Music and Locust Grove
Part One

Locust Grove is my husband’s family home. The first time I visited the house was in 1994, Urbanna Oyster Festival weekend. I met Robert and some other friends in Urbanna. This meant I did not see the house until evening when it was dark. When you first approach the house you start off on a dirt, tree-lined lane. The trees form a tall canopy where when you look up, you cannot see the sky, only thick tree branches. I remember we stopped that night to take it all in.

Robert told me the lane is called “Gargoyle Lane.” Named appropriately by Robert and his childhood friends who would ride their bikes as quickly as possible through the lane at night, terrified of what might lie behind the trees. I recall it was frightening but magical. The most magical lane I have ever seen.

Halfway down the lane, the trees open up and you see the white pillared southern colonial that is Locust Grove, circa the 1800s. At night it glows.

That first evening the group of us, weekend guests, all casually gathered to the front porch. Confusing for me, as I was not accustomed to river life. It is not the porch under the columns you see as you arrive but on the other side of the house. The river side. As I walked onto this porch I was immediately captivated by the view, even at night. There it was, in its infinite beauty, the Rappahannock River.

As cocktails were made, and tartan plaid blankets were passed around to keep us cozy, CD’s were played. My favorite CD that night was Andy Williams Greatest Hits. There on that CD lives the song, and in my tartan wrap, sipping on a Cape Codder, the song helped put the spell on me. The spell of the river.

“Moon river, wider than a mile
I’m crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heartbreaker
Wherever you’re going, I’m going your way.”

And to be honest, as many more years would prove, Robert was also pretty spellbinding.