As Thanksgiving approaches, it's only appropriate to say what we can be thankful for on the Northern Neck:

Four Seasons:

 It's no coincidence that thousands of people decide to retire in the Northern Neck. The mild climate gives the Northern Neck four full seasons and in each season, a new beauty. Whether you're on the shore to watch a summer sunset, driving through the fields at harvest time, cozied up in a winter snow storm, or smelling the first blooms of Spring. The seasons aren't too long and they're not too extreme.

I'm thankful for four seasons.

The Water:

The weather is great but most people are attracted to the Northern Neck because of the water. There are several aspects to the thousands of miles of coastline that we can be thankful for: beautiful bridges, marshland that provides habitat to hundreds of species of wildlife, boating, beaches, and spectacular views.

I'm thankful for the water.

Wildlife:

The mixture of brackish river water and fresh inland water makes the Northern Neck unique in it's array of wildlife. It's not unusual to see deer and turkey in the evenings or possum and raccoons at night. Occassionally you might get a glimpse of a fox or coyote but you'll always see the turkey vulchers scavanging for their next meal. At water's edge, you have the chance to see herron, eagles, and other water fowl as you watch fish jump at bugs on the water. You may also get the chance to see falcons dive in the water after fish. Wildlife is definitely thriving on the Northern Neck! 

   
I'm thankful for Wildlife.

Small Towns:

The Northern Neck has one town (Colonial Beach) with a population over 2,000 people (3,500). These small towns thrive by showing genuine hospitality to visitors to the area. From Farmer's Markets to Festivals to Fairs; these small towns have the home town feel irreplaceable to residents. One unique aspect of the towns here is that there is an emphasis on retirees and vacationers. So there are shops, restaurants, golf courses, and other ammenities specific to tourists and retirees. 

I'm thankful for small towns.

At this time of year we can all take a moment to recognize the things we're thankful for and find ways to express that gratitude. Living in a free land with great weather, water, wildlife and towns makes the Northern Neck one of the best places to live! 

Crab, specifically Blue Crab, is a staple of life on the Northern Neck. Residents all along the Rappahannock River take great pride in the food sources provided by the river. If you take a boat trip down the Rappahannock River and visit some of it's many tributaries, you'll definitely find crab fishing. Crab are harvested commercially but many of the pots and traps serve as a hobby/food source to river residents.

Similar to Oysters, external factors such as fertilizer, harvesting, and drainage has led to a reduced population of crab. Fisherman are some of the biggest supporters of protecting crab in the Rappahannock and Cheasapeake as they depend on healthy populations to support their livelyhood. Extensive efforts by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and non-profit organizations have put in place legislation and grants to support the overall health of the rivers that drain into the Cheasapeake Bay to preserve the rich habitat it provides.

'Picking' crab is a fun, unique experience that helps us appreciate what the tidal waters provide. Many people are apprehensive about being able to eat a crab. If you don't know, or are unsure about how to eat them, it can be a frustrating, long process that doesn't satisfy your appetite. There are youtube videos that will help you get the most meat out of a crab below is just one of many:

Whether you like to eat crab or just like the Northern Neck culture, crab are a favorite to the lives of residents on the Rappahannock.

Did you know there is more in the Rappahannock River than just fish? The rivers and tributaries throughout the Northern Neck drain directly into the Chesapeake Bay. These tidal waters give life to a wide range of creatures and organisms, one of those creatures is the Oyster!

Oysters play a critical role in the health and habitat of the other creatures. Oysters help filter the microbes and other organisms floating in the water acting like a natural filter (similar to how a pool filter works). They also provide an important economic role for fisherman because they keep the water healthy for fish and oysters are harvested annually. Over-harvesting has led to both murkier water and stricter regulations for fishermen.

Bay 101: Oysters from Chesapeake Bay Program on Vimeo.

Oysters are a popular 'delicacy' on the Northern Neck. Restraunts up and down the Northern Neck take great pride in making delicious oysters the highlight of there menu. Though fresh Oysters are seasonal (late Summer to Fall).

Located on the Rappahannock River, the town of Urbanna hostes its annual Urbanna Oyster Festival in early November. Events include Arts, Crafts, Parade, Oyster Shucking Contest, Wine Tasting, Antique Car Show, and of course... Oysters. For more information, see Urbanna Oyster Festival on the web.

