Vacation Rentals by Owner

Peaceful Runaway

Guest: Linda D.
Date of Stay: 03/24/12 Review Submitted: 05/03/12

We were thrilled with the peace and seclusion at Runaway. The home was very clean, comfortable and well-stocked with linens, dishes, supplies, etc. The house is just as described on the website and as shown in the pictures. You can step out on the dock to drink your morning coffee enjoy the calming water view. I would recommend this house to anyone who needs to get away and unwind. We wish we could have stayed longer. Debbie was very easy to work with and a genuinely nice person. Thanks!

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Runaway Chesapeake Bay area VA #187417

Guest: helene r. (Salisbury MD)
Date of Stay: 01/20/12 Review Submitted: 01/23/12

Home was lovely, clean, and well maintained. Owners were very accomodating.

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Great Runaway from Reality

Guest: Ashley M.
Date of Stay: 11/11/11 Review Submitted: 11/20/11

We arrived in the middle of November for a Birthday weekend getaway. It was definitely a perfect weekend. The house was beautiful and full of everything anyone could ever need or have forgotten to bring! The amazing outside and amenities were above and beyond anything we have experienced at a vacation home. Bill and Debbie were extremely sweet and accomodating and have such a warm and thoughtful touch throughout the entire experience!

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Runaway TO Silver Beach Cove

Guest: Theresa (York, PA )
Date of Stay: 10/28/11 Review Submitted: 11/08/11

We arrived to a well maintained, clean home. Our stay was very enjoyable, despite the Noreaster stomr that hit that weekend. We enjoyed our time together as Runaway was a happy middle ground for our "Cousins Weekend" I would recommend this for anyone looking for a getaway for 50 something adults, and families with young children. I can only imagine what it is like when the weather is suitable. Despite that, we still had a lovely time catching up and eating fabulous seafood from the local seafood markets!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway.

Chillaxing time

Guest: bonnie b.
Date of Stay: 06/04/11 Review Submitted: 07/09/11

We had a great time at Runaway. It was very relaxing. The house was just as described, spacious, lovely, very clean and well stocked. The owners were very kind. The brand new bed in master bedroom was very plush and comfy. Loved the temperpedic also. We had alot of fun on the jon boat netting crabs right in the cove. Lots and lots of crabs there. Had them 3 times that week, would have more later in summer, being early June many were too small to keep. Nice private beach close by, We had it to ourselves most days. Great county roads for bike riding. We finished one of the puzzels by weeks end. Would recommend for those looking for "chillaxing"

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Perfect Work Retreat

Guest: WorkHardPlayHarder (Evergreen, CO, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/06/10 Review Submitted: 12/12/10

Colleagues and I were looking for a quiet place to be able to focus on a document we are writing together. We chose Runaway and it exceeded our expectations. Brief escapes to enjoy the spectacular scenery and wildlife allowed us to focus and be very productive while working. The house was easy to get to, well-stocked, comfortable, and had a large table on which we could spread out and get down to work. The only complaint we have is that we couldn't stay longer and enjoy some R&R there, too!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Runaway was like a home away from home

Guest: Gil and Debbie (Lawrenceville, GA)
Date of Stay: 09/04/10 Review Submitted: 09/14/10

My husband and I had a very relaxed vacation. We loved the property. It offered more privacy than any place we have ever stayed. We really enjoyed watching the osprey, herons and eagles feeding. The cottage had everything we needed and more! We really liked all the "green" products that were available for our use. Also, we really liked the sleep number bed-very comfy! We can't wait to go again!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Best vacation experience

Guest: Jason (Exton, PA)
Date of Stay: 08/27/10 Review Submitted: 09/02/10

We had a wonderful vacation time at Runaway. The location is very good, we had crabs and fish from the bay to dinner table within 1 hour every day. The house is well-maintained, beautifully-decorated, spacious and clean. The owner have a very good stock for everything you need for a water-front vacation. The kids enjoyed all the toys so much. And the owner's family is super nice, and they were sharing tips, answering all kinds questions and providing help as much as they can. We will definitely come back next time and stay longer.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.

What a great escape!

