Northumberland

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It was the type of Sunday where we could have laid around most of the day, maybe getting some household stuff accomplished, maybe a remote chance of doing some yard work. It was hot for early October, with the temperature hitting the high 80s.

So when I got a spurt of energy around 11 a.m. and proposed to Col that we take a two-and-a-half hour drive to Reedville, run an hour and then cruise another two-and-a-half home, I expected I would get a big thumbs down. If we were quick about it, we might get out the door by 11:30 and roll into Reedville by 2. We’d get back, I don’t know, maybe 5:30? Probably later. Col, mysteriously, was up for the adventure.

Reedville, in Northumberland County, is on the Chesapeake Bay side of the Northern Neck. The town is situated on a somewhat narrow peninsula within Cockrell’s Creek, although the “creek” is big enough to accommodate mid-sized passenger ships that take tourists to Tangier and Smith Island. While it no doubt attracts some vacationers, it is first-and-foremost a fishing village, the self-proclaimed capital of the Atlantic Menhaden, an oily fish used mostly for bait and fish oil supplements. In the 1600s, Native Americans supposedly taught the colonists to use it as fertilizer. By the late 1800s, the 15-inch fish had turned Reedville into one of the wealthiest towns in the US.

After a pit stop in the town of Heathsville, we arrived at the Reedville dock around 3. I trotted along what is known as “Millionaire’s Row” – a series of Victorian style houses listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I detoured around the Fishermen’s Museum and tacked on another mile by navigating side streets. In some areas, I picked up a rather distinct fishy smell.

Col explored the town with a population of 500 while I ran. After that, we considered eating at the Crazy Crab before settling on homemade ice cream at the popular Chit Chat Parlor. On the way home, we stopped for pumpkins, hit some Northern Virginia traffic, and didn’t make it back to Alexandria until 7:30.

55 runs down, 79 to go.

1795 building
Tooth Hurt?
Sting Ring
Courthouse
Courthouse II
Business Opportunity
Soy Bean Field
Soy Bean Field
Welcome To...
Waterfront Opportunity
Local Transportation
House I
House II
House III
House IV
House V
House VI
House VII
House VIII
Flower
Berries
Museum
Elva C
Elva C
Part of Log Canoe
Museum
Boats
At The Dock
At the Dock
From the Dock
Boat Stuff
More Boat Stuff
Boat Stuff
Boat Stuff
The Crazy Crab
Boat Coming In
Crab Traps
Ice Cream
Inside ChitterChats
The Prize
Pumpkins
Pumpkins
Pumpkins
Pumpkins

1795 building

The Rice's Hotel and Hughlett Tavern in Heathsville was closed when we went by.

The Rice's Hotel and Hughlett Tavern in Heathsville was closed when we went by.

Tooth Hurt?

Sorry, the blacksmith in Heathsville isn't in.

Sorry, the blacksmith in Heathsville isn't in.

Sting Ring

The Heathsville bell seems to be the home to a wasp nest.

The Heathsville bell seems to be the home to a wasp nest.

Courthouse

Photo by Col

Heathsville is the county seat of Northumberland. Photo by Col.

Courthouse II

I think they call that patina.

I think they call that patina. The county, originally formed is 1648, currently has a population of about 12,000.

Business Opportunity

The local newspaper looks to be for sale.

The local newspaper office appears to be for sale, although the publication is still being published.

Soy Bean Field

Just outside Heathville.

Soy Bean Field

Welcome To...

What's that smell?

What's that smell?

Waterfront Opportunity

Local Transportation

Many locals get around on golf carts.

Many locals get around on golf carts.

House I

House II

Photo by Col.

Photo by Col.

House III

House IV

Photo by Col.

Photo by Col.

House V

Photo by Col.

Photo by Col.

House VI

Photo by Col.

Photo by Col.

House VII

House VIII

Flower

Photo by Col.

Photo by Col.

Berries

Photo by Col.

Photo by Col.

Museum

Photo by Col.

Photo by Col.

Elva C

The deck boat was built in 1922. Photo by Col.

The deck boat was built in 1922. Photo by Col.

Elva C

It was rebuilt between 1989 and 2000.

It was rebuilt between 1989 and 2000.

Part of Log Canoe

They were used in the Bay into the 20th Century, ofter powered by sails. Photo by Col.

They were used in the Chesapeake Bay into the 20th Century, ofter powered by sails. Photo by Col.

Museum

Boats

Photo by Col.

Photo by Col.

At The Dock

Photo by Col.

Photo by Col.

At the Dock

Photo by Col.

Photo by Col.

From the Dock

Photo by Col.

Photo by Col.

Boat Stuff

More Boat Stuff

Boat Stuff

Boat Stuff

The Crazy Crab

Boat Coming In

Crab Traps

Ice Cream

Inside ChitterChats

Photo by Col

Photo by Col.

The Prize

Pumpkin on top, chocolate almond on the bottom.

Pumpkin on top, chocolate almond on the bottom.

Pumpkins

Just outside of Montross.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins

Pumpkins

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