Easter at Fort Monroe

We celebrated Easter with my extended family by going out to brunch at the historic Chamberlin Hotel -- a whole crowd of us, 22 people in all. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, the works. People you love + good food + chocolate bunnies and jellybeans for all = what's not to get excited about?

The Chamberlin is located on the grounds of Fort Monroe, in Hampton. Because the base was decommissioned in 2011, after we ate, we were able to walk around and explore everything. James, Anne and I set off down the seawall to Overlook Beach and took in the sights: the old fort, which replaced an earlier one built in 1609, the Civil War-era barracks and batteries surrounded by an imposing moat, and the tons of beautiful historic houses. Since the base is being partially reclassified for residential use, some of these old mansions are actually for sale! We spent a long time picking out our favorites -- I eventually chose one with sleek white columns for my dream house. I think I could even handle having to drive over the bridge-tunnel all the time if it meant I could live there.

But the most exciting part of the day by far was getting the chance to see a panoramic view of the base and bay. During brunch, I asked our maitre'd if there was a place I could go outside to take photos, and she kindly offered to take us up to the top of the hotel where we could see everything -- almost the entirety of the giant stone fort, most of Old Point Comfort, and across the bay to Fort Wool and Rip Raps just offshore. So much history in one glance! It was amazing.

Above: A view of Robert E. Lee's quarters, from when he was stationed at Ft. Monroe.
Below: my beautiful cousin on the roof deck of the Chamberlin.  

All in all, it was a very special day and a holiday to remember forever. We're planning to go back to Fort Monroe when the weather is nicer to visit the Casemate Museum and see a little bit more of the grounds. And James really wants to take his kayak over to Fort Wool (I think I'll wait for the boat tour).

Happy Easter to you, if you celebrated! And if not, hope you had a happy weekend.

Pocahontas Pancakes and Waffle Shop

Sunday, James suggested that we take a break from watching the news, from errand running and go out to brunch. It seemed like the perfect idea; a little break and some togetherness was just exactly what was needed. We headed down to the Oceanfront, to Pocahontas Pancakes, at the corner of 35th and Atlantic.

Pocahontas Pancakes is a little bit of a landmark. It's been around since the 1970s, and in 2002, the Food Network featured it in their "Best Of" series, naming it the best pancake house in Virginia Beach.  A conclusion that we definitely agree with after eating here.

From a kid-friendly standpoint, Pocahontas Pancakes is the perfect mix of food and atmosphere. It's cheery and bright and welcoming -- not to mention bustling enough that nobody seems to notice a happy toddler making a joyful noise over chocolate milk. But unlike a lot of kid-friendly joints, the food is good enough to satisfy even the most sophisticated and grown-up diners. Baby A. had a kid-sized serving of the signature pancakes, I ordered the famous pecan waffles, and J. (the contrarian) went for eggs. We shared bits from our plates with each other and agreed that everything was perfectly delicious.

It was a little rainy and overcast, but that didn't stop us from crossing the street to walk the boardwalk for a while after we left the pancake house. We stopped to visit the Virginia Beach police memorial, which put me in mind of a Mr. Rogers quote I've been saying over and over to myself a lot while watching the news this weekend:

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.

Here's to the helpers, and all of the caring people out there. Stay safe, everyone. x