Saturday, July 19, 2008

RED HOT SUMMER

This week was been a scorcher in Washington DC.
Having finished editing the layouts for Waterside Cottages, I headed for the Maryland shore with my friend Karen, in a car (mine) with a broken air conditioning unit.

We packed little more than a couple of bathing suits, suntan lotion and a stack of magazines for our stay at Herrington Harbor in Rose Haven.

Advertised as “a little bit of the Caribbean on the Chesapeake”, the motel is painted coral pink, has banana trees planted everywhere, and tiki huts along the beach.

Their web site doesn’t do the place justice -- the rooms are much nicer, the pool bigger, and the grounds better landscaped.

Having said that, I must confess that the place wasn’t nearly as nice 15 years ago when I first stayed there on a photo shoot while photographing a now defunct Bed & Breakfast for Country Victorian magazine.

Our stay, in the pre-cell phone era, was especially memorable because the photographer disappeared.

He went to use the pay phone on the second floor of the restaurant and was still gabbing away when the place locked up for the night.

He eventually called 911 and was rescued by the local fire department in the wee hours of the morning. This trip was mercifully uneventful and relaxing.

I’ve been spending time at Herrington Harbor most summers and falls ever since.

It's about 40 minutes away from Washington DC, and near several good restaurants where you can get fresh steamed crabs and eat fresh fish. The adjoining towns, twin North Beach and Chesapeake Beach have a few antique shops and a boardwalk.

On our way back home, we stopped to visit Annapolis, the Maryland state capitol. We had lunch there at Cafe Normandie, a French restaurant, and reminisced how one year ago, on Bastille Day, we were vacationing in France.

This year’s mini-vacation was far more economical.

16 comments:

Sometimes It's Good said...

Thanks for the tour. This is a very pretty place. I love anywhere near the beach.

Susie Q said...

This is a super area to visit any time but most especially in the Summer.
Your photos were so bright and pretty. It has been a few years since we were last there, did not get there while on our trip to DC in June. It was so hot then too! Whew!
It is bliss to stay somewhere that all you need is a bathing suit, a good book or some magazines and a glass of wine! or lemonade. : )

Glad you are having fun.

Love,
Sue

Barbara Jacksier said...

Oops, I forgot to mention, we also took advantage of the poolside pina coladas!
Barbara

NeereAnDear said...

Oh that story about the photographer is a riot!! To have to call 911 to be rescued for talking on the phone too long and getting locked in ... the picture in my head... funny!!

I think the place you stayed at looks lovely and quaint... and sometimes little spots like that are much nicer than the big fancy hotels...

The grounds are very pretty and seem to be filled with color...

And Annapolis... I love it there!! I have been and eaten at some of the restaurants right on the water... beautiful!!

Now France .... cant say I have been there... perhaps one day when I get my trip to Italy I can also stop there

Glad to hear your book is coming along so well... cant WAIT!!

HUGS

JO

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

That looks like it was fun...and a very pretty environment too. I really like that one shot looking at the pier through the log-gate structure.

Sandy McTier Designs said...

What fabulous photos! We used to go to Ocean City all the time when we visited my great grand parents but haven't been to the Maryland coast in forever!
Hope you have a fabulous week.
Blessings,
Sandy :)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Sounds like a wonderful place to kick your shoes off, throw on some sandals and relax! Oh, and Pina Coladas...yummy! The photos on this post are wonderful!
xo
Penny

Arlene said...

I love your blog - I'll have to visit again the next time I get the blues cause I can't afford a vacation:)

Tara said...

Wow, did it feel like yuo were in the Carribean? It sure looked like it!

Julie said...

I have never been there, but it sounds wonderful..as most vacations are buy the water! Thank you for sharing. Hope your AC gets fixed in your car soon. I used to have a car where the AC went out the same time the electric windows stopped working... we called it "The Microwave!"

pve design said...

Looks and has a Jamaican feel to it!

Anonymous said...

What a little gem of a place! Who knew Maryland was so magical?! lol

Joy

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic getaway. Super great looking photos. Everything looks so relaxing.

Congrats on the book progress.

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

What a wonderful mini-vacation! The beach-y atmosphere would be so restful to me too. What a lovely and charming place.

Cindy

Barbara said...

Thank you for beautiful tour. Wish i was there. Don't think I want it scorching b ut just a lilttle would help as we sit out the rain and wind.

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Fabulous, makes me hungry to go on my own little "few days" mini vacation!
xo Lidy