This was once a three storey mansion on a large tobacco farm. (The structures holding up the ruins were built to stabilize the walls after the earthquake of 2010; there are plans to create a building here that incorporates the original buildling.) Located on a hill overlooking its grand property, it must have been one incredible place! Here's the view from the house:
The property goes down to the water, the Rhode River, and it was from there that the tobacco crops were shipped through the Chesapeake and on to England in the 1700s. About forty slaves worked on this plantation. (Before that, in 1652, this property was owned by a Quaker family who named their land "Sparrow's Rest".)
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| Now a turkey vulture lives here! |
We were so glad to come across this lovely Eastern Box Turtle! Our resident ecologist (ahem) gave permission to his eager wife and children for a chance to hold the dear thing.
There were so many spider webs across the paths! Our kids used to argue about who got to take the lead; this time they were quite willing to let Jon and I be in front. Aidan is showing you one of the crazy big spider web lines on the left:
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The view at the bottom of the property, down by the Rhode River:
In 1915, this land was sold and turned into a dairy farm. Rows of loblolly pine were planted:
At this point, back in the van, we were dripping with sweat and covered in spider web strands and a hearty new batch of insect bites. :) While we were tempted to head for home, the next activity planned had some appeal: we were hoping to kayak along the Rhode River. So, after some refreshing fruit, we set off into our boats.
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| Feeling quite proud of having steered her own kayak! (The mud on her shirt is from a run-in with the reeds that caused frustration, but then pride!) |
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