May 6, 2022
We spent a rainy day exploring Fauquier and Rappahannock counties, about an hour’s drive outside of Washington, DC. Fauquier is named for Francis Fauquier who was Lieutenant Governor of Virginia at the time the county was established in 1759. Legend has it that he won the land in a poker game. Rappahannock is named for the river that separates it from neighboring Fauquier. It comes from the Algonquian word meaning “river of quick, rising water” or “where the tide ebbs and flows.”
We started the day by picking up our close friend Charlet at her farm near the small town of Marshall.
From there, we drove toward nearby Washington, Virginia, the county seat of Rappahannock. On the way we stopped for a country breakfast at the Orlean market. It is a classic American country store.
Complete with all the classic American food staples.
The countryside was particularly beautiful in the soft mist.
The horses were snacking on the fields of yellow buttercups.
We bought some fresh produce at Chancellor’s Rock Farm.
Finally, we arrived at Washington which centers around its famous inn. The Inn at Little Washington was established in 1978 and was the first inn to receive a Mobil Travel Guide 5-star award. In 2018, it received a coveted three-star rating from the Michelin Guide. Here are some photos of the inn and its surrounding gardens.
There are a number of beautiful old homes in the town, ranging from large mansions to tiny cottages.
From Washington we headed over to nearby Sperryville. With the rain coming down we headed into the massive antique market.
We also stopped by the charming little apothecary
But, unfortunately, didn’t have time to sample the wares at the Copper Fox distillery.
Mal and Lauren 