Designer Richard Vesely made the living room, dining room, and kitchen flow from a bay view on the west to a pine woods vista on the east. The living room, enclosed on three sides by eight-foot high sliding glass doors, features a massively beamed ceiling that rises gradually, and then gives way to a cathedral ceiling. A large Vermont Castings "Defiant" wood-stove stands on a raised hearth of old brick. An intriguing split-stairway leads to a second-story balcony that looks down upon the dining area immediately below. Beneath the balcony is the kitchen, its breakfast area enclosed by high glass panels affording a fine view of the pine grove and salt marsh beyond.

In the living room are several bird carvings by the noted Chincoteague carver Cork McGee, including his beautiful life-size rendering of a black skimmer. Guests will also enjoy the 27-inch satellite TV, stereo system, and a DVD/VCR with a library of more than 200 carefully selected films, many of them classics and Academy Award winners.

Each of the four spacious bedrooms has its own bath and balcony, as does the semi-private upstairs library with a sleep sofa. A special feature is the painted furniture by decorative artist Betsy Edgeworth.

 

A two-zone heat-pump system for central cooling and heating ensures comfort in all seasons. Eleven ceiling fans, together with the excellent cross-ventilation afforded by windows and sliding glass doors, make use of air conditioning often unnecessary even in July or August. Other amenities include washer-dryer and a fully equipped kitchen with an automatic dishwasher.

Besides its screened porch on the north front, Wildcat Cove has a screened south porch where a table large enough for everyone invites crabfests and the slicing of an ice-cold watermelon. The electric barbecue grill on the south porch offers greater convenience than a charcoal or gas-fired grill, with equally flavorful results.

The "Tower Room," just below the sky deck, affords splendid views east and west and has its own independently programmable 25-inch satellite TV and VCR, offering a place of escape for parents wishing to watch their own programs or movies.

Chincoteague Bay, about four miles wide off Wildcat Cove, has a grand sweep attractive to all boaters. But the bay's connecting tidal creeks and ponds and its mile upon mile of marshy shore also provide an intimacy of quite special appeal to the canoeist and kayaker. From late spring to early fall we have two 17-foot canoes for our tenants to use, subject to a few safety rules. Kayaks are readily available for rent in town. Power skiffs and sailboats of shallow draft have no trouble getting about in Chincoteague Bay, so by all means bring your Boston Whaler or your Sunfish, catamaran, or windsurfing rig. Except in severe storms the new dock and mooring pilings now in place at Wildcat Cove can accommodate securely two skiffs of up to about 18 feet. Launching ramps are available in town for powerboats. Launching of a very light skiff or sailboat is often possible directly from Wildcat Cove's own oyster-shell path. Our dock, incidentally, holds a great fascination for youngsters intent on catching crabs or minnows, and we provide the crab pots.

 

For bookings contact Island Getaways at 1-888-757-0100 or send an e-mail to igetaway@igetaway.net