June 20, 2008
History envelops Westmoreland State Park like a thick fog off the Potomac. Human history surrounds it. Natural history is buried in it.
Westmoreland's 1,299 acres are the "X" on the treasure map of the Northern Neck's past. George Washington's and Robert E. Lee's birthplaces bookend the riverfront state park along Route 3. On Fossil Beach, treasure hunters regularly unearth 15 million-year-old shark's teeth, whale vertebrae and other ancient remains that have eroded out of Miocene-age sediments in the nearby Horsehead Cliffs.
A recent trip revealed all this but also treasures of a more immediate variety: a secluded fishing pond, near-empty trails and a chameleon-like ability to surprise visitors with varied habitats that seem as if they can't possibly exist there. These riches were as welcome as a fossil find and more surprising. Washington and Lee would have to wait for another day. Westmoreland has more than enough to keep the nature-lover busy.
After a tour from Park Manager Bill Jacobs, my wife, Jess, and I and our two dogs parked in a lot overlooking the mighty Potomac. Across the river, here a couple of miles wide, was Maryland's Cobb Island, the mainland and, farther south, Calvert Island.
The cliff we stood on was more than 100 feet above the river. In places, Jacobs said, it's as high as 150 feet. That's the first surprise Westmoreland offers. This is no coastal plain bottomland. Topography abounds. We discovered this as soon as we took off down the Big Meadow Interpretive Trail.
On both sides of the sandy path, the hardwood forest dropped off steeply. We hiked down to Fossil Beach, where park goers sifted the sand for fossils. Digging isn't allowed, but keeping serendipitous finds is.
The theory goes that about 15 million years ago, a shallow inland sea reached as far as Richmond. Aquatic critters such as sharks, whales and others died and were buried in what now is the sediment that makes up this area. Because towering cliffs are exposed, those remains constantly are being exhumed by wind and water.
From Fossil Beach, we hiked along Turkey Neck Trail next to a swampy area called Big Meadows. The trail was blissfully primitive and looked as if it doesn't get much traffic. We didn't see another hiker, though many people were down by the water at the park's two beaches.
Turkey Neck Trail eventually climbed out of Big Meadows through a stand of soaring white oaks, yellow poplars and hickories. Jacobs said parts of the park were logged not long before it opened to the public in 1936. This area clearly was not one of them. Jacobs pegged the white oaks' age at more than 250 years.
Westmoreland offers numerous options for outdoor-loving Virginians. There's a swimming pool, a snack bar and bait and tackle shop and kayaks for rent to explore the shoreline. Cabins and lodges are available to rent, and a few sites allow tent camping.
On the day we visited, kids and parents swarmed the pool and the nearby beach area, but it was the drive down there that was truly remarkable. Mountain laurel and ferns lined the steep hillsides sheltered from the sun by a high hardwood canopy. A creek ran alongside the road on one side. On the other, moss coated a stone wall built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. If you were blindfolded and placed on this road with no warning, you'd think it was somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
After a snack overlooking the river, Jess and I rigged up the fishing rod and hiked to Rock Spring Pond. Jacobs said the pond was stocked with bass and sunfish years ago. More recently, catfish were added to help control the burgeoning sunfish population. The pond is not stocked regularly, however.
Lily pads come up to the banks of Rock Spring Pond on all sides, but the water was clear in the middle. I threw a couple of rubber worms around downed trees and other submerged objects, but the bass weren't taking. We stayed for a while, enjoying the relief from Richmond's heat and humidity. Even in the sun, it wasn't bad. In the shade, it was downright comfortable - another surprise we weren't expecting from Westmoreland.
By the time we got back on the road to Richmond, there was no time left to explore the area's human history. That was OK, though. We were more than satisfied with a day of hiking in solitude, fishing secluded ponds and watching eagles soar over 150-foot cliffs. It won't come as a surprise to anyone who's been there, but Westmoreland's place in Virginia history continues to be written today.
Contact Andy Thompson at (804) 649-6579 or outdoors@timesdispatch.com.
June 19, 2008
BETWEEN coming back from National Guard duty in Iraq in 2004 and taking a job at Northern Neck State Bank not long after, Chip Jones of Montross found himself driving trucks for a time.
