“We need the tonic of wildness... We can never have enough of nature.” — Henry David Thoreau, Walden
Henry David Thoreau understood the connection between man and creation. After all, it was Thoreau who shunned community living for a two-year excursion off the grid at Walden Pond. That draw into nature called Thoreau and it still speaks to us when nature calls to an untethered adventure of the soul.
The Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and the Historic Triangle have no shortage of outdoor escapes for landlubbers looking to get their water legs and insatiable thalassophiles who can’t live without the river, bay or the ocean.
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy summer with family and friends that allows you to maintain some distance while enjoying vibrant social interaction, hit the water. Whether taking a pontoon boat tour on the James, cruising on the York with family or friends in an electric boat or paddleboarding on the Rappahannock, adventure awaits on the waterways of the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and the Historic Triangle. Go to her.
WindSwept Experiences & Supply Co.
Craig Dodson rehabbed this abandoned 1920s service station on the corner of Irvington Road and King Carter Drive giving it a vintage feel.
“It looked to me like a boathouse on land. It had this rustic cool corrugated metal look. I just fell in love with it,” Dodson says of the building.
The company’s chic caters to younger-minded people “with a little edge on their style,” he says. His customers tend to like the vintage vibe of the shop, which opened in May of 2020.
Patrons can pick up gear featuring labels from around the country—Seager (Costa Mesa, California), Howler Bros (Austin, Texas), Marine Layer (San Francisco, California), Free Fly (Charleston, South Carolina), Greenlines (Montauk, New York) and Windswept Private label apparel, designed in-house with collaborating creatives and artists locally and beyond.
“The bulk of my business is probably apparel sales for men and women and accessories,” he says.
Of course, there’s always the option to spend the day pedaling a rented bike or pushing out on a paddleboard, which Dodson rents.
“I do rent bikes and boards. The bikes are just simple, man. One speed, sit back, put your knees in the breeze and cruise around.” he says.
The company will be launching private paddleboard tours (up to five people) Saturday and Sunday mornings beginning in June.
Instagram: @windswept_experience_supply I 410-206-3935
Calm Waters Rowing
Elite rowing coaches Charlotte Hollings and John Dunn aim to make a master rower out of you no matter your experience level at their full-service sculling instruction camp on Mary Ball Road in Lancaster.
Given the concentrated market for rowing, customers find Calm Waters easily through an online search.
“Rowing is a pretty small world and there’s one major rowing website that we advertise on…and then we have our website,” says Hollings.
Past guests have stayed on-site at The Inn at Levelfields, a nineteenth-century Georgian-style plantation situated on 54 acres. This year, and going forward, guests must self-accommodate when planning to attend either the three-day weekend or four-day midweek camps, which run from late March to mid-November. The camp, which predominantly serves adults, is open to rowers and rowing enthusiasts of all ages.
“Our typical customer is between the ages of 40 and 60, primarily female, from those who have never rowed and are looking to learn the basics to those who are actively competing and want to get faster,” says Hollings.
One growing segment is people looking for a low-impact sport that allows them to stay fit and active.
“We get a lot of people who have done other sports like running and their knees are shot, and they can’t run anymore. We have bikers who have had too many accidents and don’t want to be in an accident anymore. And [rowing is] one of these sports that encompasses all the major muscle groups. It’s easy on the joints,” she added.
CalmWatersRowing.net I 800-238-5578
York River Yacht Haven
Nestled in Sarah Creek in Gloucester Point, York River Yacht Haven houses “some of the finest yachts in the Chesapeake Bay.” The 14-acre site is not just home to fine aquatic vessels, but also a Marine Store, restaurant, pool, Service Center, and banquet hall.
Guests can make the most of summer in one of York River Yacht Haven’s boat rentals. They offer a Bayliner 21 Center Console (carries four adults and two children), Proline 23 Fishing (carries three adults and two children) and Pontoon 25 Cypress Cay (carries six adults and three children), for a fun day on the water. Recreational watercraft, like paddleboards and kayaks, are also available.
During the height of the pandemic, York River’s General Manager, Jason Gray, stated that more people flocked to the water for a getaway.
“The water has a calming effect for most people; the visual gratification, despite a stormy day, can be more relaxing than other activities available in the area. I think the freedom you get to run about on the water and all over the bay sometimes for miles without seeing another person gives us pause to simpler times,” says Gray.
“Our watercraft rentals saw a major uptick last year. I believe because people were looking for a safe way to get out of the house and to stay clear of crowded areas by being on the water. We expect this trend to continue this boating season.”
After you’ve spent a morning or early afternoon on the water, the York River Oyster Company offers local and regional seafood favorites, salads, brick oven pizza, tacos, sandwiches and in-house culinary creations such as its BBQ Bison Meatloaf, Moonshine BBQ and more!
“Local seafood is utilized whenever possible in the restaurant when in season here, and entrées are even named after local areas,” says Gray.
If it’s a party you seek, Yacht Haven Banquet Room offers picturesque views and accommodates up to 60 people. The hall includes a kitchen, private restrooms, tables and chairs.
“Our banquet room boasts exceptional views as it is on the second story overlooking the marina and pool. Most of the business for this venue is baby showers, birthday parties, visiting yacht club events, as well as small weddings and dinners,” adds Gray.
YorkRiverYachtHaven.com I 804-642-2156
Jamestown Discovery Boat Tours
All aboard the Jamestown Discovery for a U.S.C.G. Certified pontoon boat ride along the James River helmed by Williamsburg native and waterman Master Captain Corey J. Fenton. Passengers of all ages can enjoy this tour which boards at the James City County Marina near Billsburg Brewing.
As many as 28 passengers spend one-hour cruising on the James River seeing sights like Jamestown Island, the colonial replica ships in the harbor at Jamestown Settlement, the Jamestown Ferry, wildlife and, if you take the late tour, gorgeous sunsets on the river.
The Jamestown Discovery offers Sightseeing, Sunset, and Nature Tours as well as private charters and booking for special events.
The vessel has bench seating with tables, is handicap accessible and restrooms are available onboard.