Art Rocks the Inns - once again!

This Sunday, August 9th from 1-4 pm, the bed & breakfasts of Cape Charles will be rocking with "Art Rocks the Inns". The five b&bs will each host local artists on their front porches from all different mediums - pottery, photography, fiber, pencil, watercolors, paint, wood, food, and more.

If you've been to +Fig Street Inn, you know we have a large wrap-around porch and big yard. So we've expanded this year, with some of your favorite artists returning, as well as new additions:

Background Focus Photography

Background Focus Photography - Brand new to the art show circuit is Sharon Silvey. We've watched Sharon share her love of photography on Facebook for awhile and she has an amazing eye. This is her first time showing her work publicly, and we are sure you will find her work just as stunning as we do. She takes a lot of nature images and we can't decide if her dragonfly or water pictures are our favorites.

Cape Charles Confectionery - food is art! Jean Wilson has a home-based bakery here in Cape Charles and offers cookies, cakes, pies, and other sweet treats by pre-order. She'll be selling her beautifully decorated sugar cookies, and you can talk with Jean about how you can order year-round from her menu, or if you prefer something custom, she can do that too. Throughout the year, and usually around holidays, you can purchase her cookies at Gull Hummock Gourmet Market.

Hula Hooping on the Bay (literally)

Hula Hooping on the Bay - We discovered Jennifer's talents when she was a guest at our inn. She was hula hooping in our yard and of course we had to ask. She makes hula hoops using recycled materials, and they come in all sizes, so no matter your size, she has a hoop for you. It's fantastic exercise and even if you don't want to hoop, stop by to watch. She is fantastic! 

Christine Nichols - Christine comes to Art Rocks the Inns via gallery209. Sandy (the owner) mentioned that Christine would be another great addition one day when we were in her shop. She showed us some of her pencil drawings of the Eastern Shore, and we think you will enjoy them too.

Ten Good Sheep

Ten Good Sheep - Karyn and Mark Belknap will be back again this year with their countless handmade items of natural fiber. They'll have felted soap, ornaments, bracelet cuffs, greeting cards, and their famous Muttmellows loved by every dog who is lucky enough to have one. Karyn also makes gorgeous custom winter hats and this is the perfect time to place your order for the holidays.

Red Dog Decoys - Mark Belknap will multi-task and will have his hand carved decoys. Last year, he was working on one while he was here, so we're hoping we just might see another piece of art come to life.

The other four properties also hosting artists are +Bay Haven Inn of Cape Charles, Cape Charles House, Chesapeake Bay View, and Sea Gate. So come to Cape Charles and soak in some art!

5 Reasons to Visit Cape Charles

We get a fair amount of calls from people planning a getaway and they want to know why they should visit Cape Charles. The first few times we thought this was a strange question. But now we say, "you tell us what you want to do. You can do everything or absolutely nothing. It's up to you."

If you want to check-in and not come out of your room until check-out, go for it. Enjoy the room. Enjoy time alone, or with your travel partner. Relax by your fireplace or soak in your jetted tub. Watch TV. Watch movies. Log on. Read a book or magazines. Play board games or cards. Or just sleep.

(Did you know Fig Street Inn is the ONLY b&b in Cape Charles that offers TVs and fireplaces all from the comfort of your room; otherwise you have to share with other guests in common areas - no thanks.)

BUT, if you prefer to venture out, here is what we think are the must-sees, must-dos for a visit to Cape Charles:

LOVE - Cape Charles has its very own LOVE sign. You may have seen others around Virginia - they are all over, and you will find ours at the corner of Bay & Mason Avenues. We're very proud of this because it took a lot of work by a lot of people to make this happen (including us). We "love" how it reflects the history and culture of our town and region. So go, snap a picture. Everyone needs LOVE in their lives!

Beach - We have an amazing beach right on the Chesapeake Bay. It's about a mile long, with soft, white sand. Sure it's great in the summer, but it's great any time of year. Go for a walk. Look for seashells, beach glass or even sand dollars (They do exist! We've even found one ourselves).

If you are visiting in the warmer months, and you're staying at +Fig Street Inn, leave the beach chairs, towels and umbrellas at home. We've got all of that here for you. We'll even loan you a cooler if you want to pack water, sodas or snacks. And yes, those are included with your stay, too.

And for the above two, combine a visit to LOVE when the sun is setting at the beach. Cape Charles sunsets are spectacular! If you are here in the fall, the sun is positioned so it sets right into the letter O for a picture perfect moment.

Trail Ride - Pfeiffer Riding Stables is about 1 1/2 miles up the road from our inn and you can enjoy a one-hour trail ride along Kings Creek. We guarantee you'll see wildlife and waterfowl as you soak in the natural beauty of our area. Don't worry if you have never been on a horse before because they will pair you will just the right one. Make sure you tell them you're staying at Fig Street Inn so you get our special rate (varies depending on time of year).

