An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

June 1, 2013

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.

Metompkin Morning (9)

Mist Banner

     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
Kerr Gate

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

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

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

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

Kerr Place - Peony

     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.
Onancock (2)

     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.

Parker's Creek  - Mount Custis

     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.
Parker's Creek - C onfederate 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.

Metompkin Island (2)

Metompkin Island


38 comments:

  1. Lovely!~
    "Cold enough for birth control"! That is a new one to me :)

    Love the peonies....wow.

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    1. I have never swam on these beaches when the water is warm, but with the long cold spring, it is especially cold this year.

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  2. I got quite a chortle from the name of this place! Onan (Genesis 38:9) after whom onanism was named combined with cock sort of rubbed me the wrong way (sorry I couldn't help it.) Then I learned that it means foggy place in a Native American language. Anyway, it looks like you had a nice three day weekend! Beautiful sunrise shots and I love the beach treasures!

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    1. That name intimidates some people and it get mispronounced often. If you like that name, there a small place nearby called Assawoman.

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    2. Since I come from near Lancaster Co. in Penna., I had to chuckle at the observations about Onancock and Assawoman. After all, we have Blue Ball, Intercourse, and Bird in Hand.

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  3. Those are some great shells found on the beach. I had no idea Virginia had such pretty shells. That's a beautiful home. I can imagine what it all looks like inside and being the lady of the manor. Great curb appeal on that house indeed! Cute picket fence and some nice color. So glad you got a mini vacation-year of firsts indeed and I bet you are enjoying the change.

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    1. Tina those shells are so numerous where we go you can hear them rolling in the surf.

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  4. These old houses are so charming! Your shots of sunrise and sea shells are superb!

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  5. As usual Les, great pictures! Love the shells. Vikki

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    1. I love the shells too. I brought two grocery bags home.

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  6. Thanks for taking me along on your Memorial Weekend trip.

    That last photo is my favourite.

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    1. You are welcom, Sybil. I hope to being going away again soon, and you are welcome to tag along.

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  7. Looks like a great vacation. Love those pomegranate tree flowers!

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    1. Jason, pomegranate are one of my favorite flowering trees, though they are probably more of a shrub.

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  8. Thanks for sharing so many interesting bits. If you're interested in finding the rest of the Confederates, I can say with certainty they are here in SC. How was the garden tour?

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    1. The garden tour went really well. I had two vans of people show up. Having lived in SC for a time, I know there are many Confederate relics, some more active than others.

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  9. Oh, the East coast, so much beauty. Beautiful images as always, Les. I like the pomegranate plant. I cannot remember seeing one before. Pretty flowers and foliage.

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    1. We are just inside the northern limit for pomegranates, and I am glad of it.

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  10. Lovely!! I love the way you spend your "off" days and your photo tours for all of us!
    Thanks!!

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  11. You have such an eye for composition. How nice to get away for a mini vacation.

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  12. Thanks for the great photos and for taking us along on your vacation! I had no idea what a pomegranate looked like or what beautiful flowers it has. The shells are superb! Again, thanks so much for sharing!

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    1. I actually had a hard time getting the color of the flower right. That orange is off the scale.

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  13. Ker Place has always been a favorite destination but was captivated by your family history at Mount Custis. Love that history! Wondered if the schoolhouse is standing.

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    1. The schoolhouse still stands and the whole estate seems to be well tended to.

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  14. I love the picture with the shell's !

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  15. Congrats on a long overdue 3-day weekend. I must prefer life in a bubble, because I've never watched HGTV. Just the words "curb appeal" are somehow depressing. And, Les, you need to get busy on that novel/memoir about your family living at Mount Custis near Parker Creek. Seriously!

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    1. You are not missing much in your bubble, believe me.

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  16. Thanks for sharing your weekend getaway, Les. Those spectacular sunrise shots make me want to get up earlier :).

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    1. Sue, I can't help but get up early. If it is not my restlessness, it is my dog's.

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  17. Glorious photos, hope you had a wonderful thee days, you have waited a long time for them! Those shells are extraordinary.

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    1. Janet, it was indeed a wonderful three days.

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  18. Your photos inspire me Les. They are a delight to see. Now if only I could grow roses that looked that beautiful. gail

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  19. I love going on trips with you. The photgraphs are beautiful.

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