Extended Stay At Kilmarnock

The journey to Kilmarnock, VA was uneventful and found us in very nice weather... although the winds were to change. We are finding that the while the weather can be very nice, the winds can build to a point that it is best to not leave port. So we did not for five days instead of three.

As with all the small towns we have visited, we have found them to be very picturesque. Kilmarnock...

... the locals are fond of saying, is a sister city of Kilmarnock, Scotland. This happens to be the location of Johnny Walker Scotch Whiskey. I knew that some of you would recognize the name now!

Having rented a car we toured the area which started with breakfast at Lee's Diner.

It was a classic with many of the towns people there discussing all the local topics of any small town. We then explored the local area with the intent of going to the local Steam Boat Museum.

This museum traces the history of the steam boat era on the Chesapeake Bay. Having many pictures displayed, it reminded us a lot of the Mosquito Fleet on Puget Sound.

Along the way we discovered where one of the local wineries was located...

... noted that there are many beautiful dogwoods in bloom...

... and a place where you can truly exercise your mind and your body at the same time.

The gift shop had a "self help" section but after turning a few pages of this book, we determined it was too late.

One of our days took us to Heathsville where there was a Arts and Crafts Fair that day. It was a husband's dream fair.
With a 2:55 PM arrival and the fair closing at 3:00 PM, it left little time to check out all the booths. Oh well....

Instead we explored the town and some of the historic buildings. These included an old house...

... the old courthouse...

... with Civil War Memorial in front...

and the nearby Rice Hotel with Hughlette's Tavern from 1795. I am sure that George Washington slept here.

On one afternoon we were paid a visit from  Fathom boat owners, Tab and Susan, along with their friends, John and Donna. We had contacted them through the Fathom owners group and found that they kept their boat nearby. We had a little Fathom celebration and compared notes on each others boat. We then met later for dinner at Tab and Susan's Bay House at the edge of the Chesapeake.

The next day we explored the Great Neck peninsula of Virginia. This is bordered by the Potomac River on the north and the Rappahannock River on the south. It is in this area that was the birthplace of two US presidents. We first visited the site of the birthplace of James Monroe, the fifth president.

There is a visitors center there and a few signs but the house is gone.

Next came the George Washington birthplace.

That house burned as well but a "home of the period'' was built some time ago to replace it on an adjacent site.

The Washington family moved to Mount Vernon when George was 3 1/2 years old.

The property is on Pope's Creek ...

... which is just off the Potomac River as noted on the map.

There were trails to follow to explore the recreated gardens, buildings, and grounds. The fenced in garden area was quite large...

... with a closer view of some of the contents.

The nearby house..

was situated with a beautiful view of the bay.

There was a cook house not far away...

as well as a blacksmith shop.

The fields on the farm were outlined by long fences...

... as was the pig sty.

I think the fences today are more oriented towards keeping the tourists out than livestock in.

This last sign gave us quite a chuckle. We usually have a picnic in the park!!!

Nautical Word For The Day: [from seatalk.info]

Baggy Wrinkles:

1. Chafing gear fashioned out of old hemp rope and wound on the mast shrouds to protect the sails from damage.

From Great Loop Jargon:

2. Thought to be the greatest fear of most women.