A Wonderful and Relaxing Vacation!

We just returned from a wonderful and very relaxing week at the family cottage on a tranquil river near the Chesapeake Bay! The cottage is located in Virginia's historic Northern Neck. George Washington and his mother were born in the Northern Neck, and the county where our cottage is located is very rural with farming and crabbing being the primary industries. It is a wonderful vacation place and I have been going down there ever since I was born. Here's a travelogue with a lot of pictures!

The first thing we did was stop by Cap'n Reds to pick up some nasty fish bait to put in the crabpots which are essentially chicken wire boxes tethered to the end of our dock and resting on the sandy river bottom. This is what the bait got us this week:

I don't care for crab, but hubby and son certainly do! They picked the meat from these and made crabcakes later!

One of my fave things to do is go to the MANY thrift shops in the area. They're tucked in here and there. My aunt Lorraine and her friend Jo Ann run my fave thrift shop!

The thrift shop benefits the Northumberland County Animal Shelter and is open tuesday mornings (8-12), friday afternoon (12-5) and the third Saturday of the month. It is located on Highway 360 in Lottsburg on the side of the School Board building. It is packed FULL of cool stuff!

Here are some cool salt and pepper shakers at the thrift store!

Lorraine and Jo Ann are always willing to give smiles and lots of help for FREE! Please stop in and help out the animals! 100% of proceeds from the thrift shop go for medicine for the animals in the shelter.

Here's what I bought at the thrift store! I promise I left plenty for you all!

Well, a busy thrifting gal needs to get something to eat! So does hubby and son who've been working and soaking up the sun and water fun! This is my favorite place to buy seafood! The deli offers the freshest and tastiest seafood---crab is a specialty!

This is Cockrells Creek Seafood and Deli near the town of Reedville. Crabbers and fishermen bring their catch here and it's processed and sold on site. YUM!

One of the nearby towns is the "tony" town of Irvington. Home to the famous Tides Inn, it also home to unique architecture in the Northern Neck. Irvington is quite small, but take a look at these quaint and unusual structures:

The Hope and Glory Inn was voted the BEST bed and breakfast in America! It is famous for its outdoor bathtub!

This wonderful architect's office building is across the street from the Hope and Glory! Love it!

You only get one guess as to what happens in this building. Don't you ADORE the columns?!

On the road into Irvington, is White Fences Vineyards. The giant corkscrew is one of two on either side of the entrance!

Take a look at how heavy the grapes hang on the vines! After driving along the lane into the vineyard you encounter a charming and quaint neighborhood of reproduced Victorian "tent" houses. These are nestled in the oak and pine woods away from Irvington Road and are owned and rented out. Aren't they just adorable?

This is the bath house and pool!

One afternoon, a big sailing ship cruised into our river and dropped anchor there. This is the Maryland Dove partly-owned by the National Geographic. It is a reproduction 17th century sailing ship on it's way to a gathering of John Smith/Jamestown era ships further down the bay. The Maryland Dove decided to spend the night in our river.

Our Australian Cattle Dog had a great time in the water!

She also conked out in places she shouldn't have, like between the pillows on our bed!

I am always inclined to create when I'm on vacation. I got bit by the crafting bug very hard and turned out 17 new corsages this week! I hope to offer them individually on etsy this week and later some will be added to my totes!

Who says vacations can't be crafty too? Hope you all enjoy and find something FUN to do as summer winds down! XXOO, Beth