January 25th, 2018 by Marlene email
We are thrilled that our little coastal town of Cape Charles is in the “Top 10” on Coastal Living Magazine’s 2018 list of the “Happiest Seaside Towns” ! Every year for the past seven years, Coastal Living magazine has created a Top 10 list of the “Happiest Seaside Towns”. Original nominations come via social media. From there, Coastal Living evaluates the nominees for such qualities, outlined on its website, as we looked at their ranking the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, percentage of clear and sunny days, healthiness of beaches, commute times, walkability, crime ratings, standard of living and financial well-being of locals, geographic diversity, and our editors’ assessment of each town’s “coastal vibe.”
Cape Charles is very much a happy little town, relaxed, low-key, with lots of lifestyle amenities and things to do. A beautiful soft sand beach, multiple
marinas and boat ramps, Palmer and Nicklaus1Aerial 300dpi2 Signature golf courses, cute little shops and galleries, an impressive art presence, a theatre, fine and casual dining, all these opportunities are the raw ingredients. Mix in the wonderful Cape Charles community spirit and there we see the possibilities for being voted the 2018 Happiest Seaside Town ! If you want to participate and vote for Cape Charles, click the link below. You can vote multiple times but voting ends at 5pm on February 6,2018. As of this writing, Cape Charles was fifth in the number of votes so we have a ways to go to hit #1 by February 6th. So let’s get voting !!
HERE IS THE LINK FOR VOTING: https://www.coastalliving.com/travel/happiest-seaside-town
Tags: Blue Heron Realty Co., Cape Charles Virginia, Chesapeake Bay real estate, Coastal Living Magazine, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Fishing, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Nature
Posted in At the Beach, Boating, Entertainment, Events In Cape Charles, Golf, Historic Homes, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns, Sailing, The Arts, Uncategorized, Virginia History | No Comments »
January 25th, 2018 by Marlene email
Located in the charming historic beach town of Cape Charles, VA in the impressive Plantation Pointe village at Bay Creek Golf Resort, “Magnolia” was designed with a traditional Southern flair, combining the classic with the nostalgic in a modern waterfront home with all the bells & whistles. Offered at $1,700,000 and located on a partially wooded 1.12 acre lot on a wide saltwater inlet from the Chesapeake Bay, this magnificent home of over 7000 sq. ft. offers 6 bedrooms, 5 full and 3 half baths, 3 fireplaces, 4 balconies, an amazing chef’s kitchen, a spacious media room, mahogany paneled library, a 3 car garage and a backyard dock. From the gracious entry foyer with gorgeous inlaid magnolia mosaic to the broad rear patio with in-ground pool overlooking blue waters, this stunning home is ready for you and your guests and entertaining in brilliant style. Bay Creek offers miles of soft sand beaches, Palmer and Nicklaus Signature golf, jogging trails, pool, tennis, on-site restaurant and more along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Just 5 minutes to the Cape Charles Historic Area with yesteryear architecture, quaint shops, restaurants, theatre, art galleries, boat ramps and 2 marinas. So if you are coastal by nature, come discover the allure of our Eastern Shore Lifestyle ! Call us at 800-258-3437 for an appointment to view this very special home.
Tags: Bay Creek Golf Resort, Bay Creek Golf Resort real estate, Blue Heron Realty Co., Cape Charles Virginia, Chesapeake Bay real estate, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Eastern Shore VA real estate, Eastern Shore Virginia real estate, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Real Estate, Virginia Eastern Shore, waterfront home for sale
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January 25th, 2018 by Marlene email
You’ll feel like you are on a relaxing vacation everyday in this delightful 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath custom built, contemporary waterfront home on a high wooded knoll with a multi-slip dock & good boating water. Priced at $629,000, located in Machipongo on the scenic Eastern Shore of Virginia, just 15 minutes to all the great shopping and golf amenities in Cape Charles. Sited on a large lot on a quiet cul-de-sac, this spacious home with southern exposure and great water views offers coastal living at its best. Top of the line construction, great window package, chef’s kitchen with granite countertops, dual ovens, kitchen Island breakfast bar, masonry fireplace, intercom, recessed lighting, hardwood floors, custom bathroom tiles, full walls of near floor-to-ceiling windows for enhanced water views, Hunter Douglas blinds, etc. are just some of the upgrades in this lovely home. Filled with natural light, quite open and airy, with 14′ ceilings in Living Room and 12′ ceiling in family room. Family Room, kitchen, eat-in area (other Rm2) & living room are all open to each other, offering great water views and fabulous entertaining opportunities. Nearly every room opens onto the full house length back covered porch area. Large Master Bedroom with huge walk-in closet, Jacuzzi style tub and large shower with decorative tiles. Large bonus room over the oversized 2 car garage, perfect for fitness room/home theater/bunkhouse, etc. Multi-slip dock with seating, boat lift and plenty of space for all your other other water toys. Check out http://www.blueheronva.com/boating_properties/
