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This past weekend, my wife Lisa and I traveled to Middleburg, Virginia—a little over an hour west of Washington DC. My son’s father-in-law Matt, who also happened to be one of my college apartment-mates, is turning 60 soon and his family threw him a huge surprise party. Most of Matt’s immediate and extended family members were there, as well as key people from his career, church and other parts of life. I was part of the college friend contingent. The bash, replete with food trucks, lawn games for the kids, and a great band, was a smashing success.
The location for the event was Welbourne Inn, a huge estate that dates from 1775 and sprawls over 500 acres. The main house, which has 10 large bedrooms, has been inhabited by the Dulany family since 1833. Guests there can be forgiven for thinking they are spending a night at the museum (or in our case, two nights).
Our spirited hostess, friend of Matt’s wife, and Dulany family member Rebecca stated that the house contains over 9000 books, the accumulation of eight generations. I picked a volume out at random in one of the libraries. It had been published in 1840. The collection of furniture, paintings, and artifacts housed at Welbourne is astounding.
A sizable portion of the estate’s land is dedicated to an equine retirement community. People pay to have their beloved horses live out the rest of their days being cared for in an idyllic setting. About 90 horses make Welbourne their home. My wife and I, along with college friends Bill and Catherine, journeyed into this wonderland our first evening there.
As much as I love animals, I’ve never spent much time around horses. When six or eight of these giants came lumbering over to us, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Seems like they just wanted to satisfy their curiosity and maybe get a pat or scratch. On our last day at Welbourne, before breakfast, I went out alone to the pasture. Two majestic horses in particular took an interest in me and I spent a long time scratching and sweet-talking them. It was truly magical for me.
I once wrote an article in which I mused about the difficulties of downsizing our personal library of about a thousand books. My issues seem insignificant compared to the challenges Rebecca has managing an ancient family library that’s almost 10 times as large. Somehow, she has managed to cull out about a thousand books during her tenure.
We talk a lot about travel here at HumbleDollar. Great vacations don’t have to involve expensive cruises, overseas travel, pampering at five-star hotels, or even lengthy periods of time. For me, this three-day road trip pretty much had it all: quality time spent with family and some of my best lifelong friends, great food and drink, natural beauty, immersion in a bygone era, and connections with some special animals.
The cost for our road trip was modest, maybe $500 total. We didn’t even buy a present for Matt. His wife Katie, in the invitation, implored, “No presents please, oh please! We have enough stuff!” As usual, she and Matt were the ones doing the giving.
Our next car trip to Norfolk will include a stop there. Thanks for the great tip!
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. We’re heading back ourselves later this year for another grand event.
Ken, I’m overwhelmed and honored by your kind and flattering words about Welbourne. Why, it’s about the best advertising I could ask for. We are thrilled that you enjoyed yourselves so much that you’ve made a reservation for another visit. We’re looking forward to hosting you again! Rebecca
What a lovely story, Ken. This is why you’re one of my favorite writers on HD. You paint nice pictures.
My wife and I took regular road trips in a camper van, usually up and down Highways 101 and 1 along the Oregon and northern California coasts. I still dream of those trips — cute campgrounds with huge full moons over them, stopping for great views or great food, the dramatic beauty of Pistol River State Beach, the stunning redwoods at Prairie Creek, the fabulous ice cream at Tillamook (Sarah’s mom loved it), and Rambo the Pomeranian standing up in the passenger seat and looking out the window so hilariously that he almost caused accidents among laughing nearby drivers.
Rambo is gone. Two of our favorite campgrounds are gone, taken by wildfires. The camper van is gone, taken by a guy who knocked on my door with a cash offer so outlandish it was impossible to refuse. And the next time I get to Pistol River will be when Sarah scatters my ashes there.
But she and I and Mom all cherish those cross-country memories. America is the greatest country in the world for road trips, and all you really need to enjoy some of the most extraordinary natural beauty on the planet is a car key, a cooler for drinks, and a roll of quarters for the campground showers.
Thank you for your encouraging words, Mike. I always enjoy reading your thoughtful comments, and not just on my pieces. I’ve never owned a Pomeranian but I’ve always been amused by them.
My wife says her family camped at Prarie Creek every summer, and that she remembers Tillamook. She and I went as far as Humboldt. Very beautiful.
Great to hear about this wonderful place and the good time had by all. I’m winding down a more modest domestic family trip: a circle tour of Pennsylvania colleges with the rising senior grandson and his dad. Beautiful countryside and lovely campuses. Time in the car with these two is fun and very rare.
Middleburg is a truly magical place especially around the Christmas holidays. A true delight is their Christmas parade featuring fox hounds and hunters. The place is replete with Civil War history as well.
Thanks, Ken. That sounds like a beautiful place.
Nice story. I really enjoy international travel, but you’re right you don’t always have to go too far.
Ken thanks for a fun story and letting us know about the Wellbourne Inn. I spent many weeks working about 35 minutes east of there but had never heard of it. It sounds like a nice place to stop on our next trip to visit family in the Winston Salem NC area. We love B&Bs and meeting interesting owners and guests. Thanks again. .
Rick, Lisa and I also love B&Bs. We’ve been to over 30 different ones over the years. I typically choose the top-rated one for a particular area. We’ve never had a bad experience and have had many incredible stays. Welbourne is in our top tier, and is certainly unique from any of the others in many ways.