"Rafter" provides a wonderful opportunity for word play at the Bay shore. It could mean a person who sits or lies on a raft and floats. It also means those lengths of timbers that support the roof of metal and other materials. For this week at Pirkles' Perch it is the rafter feet that we have been covering for two days. The purpose of fastening fascia (boards) on the plumb - cut rafter feet is so that rain gutters can be installed. The first day we fastened 2" x 6" pieces first along the length of the screened porch, then above the kitchen window and window to the sunrise bedroom. By starting fairly early in the morning, we were able to survive the heat. The second day is today, Thursday. We fastened four lengths of 2" x 6" the whole side of the cottage nearest the road Mad Calf Lane. The last piece we cut just a few (about four) inches. Since the four pieces are each a length of twelve (12) feet, that means the cottage roof is not quite 48 feet in length. We used two tall metal ladders to do this work, returning both each day after we did the work. The remaining three pieces of 2" x 6" are left for the upper landing of the Perch itself, which by now is about 19 years old.

detailed directions (way too many details) please correct errors

I - 95 headed South and take Exit - 126

this is U.S. 17 South

about three traffic lights (or fourth), take the Left

turn when it is U.S. 17 - up the hill

continue to Port Royal intersection with U.S. 301

traffic light - continue straight ahead.

That is about 50 miles about 1 / 3 of the way

keep on U.S. 17 and you will reach Tappahannock

go through the town, past many gas stations

and then U.S. 17 bends around to the left

this is about 100 mile mark (about 2 / 3 of the way).

Continue on U.S. 17 and watch eventually for

the turn off that says "Saluda"

Local traffic then out the other side,

you are now on highway 33 (Virginia)

until you get to the point where it branches

to the Right as highway 3 (Virginia)

which is going to take you to and over the

river bridge under re-construction.

A little further, this road will T-intersect.

The highway is 198 and you will take the Laef

and go a few miles until you reach Hudgins

whis is the Seven Eleven on the left.

That is where you turn Left and you are 4.4 miles

away from the cottage.

2.2 miles later you reach the "draw" bridge.

If the light is red and the bridge is open, you may

have to wait.

Keep on "Ferry Road"

hard Left just before the cemetery (tombstones)

then hard Right near the Baptist Church.

Pass the street called Chesapeake and at the

Gwymm Post office turn Left (toward the Bay)

the road is about half a mile and immediately

before the white farm house, Left on 

MAD CALF LANE and go past the elevated

cottage on the right, the Pirkles' Perch is the 

driveway on the right.

Should be slightly more than 150 miles from home.

Insurance and property records indicate that the cottage was built in 1955, although it was probably earlier.
In any case, it was after World War II.
There was some minor flooding outside (not inside) this year, 2013.
Most recent work completed includes 1) painting all the (metal) roof and 2) installation of all new screen(s) on the large porch, which was built (along with the "perch") in 1994 in time to celebrate that "spring" the 90th birthday of matriarch "Chee Chee" - Elizabeth Julia Chapman Pirkle, original owner (once purchased from the Nichols family). Ann Nichols at the white farmhouse is the one surviving member of that family of parents and three offspring. There are currently nine properties for Sale on Gwynn's Island.
At least two of those (the red house and the green Doris Loop house) are on North Bayhaven.