Kayak - Southeast Expeditions has many different kayak trips and you don't have to be an extreme or experienced sports enthusiast to hit the water. They'll take you out to a clam bed where you can hunt for your own clams, or on a leisurely tour through the wildlife refuge to observe birds, butterflies (fall season), and take in the scenery of our barrier islands. Or rent kayaks for how ever long you like and go out on your own. 

Or how about kayaking to a winery? The tour is called "Paddle Your Glass Off", and it's a 4-hour excursion that includes wine tasting at the award-winning Chatham Vineyards (try the Cabernet Franc. It's out personal fave!). You paddle there, have a wine tasting, and then paddle back. Yes, there is enough space in the kayak to hold a case of wine if you so choose.

Mangia - Your trip would not be complete without great food! Obviously breakfast is included with your stay at our inn, and we do offer more than enough so you don't really need to have lunch, but there are plenty of great places to eat right here in Cape Charles:

• Cape Charles Coffee House - breakfast and lunch
• Coach House Tavern - breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Hook-U-Up Gourmet - pizza and to-go lunches. Bistro dinner Tuesday-Friday
• Kelly's Gingernut Pub - lunch and dinner
• Rayfield's Pharmacy - breakfast and lunch 
• The Seafood Eatery at The Oyster Farm (formerly Aqua) - lunch and dinner
• The Shanty - lunch and dinner

And if you are here in the summer, you can top off any meal (or make a meal) at brown dog ice cream (open April through October).

Whatever you want to do, we're happy to help you plan it out.

B&B? What exactly is a bed & breakfast?

I recently attended an innkeeping conference where one of the keynote speakers said that you need to let potential guests know what you are not. Interesting….well, here is what +Fig Street Inn is NOT: 

Although it was a treat to sleep over my grandmas house as a little girl, that is not what you get at Fig Street Inn. We do not have:

·      Wallpaper

·      Doilies

·      Furniture you are not allowed to sit on or use.

·      Matchy-matchy decor with curtains that match comforters and pillows that match wallpaper borders (seriously, there is no wallpaper in this house).

·      Curfews. Come and go as you please.

·      Forced socialization. You want to talk to other guests or us, great. You don't want to, no offense taken. 

·      Small coffee cups. Antique china sure is pretty and we have quite a few sets, but when it comes to having a cup of coffee (or tea), we believe in a large mug. 

Fig Street Inn may be our home, but our #1 priority is the guest. We follow a philosophy that it is your vacation so let's make it what you want, not what we want. What that means is:

When do you want to check-in?

Sure we have scheduled hours, and no, we can't do check-in at 11:30 am (we do have to clean rooms). But if you want to come early, just let us know so we can make sure someone is here to welcome you. Drop off your stuff and if the room is ready, it's yours. If not, drop off your stuff, and then go out and enjoy your day. We’ll call or text as soon as it’s ready, and you can come back at your leisure. 

When would you like to eat breakfast?

We serve breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 am so come to the Dining Room any where in that hour and we'll make you a hot, made-to-order breakfast. If you need to start your day earlier, let us know the day before and we can typically accommodate an earlier breakfast.

What would you like to have for breakfast?

We do a made-to-order breakfast. We do not believe in the "you get what you get, and you don't get upset" that far too many b&bs serve. We wouldn't want to eat salmon and green salad or a double stuffed French toast with chocolate covered bananas, so we would never tell you that’s what you’re eating either. We have an entrée of the day (eggs/omelettes to order, pancakes, French toast, waffles or crepes) and there is always a choice of at least 4 preparations. It is made hot, specifically for you – not in a one-size fits all casserole dish that is only hot at 9 am. And if the entrée is not what you want, we can always make fried or scrambled eggs, or choose from a selection of cereals, yogurts, or oatmeal. 

Stay connected, or disconnect - you decide.  

Many guests choose a b&b because they want a relaxing getaway, but it is not for us to decide what that means. Each room has a large, flat screen TV with Bluray player (and we have a video library with 300+ movies), and far too many satellite channels to choose from. If you want to watch TV, great; if you don’t, great; but it’s your choice. And our WiFi signal rocks! If you want to watch a movie on your laptop or tablet, go for it.

Want to recharge?

For some that means disconnecting, so turn off that phone, computer and TV. For others, it means being able to plug in all their gadgets. All of our rooms have ample and accessible outlets, including USB ports. You don’t have to move any furniture to get to the one outlet that’s somewhere behind the bed.

The beauty of b&bs is that each one is unique and we encourage potential guests to do their research and ask questions. There is a b&b out there for everyone, and Fig Street Inn may not be the right fit for you. And that’s okay. We don’t pretend to be the end all and be all. Our goal is a great, personalized hospitality experience where you feel welcome, comfortable, and relaxed. You are the guest. Let’s make this about you!