Three Day Weekend

     In a year of firsts, I was able to take off all three days of Memorial Day weekend for the first time in sixteen years. Our go-to getaway is Virginia's beautiful Eastern Shore, and it was nice to see it in late spring, a time of year I am not normally there. The weekend was somewhat low key, as the very windy weather hindered some of our on-the-water plans, but it did not prevent me from taking a daily sunrise walk with the dogs along the shores of Metompkin Bay.





     On Saturday my mother and I ventured to the town of Onancock, and I was able to get a few pictures, including some at Ker Place, one of the older, more historic homes in the small bayside town.  You can click here to go back in time for another Onancock visit.

Ker Place Gate

     There was a beautiful Cornus kousa in full bloom next to Ker Place.

     At the opposite end of the house were two pomegranates (Punica granatum), and I am a sucker for orange in the garden.

     Near the pomegranate and overlooking the herb garden was a row of large Lombardy poplars (Populus nigra), blown sideways by a chilly north wind.

     The herb garden had a few unidentified roses and peonies.  I may have not known their names, but the fragrances were unmistakable.

     Right behind the brick mansion was a more modest home, but I loved the garden that went with it.  As they would say on HGTV it has great curb appeal, which, from watching that network, is apparently the only reason to garden anymore.

     On Sunday I was able to get some kayaking in, but due to the wind I avoided open water and stuck to the upper reaches of Parker's Creek. This waterway figures large in my family history, and because of that I have been wanting to see it from the seat of my kayak.

     The most famous house on Parker's Creek is Mount Custis, which sits on a small rise overlooking the water and within sight of the Atlantic.  Part of it dates back to the early 1700's, with additions made several times over the centuries. Surrounding the house are some lovely old trees, established shrubs, an orchard and a meticulously maintained vegetable garden. To get to the house you have to drive down a long road, white from crushed oyster shells. My father, his parents and his three sisters lived here for many years - but not in the big house. My grandfather was the caretaker and would also take visitors hunting and fishing. All six of them lived in a small converted schoolhouse on the property, and much of what they ate was grown in the garden, or pulled from the sea.

     I found a few pictures of Mount Custis taken decades ago on the Library of Congress web site, a great resource, by the way.  It gave me my only glimpse of what the interior looks like.

Also on Parker's Creek, one of the last vestiges of the Confederate Navy.

     On Monday, Memorial Day, the winds were finally low enough to take the boat to Metompkin Island.  The fish were not biting and the the water was cold enough for birth control, but as always treasures were found on the beach.