We also recently visited the birthplace of General Robert E Lee which is on the Northern Neck of Virginia. This state is so full of history, you can’t ignore it!

Little Pagoo (click image for larger view)

Tony even got into it, he is a PADI Diver, so this was not really his cup of tea

Hermit crabs are born in the ocean and then adapt to live their lives on land (a life span of 40+ years is possible according to some marine biologists)

A walk along the ocean at sunrise is one of the greatest gifts

Someone else was out early exploring the low tide with us

These are all Hermits of different sizes

Did you know that the Hermit Crab begins its life as small as a dot . (pencil dot) and is thrown about by the sea mist in the waves?

As the hermit crab grows in size, it has to find a larger shell and abandon the previous one. This habit of living in a second hand shell gives rise to the popular name “hermit crab”, by analogy to a hermit who lives alone. Several hermit crab species, both terrestrial and marine, use “vacancy chains” to find new shells: when a new, bigger shell becomes available, hermit crabs gather around it and form a kind of queue from largest to smallest. When the largest crab moves into the new shell, the second biggest crab moves into the newly vacated shell, thereby making its previous shell available to the third crab, and so on.


A few species do not use a “mobile home” and inhabit immobile structures left by polychaete worms, vermetid gastropods, corals and sponges.

Hermit crabs are often seen as a “throwaway pet” that would live only a few months, but species such as Coenobita clypeatus have a 25+ year lifespan if properly treated, and some have lived longer than 32 years. (It really bothers me to see them for sale at chotchke shops along congested beach resort towns. My mother told me when she was in school the popular item at the fair was a chameleon on a rope. ugh)

One of the greatest children’s books of all time is PAGOO by Holling Clancy Holling. A fascinating illustrated story of life in the tide pool via following this Hermit Crab (Little Pagurus).

As a family some of our favorite times are spent exploring tide pools. My daughters and husband are THRILLED to be woken up at sunrise to explore (not!) But once they are there they are happy Mom woke them so they wouldn’t miss the adventure!

Last year, the last morning of a few days away to Tybee Island, Georgia I got everyone up, grabbed some coffee and we went at low tide to explore.  (See above photos). 

Just sharing a little bit about what makes us tick as innkeepers here at The Claiborne House B&B. We are regular people and love to get away and do cool stuff. Making memories is the ultimate Christmas present we can give our kids and loved ones…

Seth Glier Grammy Nominated

Peter Mulvey the cream of the crop!

Tickets are just $12 for adults, and 21 and under $6 (This is where we are taking our daughter on her birthday which happens to be on the 25th!) Buy tickets here while they last! 

Seth Glier
Despite his relatively young age, Massachusetts based singer/songwriter/pianist/guitarist Seth Glier is a seasoned troubadour. Averaging over 250+ live performances annually Seth has gone from opening act to headlining his own shows and playing major folk festivals. He’s shared the stage with artists as diverse as James Taylor, Ani DiFranco, Martin Sexton, Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams and has quickly become known for his passionate live sets. His music has also caught the ears of fans, industry and critics alike with USA Today stating that his “exquisite tenor echoes Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel.” The incredible acclaim on his sophomore record, The Next Right Thing, led to the single “Lauralee” hitting #1 on Clear Channel’s NEW! Discover & Uncover program as well as a Grammy® nomination, a first for both himself and his New York based label, MPress Records

Peter Mulvey
Peter Mulvey is an American folk singer-songwriter based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since the early 1990s, he has developed a strong national following in the indie folk/rock scene through his relentless touring and critically acclaimed albums. Starting his musical career in Milwaukee while at Marquette University, he honed his performing skills while traveling in Dublin, Ireland. He later spent several years in Boston, where he frequently performed in the city’s subway system. He is best known for his warmly wry songwriting and his intense percussive guitar style.