Tags: Eastern Shore of Virginia, Eastern Shore VA real estate, Fishing, Kayaking, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Machipongo VA, Nature, Real Estate, waterfront home for sale
Posted in Boating, Uncategorized | No Comments »
January 9th, 2018 by Marlene email
Not only did the Super Moon shine brightly on the night of January 2nd, there is still a second 2018 Super Moon coming on January 31st. The 2018 calendar year boasted 2 Super Moons- – the January 2nd and the upcoming January 31st, a moon which will not only be a Super Moon, where the moon is closest in its orbit to Earth, but also a “Blue Moon”, a second full moon falling within a given calendar month. Chronicling the January 2nd event from the harbor’s viewing stand overlooking Parting Creek in Willis Wharf sounded like fun. Moon rise was indicated for 5:56 pm, more than an hour past sunset so full darkness which unfortunately, for me, increases the difficulty of getting good photo takes which include surrounding landscape. Even more unfortunately, it was well after 6 when we rolled up, the moon already above the horizon, disappointing, because seeing the moon as it just peeks over is always special. And it was really cold, dare we say Super Cold – – but the night was crystal clear, the stars were like brilliant twinkling diamonds flung across the sky and the moon glowed a deep, lovely gold, an incredible sight as it began its journey westward. Only a few boats were tied up in the marina, the harbor’s street lights creating a rather erie feel, water sluggish, new ice everywhere, little chunks and ice pans undulating around the empty boats, the super-bright Super Moon above, all the while my shutter finger screaming Frostbite Alert ! Frostbite Alert !
Up early on January 3rd, hoping for some good photos of Super Moon Set on my way to an appointment across the Bay. By the crack of dawn, as the moon was rapidly 
cruising West and the sun was rising slowly in the East, I was heading down Bayside Road. Although it was barely 6 am, an early gathering of Franktown farmers was already out in the field, pick-up taillights glowing red, bright spotlights illuminating a big piece of machinery, the Moon now pearly white and huge overhead, moonbeams falling softly on wide fields and clattering diesel motors below. Farming by moonlight, that’s dedication! Moon Set was indicated for 7:31 am on the 3rd but an early appointment in Virginia Beach kept exploration for a variety of moon-set photo locations to a minimum. Luckily, still bright and still Super, the moon yielded some interesting shots near The Colony, the Oyster Farm Marina and the Outlook pull-off on the Bridge. So, Super Moon 2018 # 1 over, looking forward to Super Moon # 2/Blue Moon on the 31st ! And then – – that’s it until January 21, 2019.
Tags: Arts Enter Cape Charles, Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, farming, Fishing, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Nature, Virginia Eastern Shore
Posted in At the Beach, Boating, Climate and Weather, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Weather | No Comments »
December 21st, 2017 by Marlene email
Happily, there is still one more chance to experience a “Festive Friday” in Cape Charles this season ! Still one more chance, on December 22nd, to enjoy the beautiful and cheery shop windows along Mason Avenue and down Strawberry Street, all dressed to the nines for the holidays. Maybe shop for a unique piece of art at Lemon Tree or Ellen Moore Gallery, enjoy a savory gourmet dinner at Hook-U-Up or a steaming cup of hot chocolate at the popular Cape Charles Coffee House, sample the smooth balsamic vinegars at Drizzles, select your New Year’s Eve champagne at Gull Hummock, visit with a friendly agent at Blue Heron Realty, browse the gift shop at the beautiful, newly re-opened Northampton Hotel, check out the international offerings from Voiajer, take a horse and carriage ride and so much, much, much more ! You might even take time to drop in at the “North Pole” to tell Santa or Mrs. Claus ( aka the ever-effervescent Trina Veber ) what you want, what you really, really want, for Christmas this year ! And so, Merry Christmas to all and to all a Goodnight !
If you’ve never, ever been to a “Festive Friday” in Cape Charles, you probably don’t realize that it is so much more than just a few merchants staying open late each Friday
evening between Thanksgiving and Christmas. At its heart, it is the culmination of the hopes, dreams, efforts and financial investments of a myriad of individuals, businesses and organizations who believed that Cape Charles could rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of its post-ferry, post- railroad, essentially “post-everything” economic doldrums and become, once again, the dynamic little coastal town of its yesteryear, with well cared-for homes and bustling shops, a spirit of civic pride and a sense of fun. And not to get too, too sentimental, but when you think back to the near-derelict homes throughout town and the boarded-up stores along Mason Avenue that were still in existence even 5 years ago ( farewell McCrory’s and BeLo, hello Strawberry Station), the Cape Charles transformation from down-at-heel to sparkling restoration is truly inspiring.
