Introvert Beach Getaway Part One: Kilmarnock/ Reedville, Virginia

Ahhh…summertime. The beach. The crowds. The noise. Wait.

I love the beach, but can’t stand sitting in vacation traffic for hours only to arrive at a noisy, crowded beach replete with snack shacks and touristy shops. So I set out in search of the perfect introvert (and inexpensive!) beach. And I think I found it. Two of them, in fact.

Hidden away east of Kilmarnock, Virginia, on the Chesapeake Bay, off of a thinly traveled narrow road, lies Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve. The preserve boasts the northeastern beach tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis) and other rare invertebrates; is an important wintering area for migrating waterfowl and songbirds; and serves as a habitat for bald eagles, osprey and northern harriers.

And there’s a beach! I parked in a small parking area, and walked about a third of a mile through the woods to reach a nearly deserted, undeveloped beach. The sand was pristine and smooth, and the water was calm and inviting. I baked in the sun for a while, reading my forensic thriller novel, and cooled off in the Bay. It was the perfect way to recharge my batteries.

I was even more excited about the next beach, which is only accessible by ferry. I drove to Reedville, Virginia, a town with a huge fishing industry (read: fantastic seafood restaurants!), and stayed in The Gables Bed and Breakfast.

The Gables is truly amazing. The main building is an architectural specimen, but it was closed to visitors at the time. Rooms are located in another building on the premises. The Gables is run by a very nice lady and her son.

 

The room in which I stayed (the Rebecca Ann room) is the size of a studio apartment in Washington, DC, and is decorated in a nautical theme. Every time I caught a glimpse of this captain dude hanging in the room, I did a double take because I thought it was an actual person.

With its high ceilings, sitting area, and separate alcove for the queen-sized bed, the room was much larger than your average bed and breakfast or hotel room.

All the windows, including one made of stained glass, let in plenty of natural light.

 

 

A masthead hangs right above the door inside the room, an interesting piece of decor.

 

 

And, possibly the best of all, the gentleman brought a full breakfast straight to my room (introvert heaven!).

Wait, a thermos of coffee, all for me? I think they know me!

After a rejuvenating stay at The Gables, and an excellent dinner at Tommy’s Fine Dining, I got up early to catch the ferry to Tangier Island, and subsequently stepped into another world. Stay tuned next week for that adventure!