The Northern Neck is know for it's beautiful waterfront properties. The main river and it's tributaries are not only scenic but they also offer habitat for many different species of fish, shellfish, birds and other wildlife. Below are five of the most common fish found in the water:

 1. Catfish

Also called spotted, speckled, silver, blue, channel or fork-tailed catfish these fish are a sporting catch on the river and tributaries. These catfish are grey with slick skin and 'wiskers'. You can catch catfish with just about any bait, though the most common bait is night crawlers or chicken liver. When you catch them, watch out for their spines on the top and side fins! Catfish are found in deep, slower pools of streams that are freshwater or brackish. They're seldomly found in dense weeds. Though catfish isn't a native to the watershed, fried catfish is definitely a Northern Neck favorite.

2. Striped Bass

Also know as striper or rockfish, striped bass is easily recognizable by several black, head-to-tail stripes on both sides. Striped bass spend most of their time in salt water but swim into fresh/brackish water to spawn in April/May. They range in size from the common 10 to 15 pound fish but can grow up to 40 or more pounds. To catch a 10 to 15 pound bass, you'll need a stiff pole and a heavier test line. To catch these bass you can use live bait or outfits that imitate small fish. They will generally travel in small schools and eat various small fish and organisms. There are regulations to keeping a striped bass, before Mid-May, a fisherman can't keep a fish smaller than 28 inches.

3. Bluefish

Bluefish are found all along the East Coast / Gulf of Mexico. They're name describes their markings (they have a bluish scale). In the ocean Bluefish can reach 40 inches long but in the Cheasapeake Bay they're usually around a foot long. Bluefish fillets make a nice grilling meat on the early spring / late summer. Keep in mind that they do migrate on an annual basis (south in the winter, north in the summer) and the larger fish (not generally found in the Chesapeake) have been know to 'snap' at fishermen, hence an alternative name for them is 'snapper'. 

4. Croaker

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Croaker are known for a 'croaking' sound made when they come out of the water. Croaker have silvery scales and can be found in the brackish water during the Summer months. Blood worms, worms, and other live bait can be used to catch croaker but many fishermen would argue squid is the best way to catch them. Professional fisherman also catch them enmass by skimming a net as they travel in schools in larger bodies of water. The fish can range in size from 10 to 24 inches and put up a good fight.

5. Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch are very common in the main waterways and tributaries because they prefer slower moving water. They grow to an average size of 6 to 8 inches. They have very distinctive yellow bodies with vertical black stripes. Perch are slow moving and cautious so live minnows are recommended. They stay in moderately covered areas and avoid the open water.

These are only five of the species of fish you'll catch in the Rappahannock/Potomac rivers and tributaries that create the Northern Neck. For more information on fish species check out Virginia's state website: Virginia Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries

So the debate rages on—Where is the best place to buy waterfront property in the Virginia area?

The selections are many: The Eastern Shore, the Tidewater/Va Beach Area, Lake Anna, etc. And although these places are certainly wonderful spots to consider, each has their own set of drawbacks when compared to what has possibly become the most popular spot in Virginia to find the best waterfront properties: The Northern Neck.

As most know, the Northern Neck  is a true ‘neck’ of land that is surrounded by the Potomac River on one side and the Rappahannock on the other, with the Chesapeake Bay meeting the end in the town of Reedville/Fleeton Virginia.

So the question is why is the Northern Neck so popular? Here are a few reasons as compared to some of the other popular locations mentioned at the top:

1. No traffic: That’s right, none. No tunnels to travel under (64 is awful if you’re going to the Tidewater area on a Friday afternoon). No bridges to cross with major tolls and bottlenecks (Eastern Shore). To this day, the Northern Neck has very little traffic issues because it has not been commercialized whatsoever, a fact that is appealing to many, many people.

2. Access to major Rivers and the Bay: Unlike Lake Anna, which is simply a lake, the Northern Neck is within striking distance of huge bodies of water with the two major rivers and the Bay being right there.

3. Within 3 hours of almost everything: Whether you’re coming from the Richmond area (about 70 miles), Fredericksburg (about 65 miles), or all of Northern Virginia (Less than 100 miles), the Northern Neck is a short drive from every major part of the state. This fact is especially appealing to grandparents who might have one set of children in the Richmond area, and another in Northern Virginia. With its easy location, the NN is ideal for such situations.

4. Reasonable Pricing: As we all know, the closer one gets to Northern Virginia or the Va. Beach area, the more the property costs go up while the size of the property actually goes down. This is not an issue in the NN though, where land is still plentiful.

Although there are certainly many more reasons the Northern Neck has become known by so many as the best waterfront property in Virginia, this list is a good start. But check it out for yourself and visit the Northern Neck and all its treasures soon.