Guest: Joan (Pittsburgh, PA)
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 07/14/10

We stayed at Runaway the last week of June, 2010. The pictures do not do this place justice. The house was immaculate, we had 7 people and there was plenty of room to spread out. The kids and I loved Crabbing and the sunsets on the Bay were some of the best we have ever seen! Our granddaughter (5) loved the toys, movies and games, my teenager had a great time with the bikes and boats, my mother loved the secluded deck with vew of the water and my husband and i just loved the fact that we felt a million miles away from home and work. We will be back and will pack much lighter because everything we needed was right there!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Running Away

Guest: Utah Traveller (Utah)
Date of Stay: 05/27/10 Review Submitted: 06/09/10

We were lucky enough to spend the Memorial Day weekend at Runaway. From Utah, we compiled a huge list of what we would do and see during our stay on the Chesapeake; all abandoned once we arrived at the cottage. It's just too beautiful to leave, and so we stayed pretty close to the bay for our five-day stay, except for the necessary restocking of supplies. We had a ball with the canoe and kayaks, the pushbikes, had great rambles along the quiet country lanes, cooked using the Weber every night, bird watched, moon watched, star watched....My child was entranced by seeing an eagle swoop down and catch a fish, then eat it, all within about 100 ft of the dock. We were fortunate enough to encounter most of the wildlife Debbie reports in the cottage booklet, including Kenny. The local deer were eating in the front yard at dawn (plus making inroads into the wheatfield across the lane)! Debbie leaves a list in the cottage of places to try, foodwise. We also consulted the Roadfood website. We paid careful attention to the recommendations from both. The independent stores and cafes that we subsequently visited in the area were nicely idiosyncratic and fun. Debbie also stocks the cottage with reading materials, and local brochures and books on the local area, which helped us out deciding which of the short trips that we could collectively talk ourselves into were really worth it. I got some terrific decoy ducks from a local store, and was also able to purchase Virginia hams and bacon in the cottage area. We'll be conducting a taste-off between the Exmore and Smithfield hams on 4 July! In terms of what we were promised from the Runaway web information, and Debbie's feedback, the information was accurate. The cottage was clean, spacious, and had a definite holiday-house feel. Debbie personally phoned us on our first day to ensure all was OK, a gesture which was appreciated. We'd go back anytime, but would allocate more than the five days we had to Runaway.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Running Away

Guest: Utah Traveller (Utah)
Date of Stay: 05/27/10 Review Submitted: 06/09/10

We were lucky enough to spend the Memorial Day weekend at Runaway. From Utah, we compiled a huge list of what we would do and see during our stay on the Chesapeake; all abandoned once we arrived at the cottage. It's just too beautiful to leave, and so we stayed pretty close to the bay for our five-day stay, except for the necessary restocking of supplies. We had a ball with the canoe and kayaks, the pushbikes, had great rambles along the quiet country lanes, cooked using the Weber every night, bird watched, moon watched, star watched....My child was entranced by seeing an eagle swoop down and catch a fish, then eat it, all within about 100 ft of the dock. We were fortunate enough to encounter most of the wildlife Debbie reports in the cottage booklet, including Kenny. The local deer were eating in the front yard at dawn (plus making inroads into the wheat field across the lane)! Debbie leaves a list in the cottage of places to try, foodwise. We also consulted the Roadfood website. We paid careful attention to the recommendations from both. The independent stores and cafes that we subsequently visited in the area were nicely idiosyncratic and fun. Debbie also stocks the cottage with reading materials, and local brochures and books on the local area, which helped us out deciding which of the short trips that we could collectively talk ourselves into were really worth it. I got some terrific decoy ducks from a local store, and was also able to purchase Virginia hams and bacon in the cottage area. We'll be conducting a taste-off between the Exmore and Smithfield hams on 4 July! In terms of what we were promised from the Runaway web information, and Debbie's feedback, the information was accurate. The cottage was clean, spacious, and had a definite holiday-house feel. Debbie personally phoned us on our first day to ensure all was OK, a gesture which was appreciated. We'd go back anytime, but would allocate more than the five days we had to Runaway.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great place to stay, explore and relax

Guest: Rubbo (United States)
Date of Stay: 05/17/10 Review Submitted: 06/05/10

We came from NY city and were so happy to have so much space to ourselves. We enjoyed using the canoe and spent two days at nearby Cape Charles beach. We were really grateful for everything that the Campbells provided, from lifejackets to the boats to the condiments and seasonings. Fishing equipment was also provided.... if only we knew a thing or two about fishing! :) Such southern hospitality is why we chose home rentals over hotels. The property is extremely beautiful and easily can house two families. Even the bath towels were fancy. Thank you also for the use of the wired computer. We highly recommend this place to anyone for an awesome getaway.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Mother's Day at Runaway

Guest: Chris Kantirakis (Virginia Beach)
Date of Stay: 05/08/10 Review Submitted: 06/08/10

This home was clean, beautifully decorated and very well stocked. We had a magnificent time and will definitely be renting again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Bird paradise

