The Northern Neck of Virginia is a special place, rich in tradition and teeming with resources, most especially those from the Chesapeake Bay and the tidal rivers like the Rappahannock. A no-brainer Road Trip is a visit to the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula with a boat in tow or just for a scenic tour. What could be even better than a Road Trip to this special part of Virginia? What if the … [Read more...]

What better “Road Trip” could there be than one with super good music and super good barbeque – all at the same time. There is such a Road Trip, and a convenient one to those in Central Virginia. How about a Wednesday evening visit to the Lazy Parrot Grill in Charlottesville, where the chefs stoke the hardwood in their big barbeque grill for some great ‘cue. And entertaining guests as they order … [Read more...]

We have now twice vacationed at High Rock Lake in Denton, North Carolina. About 15 miles east of Lexington (the Barbeque Capital of the World), it’s a great spot for a family vacation. There are all the water sports, naturally, and the fishing is good, too. Even in the hot summer, we were able to catch lots of catfish and bluegills. High Rock Lake is like a blue collar version of Smith Mountain … [Read more...]

Last week, we found ourselves in Virginia Beach for a short getaway. We had planned to stay someplace in Norfolk since a visit to Norfolk Botanical Gardens was at the top of our agenda. But we had actually dared to drive to the beach without reservations. It was a Sunday, so how busy could they be down there? Plenty busy, it turns out. Many hotels were booked and the ones that weren’t seemed to be … [Read more...]

Last weekend, Nancy and I decided to take a quickie vacation, a two-day job, and visit Virginia Beach. Before we left, she instructed me that we would be going to Norfolk Botanical Garden, so that was settled in advance. Actually, I didn’t mind a bit. Though I would prefer ventures with fishing rods involved, I had been informed that the Norfolk Garden had a Butterfly House and that sealed the … [Read more...]

In this week’s Road Trips article, we’ll take a different road, not a paved highway, but a road of water leading to fish and great times on the Chesapeake Bay. This is a Road Trip with Capt. Dick Whitehill aboard the Miss Karen. The coming weeks on the Chesapeake highlight Capt. Whitehill’s specialty – Spanish mackerel. The delicious, hard fighting mackerel have moved well up into the Middle … [Read more...]

If you’re on a diet, this is a road trip you may not want to take. That’s because Yoder’s Country Market in Madison has the most incredible homemade pies, cakes and goodies you’d ever want to put in your mouth. But they also have lots of healthy foods, and gifts as well. Yoder’s recently moved to a larger, more convenient location at 2105 S. Seminole Trail in Madison, Setting the store apart … [Read more...]

Sometimes it’s nice just to get away. No cell phones, no office calls, no household chores – just get away. It’s even better if your get-away spot is not too far. That makes travel to and from a snap, with no long distance driving. And I suppose the ideal get-away place would have some decent fishing as well. If all this sounds good, boy do I have a place for you. It’s Rose River Farm on the … [Read more...]

Perhaps lots of people didn’t take a vacation this summer for the obvious reason that money is tight within family budgets. People are working longer hours these days just to stay even and are sometimes working two and three jobs. But with all the pressure and long hours, a little down time is needed more than ever. I have found that it is possible to take a fall vacation to the Outer Banks … [Read more...]

Years ago, I went to St. Simons Island off the coast of Georgia to spend a week with good friends, including my joined-at-the hip fishing buddy, Ray Pruitt. One afternoon, Ray and I took his 14-foot skiff out into the dead calm waters off the island. We were bottom fishing for whatever would bite, ideally a grouper. The water was gin clear and I recall a hammerhead shark about the size of our boat … [Read more...]