Siebert Realty Office

Monthly Archives:July 2022

31 Jul

Historic Wash Woods Settlement

Around the turn of the 20th century, survivors of a shipwreck waded through the surf and onto the uninhabited shores of a sliver of land nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Back Bay. Those who decided to stay collected cypress wood from a schooner which ran aground and broke apart and began the construction of a settlement aptly named Wash Woods.

The largest population of Wash Woods is estimated to have been around 300 people. At its peak, the settlement housed a U.S. Life Saving Service Station (shortly thereafter replaced by a US Coast Guard station), two churches, a grocery market, and a schoolhouse. The ocean and bay were the heart of the Wash Woods community with most of the residents working as fishermen, farmers, hunting guides, or manning the Wash Woods Life Saving Station. Houses and community buildings were constructed from cypress wood which washed ashore from an 1895 shipwreck in which a schooner ran aground and broke apart.

The future of Wash Woods was determined by the very weather which brought its first residents and lumber to its shores and consequently led to its establishment. Intense storms and repeated flooding pushed the community members to abandon the Wash Woods settlement—the last of the Wash Woods residents left the area in the 1930s. However, the Wash Woods Life Saving Station remained operational until the mid-1950s.

The cemetery and the remnants of the Wash Woods church remain tucked beneath the live oaks of what was once a lively coastal community, in the existing property of False Cape State Park which honors the strong men and women who made a living from the sea. To step back into history, visitors can bike or hike from the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge between sunrise and sunset daily. Visit False Cape State Park for more information on hiking trails and tram tours.

An old hunt club serves as the Wash Woods Environmental Education Center.
An old Wash Woods life boat house.
The cemetery and church steeple are some of the few remnants of Wash Woods that have survived nearly a century of storms.

Photos from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

27 Jul

Coffee Break!

While the beauty of a Sandbridge sunrise is enough to get us up early, a little coffee really helps kick off our day. Luckily, Sandbridge has some great spots to grab a cup before heading out to the beach or whatever the day has in store for you! Below are a few of our favorites:

Fetch Coffee at Dog’s Little Acre:

665 Sandbridge Road

Fetch Coffee is conveniently located on Sandbridge Road for a quick pick-me-up on your way to the beach! Fetch also has a drive-thru for added convenience, or you can choose to sit under one of their umbrellas while you sip. This shop offers more than just coffee; sno-cones, milkshakes, tea, edible cookie dough, and pastries are just a few of their menu items! Swing by from 7am to 5pm daily.

Baja Coffee Co.:

3701 Sandpiper Rd

On the south end of Sandbridge sits the Baja, known for being a cool place to enjoy an evening with friends. But did you know that the Baja runs a coffee shop in the morning? From 7am-2pm, Tuesday through Sunday, you can grab a coffee, smoothie bowl, pastry, panini, or more from Baja Coffee Co! Enjoy your breakfast bayside and soak up the beauty of Sandbridge.

Daybreak Coffee:

897 Sandbridge Rd

Another conveniently placed coffee shop Daybreak has recently set up shop at Belanga’s Seafood on Sandbridge Road. This shop currently roasts organic coffee beans steps from the ocean in Virginia Beach. For the non-coffee drinkers in your group, try one of Daybreak’s iced teas or lemonades! Open from 8am to 2pm.

We hope you take advantage of our Sandbridge sunrises and savor every last drop of your vacation–no matter where you fill your cup!

Photos taken from the respective shops’ websites. 

19 Jul

Party at the Pier

Party at the Pier 

Sponsored by Siebert Realty

Kick-off your shoes, bring your friends, and join us for a FREE concert in the sand at Little Island Park with live music by Tidewater Drive Band plus food trucks, adult beverages, and plenty of dancing!

This iconic Sandbridge event sponsored by Siebert Realty will be held TOMORROW, July 20, from 7pm to 10pm. Bring your dancing shoes and get excited—this event is beloved by guests and locals alike! Come together with the community to share an evening on our favorite beach in the world. Tidewater Drive Band will be keeping the music flowing all night.