Guest: reidani (Fairfax, VA)
Date of Stay: 03/31/10 Review Submitted: 04/06/10

Our stay at Runaway was a short one (2 nights) because of work restrictions but it is such a relaxing place that is was sufficient to recharge our batteries. We were lucky with the weather and basically spent all of our time outside, starting with breakfasts on the porch overlooking the cove. I have not heard/seen so many birds in one place for a long time. Two 'resident' falcons entertained us with their fish catching activities and the cabin provided binoculars for better watching. Our kids very much enjoyed canoe rides within the cove and we also ventured out of it to check out the beaches around the corner. Most of them seemed to be private but there is a small beach for Silver Beach residents and guests just a short walk/bike ride away. There is also a long stretch of sandy beach approximately 15 minutes bike ride away. Runaway is well equipped with bikes, helmets, life vests for the boats etc. There would definitely be plenty to do during a longer stay and we hope to come back for a week+ at some point. The owners were great and accommodated our rental request at very short notice.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Paradise on the Cove

Guest: Winston's Mom (Salisbury, MD USA)
Date of Stay: 03/13/10 Review Submitted: 03/16/10

My husband and I spent last weekend at Runaway on SIlver Beach Cove....it far exceeded our expectations! The house really feels like a home....comfortable, nicely decorated (enjoyed the art), well equipped kitchen (including brightly colored dishes and wine glasses), games and books, flat screen tv, multiple small appliances...just about anything you would need to feel right at home. Runaway has multiple choices for sleeping...even a memory foam bed in one bedroom and an air chamber bed in the master bedroom! Nice sheets and lovely quilts... We enjoyed standing on the dock admiring the view..incredible sunset reflection on the cove...the mirror image reflected on the water was a photographer's delight. It was great fun watching the birds landing in the cove...even more fun watching the fog roll in and out....typical for March weather. Saturday night we cooked steak, potatoes and oysters on the fire pit provided by the owners....and watched the sunset...it was a wonderful evening. We took a bike ride Sunday morning....first time on bicycles in about 2o years. We had multiple bikes to choose from...found ones suited to our skill level! Sunday, we drove to Exmore, VA (about 10 miles) for lunch at the Exmore Diner...what fun...it was like stepping back in time. The food was great..the hot fudge sundae tasted like they did back in the 1960's (and was just as large)...and the prices were very reasonable. All in all, it was a perfect weekend. The setting was so peaceful and tranquil, the house was clean and well maintained, the owners were delightful to deal with....would I recommend it to others? ABSOLUTELY!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Debra W. (Vermont)
Date of Stay: 10/13/09 Review Submitted: 10/13/09

We enjoyed a lovely week at Silver Beach Cove. We couldn't seem to pull ourselves away from the dock and the crabbing! We would stroll down in the morning with our coffee and our 8 year old to check the crab pots and hours would go by with all of us netting crabs or catching them with fishing poles, playing with bait fish from the bait trap and watching the eagles nesting in the trees across the cove. The house was very comfortable and we enjoyed hosting other family members for fabulous fresh crab chowder dinners. The Eastern Shore is a wonderful destination for a family who is looking for a relaxed pace and a chance to reconnect, and Runaway is a perfect location to do that! (The eight year old escpecially enjoyed the WII, since we don't have video games at home - but he enjoyed the crabbing more!)

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"Sitting on the dock of the bay..." - O. Redding

Guest: "The Girls" (Washington DC)
Date of Stay: 07/25/09 Review Submitted: 08/04/09

Had a wonderful time once again at Runaway! Our second visit was better than the first! Hot days with rainy nights suited us just fine. The days were perfect for kayaking, biking, bird watching, exploring and visiting the local veggie and seafood stands! At night we were comfortably nestled inside playing cards, watching movies, reading, creating culinary masterpieces and just relaxing. Enough space for everyone to do their own thing. Runaway has become a home away from home in the summer. Lots to do and a great place to do a whole lot of nothing - something for everyone. Can't wait until next year!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Crown-jewel Retreat

Guest: Science educator (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 07/11/09 Review Submitted: 08/06/09

The Chesapeake from the beautiful Runaway home at Silver Beach was an incredibly relaxing and beautiful way to experience The Eastern Shore! The home was immaculate and the furnishing were beautiful and inviting. The home was well-outfitted and the views nothing short of spectacular. The hosts were gracious and accessible. We enjoyed all the amenities from the canoe, the back patio was our favorite hang-out, and the dining room was a relaxing place to enjoy dinner and the local wines. The mosquitos were an non-issue this summer! The bikes allowed us to casually sight-see the nearby area and we enjoyed car trips on the back roads of the southern part of the Eastern Shore. I'd have to agree about the crab cakes at Exmore Diner, but add that the flounder at Wachipreague was also memorable. Runaway is my favorite place to get away from the city stresses!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

