Life in Mathews County 2014

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,978 people, 3,932 households, and 2,823 families residing in Mathews county. The Isle of Gwynn 23066 is a part of Mathews County.

what a difference a decade and one year - Hurricane Isabel

Hurricane Isabel 2003 a young family (three children) wound up at Mad Calf Lane 
to vacation for the weekend and wound up doing the massive cleanup. Tide surge 
came all the way up underneath the cottage (without lifting it off foundation pillars). 
Many limbs and trees down, it was a mess (big mess). Now, eleven years later, 
same family (kids now all grown) are returning to Mad Calf Lane for long weekend. 
Prayers that they get to enjoy (2003 there was no electricity which meant 
no running water and so forth - really "roughing" it!

movin' on up - dream of addition 3-season hurricane-proof

For more than 60 years the Pirkle family has had current cottage 15' x 45' army barracks world war II.
It is only about 24" or slightly more elevated above the ground on cinderblock columns. It is sideways
(broadside) to the Chesapeake Bay and very near (about 100 feet) from the current shoreline,
which has rip-rap (cost us bucks $**,000). Not heated, this vacation place is "3-season"
I am imagining an elevated 3-season annex (no plumbing, no heat a/c) perhaps 28' by either 16'
or perhaps even wider, such as 28' x 28' with hip roof all around
such that we could make a connection to
the current cottage 62 Mad Calf Lane. We own the "lot" adjacent
to the cottage, between there and the Baker (luxurious) property for sale bucks $***,000
http://www.homesinrichmond.com/listings/116-mad-calf-lane-gwynn-va-45-1411328/451411328/

down in the spout

To give help in getting into and out of the cottage, over the years I have constructed in two places a deck about 8' x 8' or so. One of these is in the corner of the large screened porch and the outside from kitchen window, so the "valley" of the metal roof guides prodigious amounts of rainwater onto the deck and the water also splashes against the exterior wall siding (stressing the paint job). I have contacted a contractor and requested an estimate. I want the big (5-inch) gutters and downspouts due to the heavy rainfall along the shore - Chesapeake Bay. We are planning to go down - before the beginning of November, 2014.

Almost Haven

In 1910 the Foster family built the house now known as 341 N. Bayhaven, Gwynn, VA 23066

"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.