We bought this place during COVID as an escape from the city & pandemic. As we fixed it up, it quickly became our sanctuary... where we wanted to be all the time. And at 1.5 to 3 hrs from the DC, Richmond, and Newport News areas, it's easy to get to for a weekend getaway or vacation re-charge.
The Property
The one-acre property is beautiful, quiet, and peaceful, and every season brings its own natural wonders. Seeing and hearing wildlife is a given here--bald eagles, falcons, herons, egrets, dolphins, cow nose rays, deer, wild turkeys, foxes, beavers, and lots and lots of butterflies, dragonflies, birds, and wildflowers. As it faces north, you get unimpeded sunrise and sunset views over the water.
The Kozy Kottage lies right on the water, where the freshwater Potomac meets the saltwater Chesapeake Bay. Right across the water is Point Lookout State Park/MD, and to the east, you get clear views of the Chesapeake's Bloodsworth and Smith Islands.
The property has its own private sand beach--the size of which ebbs and flows with currents and tides. The shoreline is shallow and is fantastic for little kids to frolic and play. As the water doesn't get more than 5-9 feet in this section, it doesn't get too cold, and the currents are mild. It is a great place to hang out with your feet in the sand, enjoy the surf sounds, go kayaking, get some vitamin D, and stargaze.
(Please be aware, just as the size of the beach can change with the Chesapeake Bay tides, sometimes the tides can also bring in jellyfish--which can be annoying but, are also one of nature's great wonders.)
The Kottage
The Kozy Kottage is from the 1930s and was one of the first built on this section of the Chesapeake Bay/ mouth of the Potomac River. While we've renovated the Kottage, we kept the knotty pine interior to maintain its historic, rustic feel. The wrap-around screened-in porch just completes the rural cottage vibe.
The Kottage has two bedrooms and a loft with overflow sleeping space with an arm chair and a TV (great for kids or a rainy day lounge area). We intentionally put the TV upstairs and out of "sight".
The living room has comfy couches and a large (1m x 1m) coffee table from Guatemala that is great for board games, cards, drawing, or just putting your feet up.
The kitchen is eat-in (up to four people), has a large fridge and freezer, and most everything you will need/want. We used to live here part-time, so the kitchen is well-equipped.
Both the kitchen and the bathroom are upgraded, and there is an outdoor hot-water shower (closed in for privacy) to rinse off the saltwater and sand after beach time.
The Location
While easily accessible, this Northern Neck property is a bit off the beaten path. It's about a 15-minute drive to the Heathsville Food Lion and between 15-45 minutes to local restaurants and wineries (many award-winning, by the way!).
The property has cottages on either side, but the lots are big, and the neighbors come and go quietly. They, too, come here to relax and enjoy nature.
There is little to no traffic in this area, and it is mostly farmland, so it's great for biking and taking long walks in the rural countryside.