June 2009 stay

Guest: PA Tourists (Belle Vernon, PA, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/13/09 Review Submitted: 07/12/09

We stayed at the Runaway in June 2009, and found it to be very peaceful, relaxing and quiet. The house was nicely furnished, comfortable, and spacious. The large kitchen was well equipped. We used the jon boat, canoe, and 2 kayaks (all at the house) to explore around the small inlet at the back of the house and in the larger inlet towards the Chesapeake bay. Bikes were available, and we used the bait refrigerator in the garage for our crabbing bait. We caught over 50 legal crabs during the week using both the crab pots that are at the home, and our hand lines off the dock . We probably actually caught almost 100 crabs on the hand lines, but most were too small, but still a lot of fun to catch and throw back. We spent most of our time relaxing on the mostly shaded deck, and in the family room. We would like to return to explore more of the Virginia peninsula, but thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing week. The home is nicely landscaped, well shaded, and the sunsets were very nice. We took several pictures from the back of the house towards the inlet and Chesapeake at sunset (dusk), and had people comment that the best ones looked almost like a postcard with the water very smooth and the reflection of the trees almost perfect. We went for a nice morning fishing trip on the group fishing boat out of Cheriton. While we didn’t land any “big” ones, we ended up with several dozen croakers, and even an inexperienced fisherman had a good time. The captain was able to easily find spots to catch fish and everybody (about 12) on the boat caught some fish.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful Secluded Hideaway!

Guest: Alex_33 (Baltimore)
Date of Stay: 05/17/09 Review Submitted: 06/08/09

We actually saw a bald eagle fishing in the cove!!! If you are looking for a true RELAXING vacation look no further. You get to sun and swim without the other 1 million tourists of the ocean towns. The house was spotless. Everything where it should be and waking up to the views of the cove was priceless!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Cove House getaway

Guest: Karen S. (Salisbury, MD)
Date of Stay: 04/10/09 Review Submitted: 06/08/09

We recently stayed at the Cove House and were really pleased. The house is so spacious. The water views are great. We tried our hand at crab fishing and canoeing. We also venture over to the bay side of the peninsula and found more stunning water views. Great walking and nice beach area. I would highly recommend this lovely cottage for a great get away.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Guest: Suecra (Southbury, CT)
Date of Stay: 11/09/08 Review Submitted: 11/09/08

One of the most relaxing vacations we've ever had. House was immaculate with tons of room to spread out. The sunsets every night were fantastic. We were surprised it was so easy and fun to catch crabs and we enjoyed our own crab feasts every other night. It was all about spending quality time together and alone. I can't wait to come back. Months later and we're still enjoying the memories and pictures we took. A definite A+ vacation in an A+ home. Thank you and hope to see you again soon!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: "The Girls" (Washington DC)
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/05/08

We had a wonderful time relaxing at Runaway. Can't wait to go back again! Lots of beautiful sunsets, crabs, birds and great fun. Perfect for our 'girls getaway." Plenty of rooms with luxury touches. We found tons of space. Everyone had plenty of room do yoga, read or whatever. Lot's of great places to all hang together too, both inside and out! Loved the boats and bikes too! Looking forward to a return "Runaway" weekend sometime soon!

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Runaway is wonderfully relaxing!

Guest: Michigan travelers (West Bloomfield, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 06/28/08 Review Submitted: 07/19/08

My husband & I do alot of business travel so for us to not stay in a hotel is a real vacation! Runaway provided the perfect place for us to relax from our normal hectic lives! I was able to read several books and enjoy the beautiful water view on the deck. We would regularly sit on the dock in the evening to enjoy the sunset....just beautiful! And the many eagles flying provided great entertainment. The house was extremely well equipped to view nature - 2 binoculars so I did not have to share with my husband! The inside was very clean & offered all the comforts of home with the well stocked kitchen! The bicycles were super as we enjoyed using them for several outings! Loved the Exmore Diner and the Mason Beach U-pick orchard - picked 5 pounds of blueberries! We will definitely look forward to our next relaxing trip to Runaway!!!!

