Back at the Lovely Tides Inn

What a beautiful day to return to the northern neck of the Rappahannock. I didn’t sleep at all last night so I left Durham very early this morning. Since I was so early I decided I would make a little side trip to the Williamsburg Pottery on my way to Irvington.

Back in my Washington days I used to come down to the Tide water area for work. I often would stop and shop t the Williamsburg pottery. I still have pots and ramekins I bought there in 1985. The pottery was a huge grouping of warehouses chock full of all kinds of things at really good prices. Well, that place is gone. The pottery was rebuilt into the form of a mall and it is sad. I stopped and went in and they were no people and even fewer products. You just can’t go home again.

I arrived at the Tides Inn and it makes up for the pottery. I was greeted by staff who remember me from my last visits and was put in a beautiful suite overlooking Carter’s creek. Since it was just the perfect day weather wise I took a walk along the creek. Then enjoyed a great shower before going to dinner.

I am a little sad that my students/friends Melissa and Ashley, who were going to come back for camp had to cancel. I am not sure who is going to hold my pointer. So I went to eat alone. That didn’t last long. Of course many of the people who are here are here for Mah Jongg. I struck up a conversation with a lovely woman, Kristan from Central Pennsylvania who came alone for mah Jongg and was happy to talk with me.

The chef had a special appetizer of sugar toads, a local fish I first ate when my friends Chuck and Tom had a house down here. You never forget a fish named a sugar toad. They were as delicious as the first time I had them.

I am planning on getting a big night’s sleep so I am ready for class tomorrow. Going to be a happy week on the Northern Neck.