As we prepare to turn our seasonal pumpkins into pie for Thanksgiving dinner for the 25th time, it is a reminder to us to be truly grateful….

For our guests who come to Chester to be still and enjoy nature.

For our guests who need a break from hectic lives.

For our guests who enjoy sharing their lives with us.

For our adventuring guests who climb up and down Crabtree Falls.

Yes, and for our guests who need a little extra TLC.

In short, it is a joy to celebrate 25 years of innkeeping and to look forward to our next guests.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s hard to believe that fall will be here shortly, but it is definitely on the way. Join us the weekend of September 20th as we enjoy all of the exciting offerings that Monticello hosts at their annual Heritage Harvest Festival. In addition to all of the wonderful sessions about winter gardening and saving seeds, as well as some early holiday shopping, you’ll find this year has some new flavors as well. From dialogues about how food justice shows up in our neighborhoods to a live taping of Sporkful, the #1 food podcast in America, there’s something for everyone here. Jonathan Till, the executive chef of the wildly popular Evening Star restaurant in Alexandria will even be giving a talk! Rooms are available, and Monticello is a quick drive down beautiful Route 20! For more information, visit https://www.heritageharvestfestival.com/ .

We are so privileged to share our seven acres of aboretum grounds with all variety of flora and fauna. Often, we have to look to find that rare migrating bird, a family of bunnies crossing the yard, or a glimpse of a deer right at the edge of the woods, coming out for an early evening treat. But last night, we were treated to our very own display of beautiful deer who were none too shy. After a hot day, they had clearly come out for a walk with their fawns! We were sitting on the North Porch, overlooking the pond, and lo and behold, they appeared. We are so close to Charlottesville and all it has to offer, and yet in the middle of the country where wonderful things like this happen. Come and visit us; maybe you’ll get a visit too!

Do you have a car you’ve been waiting to show off? Or perhaps a bit of car envy? Join us for the 2019 Festival of the Wheel on September 1st from 10-3, held at the Boar’s Head, just a 20 minute drive from Chester. All proceeds benefit the UVA Cancer Center, so it’s for a great cause too. Book your Labor Day weekend reservations with us and visit https://vafestivalofthewheel.com/ for more information about the show!

Here’s a special deal for you on tickets! Book your reservations here now and get $15 tickets to the game on Friday, September 6th!

The thunder and lightning have abated…all is calm again. Through the ancient trees at Chester B & B there steals an almost surreal light.

I think Claude Monet would have delighted in the shadows and subtle shadings all too rarely observed by most of us.

Years ago when we came to Chester in Scottsville, we decided to use the lily for our logo. Over the years we have planted many varietals on the grounds – yellows, deep reds and oranges. They all have a special quality about them as they reappear in the gardens year after year. The wild orange lilies that grace the Virginia roadsides have a considerable stake on the Chester grounds. A dear friend and forever Virginian calls them “johnny house lilies.”

Our favorite has become the Lady Rebecca Staunton lily – yes, it was developed in honor of the city of Staunton, Virginia. She is always at her best for the Summer Solstice – perhaps she enjoys that very long day to display her intense blossoms.

The only downside to loving lilies is that our small group of resident deer also enjoy them. The buds seem to be a favorite “midnight snack.” We just hope their snack is as much a treat for them as the blossoms are for us.

The gardens are looking great, the lawn is mowed. Finally, there is a bit of time to relax and take stock of life here at Chester. Living near or visiting Scottsville is truly a sensory delight.

Views of the majestic Horseshoe Bend on the James River, blooming gardens, an eagle soaring overhead, and stars in the nighttime sky are only a few of the visual opportunities.

The scents of magnolias and honeysuckle, a hint of smoky bar-b-que in the air, perhaps coffee brewing somewhere nearby in the early morning, or event the smell of a gentle rain shower sprinkling the herb garden are welcome.

What a treat to waken to the song of a lark, to listen to tree frogs peeping, bull frogs croaking and a cacophony of bird calls. Yes, and there is also the delighted barking of a dog out for a ride in a pick-up truck.

This is life in Scottsville – no huge rush hour, only five minutes to get that extra bottle of milk, friendly restaurants nearby, a local brewery and coffee shop for break times, yoga classes, spa treatments and a gym are available locally. Walking trails abound , river activities are easily accessible. All come infused with a sense of history that reaches back to the beginnings of our nation.

Just a short drive from town are vineyards – too many to visit in even a week. There are so many opportunities to taste the wines of our area and enjoy a bit of cheese or some tapas surrounded by vast mountain views.

One could go on and on if time permitted…right now the animals need feeding, and the guests are approaching the door. It will be a joy to welcome them and share our special place for a time.

Everyone has a respite: a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant. For some, it’s a good book. For others, it’s a walk or a run. Over the last 25 years, we at Chester feel blessed to have been a respite for many visitors–lots of whom have become good friends over the years. We’ve had visitors from all around the world–from Texas, Florida, and Georgia to the UK, Mexico, California, and even Anguilla.

Today, our hearts are heavy as we think about all of those affected by the recent natural disasters–be it fire, earthquake, or hurricane–it seems that everyone is hurting in some way. Our thoughts are particularly with our beloved Anguilla, where we head for OUR respite each winter. As innkeepers, we need a place where we can go to recharge for the coming year. The beautiful island and its amazing people have been devastated by Hurricane Irma, and we are helpless to do anything at the moment.

So we continue with what we do here at Chester: serve as a respite for those who need it. We are lucky enough to have the beauty and peace of two respites in our lives. Please give us a call or email us if you need to get away from the chaos of life for a few days…our doors are open, we have rooms available, and a walk on our arboretum grounds is always good for the soul.

Sending love and good thoughts to all.