All that dancing is sure to work up your appetite! Don’t worry—we have some of the best food vendors around to keep you fueled for the night:

  • Big Belly Food Truck: Welcome to the beach! This food truck offers island-style cuisine inspired by the chef’s time spent in Guam.
  • HER Concessions & More: Swing by this truck for your classic food truck food—hotdogs, nachos, cotton candy, and more snacks await.
  • Mama’s Kitchen: Try to walk past this truck without your mouth watering…Get ready for wings, brisket, and other specials!
  • Chesapeake Concessions: This vendor specializes in loaded fries, gourmet grilled cheese, crab cakes, and more!

All beer and wine sales will benefit the Sandbridge Volunteer Rescue Squad. A valid ID must be presented to purchase adult beverages. Please drink responsibly and have a designated driver to ensure everyone’s safety.

We can’t wait to see you tomorrow!

15 Jul

Moneysworth Beach Equipment & Linen Rentals

Moneysworth Beach Equipment & Linen Rentals

Packing for vacation can be tough—sorting through belongings and stuffing the car to its absolute limit might be the only stressful part of a beach trip. For more than 30 years, Moneysworth Beach Equipment & Linen Rentals has been there to ease the hassle of packing and make your family vacation so much more relaxing and fun. Moneysworth provides an enormous range of beach-vacation related equipment and beyond for weekly rentals, which are delivered and picked up for FREE at your rental property.

Some of the beach equipment available to rent from Moneysworth include beach chairs, beach umbrellas, utility carts, coolers, cornhole, and beach wheelchairs. Rent a utility cart and make your walks to the beach a breeze! No more lugging awkward and outdated beach chairs or umbrellas—they’ve got you covered with the best gear and their carts make it easy to transport everything you need for your beach day.

Take advantage of the picturesque coastline and beautiful Back Bay with watersports equipment. Moneysworth has stand up paddleboards, surfboards, boogie boards, and a variety of kayaks ready for you! Save on gas—rent a bicycle and head on down to the Baja, False Cape State Park, or the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. Much of Sandbridge is accessible by bike.

Beyond the beach, Moneysworth is here to make your stay with a Siebert property even more comfortable.  Traveling with little ones? Reserve baby equipment in advance so you don’t have to bring it with you. Cribs, highchairs, baby gates, and booster seats are available to rent. Moneysworth also has oscillating fans and rollaway beds!

Reservations can be made in advance over the phone or online. After reserving your equipment, all you need to do is show up to your rental! Moneysworth will deliver your rented equipment or linens by 5pm on the day of your arrival. If you need your rentals ASAP, you can pay $25 for priority delivery. Rented equipment may be left in the same location they were delivered upon your departure. Check out the information below to get started on making your next vacation the best yet!

Moneysworth Beach Equipment & Linen Rentals

https://www.rentbeachequipment.com/

601 Sandbridge Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Local: 757.468.3999
Toll Free: 800.662.2122

6 Jul

Virginia Aquarium Summer Camps

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center hosts annual summer camps to offer kids a safe and unique experience connecting with science and nature. These programs are a fantastic way to encourage hands-on learning and allow children to build friendships on vacation. The Virginia Aquarium’s camps are revered by locals and visitors alike!

While some of the camps have sold out for 2022, there is still availability for the 13–15-year-old age group. There is a waitlist option, so be sure to reach out to the Education Staff if one of the programs catches your eye. Be sure to mark your calendar for future sign-up dates to reserve your child’s spot next year! Below is a brief overview of some of the camps offered. A child must meet the specified age requirement by the time the selected camp begins.

Wonders of Water (2 days, Ages 6-8)

This program is offered August 1-2. Through experiments and science play, find out why water is so important for living things. Discover what’s living in water as you explore aquarium habitats and Owls Creek. The cost of this camp is $120.

Veterinary Care & Enrichment Training (2 days, Ages 6-8)

This program is offered July 25-26 and August 4-5. Explore the job of a veterinarian through role-play, observing live animals, learning proper animal handling techniques, and meeting the Aquarium’s vet team. The cost of this camp is $120.

Yuck, That’s Gross! (2 days, Ages 6-8, 9-12)

This program is offered August 11-12. Learn about animal anatomy and behaviors through this camp that’s full of fun hands-on activities. Dissect fish and squid, learn about parasites and other animals with gross reputations, and investigate animal waste. The cost of this camp is $120.

Watershed Explorers (5 days, Ages 9-12)

This program is offered August 15-19. Explore local watersheds to observe some of the animals that make our waterways a unique resource. Search for life in a pond, kayak to explore a marsh, trawl for fish and invertebrates, and investigate water in a laboratory. The cost of this camp is $420, or $350 for members.

