tour Was Still Great

November 27th, 2018 by Marlene email

From Cape Charles to Onancock, 43 talented Eastern Shore Virginia artists and artisans threw open their studio doors, welcoming the world to enter and discover the unique items on offer during the 16th Annual Artisan Holiday Tour this past Friday and Saturday. It may have been cloudy and then rainy outside but inside the many stops on the 14 studio plus Chatham Vineyard self-driving Tour, it was cozy, friendly and warm. Unfortunately, because of a late start we didn’t make it to every location….. but there’s always next year !

We kicked off at the Milby Barn Studio at Chatham Flower Farm located in Painter where we were greeted by Kate Meyer, likely humorously known as the Painter of Painter. ( Also the hostess of the recent and hugely successful Farm-to-Table dinner which we unfortunately missed.) From there forward to Maurice Spector’s studio featuring unique wood and stone sculptures. Mo hosted 4 other artists at his waterfront home including David Crane, Miriam Riggs, Marty Burgess and Guy Shover. Oysters were on the grill, smoke drifting, aromas tempting, totally relaxing.

Onward to By The Bay Alpaca Farm, one of my perennial favorites. Their alpacas are so cute- – when you pet them they are delightfully warm and luxuriously soft and silky ! Definitely the place to stock up on alpaca sox, perfect stocking stuffers for anyone on your List who fights cold feet all winter ! From there we were off to the tiny town of Harborton where Windhorse Barn and Studio overlooks Pungoteague Creek. Painted a whimsical shade of fuchsia , the Barn hosted multiple artists and offered a blazing fire pit surrounded by plenty of chairs to enjoy it.

After a lunch break at Janet’s Cafe in Onancock, (home to one of the best roast beef sandwiches on the entire Shore), we stopped in at Danny Doughty’s studio. ( Danny and his work were honored earlier this year at the University of Virginia’s Batten School of Leadership and Pubic Policy. ). Located above the Red Queen Gallery, Danny’s was not on the official Tour but we are huge fans of his work and wanted to see what new pieces were hanging on the walls of his large and light-filled gallery. Plus he always has a spectacularly decorated Christmas tree ! Well, this year the tree was “Under Construction” but Danny’s fabulous new art work definitely did not disappoint, including a large Ballard Fish company commissioned painting on which he is currently putting the finishing touches.

Just a few blocks over, the Vesna Zedovic studio. Vesna’s mirrors, framed with a surround of hand-cast pottery tiles of sea creatures or butterflies or flowers are really amazing. We’re lucky to have a small collection of beautiful her red clay tiles stretching back many years to when we first saw her pottery at the former Old Thyme Garden and Gifts in Weirwood. Vesna is still going strong nearly 30 years later although working primarily in white clay now.

By then the rain was really doing its thing but nobody seemed deterred as we rolled up to the Ker Place Museum where Gertraud Fendler’s sea glass jewelry, David Farlow decoys and Diana Davis watercolors were being shown as part of the Tour. In addition, the Museum itself had a featured exhibit of Shore WW I memorabilia, pretty interesting. And then to our last stop of the day, the historic Onancock School with its numerous exhibitors. We took a moment to watch carver Brad Bradach work on one of his miniature decoys before slipping over to see what Bobby Bridges, Billy Crocket, Elizabeth Hunt and Laura McGowan were showing. Everybody had beautiful things on offer, unique, one-of-a-kind art, perfect for a distinctive holiday gift for a Special Someone or possibly, dare we say it….. a holiday gift for oneself ! And then, all over, time to go home after a long but delightful day ! But definitely ready to do it all again next Thanksgiving !

Tags: 2018 Thanksgiving Artisan Tour, Artisan's Guild of the Eastern Shore, Events in Cape Charles, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Posted in Crafts, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns, The Arts, Virginia History | No Comments »

JUST ONE MORE CHANCE THIS YEAR !

November 27th, 2018 by Marlene email

It was a beautiful Fall day last Saturday, blue skies, wispy white clouds, golden sunshine, perfect for the next-to-last Cape Charles Farmer’s Market session of the year. Attendees enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the grounds in the near 60 degree weather, stocking up for the weeks ahead. For the many aficionados of the Farmer’s Market, it’s a fact, sad but true, that there is only one more chance this year to meander through the Market, picking up special goodies as you go ! So mark it on your calendar, Saturday December 15th from 1-4 pm, the very last market of the year, after that it’s farewell till May to all your favorite vendors.