Adam and I treated ourselves to a little mini-vacation at the beginning of August. July was a bunch of fun, but felt like
visit, upon
visit, upon
visit. After the stress of our
almost-house, too, we just wanted to get away and recharge before the school year started. So, we looked all around [considering beaches, wine country, Italy (more wishful than anything), England (to see Kate's dress on display at Buckingham Palace!), and more]. We decided it would be easiest to go somewhere not that far away and to take Mr. Oliver with us. So we looked at Bed & Breakfast establishments on the Eastern Shore of VA and around Newport News/Virginia Beach.
The Inn at Warner House stood out to us--it was gorgeous, pet-friendly, and a little bit historic too. We contacted their owners, and they got right back to us with which rooms were pet-friendly--plus there was a Summertime Special of "Stay two nights, get the third night free" so we jumped! And we made the right decision! :)
It was a beautiful place--and I strongly recommend that everyone just go there sometime. We did some biking and kayaking, but we also did a lot of relaxing in a hammock and general lazing around. The house was originally built by George Washington's great-grandfather, and a nationally-protected graveyard on the property contains ancestors of George Washington, Robert E. Lee, and Queen Elizabeth II. Awesome! Plus, the refurbished Inn has gorgeous, spacious rooms with fabulous bathrooms and all the amenities you could ever want. Hungry, too? The Inn has a gourmet chef (who lives next door) who prepares supper baskets and lunch boxes Sunday-Thursday and does grand meals on Friday and Saturday. And his food is phenomenal! Overall, this place surpassed our expectations and was just what we needed. Go visit!!!! We're certainly planning a return visit! These pictures won't do it justice, but I'll try. :)
In the car, ready to head out...
Welcome to Warner Hall!
Total beauty!
Back of the Inn
Our awesome bathroom....it rocked!
Shot of the front of our room
And of the bed section of the room
Artistic shot
Relaxing on the hammock--the beagle there was one of the house dogs, Martha
Standing on the dock
Oliver LOVED running around!
Ah, relaxation!
Totally cute!
Standing on the dock
A half bottle of a fabulous Cab Sauv that Adam bought in 2006; glad we got to enjoy it!
Our picnic basket
Oohhh, the menu makes my mouth water!
When we came in, who was sitting on the bed like he owned it? Oliver, of course!
Some of the pretty trees and flowers on property
Some of the pretty flowers
Backyard view from the graveyard
These gravestones are some of Queen Elizabeth II's ancestors!
What a lovely old graveyard (and on the Historic registry)
Graveyard entrance
Chess set!
By the old well
Chess set, from eye level
Snuggling on the couch with a fireplace....YAY!
See the Tractor mailbox there on the right? I thought it was hilarious.
A pretty whoosh shot through the woods.
Adam's grandparents' home (a while ago)
Adam in front of Bill's Seafood
Yummy hushpuppies....they tasted more like cake donuts and didn't have onions. :)
Doing my best Princess Catherine...
Picture perfect bike riding!
Me, in front of Warner Hall
Posing in the backyard of Warner Hall
An old Yorktown house
Adam and Oliver in a Yorktown garden
Yorktown monument, celebrating America's independence
See this....it says "His Excellency George Washington" So, we really fought the Revolutionary War to get rid of kings? Puh-lease.
A sign explaining the Yorktown monument
A funny little statue
Pocahontas statue
Smiles while hiking
My dashing dinner date
At dinner in Warner Hall
We found pineapples all over--it was like an episode of Psych!
What does this mean?? "The grass always seems greener over the Satan tank" ???
The other side of the church sign wasn't as nuts.
Bike/graveyard shot--very retro!
I led the way for a bit.
Adam with bike
Cathy with bike
Look at the rascal trying to feel the super-soft sheets!
Perfect day!
toes + Adam = :)
Just one of the yummy breakfasts we had.
Sunrise on the porch (Adam got up early to take this shot....I slept in)