And he began to notice license plates.
"It struck me how many speciality plates I'd see for regions like Virginia Beach or the Eastern Shore," said Jones, 30.
The lifelong Westmoreland County resident said the more plates he saw, the more a sentiment grew in him about his beloved home territory, the Northern Neck.
"As much as any of these regions, the Northern Neck is certainly worthy of having its own license plate," he said.
This week, Jones, Northern Neck legislators and the Northern Neck Land Conservancy announced a grass-roots campaign aimed at making that happen.
Jones took the idea initially to Westmoreland Del. Rob Wittman, now in Congress. State Sen. Richard Stuart took up the issue and put in a bill in this year's General Assembly to create a a plate promoting tourism and conservation on the Northern Neck.
Some legislators expressed concern about the number of new tags being suggested.
To see that a specialty plate would sell enough to cover its costs, the DMV and legislators want any new request to arrive with at least 350 paid applications.
So, the folks behind the Northern Neck tag started a campaign to get pre-applications rolling in.
A kick-off rally was scheduled to take place last night at Lancaster Courthouse.
Jones said he thinks getting the 350 applications will be easy, partly because Northern Neck residents and others with ties to the peninsula are proud of their region and its heritage.
And partly because the proposed tag looks pretty good.
The proposed plate has a Chesapeake Bay deadrise fishing boat on the left side. At the bottom of the plate will be a simple tag line: NORTHERN NECK.
The annual surcharge for the specialty plate will be $25. If someone wants to personalize their specialty plate, the charge would be $35.
After setup costs are covered by the sale of the first 1,000 plates, $15 per plate would go to the Land Conservancy.
Jones said it took him a while to pick the Land Conservancy to receive proceeds from the plate.
"The work they do to preserve natural and open land in the Northern Neck serves all residents here," he said. "And it preserves what we love so much about this place."
Jamie Tucker of the Land Conservancy said the group is about the plate.
She said the group thinks the plate will spread knowledge of the Northern Neck and the Land Conservancy's preservation work.
Current plans call for the pre-applications and money for the Northern Neck plate to be processed by Land Conservancy until the license plate becomes official.
If the plate is approved during the 2009 General Assembly session, backers hope that plates would become available in the second half of the year.
Jones is uncomfortable with credit for the idea, but he said he thinks the plates will show up on cars throughout the state.
"There are many people in Northern Virginia and all over who have cottages or connections in the Northern Neck," he said. "I think many of them will want to have this plate on their car."
Rob Hedelt: 540/374-5415
Email: rhedelt@freelancestar.com
May 31, 2008
The Virginian-Pilot
© May 29, 2008
WILLIAMSBURG, Yorktown, Monticello, Mount Vernon. Those historic sites and others are immediately recognizable to millions of Americans. But mention Virginia's historic Northern Neck region, and you're likely to draw a blank stare.
The region's charms may soon become better known. Sens. John Warner and Jim Webb recently joined a long-running legislative effort, taken up several years ago by the late Rep. Jo Ann Davis and others, to declare the peninsula between the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers a National Heritage Area.
The congressional designation is intended to draw travelers' attention to regions that played substantial roles in U.S. history. Just as importantly, the designation creates a framework for local residents and government leaders to collaborate with state and federal officials to preserve historic resources and promote tourism.
There are currently 38 National Heritage Areas. The most recent addition, part of legislation signed earlier this month by President Bush, is The Journey through Hallowed Ground NHA, a string of historic sites stretching from Gettysburg to Charlottesville.
The lesser-known Northern Neck region is deserving of the extra attention and preservation work, too. The rural, five-county area, explored by Capt. John Smith in the early 1600s, was the birthplace of three presidents, George Washington, James Madison and James Monroe.
It's also home to Stratford Hall, where the only brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence - Richard Henry and Francis Lightfoot Lee - lived and where Gen. Robert E. Lee was born.
The federal designation, by itself, cannot ensure that the region's many historic homes and rich Chesapeake Bay traditions will survive. But the special focus improves those chances, as well as the likelihood that more Americans will become familiar with the region's contributions to the nation's heritage.
May 26, 2008
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Have you been looking for that perfect Northern Neck Retreat.