So “Festive Friday” is the actualization of those aspirations rolled into 2017, into lots of happy folks strolling down the street at 8 pm on a windy, cold December Friday evening, beautifully decorated shops serving smiling customers, clever street performers doing their entertaining thing, lively songs of the Christmas carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, delicious gourmet dinners and free holiday movies at the Palace Theatre. And, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, greeting excited little kids eager to shyly whisper their Christmas wishes. “Festive Friday” is truly like a 1000 points of new light, illuminating historic downtown Cape Charles, amazing and wonderful!!
Tags: Arts Enter Cape Charles, Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Events in Cape Charles, Events in Cape Charles VA, Holiday events in Cape Charles Virginia, Palace Theatre Cape Charles Virginia, Virginia Eastern Shore
Posted in Crafts, Entertainment, Events In Cape Charles, Fine and Casual Dining, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns, Uncategorized | No Comments »
December 8th, 2017 by Marlene email
The 2017 Annual “Grand Illumination” kicked off the official start of the holiday season in Cape Charles, VA last Saturday evening with the 7th Annual “Grand Illumination” in Central Park. This community event was originated in 2010 by Citizens for Central Park and was hosted for many years by Chris Bannon of Sea Gate BnB ( aka Mr. Cape Charles ) as its delightful Master of Ceremonies. A newish addition to these festivities, the “Golf Cart Parade”, started just a few years ago with 11 participating carts. It grew and grew into this year’s dazzling parade of 33 golf carts, all gussied up, resplendent with lights and ornaments, smiling drivers and laughing passengers. Happy to note that Blue Heron Realty’s cart participated again this year for a 2nd time – – looking good, Blue Heron guys and gals !
By tradition, Christmas carols were sung by the gathered crowd, candles were lit and held aloft by the audience in memory of
loved ones, hundreds of points of light, quite beautiful piercing the darkness of Central Park. And then, with a flip of a switch by the Mayor, thousands of lights on the Gazebo and on all the Park’s trees glowed brilliantly in the dark, a very Grand Illumination ! Afterwards, a jolly Santa Claus took Christmas requests from dozens of children whose heads would soon, no doubt, be dancing with visions of sugarplums. All this made cheerier under a bright moonlit sky, almost but not quite, the vaunted Super Moon, but very special nevertheless.
Tags: Blue Heron Realty Co. Machipongo and Cape Charles, Cape Charles Virginia, Cape Charles Virginia Central Park, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Events in Cape Charles, Holiday events in Cape Charles Virginia, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Posted in Entertainment, Events In Cape Charles, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns, Uncategorized | No Comments »
December 5th, 2017 by Marlene email
What appears brighter and bigger and might only appear but once a year ? A Super Moon ! And during the December 3rd the 2017 Super Moon, our moon orbited to its closest distance to earth for this entire year, making this silvery orb appear much brighter and larger than a normal full moon. Here are a few Eastern Shore Virginia Super Moon shots we took that night. From the vivid pink moonrise as it climbed above the horizon in Oyster, VA to its pearly white aspect and glittering beams high in the sky above Cape Charles, it really was a beautiful sight ! I think Shakespeare said it best – – “How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank ! Here we will sit and let the sounds of music creep in our ears. Soft stillness and the night become the touches of sweet harmony. “
By the way, soon, another Skywatchers delight ! A Blue Moon is coming – – In just a few weeks, the two Super Moons of 2018 will both take place in January, on the 2nd and 31st. The Moon on the 31st will be a “Blue Moon” as it is the second full moon in a calendar month. So, once in a blue moon … get ready to “croon love’s tune” to your honey by the light of these two silvery Super Moons !
Tags: Cape Charles Virginia, Cape Charles Virginia Central Park, Eastern Shore of Virginia, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Nature, Oyster VA
Posted in Climate and Weather, Events In Cape Charles, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns, Uncategorized | No Comments »
December 1st, 2017 by Marlene email
If an event has been on going for 15 years and counting, it’s a pretty sure bet that its been very successful and is back yearly by popular demand. Such is clearly the case for the traditional Eastern Shore of Virginia Artisan’s Guild Holiday Tour held annually on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year was another delight and a terrific opportunity to shop for unique gifts, large or small, for those special people in your life.