Owner response:We have really enjoyed sharing the treasures of the Chesapeake with vacationers from all over the country. It's fun to see what our visitors like best. A meal at the Exmore Diner is like taking a trip back in time... and a real favorite. There are so many interesting "off the beaten path" things to do. Fall and winter are also great seasons at Runaway with non-prime season discounts.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

never again

Guest: lakebert (Charlottesville,VA)
Date of Stay: 06/22/08 Review Submitted: 01/22/09

Owners did not return our deposit citing games that did not get put back in the proper place, and they said we stained the kitchen sink which we only washed dishes in. They also said that teh fridge in the garage for bait and fishing related stuff was not cleaned properly. My wife and i vacation several times a year for over 15 years and this is the first time we had a problem like this. we sill never rent from these folks again.:(

Owner response:This is the only time that a guest has left Runaway in poor condition. We notified the guest of the list of problems with notice that their deposit would not be refunded. The list included: a sticky spill on the floor, wall, and door in the family which had drawn ants into the house; splatters from the garbage can that ran onto the wall and the fridge; a very dirty bathroom; and blood in the bait refrigerator. The magnitude of the mess was shocking. The guests were upset about losing their deposit, but they did not leave Runaway as they found it. We did offer mediation, but they did not take us up on the offer. If they had simply taken the time to clean prior to departure all of this could have been avoided. We take great pride in the condition of Runaway and want it to provide a lovely vacation experience for our guests. We make departure clean up as fun as possible by providing a new Dyson vac (some have jokingly threatened to take it home and leave their old one in its place), great cleaning supplies, and even a bright blue fuzzy microfiber dry mop. We hope that potential guests will share our committment to quality and cleanliness and will understand the expetation that Runaway will be left as you found it when you depart. For those who prefer a home with maid service available, we certainly understand that too, but it si not a service that we offer. We do double check the house and restock prior to the arrival of each guest to ensure that when you arrive you will be thrilled with what Runaway has to offer.

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A getaway not to be forgotten

Guest: Treadwell (Salisbury, Maryland, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/20/08 Review Submitted: 05/30/08

A lovely setting, nestled on a saltwater cove in the pines. No traffic, no noise except the wind and water lapping at the shore, with simple scenic splendor at every turn. The days were beautiful and sunny, the evenings cool and with a view of a billion stars. And then there were the sunsets. Wow! The beautifully maintained house itself offers everything in the way of up-to-date conveniences, the beds are extremely comfortable, the rooms inviting, and the hosts rate five stars in my book for their attentiveness, graciousness and friendliness. Some of the world's best (no exaggeration) seafood is within a fifteen minute drive on the rural roads. Fishing at the cove (right in the back yard) and at the beach (just a ten minute walk away), with lots of variety, including flounder, striped bass (rockfish), croaker, hardhead, and shark. Crabbing, too, both in the cove and the bay. They even provided poles and tackle! My stay was only for a long weekend. I wish it could have been longer, but after having experienced this great getaway, it will be on my next visit, which will be in the very near future. Thanks so much for a really memorable and relaxing time! See you soon!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/01/08 Review Submitted: 05/05/08

My family had a wonderful time at Runaway! The house is pleasant, the hosts warm and genuinely thoughtful about every detail. The best part was the kyaking in a safe shallow area suitable for small children to learn about the water. My kids made friends with endless small critters. We felt like we were a million miles away from work and school--a truly relaxing and wonderful vacation!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Ann B (ocean city )
Date of Stay: 05/01/08 Review Submitted: 05/03/08

My husband and I took our 3 kids to Silver Beach for a mid week get away and we are so glad we did! To see our children get so excited over the simplest things was fantastic. The pier offered a great sanctuary for sitting, relaxing and exploring. The home was extremely clean and very comfortable. The outdoors were lovely and we would love to revisit!

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silver beach

Guest: Ann B (ocean city )
Date of Stay: 04/19/08 Review Submitted: 05/13/08

My husband and I took our 3 kids to Silver Beach for a mid week get away and we are so glad we did! To see our children get so excited over the simplest things was fantastic. The pier offered a great sanctuary for sitting, relaxing and exploring. The home was extremely clean and very comfortable. The outdoors were lovely and we would love to revisit!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Squirrel (Fruitland)
Date of Stay: 04/01/08 Review Submitted: 04/22/08

It's a great place...relaxing, yet plenty of interesting things to see and do. The beds were soooo comfortable. Everyone slept well with the salt breeze flowing through the windows at night, The cove was the center of our activities and the three-wheeled bike was in demand. I wish I could keep the kitchen, the dishes, and other stuff at my house. The art is the finishing touch. It's like being in a little gallery that's just our style. J&B

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