Animal Superpowers (5 days, Ages 9-12)

This program is runs July 18-22. Investigate animal adaptations through live animal encounters, behind-the-scenes experiences, and STEM-focused activities. Explore how animals use super senses and super strength to survive in their environment. The cost of this camp is $420, or $350 for members.

Marine Explorers (5 days, Ages 13-15)

This program is offered July 11-15. Get an up-close look at the marine life and habitats in our area through lab studies, aquarium observations, and field explorations. Trawl for fish and invertebrates aboard the Ocean Explorer, go dolphin watching by kayak, seine in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, and try SCUBA at Lynnhaven Dive Center. The cost of this camp is $480, or $420 for members.

Aquatic Ecosystems (2 days, Ages 13-15)

This program runs August 8-9. Compare and contrast pond, marsh, bay, and ocean ecosystems through field explorations. Learn how to collect aquatic animals for study and what it takes to maintain aquarium systems at home and at the Virginia Aquarium. The cost of this camp is $240, or $200 for members.

If you have questions about these camp opportunities or you would like to be placed on a waitlist, please contact the Virginia Aquarium Education Staff.


Education Staff

programs@virginiaaquarium.com
(757) 385-0278
717 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Photos taken from the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center website. 

 

6 Jul

Virginia Aquarium Summer Camps

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center hosts annual summer camps to offer kids a safe and unique experience connecting with science and nature. These programs are a fantastic way to encourage hands-on learning and allow children to build friendships on vacation. The Virginia Aquarium’s camps are revered by locals and visitors alike!

While some of the camps have sold out for 2022, there is still availability for the 13–15-year-old age group. There is a waitlist option, so be sure to reach out to the Education Staff if one of the programs catches your eye. Be sure to mark your calendar for future sign-up dates to reserve your child’s spot next year! Below is a brief overview of some of the camps offered. A child must meet the specified age requirement by the time the selected camp begins.

Wonders of Water (2 days, Ages 6-8)

This program is offered August 1-2. Through experiments and science play, find out why water is so important for living things. Discover what’s living in water as you explore aquarium habitats and Owls Creek. The cost of this camp is $120.

Veterinary Care & Enrichment Training (2 days, Ages 6-8)

This program is offered July 25-26 and August 4-5. Explore the job of a veterinarian through role-play, observing live animals, learning proper animal handling techniques, and meeting the Aquarium’s vet team. The cost of this camp is $120.

Yuck, That’s Gross! (2 days, Ages 6-8, 9-12)

This program is offered August 11-12. Learn about animal anatomy and behaviors through this camp that’s full of fun hands-on activities. Dissect fish and squid, learn about parasites and other animals with gross reputations, and investigate animal waste. The cost of this camp is $120.

Watershed Explorers (5 days, Ages 9-12)

This program is offered August 15-19. Explore local watersheds to observe some of the animals that make our waterways a unique resource. Search for life in a pond, kayak to explore a marsh, trawl for fish and invertebrates, and investigate water in a laboratory. The cost of this camp is $420, or $350 for members.

Animal Superpowers (5 days, Ages 9-12)

This program is runs July 18-22. Investigate animal adaptations through live animal encounters, behind-the-scenes experiences, and STEM-focused activities. Explore how animals use super senses and super strength to survive in their environment. The cost of this camp is $420, or $350 for members.

Marine Explorers (5 days, Ages 13-15)

This program is offered July 11-15. Get an up-close look at the marine life and habitats in our area through lab studies, aquarium observations, and field explorations. Trawl for fish and invertebrates aboard the Ocean Explorer, go dolphin watching by kayak, seine in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, and try SCUBA at Lynnhaven Dive Center. The cost of this camp is $480, or $420 for members.

Aquatic Ecosystems (2 days, Ages 13-15)

This program runs August 8-9. Compare and contrast pond, marsh, bay, and ocean ecosystems through field explorations. Learn how to collect aquatic animals for study and what it takes to maintain aquarium systems at home and at the Virginia Aquarium. The cost of this camp is $240, or $200 for members.

If you have questions about these camp opportunities or you would like to be placed on a waitlist, please contact the Virginia Aquarium Education Staff.


Education Staff

programs@virginiaaquarium.com
(757) 385-0278
717 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Photos taken from the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center website.