So on a recent Saturday morning, I hopped in my car and headed up Route 33 and 3, with the intended purpose of checking out the Irvington Farmer’s Market. Before getting there though, I had to pass through White Stone (and white-knuckle it over the narrow 2-lane Rappahonock River bridge!), where I saw a couple of boutique-like shops I knew I had to visit on my way back.

One of those boutiques was the succinctly named Farm on Chesapeake Drive. Inside, it reminded me of a cross between Anthropologie and a reclaimed furniture store, full of odds and ends like ornate drawer knobs, ruffled shower curtains, and assorted toys, stationary, and tableware – everything you need for your by-the-bay beach cottage. They also carry women’s garb from such specialty labels as Velvet, Ella Moss, and Rebecca Beeson, as well as vintage farm tables and chairs ⎯ I think I even saw a cool, old apothecary cabinet. Someone will probably snap that up by the next time I visit.

Outside of Farm, it was like a mini-botanical garden. I was tempted to plop myself down in their yard and take in the greenery like I was at the park. Crepe myrtles, rosemary, lavender, tickseed and other summer-y plants filled the landscape, as did pots full portulca and other succulents, a wisteria clinging from a trellis, and billowing, cinnamon-colored hibiscus of some variety. Needless to say I came away with an idea or two of what to do with some oyster shells I have in my shed at home (Farm used some as a landscape edging).

If you want to make a visit to White Stone or Irvington more than a day trip, check out The Tides Inn or The Hope and Glory Inn and stay a while. From there, take another day trip to Kilmarnock's downtown or go in the opposite direction and drive until you hit water for some swimming, fishing, or boating on the bay.

As for my next road trip? I’m thinking Tangier Island.