DD and I have taken a girls’ weekend getaway vacation twice a year for the last couple years, and this past weekend was our first four-day getaway for 2015. I thought my blogging buddies might like to come along for the ride. 😀
Two years ago we found an immaculate Victorian cottage for rent that’s only half an hour away and within walking distance of the beach. We were thrilled, especially because it’s clean, cozy, and its ambiance has become a sort of muse that inspires our writing (we’re both writers).
Nothing promotes creativity like inspirational new surroundings where we can shut off our phones and focus on writing…and a bit of fun…okay, way more than a bit of fun…
We’ve been going there for two years now – it’s like our own home away from home (without all the work!).
How charming is this?!
It may not be far, but it’s a whole other world, and our four-day break is incredibly refreshing.
A small section of the living room, where we spend most of our writing time snuggled on the couch. 😀
One corner of the bright, homey kitchen.
Dining room complete with china and crystal in case a formal dinner party should suddenly erupt… 😉
Plus three bedrooms upstairs: one in blues, one in pinks, and the other in deep rich red, all with coordinated quilts, period accessories and lovely furniture. The upstairs bathroom is done in lavender and white and still has is claw-foot tub and pedestal sink. So sweet.
Lovely.
The town is filled with Victorian beauties and has a LOT of history behind it.
Look at this incredible beauty just a couple of blocks away!
They call these the “Painted Ladies” of the town – two rows of gorgeous Victorian homes facing a central parkland and right across the street from the beach. Prices? A cool $1.5 million (for those needing repairs) and UP…way up. Most of the oceanfront homes are Grand Dames that make these look like little sisters. Beautiful, yes, but location is everything!
This is a single family home with a beautiful breezy view from every level.
Some of the town’s most interesting history is still visible today. There were religious Camp Meetings during the 19th century at the church on a large lot of land capping off the end of the Painted Ladies’ street…
The church/auditorium that is the centerpiece of the Tent Colony.
…and families would stake claims to land on the same lot where they put up actual tents in the summer to be close to where the religious services were held. There were originally 600 tents, now there are 114 permanent “tents”.
More permanent “Tent Colony” structures of today. Furnishings and rugs are removed for the winter and brought back in spring/summer, and a canvas tent is erected over the wooden frame in front of the wood structure you see – the wood structure is only storage. There’s no real privacy. As tiny as they are, “tenters” have made them quite homey and cozy inside!
These “tents” are passed down from generation to generation; one couple has rented their tent for the past 75 years. “Tenters” love the simplicity of their little homes and usually spend all summer there. Quite the juxtaposition against the neighboring Painted Ladies.
Gorgeous Victorian gingerbread, but definitely more difficult to maintain than the tent homes!
I’d love to see that room!
Imagine the ocean view from that top balcony!
No two are exactly alike, from color to gingerbread design.
Details, details everywhere.
Four blocks from our cottage is the town center with NO chain stores, just small, independent shops, indie restaurants, bakeries, etc. Just a few blocks farther is the ocean.
I love the beach during the off season, you wouldn’t find me anywhere near it during summer with the crazy crowds!
It’s a walker’s paradise and the people are all so friendly. And so many people have dogs that a lot of the shop owners leave bowls of water outside for passing pups! 🙂 In fact, one shop has several bulletin boards with pictures of the pups who visit. 😀
Unfortunately, Daisy couldn’t come along with us, but I don’t think she was too upset – she had Daddy all to herself!
I love Daddy time!
We’re part of the Thursday Barks and Bytes blog hop!
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