June means heading for the Coast—specifically, the Eastern Shore, for a getaway that’s as rustic or as cushy as you want it to be. Take in a show at Donk’s Lil’ Ole Opry in Mathews, or head north to check out fine art at Lorton. (Yes, that Lorton.) Also inside: forward-thinking Warrenton, possibly even more forward-thinking Cyrus McCormick, SFX wiz Matt Wallin, a Crooked Road cookbook, fresh salad greens, angular elegance at Lake Anna, and more.
Illustration by Tyler Darden, TylerDarden.com
Lots of people made and sold reapers in the 19th century—but McCormick made his more efficient than anybody’s. By Mary Miley Theobald Read more
Robb Scharetg | ScharetgPictures.com
Fairfax’s Great Falls Park is a 900-acre natural haven with stunning views, waterfalls and some of the best rock climbing around. Read more
Photography by Tyler Darden
We found an old-style Italian eatery and a chic wine bar across the street from each other in Fredericksburg. Read more
Illustration by Rob Ullman, RobUllman.com
With this Red Oak kid around, houseflies didn’t stand a chance. Read more
Want an eco-adventure that’s a little different? Spend a night in a historic oyster watch house in the marshland off one of Virginia’s barrier islands. Watermen once used these one-room shacks to protect their harvests. Read more
Warrenton is a forward-thinking small town. It has low taxes, a bustling historic district and bold plans to become energy-independent. Naive ambitions? That’s what the mayor heard when he decided to start a bobsled team ... in Jamaica. Read more
Old Town is now a magnet for locals and visitors alike, who enjoy the neighborhood’s history, appealing shops and varied dining. Read more
Illustrated by Sterling Hundley, SterlingHundley.com
Wherein illustrator Sterling Hundley ponders a fragrant lesson on a familiar cliché. Read more
Illustration by Robert Meganck, Meganck.com
Big ones, small ones–catfish all around. Read more
Photography by Kip Dawkins, KipDawkinsPhotography.com
Forget iceberg and heavy dressing: Make a tangy, nutrient-rich salad with colorful, fresh greens. Read more
Matt Walin
SFX guru Matt Wallin delights in the dazzling images he creates for movies but remains loyal to the value of story. Read more
TylerDarden.com
The Beautiful Gardens program is designed to spur economic growth in southern Virginia through the discovery and promotion of new plant varieties. The first offspring—nine well-tested hybrids—are now hitting the market. Read more
Cade Martin photography
Feature article on Mathews County's Donk’s Theater. Read more
In turns Robert E. Lee’s boyhood home, a boarding house, and a museum, this Alexandria estate has seen its share of history. Read more
Revitalization in Cape Charles has helped establish the new Eastern Shore. Read more
