Natives of the DC area, Chris and Viola Curtis fell in love with the Eastern Shore ten years ago and bought River House, built in 2003. They have been escaping to this enchanting spot almost every weekend since. Chris is a family law attorney in northern Virginia, and Viola runs his business. They are testimony that there is no antidote quite like this tranquil getaway from the intense professional environment of the Beltway. In fact, they love it so much, they decided this is where they plan to retire. They invite you to experience the reinvigorating magic of this house, on this river, on this amazing Eastern Shore.

Viola Curtis purchased this house in 2005

Feeling creative? There is nothing like the River House as an incubator and inspirer. Let the composer in you come up with your next few tracks or capture the lyrics that have been eluding you. Go ahead, finish that screenplay. Your inner author can draft entire chapters here. (Michener wrote most of his on these very waters.) You will not be the first poet to pen stanzas at this house, either. Nor the first painter to paint, nor the first actor to rehearse lines, the first musician to play, nor first cartoonist to draw here.

When you wake up in the king-sized bed of the master bedroom, and before your feet hit your slippers, you will look straight out the wall of picture windows to the river. Roll over to the right or left and you will see the woods fully decked out in seasonal fare, as dawn spills down from the skylight. Take in the unique personality of each of the four seasons from this perch, or from the balcony, living room, kitchen, or dining table. Or from the deck, with its glass railings and unobstructed views. The brilliant, crisp foliage of fall, the hushed peace of winter, the exuberant eruption of spring, and the sultry lushness of summer, all become closer, more intimate at the River House. There is no "in-season" here. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, even the doldrums of February, are all exquisitely serene times.

Into birding? This is one of the richest avian habitats in North America. On the river slightly to the left of the house is a nest that is inhabited by osprey who return the first of every March to start a new generation. On the far bank are blue herons. Down river nearby are bald eagles, who, though much larger, tread carefully when encroaching on osprey turf. In the woods surrounding the house there is a cardinal couple, loyal to each other and to our home the year 'round. Not to mention red-tailed hawks, turkey buzzards, nuthatches, tufted titmouse, chickadees, and three species of woodpeckers. We'll leave our birding guide and binoculars for you.

Kayaking? We'll keep two of them, with paddles, ready for you at the front of the deck. Or, when it's warm, lounge on the pavers next to the pool and read the day away.