Virginia is for Lovers

Recently, I drove to Gloucester, Virginia to attend the wedding of our dear friends Alex and Susan. The wedding party stayed at the historic mansion, the Inn at Warner Hall, located on a plantation created by George Washington's great-great-grandfather. It was a beautiful setting for a wedding and a relaxing weekend escape.

The whole car was hungry as we departed from D.C. mid-afternoon, but we refused to settle for rest stop cuisine. We all agreed we'd know our lunch stop when we saw it. Crazy Cajun's bright pink pig was just the beacon we were looking for.

Continuing down the back roads to Gloucester, we drove past wooded forests and farmland. Gloucester itself features a quaint, walkable downtown area with several shops and restaurants. The town is only a short drive from colonial Williamsburg and historic Jamestowne.

The room was beautifully appointed in colonial style with modern amenities, just as you'd expect it to be. Besides its history, what sets the Inn at Warner Hall apart from other area accommodation is its location on the banks of the Severn River. As the moon rose above the plantation on Friday night, we all gathered around the fire pit to roast s'mores and toast to the weekend ahead.

On Saturday morning, Andy and I were up before the sunrise to take a few photos we knew the real wedding photographer wouldn't have the chance to capture. Later on, I took one of the Inn's kayaks to do a bit of river exploration. I skirted along the edge of the Severn River and sat in stillness, listening to the sounds of the forest as the sun beat down on my shoulders. I shared a moment with a great blue heron and for a moment, felt nostalgic for kayaking in the Okavango delta. I could feel all of my stress melting away.

This was my first time spending time in Virginia, and based on this experience, I would definitely go back to the area and explore further. The drive from D.C. is about 3.5 hours and there are direct flights to Newport News and Richmond, making this a viable option for a weekend getaway. Outside of weddings and events, the Inn offers regular nightly accommodation and meals. They will not let you in if the property is booked, so I recommend calling in advance.

For this type of warm weather weekend trip, a bag like the Everlane Weekender is just the right size. Inside my carry-on, I packed some of my spring beauty essentials: a bright summer nail polish, a delicate floral perfume, a botanical scented leave-in conditioner, and delicate stud earrings from one of my favorite South African designers.