General's Ridge Vineyard 005

The den and bar area in the farmhouse where we stayed.

General's Ridge Vineyard 004

C and I got up early Sunday morning so we could do some exploring in the area. The area is pretty rural. It was so hot and humid but at least we made an early start of it. We really had no destination so our adventure resulted in C driving me around for about 1.5 hours checking out various areas that looked as if they would have waterfront views. Unfortunately, many of the areas are privately owned and hence inaccessible. But we did find a little crab shack/marina where I snapped this dock dog making the most of his environs.

General's Ridge Vineyard 003

We stayed here!!! It was exactly as wonderful as you are imagining! Probably better. . .

General's Ridge Vineyard 002

There are a lot of photographs of this structure. I guess I kinda' experienced a wine-induced photographic crush on it. I'll try to keep it to a minimum.

I'll also spare you the 80 half snockered, blurry, dark frames documenting my attempt to capture heat lightening off the second story veranda in the dark. . .

Anyway, I've been meaning to to a little research on this thing. I saw a good number of them in the area. T and I are country gals but we weren't exactly sure how it functions. I suspect it is tied to the well somehow but I can't be certain.

If anyone knows, please comment.

General's Ridge Vineyard 001

Our friends G&T were soooooo thoughtful and invited us to stay in a big old farmhouse they rented for the weekend at a place called General's Ridge Vineyard. The property is a working vineyard/farm, located on Virginia's Northern Neck close to Hague, VA. The property did not disappoint. We had a wonderful weekend and are so happy we scored such a thoughtful and awesome invite.

Osprey Colonial Beach, VA 002

Here, you can see the little bird a little bit.

Osprey Colonial Beach, VA 001

I really liked Colonial Beach for the two pair of nesting ospreys that were in very close proximity to the beach behind the resturant. One young nestling was visible. The unfortunate part was from my vantage point, a large branch was sticking out from the nest at an angle that made getting a good picture of the baby bird nearly impossible.

Colonial Beach, VA

I sail an ocean.

Unsettled ocean.

Through restful waters. . .

and deep commotion

Sail on Sail on Sailor. . .

Sail on Sail on Sailor. . .

- Brian Wilson

Colonial Beach - BEST HUSH PUPPIES EVER!!

Their salad bar is for shit - not counting the beets. The beets rocked!! The hush puppies are a meal all by themselves. C's fried oyster sandwich - which I'm shocked he ordered on a non "R" month - was sublime.

If you are used to Maryland style crab cakes - don't order them elsewhere. You will be disappointed. (Ding dong D).

This place rocks location, service, and hush puppies.

I loved it! But not for the food. . . .

Fort Washington #008

C checks out the visitor's center at Ft. Washington.

We were so vile sweaty and still had a bit of a way to travel. It was so bad I considered taking a "bath" at the 7 11 with wet wipes and perhaps a shower under the Slurpee Machine.

Seriously, hot and humid.

I swear he does this just to torture me. Because when we finally reach our destination he grabs a beer and relaxes - while I'm unpacking, taking picks, and organizing dinner. . .

Not to demonize C but it does seem shady no?

Fort Washington #007

The vaulted arch and mechanisms for the doors at Fort Washington.

Fort Washington #006

Imagine the steps of militia and a fife and drum corp. . .Imagine the energy and excitement for a fledgling country. Imagine the tenacity, resolve, and ingenuity these patriots possessed. Imagine the sacrifices.

Imagine what you can do. Imagine your potential. If you hear the call. If it sets your heart on fire. If you feel it in your belly. If you believe in it. What can you do?

You can be revolutionary. It doesn't always take material resources. If some little kid can create "Beiber Fever" why can't we come together and fix a bigger problem? Healthcare perhaps?

Fort Washington #005

My Husband loves old forts. I think it's the history that attracts him.

I walk these structures wondering about lives and souls and the people that worked, lived, died at these places.

It's not really a ghost story for me. It's inspirational. It's humbling. Despite all the jokes I might make in hindsight, I walk grounds like these with tremendous respect and reverence.

A civilian will never know or understand completely. But we can respect. And C and I do.

Fort Washington #004

A glorious view on a hot and hazy day.

Fort Washington #003

This part is actually very cool.

1. It's like crossing a moat

2. It's cool and shaded

3. There are vaulted brick ceilings

4. There are very cool mechanisms that used to open and close the doors.

5. It's shaded, there's a cross breeze.*

*This I believe was the only mitigating factor in my chaffing thighs not starting a brush fire at this National Park.

Again WTF?

I'd love my National Park Passport Stamp with a side of errant scaffold. . .In true Ken Burns style, "It's like a cathedral."

Fort Washington #002

Clearly someone in our "party" is more excited about seeing the fort than the other someone. . .

Fort Washington #001

This structure was originally a bell tower for fog warnings. It currently serves as a channel marker on the Potomac.

Dream Northern Neck Winery Tour Starts Where?!

Yup. C won't be happy unless I'm sweating Chardonney. . .Or Baccardi. . .Or Miller Lite! Hahaha.

We started out pretty much on schedule thanks to C's hard work on Friday getting the house in order for a weekend away. We committed to leaving the house Saturday AM sometime about 8ish. We did pretty good. Thanks to his work, I just had to pack and gets the pets in order and make myself look pretty!

We pitted at the Hollywood Diner on Eastern Ave for breakfast and we were off towards Ft. Washington. (This C later admitted was a tad out of our way). However, we weren't in any hurry and I knew I could collect another little stamp in our National Parks Passport!

It was nearly 100 degrees and nearly 100% humidity by the time we hit Ft. Washington about 10:30 AM.

What was I thinking?!

Yeah. . .It was up hill. . .And I think it's been well established, I hate sweating, walking up hill, and pretty much anything that involves both options jointly.

Where Have I Been?!

Trying to knock a few items off my summer bucket list! Granted, playin' peek-a-boo with a groundhog at George Washington's birthplace wasn't exactly on the list but it's very delish when you get a value added experience.

Honestly, I'm not sure this is a groundhog. It looked very light in color. It didn't appear light enough to be a oppossum?

Spent a great weekend with some great friends at a magnificent 100 year old farm house - which smelled exactly like my paternal grandparents house, and had two stair cases just like their house! Between the friends and the location, I felt very much at home. And very much at peace.

The wineries probably helped too!