Well look no further because it is here. Sandy Point has been the favorite of summer folks for decades. This one is priced RIGHT!!
Terrific Waterfront Home with endless views of the Potomac River right out to the Chesapeake Bay. Great Community!!
For more go to Beach_House
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MLS #: R80009A List Price: $399,000
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26 Skipjack Road KINSALE, VA 22488 |
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PROPERTY TYPE: R
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LIST PRICE: $399,000
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SOLD PRICE: $0
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DAYS ON MARKET: 22
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STREET #: 26
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911 STREET NAME: Skipjack Road
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SUBDIVISION OR AREA: Sandy Point
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TOWN: KINSALE
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STATE: VA
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ZIP CODE: 22488
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COUNTY: Westmoreland
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WATERFRONT TYPE: RIVER/CREEK
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RIVER: POTOMAC RIVER
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CREEK: Potomac River
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WATER FRONTAGE (FEET): yes
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WATER VIEW (WIDE LONG LIMITED): WideLng
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LOT SIZE: +/- .43 acres
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WATER DEPTH: 3-4 Feet
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| ACREAGE: < .5 acre |
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DEED BOOK/PAGE OR INSTRUMENT #: 338/763 & 607/139
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TAX MAP #: 50-26
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HOMEOWNERS ASSOC: None
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YEAR BUILT: 1954
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SQFT +/-: 1140
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TOTAL ROOMS: 6
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BEDROOMS: 2
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FULL BATHS: 1
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HALF BATHS: 0
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# STORIES: One Story
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TYPE/STYLE: Other-See Remarks
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CONSTRUCTION: Vinyl Siding
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HEATING SYSTEMS: Wood
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COOLING SYSTEM: Ceiling Fans
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FLOORS: Hardwood, Vinyl
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GARAGE: None
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| FIREPLACES: Living Room, One Fireplace |
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PUBLIC REMARKS: POTOMAC RIVER COTTAGE OFFERS UNLIMITED VIEW OF POTOMAC AND CHESAPEAKE BAY. LIVING ROOM WITH FIREPLACE. LARGE EAT-IN KITCHEN. SCREEN PORCH.
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| DIRECTIONS: FROM CALLAO: RT 202 TO RIGHT ON RT 604 (SANDY POINT ROAD); FOLLOW TO END/STOP SIGN. RIGHT ON RT 610 (SKIPJACK ROAD). PROPERTY ON LEFT. |
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May 18, 2008
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Northern Neck Waterfront Home | Fantastic Northern Neck Real Estate
See Pictures
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Beautiful coastal living home with grand views out of Ellyson Creek to the Little Wicomico River. Great views, water depth and easy access to Chesapeake Bay. Gourmet cook's kitchen with breakfast room overlooking water. Great room with fireplace and built-ins. Second floor bonus room with full bath. Private dining room. Super Screen porch and deck on waterside. Exceptionally nice landscaping.
| MLS #: R80095A List Price: $839,000 |
1 Pintail Place OPHELIA, VA 22530 |
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LIST PRICE: $839,000
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DAYS ON MARKET: 6
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PROPERTY TYPE: R
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SUBDIVISION OR AREA: Jettys Reach
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STREET #: 1
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911 STREET NAME: Pintail Place
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TOWN: OPHELIA
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STATE: VA
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ZIP CODE: 22530
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COUNTY: Northumberland
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WATERFRONT TYPE: RIVER/CREEK
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RIVER: LITTLE WICOMICO RIVER
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CREEK: ELLYSON
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WATER DEPTH: 3-4 Feet
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WATER FRONTAGE (FEET): 232
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WATER VIEW (WIDE LONG LIMITED): WIDE
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FLOOD ZONE: No
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| LOT SIZE: .78+-ACRE |
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DEED BOOK/PAGE OR INSTRUMENT #: 505 page 606
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TAX MAP #: 29D((2))021
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HOMEOWNERS ASSOC: Yes
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AMPS: 200
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YEAR BUILT: 2002
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SQFT +/-: 2530
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TOTAL ROOMS: 8
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BEDROOMS: 3
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FULL BATHS: 3
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HALF BATHS: 1
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GARAGE: Attached, Two Car
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FIREPLACES: Living Room, One Fireplace
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CONSTRUCTION: Vinyl Siding
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FOUNDATION: Crawl Space
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HEATING SYSTEMS: Forced Air, Gas
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COOLING SYSTEM: Central A/C
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| FLOORS: Hardwood, Tile, Wall to Wall Carpet |
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PUBLIC REMARKS: Beautiful coastal living home with grand views out of Ellyson Creek to the Little Wicomico River. Great views, water depth and easy access to Chesapeake Bay. Gourmet cook's kithcen with breakfast room overlooking water. Great room with fireplace and built-ins. Second floor bonus room with full bath. Private dining room. Super Screen porch and deck on waterside. Exceptionally nice landscaping.