From little items like the adorably cute “mismatched” sox from Ten Good Sheep or a bottle of luscious Chardonnay from Chatham Winery to striking
handcrafted furniture at Windsor Chair to gorgeous paintings and jewelry at Lemon Tree Gallery, plus lots of creative offerings from artists too numerous to mention at the many other venues, Tour 2017 shone with the multi-talents of our many Eastern Shore artists. ( Including that so-cute and so-silky herd from By The Bay Alpacas who gave their wool that others might purchase hand- woven super- soft scarves and more ! )
And, even though not on the official Tour and time was short, we took a moment, after a quick lunch at the always- delicious Janet’s Cafe in Onancock, to drop in at the gallery of Danny Doughty. We love to check out his latest work and his always elegantly decorated Christmas tree. Wrapped up our day in Cape Charles at Lemon Tree Gallery which has a most impressive collection, showing variety of work from artists all over the Shore. By then, nearly sunset, can’t help myself, it was down to the beach for yet another shot of the ever- photogenic LOVE sign before heading home. Tour 2017 over – – but there is always next year !
Tags: Eastern Shore of Virginia, Events in Cape Charles, Holiday events in Cape Charles Virginia, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Nature, Virginia Eastern Shore
Posted in Business, Crafts, Entertainment, Events In Cape Charles, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns, The Arts, Uncategorized | No Comments »
November 28th, 2017 by Marlene email
For history buffs, the Eastern Shore of Virginia offers a cornucopia of delights- – our discovery and colonization in the early 1600’s, the trove of Colonial documents in the Eastville courthouse, the repository of the oldest continuous records in the US, the Arlington Plantation historic site, the Pear Valley yeoman’s cottage with a chimney brick dated 1631, our hundreds of historic homes lovingly restored and maintained. So it’s only natural that folks from the Shore feel a special kinship with that amazing re-creation of life in Colonial times, the Historic Area in Williamsburg, Virginia. Especially at the holidays.
To me, few things say holiday spirit and Yule tide decoration like the amazing all-natural wreaths and swags to be found on every door of every building in the
Historic Area. So, as often as possible, we try to have our traditional family turkey/stuffing/trimmings Thanksgiving dinner, complete with kids, grandkids and now, great grandkids, on Wednesday evening. Then, on Thanksgiving Day, hubby and I plus Eldest Daughter, etc. have lunch in Williamsburg at one of the old Taverns or at the gorgeously decorated Lodge.
One of the great things about living on the Eastern Shore is its central location- -we are so close to so many great places. So a trip to Williamsburg is a zip, zip of less than 2 hours, easy peasy. But when you arrive, it’s like stepping out of a time capsule, immediately drawn into a Colonial world, complete with horse drawn carriages, sheep grazing on the village green and residents going about their day dressed in long woolen cloaks, beribboned bonnets and tri-corn hats.
But first, lunch. From the many buffet choices, including a savory white bean bisque with fennel and sausage, a 
delicious roast pork with figs and new potatoes plus a myriad of salads, cheeses and charcuterie galore in between, lunch at The Lodge was truly delightful. The only thing I shall mention about the amazing dessert table is that the gingerbread with custard sauce was divine, exceeded only by the demi-tasse cups of decadent hot chocolate. Enough said, it was great !
But the big event of The Day is always the walk afterwards down Duke of Gloucester Street to see the wreaths. After all these years, I still love it as much as I did the very first time we came. The beauty of the decorations, the pine fragrance of all the greenery, the smoke from the bonfire, the cadence of the horse carriages as they travel down the street, the friendly dogs taking their masters for a walk, the excitement of the kids as the cannon booms, the smiling faces all around – – this says holiday to me.
Tags: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Eastern Shore of Virginia, fall foliage, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, week-end trips from Eastern Shore Virginia
Posted in Entertainment, Fine and Casual Dining, Just Having Fun, Uncategorized, Virginia History, Week-end Trips From Eastern Shore VA | No Comments »
November 21st, 2017 by Marlene email
Definitely past time to bid farewell to that sweetest season of sun, sand and fun here on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Summer. We clung tightly, reveling in the extra gift of many lovely days of Indian Summer we had this year. But now it’s time to just face it – – summer’s over ! The colorful vibrancy of Autumn is now upon us, with some chilly days in winter soon to follow. But not to worry, just close the eyes and memories of those lazy, hazy, glorious days of Summer 2017 shall ever sweetly spring to mind…. Goodbye Summer….
Tags: Blue Heron Realty Co. Machipongo and Cape Charles, Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore Barrier Island Center, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Events in Cape Charles, Fishing, Horses, Kayaking, Kayaking in Cape Charles VA, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Nature
Posted in At the Beach, Boating, Events In Cape Charles, Golf, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns, Sailing | No Comments »