Holy crap, the southern Delmarva is one cool place to visit! Dog and I, Sophie that is, just got back from two days exploring the town of Cape Charles and surrounding area working on a story I’m writing for Edible Delmarva. So much history, attractions, restaurants, shops, and beaches too. Here are a few of the photos I took of places, wildlife, and people.
Cape Charles sign.
As towns on the Eastern Shore go, Cape Charles is relatively new. Driving into this town of 1,000 or so is like turning the clock back 100 years. Most of the 700+ houses look like they were just built. After falling on hard times in the 1960s, the town has staged an epic comeback. Sophie and me got to tool around the town on a golf cart like many a local and see the place in slo-mo.
Attractive Cape Charles home.
One of the coolest buildings and there are many, was the Peach Tree Book store and cafe. Occupying a former Pure Oil Company gas station is the cutest book store on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Peach Tree Books and cafe.
Just up the street from the book store, I found a great bakery and lunch spot. Coastal Baking Company is run by husband and wife team Cassie and Bobby Patel and their twin sons. The baked goods are delicious and the lunch offerings mainly with a Cajun or Indian flavor. Both the bakery and Peach Tree have dog-friendly enclosures outside.
Coastal Baking Co.
Checking Out The Brown Dog
We walked the main drag several times and found dog water bowls for thirsty dogs in abundance. Sophie’s favorite water stop was at Brown Dog Ice Cream where three bowls of ice water awaited her inspection.
Sophie drinking up the good life.
Ten minutes later, Brown Dog opened up for just the second weekend of the new season. After I interviewed the owner Miriam Elton, I asked if she would like to meet Sophie. The answer was yes, so I fetched Sophie from the car. When we got to the front of the shop, there was Miriam with a cup of Wagging Tails doggie ice cream for my girl. Sophie was in seventh heaven as she lapped up the banana, peanut butter ice cream with her new best friend.
Sophie eating Brown Dog ice cream.
Wildlife.
It was yet another day of gorgeous weather, perfect for a walk on the beach. We walked to the end of town to check out the fishing pier. Two ospreys were putting on a show for us and I got two pretty good shots of them.
Osprey full-extension takeoff.
Osprey making babies.
Another good brew.
Most of the restaurants are dog-friendly in town. We stopped at Cape Charles Brewing Company to meet the owners Mark and Chris Marshall. I left Sophie outside in the cool shade to go in and talk beer with Mark and Chris. They told me about their beer making and food while testing some of the day’s liquid specials.
I was impressed with their brews and food too. The mushroom and sauteed onion burger went well with the wheat beer. Next time I want to try the clams steamed in beer with a side of grilled French bread.
Burger and beer flight.
The beach at the end of town is one of the better beaches on the southern Delmarva Peninsula. Sophie enjoyed our walk in the sand even though she had to stay leashed. I loved the LOVE sculpture by the beach near the public restrooms. Thanks to the gang from Richmond who took our photo after I took theirs.
Sophie and me at the LOVE sculpture.
South of Cape Charles is Sunset Beach Hotel and RV Resort. We were hosted by the hotel for two nights and got to enjoy their doggie beach. Sophie went swimming, and afterward, I got to eat at the Jackspot Restaurant. The fish tacos paired well with the Rum Runner cocktail. Having dinner at this beachfront restaurant is a lot of fun and they call it sunset beach for nothin’. We were treated to a pretty good sunset during dinner and dessert.
Jackspot tacos and sunset.
Local wheels.
It was such a good trip to the southern Delmarva Peninsula, but way too short. I hope to return with both Sophie and my wife in the fall when summer’s heat simmers down a bit. If you go, be sure and check out all the excellent restaurants, beaches, and rent a golf cart to cruise the streets like a local.
Note: This is just a small taste of what I experienced in Cape Charles. The full story is coming soon in Edible Delmarva Magazine.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2019 Kurt Jacobson
Thank you for such a great review of our lovey Cape Charles!!
You are welcome!
You are welcome. I hope you get a chance to read my article in Edible Delmarva Magazine on Cape Charles due out this summer.
You are welcome. Please look for the rest of the story coming out soon in Edible Delmarva Magazine.
Great article about Cape Charles and its “resurgence” … but you also should have taken your golf cart “over the hump” and visited Bay Creek (the resurgence “initiator”). A very tourist-friendly attraction (especially photographers), even if you (and/or Sophie) aren’t golfers .. 🙂
Thanks for the tip. I also have an article on Cape Charles coming out in this summer’s Edible Delmarva Magazine. I hope you can find a copy of it in town when the magazine goes to print?
Kurt, while grabbing a bite at one of our favorite Cape Charles spots, Kelley’s Gingernut Pub, a friend asked if I’d seen your article on Cape Charles. When she pulled it up on her phone I was surprised and thrilled to see my house at the corner of Mason and Harbor pictured in your article! It was a labor of love we completed in November of 2018. The 1916 beauty just needed a little LOVE! You might want to reconsider waiting to return as this summer we are celebrating the “Summer of LOVE” in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the slogan “Virginia is for Lover’s”. From 60’s music concerts in the park to a LOVE Golf Cart Parade ending in a bon fire and music at sunset at the beach, it will be a fun-filled summer here in Cape Charles!
Hi Karen,
How fun to hear you found my article and that your home (a very photogenic home at that!) was in the article. I shot loads of photos while in town and used several in the article you read and in one coming out in the next issue of Edible Delmarva Magazine. I’d love to come back during the Summer of Love festivities and see what Cape Charles has to offer.
We will be posting the event schedule on the website, capecharlesvirginiascape.com in the next couple of weeks. Check there to get the full list of events! See you back in Cape Charles soon 🙂
Hope to go there on our visit in November. Should be plenty cooler then. Hoping Sophie makes the trip too!
That would be a fun trip in November.
Sophie loves a good road trip!