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| DIRECTIONS: From Burgess go North, Right on Hack's Neck Road, Left on Lighthouse View Dr, Right on Canvasback Dr., Right on Redhead Lane, Left on Pintale Place, See Sign |
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Ken Smith
Cell: (804) 366-2325
Agent Email: ken@ksmithre.com
Web Address: www.ksmithre.com
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© 2008 Systems Engineering, Inc. - All Rights Reserved
Information Herein Deemed Reliable but Not Guaranteed
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April 25, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
- Contact Information
- Mark Huffman
- President
- MediaMax
- 804-456-0052
- mark@northernnecktoday.com
Virginia’s Northern Neck, bordered by the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers and Chesapeake Bay, has increasingly drawn retirees who enjoy the peaceful setting and hassle-free lifestyle. Now, the Northern Neck Tourism Council is making it easier for people contemplating retirement to take a first hand look.
The council is sponsoring its first “Northern Neck Pre-Retirement Tour” May 17, 2008, in conjunction with the Fourth Annual Kilmarnock Crab Festival.
“Folks who are thinking about where they want to live when they retire will have the opportunity to see what we have to offer that weekend,” said NNTC President George Beckett.
Beckett said the “tour” is self-guided, but Council volunteers will provide information, literature about the area, and answer questions. Visitors will then set out to visit the region’s museums, farmers’ markets, wineries and other attractions.
“We chose to hold our first tour during the Crab Festival because it’s a great introduction to the culture of the Northern Neck,” Beckett said.
The Crab Festival, initiated by Kilmarnock businessman Shawn Donahue, celebrates the local watermen’s culture. It features crafts, art exhibits, food and entertainment.
“This year we have added lots of live entertainment, so it should be bigger and better than ever,” Donahue said.
The festival begins Friday evening, May 16 and resumes Saturday May 17 for a full day of activities.
“On Saturday, our volunteers will be set up in the festival’s Welcome Center,” Beckett said. “We invite people to drop by and pick up a map, our Tourism Guide, and a suggested itinerary of things to do.”
“Both the Crab Festival and the Pre-Retirement Tour are great ways to meet the other people who live here, and decide whether you might one day also want to make the Northern Neck your home,” Donahue added.
The Northern Neck is made up of four rural counties, but is as close as an hour away from Richmond, Virginia and as close as 90 minutes from Washington, DC.
April 16, 2008
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In the Northern Neck this unique waterfront home is just off the Little Wicomico River on Ellyson Creek and moments to the Chesapeake Bay. Click, HERE, to see more photos in PDF format.
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Although this home has the amenities of the 21st century it has been remodeled to reflect the time period that it has built. A PROPERTY OF TRULY UNIQUE CHARACTER
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MLS #: R79815A List Price: $795,000
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158 Edgewater OPHELIA, VA 22530
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LIST PRICE: $795,000
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DAYS ON MARKET: 14
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PROPERTY TYPE: R
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SUBDIVISION OR AREA: none
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STREET #: 158
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911 STREET NAME: Edgewater
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TOWN: OPHELIA
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STATE: VA
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ZIP CODE: 22530
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COUNTY: Northumberland
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WATERFRONT TYPE: RIVER/CREEK
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RIVER: LITTLE WICOMICO RIVER
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CREEK: Ellyson
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WATER DEPTH: 3-4 Feet
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WATER FRONTAGE (FEET): yes
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WATER VIEW (WIDE LONG LIMITED): long
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FLOOD ZONE: No
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| LOT SIZE: 2.00 |
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DEED BOOK/PAGE OR INSTRUMENT #: 600/541
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TAX MAP #: 29-(11)–8
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HOMEOWNERS ASSOC: No
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YEAR BUILT: 0
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SQFT +/-: 2000
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TOTAL ROOMS: 7
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BEDROOMS: 3
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FULL BATHS: 2
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HALF BATHS: 0
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GARAGE: None
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FIREPLACES: Living Room, Other-See Remarks
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CONSTRUCTION: Wood Siding
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HEATING SYSTEMS: Heat Pump
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COOLING SYSTEM: Central A/C
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| FLOORS: Hardwood |
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PUBLIC REMARKS: For more pictures go to www.ksmithre.com/edgewater.html - Older home with real character - landscaping incorporates gardens, gazebos, outdoor fireplace, Swimming pool, and much more.
