There is a place near and dear to my heart. It's off the beaten path, a tiny town on the banks of the Rappahanock River overlooking the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. Locals call it "The Rivah." This place also happens to be the inspiration for my current work in progress, a contemporary romance novel set in Deltaville, Virginia.
I grew up visiting "The Rivah" every summer as my grandparents owned a cottage set back a hundred feet from the white, sandy beach and deep blue waters. It was my second home. It's where I learned to water ski, fish, catch frogs, find tadpoles, roast marshmallows, and count constellations.
It is the place that houses warm memories for myself as a child, and now for my children as they learn and explore at the cottage. Here are some of their favorite activities:
- Find soft shell crabs and put in the crab pots to catch the regular hard shell.
- Kayak out to the fishing nets to see the stingrays.
- Go tubing behind granddaddy's boat and try to stay on while he swerves the boat and makes them go over the wake.
- Swim out to the sandbar to play in the knee-deep water and try to avoid getting stung by jelly fish.
- Ride the double-bike down Snake Road.
- Go jumping down the sandy, clay cliffs, not caring how dirty they get.
- Roast marshmallows around the roaring bonfire.
- Watch for porpoises from the sun porch.
There's truly no other place like it on earth....And it's mine, all mine, I tell you!! *insert evil laugh*
On a side note, this week is our Spring Break, and since I'll be spending the week with my family, I may not have the opportunity to visit blogs and make comments as much as I'd like. But, I will try to visit you soon!
Do you have a place near and dear to your heart?
Very cool how a place you love so much helped inspire your current WIP! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet! I don't have a special place but I do enjoy those places you go to enjoy the view and just soak in the serenity.
ReplyDelete<3
Yes! I do! We've got the Camp, which is really a cabin on a beautiful lake in northern Maine. Every time I go there I leave with enough inspiration to write a whole novel. It's my favorite place ever.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a great place to have a cottage. You and your family enjoy!
ReplyDeleteGreat place for a cottage! You and your family enjoy your week there.
ReplyDeleteAhhh! Now I want a special place...sigh...It looks so serene and lovely. I'm glad your children are enjoying it as much as you did. Have fun ;)
ReplyDeleteWow. That place looks dream-like. Definitely a great setting for a romance. :)
ReplyDeleteI love it! My grandparents own a cabin in near Strawberry Reservoir in Utah where we used to go at least once a summer growing up. I loved it. Our place here is Disney World. We don't care about the rides or shows or anything really. It's the time spent face to face, talking while we wait, or playing games while waiting. For that reason, Disney will always be precious to us.
ReplyDeleteTrue Heroes from A to Z
Wow, what a gorgeous photo. I would never have guessed that was a river - it looks like a beach on the ocean! And "Rivah" sounds like it belongs in my hometown, Boston! :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it weird, when you've focused on writing on a spot, to actually go back there? It always feels like you've been there even if you haven't set foot in the place for years!
ReplyDeleteAh beautiful place...no wonder it prompted you to write a romance novel! Happy Spring Break! Enjoy and come back rejuvenated!
ReplyDelete