My sister and I put together this memory of a childhood highlight.
The Thompson Family’s Summer Vacations at Graves Hotel
The most exciting days of summer were the few days in mid July that my family spent at The Graves Hotel in Colton’s Point Maryland. July 16 was my Dad’s birthday so members of Dad’s family sometimes joined us at the Hotel to help celebrate.
Graves Hotel, which was about thirty miles from our home, was actually a resort located on the Potomac River. The resort was owned by one of Dad’s friends, Mr. Harry Graves. In addition to the hotel there were about six small cabins, a pavilion, and a wharf. There was no beach.
When my grandparents joined us they stayed in the hotel. I don’t know how many rooms were in the hotel but it seemed quite large to me. Everyone took their meals at the hotel. The dining room was large and elegant. There was a wait staff, cloth tablecloths, beautiful china and silver. The head waitress stood on the long front porch and rang a large bell to announce meals. We always “dressed” for dinner. I’m sure the meals were delicious but what I remember best is the iced tea. It was so refreshing, served over crystal clear ice chipped from a block.
The cabins (where we stayed) were very basic, some would say rustic. Each had a name, one name was Selena. The cabins had beds, dressers, and were equipped with old fashioned ceramic pitchers and saucers. There were bathrooms between connected cabins.
The pavilion had a long bar, a pool table, a juke box, a television set and slot machines. (Slots were legal in those days.) In addition to alcohol, beer and sodas, ice cream and candy could also be purchased at the pavilion. The wharf was just behind the pavilion. There were always several boats tied there. It wasn't unusual to see parties of “gentlemen fishermen” arriving with their catch of the day.
There was plenty of lawn area where children could play “hide-n-go-seek”, “green light”, badminton, croquet, or other games. There were swings and children’s play equipment. For the less active, there were plenty of lawn chairs and a four person glider.
It was the 1950’s, so resorts were still segregated. Black people from Washington and Baltimore traveled the sixty or ninety plus miles to vacation at Graves Hotel or Shirley K Hotel which was a luxury hotel with a pool near Graves.
We drive by what used to be the elegant Graves Hotel once or twice a year on the way to St. Clements Island. The property is now overgrown and the remaining building run down and crumbling. Our childhood vacation spot is gone but we still have wonderful memories of our family vacations there.
You wake up in the morning to the sound of birds singing outside your bedroom window. You open the blinds and know right away it's going to be a perfect day. The garden is mostly mulched and weeded and looks "garden walk" ready. Why not invite friends over for an impromptu party! Parties don't need to be planned weeks in advance, no need to agonize over menus, guest lists, or clean corners. My favorite get together is a "brown bagger". This is not the same as a potluck. Brown baggers bring food for themselves only. You need only supply seating and maybe utensils, drinks and/or desserts. Since my friends aren't i-phoners or texters and don't even check their emails regularly, I have to do a lot of phone calling. But if only a few people are able to come that's okay. How wonderfully relaxing to sit in your garden, enjoying the day and enjoying your friends!
There comes a point every winter when I realize I've become too used to seeing snow everywhere. I have forgotten my front yard is naturally green. I have forgotten the many plants that retain their green leaves despite freezing temperatures and the two to three feet of snow that has covered them most of the winter. Three cheers for those brave soldiers!