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| DIRECTIONS: From Burgess take Hack's Neck Rd - Follow to stop sign and turn right - turn left on Edgewater and follow to 158 |
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Ken Smith
Cell: (804) 366-2325
Agent Email: ken@ksmithre.com
Web Address: www.ksmithre.com
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April 6, 2008
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Northern Neck Waterfront Lot close to Kilmarnock and a short run to the Chesapeake Bay. Situated among fine homes a great piece of Northern Neck Real Estate.
| Price: $399,000 |
0 SCULLING OAR LANE KILMARNOCK, VA 22482 |
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PROPERTY TYPE: L
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LIST PRICE: $399,000
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DAYS ON MARKET: 7
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STREET #: 0
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911 STREET NAME: SCULLING OAR LANE
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SUBDIVISION OR AREA: KILMARNOCK
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TOWN: KILMARNOCK
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STATE: VA
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ZIP CODE: 22482
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COUNTY: Northumberland
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WATERFRONT TYPE: RIVER/CREEK
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LOT SIZE: 1.18
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WOODED ACRES: 0
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TOTAL ACRES: 1.18
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RESTRICTIONS: YES
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WATER DEPTH: 5+ Feet
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| ACREAGE: 1-1.9 acres |
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RIVER: CHESAPEAKE BAY
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CREEK: DIVIDING CREEK
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WATER FRONTAGE (FEET): 127'
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WATER VIEW (WIDE LONG LIMITED): WIDE
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FLOOD ZONE: No
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DEED BOOK/PAGE OR INSTRUMENT #: 404/208
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TAX MAP #: 47-(2)-003
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| HOMEOWNERS ASSOC: NO |
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PUBLIC REMARKS: MLW 5 FEET PLUS, GOOD VIEW OF DIVIDING CREEK, CLOSE TO TOWN OF KILMARNOCK.
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| DIRECTIONS: FROM KILMARNOCK TAKE ROUTE 200 NORTH, RIGHT ON ROUTE 606 (SHILOH SCHOOL ROAD), RIGHT ON ROUTE 669 (APPLE GROVE ROAD), LEFT ON ROUTE 763 (SCULLING OAR LANE), PROPERTY ON RIGHT WITH SIGNS. |
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Ken Smith
Cell: (804) 366-2325
Agent Email: ken@ksmithre.com
Web Address: www.ksmithre.com
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March 31, 2008
Northern Neck Real Estate is prime property, especially Northern Neck waterfront property.
Prices have lowered and there are some good deals on waterfront homes and waterfront lots.
If you have not created an account to search the Northern Neck Multiple Listings then please do so.
You might find that perfect retirement home or second property. Start by clicking HERE
March 24, 2008
Virginia bay town turns away payday lender
By the Associated Press
March 18, 2008
KILMARNOCK, Va. - There's no welcome mat for payday lenders in the town of Kilmarnock.
The town council voted down a request Monday night to allow payday-lending company Advance America to open an office in the Northern Neck community.
The council voted after a short public hearing at which ministers, business owners and social advocates spoke against allowing cash-advance businesses in commercial zones.
The district manager for Advance America–which runs a cash advance business in nearby Warsaw–said the company wanted to open an office in Kilmarnock to meet local demand.
Virginia's General Assembly this session passed legislation capping the fees and interest rates that payday lenders can charge.
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