Along the shores of Eastern Virginia lies the York River, a 34-mile long estuary of brackish water that empties into the Chesapeake Bay. At the largest point near the entrance to the Bay, the York River stretches nearly 2.5 miles across bringing in Navy warships, sailboats and a large variety of marine life that thrive in the unique coast waters.
My sister and her family live on the York River and I always love visiting them in the summer time. The views of the river from her home are gorgeous and the sweet smell of salt water and flowering trees always makes me feel like I’m on vacation.
Yesterday while we were on the pier, we saw dolphins feeding off in the distance so we jumped on my brother-in-laws boat and followed the pod while they splashed around the boat. At one point, a dolphin came so close to our boat, I could have reached in the water and touched it. My six-year-old daughter screamed with joy and said “Mama, this is so much better than the Zoo!”. Ospreys who migrate all the way from South America and come to build their nests along the York River, soared around us and dove for fish.
Here are some photos I took that show the beauty of this part of the world, often known most for its history in the US Civil War, and a launching off point to see Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.
Today we are off to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia for some fresh cool air and more exploration. Stay tuned….
Welcome to the East Coast–we are fortunate to have some states that preserve open space for all of us to share as well as respect Mother Nature’s bounty. Enjoy your holiday, sounds like a terrific spot.
Thanks! I just returned home and we had a great week. The weather was very nice but got a bit humid at the end. Now I’m back in MN and it is unseasonably cool with highs in the low 70s but it feels so nice! 🙂
Thanks! I just returned home and we had a great week. The weather was very nice but got a bit humid at the end. Now I’m back in MN and it is unseasonably cool with highs in the low 70s but it feels so nice! 🙂
Wow, beautiful. And dolphins right up your doorstep. Your sister really lives in a cool place!
Yes, it is really beautiful out there! The dolphins were a special treat. I’ve been there several times to visit but this was a first. The kids loved them!
Thanks for the introduction to Virginia’s York River, nice article and beautiful pictures.
You’re welcome and glad you enjoyed. There is so much history there too as it is by Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. Really cool place.
I Never been to East Coast, nice pictures and great article too.
Thanks! 🙂
Ah, Nicole – really, your “American” wilderness is something, isn’t it? Great pictures too, of course 🙂
Thanks! I hope you are doing well! I really need to catch up on your blog. I’ve been so busy this summer that my reading time has slowed down. 🙂 Two more weeks until school and then I can play catch up!
oh….looked for dolphin pictures too…….:(
I didn’t get them in time! I was so bummed. But it was really special! I could have reached down and touched the dolphins they were so close!
Really Beautiful!!! ^_^
Thanks!
Oh but that first shot had me dreaming, Nicole. Cathy (Catbird in Europe), whom I met up with on my recent Algarve trip, currently lives in North Virginia. I keep meaning to Google for some images, but I probably don’t need to now. 🙂
How cool! It is really beautiful, lush and green. Virginia is a very pretty state with so much history.
Thats awesome that you found some dolphins in Virginia. I never knew they frequented that part of the world. Nice pictures of the sun on the water!
Yes it was so cool! They swim in to the york river through the Chesapeake Bay which feeds into the ocean. It is pretty wild. They were huge too and so playful.
But how do you manage to pull away from there again, if you’re only there once? Think you could wish for, the summer would last forever.
Yes, summer is fabulous and hard to leave!
Reblogged this on revitalizationoftheuneducated and commented:
a slice of relaxation…pondering..musing….extrication
Thanks so much for the reblog! 🙂
rut you two… ! s
Yeah!
Lovely pictures….Your sister and family are lucky to live at this place…
Thanks! Yes, it is really beautiful there! 🙂
Love the sky in the first couple of images. Pretty amazing, my friend.
Hope you’re doing well, Nicole. Sorry to have been away. Been busy working on my memoir. Excuses, excuses! Right? I’ve missed you.
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
No worries Kathy! I see I have a post of yours to read in my inbox! Can’t wait to see what you are up to! 🙂
Thank you for exposing me to another beauty of our world that I had not discovered or knew anything about except for the Civil War. Looking forward to your Blue Ridge journey which I have cruised many times in my cross-country motorcycling days. Best, Harold, and my trusty sidekick Mr. SLR Nikon. http://www.throughharoldslens.com
Glad you enjoyed! How cool you road your bikes along the Blue Ridge parkway! Must have been so amazing. Hair blowing in the wind, tunes blasted, feeling of freedom and youth!
Your River looks like a beautiful place, judging by your photos. Great images, you have captured some gorgeous light in them all.
Thanks so much! 🙂
The first one is breathtaking! Enjoy the trip, Nicole!