Heide's Point, Poquoson - An oasis of... devotion

Six miles.

Six miles from my house.

A 10 minute ride or so on the Harley, down winding roads, to a place where a mother has tangibly shown the world, at least our local part of that world, how much she loves her daughter.

Mrs. Brutally Honest and I found this... this... oasis... by accident a couple of months ago while simply looking for a place to ride the bikes.

We came to a dead end and started to turn around when I noticed the sign.

Heide's Point.

Next to the sign, a beautiful wrought iron gate, framed and anchored by stone pillars, opening to a sandy walkway leading to the water's edge. On the right stone pillar, we noticed a placard.

There we read about Heidi Laura Cayouette. Born in 1961. Died in 1997. An airline and aerobatic pilot, apparently killed in an airplane crash.

We dismounted, and walked together through the gate. Less than a hundred yards down this finger of land surrounded by water, there on the Poquoson River, we found a small lighthouse (maybe 20 feet or so high). Another placard honoring Heidi's life at the base, at eye-level.

The lighthouse stands at the end of the point, surrounded by marshlands and park benches. A beacon of love, from a mom to her daughter, on display for all those fortunate enough to find it.

It was a moving day. You could just about feel the love.

We've been back numerous times. One of those times, we found the mother there on the grounds near the lighthouse, atop a riding lawn mower. We smiled at her and without turning the mower off, she motioned toward the solar panel at the water's edge, and told us that the lighthouse really does light up at night. Then she rode away, as if to leave us there with her memories.

Again, we were moved. Again, you could just about feel the love.

We've since found that the mother lives alone, just up the street from the point. And we've also found that it's visited often by other people. Last weekend we drove up just as a young couple was leaving. We found a six pack of empty beer bottles beside our favorite bench. That infuriated me. We made sure to discard the bottles as we left, trying in some small way to restore a part of the point's pristine-ness.

It has become one of our favorite local places to visit, especially as the sun is setting. Quite obviously, Heidi's Point is a mother's memorial of devotion and love toward a daughter who's life ended long before it should have but it's also become much more than that.

It's become for me a place of escape. It's a place to go... and remember. A place to go... and forget. A place to go... and think and ponder. A place to go... to simply sit quietly, to read, to look off into the distance and just... be.

Heidi's Point.

If you're ever in the area, you're gonna have to check it out.

UPDATE:  I've posted some relevant pics.

Comments

[gary]

Beautifully written.

[Bob]

I just came accross your piece about Heidi. She was a personal friend. Yesterday, for some reason, she "popped into my head". I did a Google search using her name. I don't know why, maybe it was because the last time I spoke with her, it was about 7 years ago to the day. I had called her to she if she was coming to Biketoberfest here in Daytona. She died a few weeks later. I thought it strange that you had just posted this a few days ago. I'm glad that you enjoyed your visit(s) to Heidi's Point. I have forwarded your story to our other friends.

[Don]

G/Morning Mr. & Mrs. Brutally Honest, Thanks for the wonderul story......I never knew.....We will check it out with the respect it deserves.

[robyn]

I have visited this beautiful place I came all the way from Rhode Island. and you are so right it is a beautiful memorial to a wonderful person. This mother has created a great place to sit and enjoy the sky, stars, ocean and peace. The daughter she lost just seems to fill this spot and give the gift to all of us, to enjoy life as she did while here. I have now become a personal friend to Heidi's mom and she is as beautiful as this place, you all should be as lucky as i.

[robyn]

I have visited this beautiful point. It was built to honor Heidi, by her mom Rosie. I have now gotten to be a very dear friend of hers after she awarded my daughter a space camp scholarship also in honor of Heidi. This women has created a lovely little spot for people to come and enjoy the place Heidi enjoyed the most and in sharing this spot we alll can know Heidi, who I never got to meet but now hold a speacial place in my heart now. I hope you all go and visit this beautiful light house, and if you come across Rosie, please say hi and enjoy talking with her, you will come away with a very speacial new friend.
enjoy
robyn

[Teresa Robichaud]

Heidi was my cousin,,,,i always tormented her on me being the oldest one,,,[by 5 months].....i will always remember her with fondest memories,,,i loved her like a sister....rip heidi...xoxoxoxo

[Rick]

Teresa... thanks for stopping by... Heidi's Point remains a special place...

I just read your peice on heide,
I sit here with tears streaming down my face. I have not visited Heide's point.Perhaps it has been just too painful for me. This is the first time I have written about heide though She lives within me everyday and all who know me know of Heide. I happen to know that heide was indeed a very special person. Though our lives and careers took us in different directions, I always stayed in touch with her and she with me. We both began our flying careers around the same time and were born in the same year. People have told me that they thought heide and I were soulmates. That may have been, but she deserved far more than I could ever offer her. She was smart, witty, caring, beautiful,loving, humorous and the list goes on and on. She was deeply passionate about aviation and I was fortunate to have had her in my life and to this day I love and miss her so bad it hurts. I know she loved me too and there are no words to express what a truly gentle and caring person Heide was. The last time I was at Heides point was when Sam White spread her ashes there.There was no lighthouse or gate but from the pics posted it is the most beautiful memorial I have ever seen.
If you did not know Heide or her family you really missed out. They are the most special people you will ever meet. God bless you and keep you always. Rosie, if you read this you can expect a visit when this fishing season is over. I love you so very much. You are the best birdmom ever.

I love you and your family always
Kennymac

[Rick]

Kennymac,

I'm moved by your words... thanks for stopping by... I've little doubt that Heide was one special person and her mom's monument to her memory seems to buttress the point.

I've not been back to Heide's point in a good while... I think it might just be time for another visit.

[KennyMac]

Just wanted to drop a line to let anyone that may try to contact me know my email address has changed to: splash@va.metrocast.net

Hope all are doing well.
KennyMac

[Terri Robichaud]

you are all so kind remembering my cousin,,,,she was smart,,,beautiful,,,,,and i miss her,,,,she will always be in my heart,,,,xoxoxoxoxoxo

[Daina Brafford, Raleigh, NC]

Everytime I come home to Yorktown from Raleigh, my husband and I make a point of visiting Heidi's Point. We came across it by accident one day and fell in love with it.
I go there during low tide, let the rippled sandy mud massage my bare feet and wade out to the many sand bars. I feel at peace and think about my brother John who was taken from us far too early (just like Heidi). We were raised with 'sea legs' and I know he would love it there. I know he is there with me and I never want to leave.
I was there this past weekend; it was breath taking that sunny Sunday morning. My mom took the my brother's children there today and met Miss Rosie. Oddly enough, Heidi's family gave my brother John one of his first jobs as a teenager.
I would like to thank the family for opening this beautiful point to the public so that we may find peace and inspiration just as they do.

[Terri Robichaud]

kennymac,,,,here is my e mail,,,please write me,,,,id like to hear stories of heidi,,,my cousin was not only beautiful,,,,but smart and,,,,funny,,,i have pictures here i could download and send to you,,,,teresa

[Ann Heptinstall]

I was there today and the gate was locked with private property signs all around. We are new to the area and thought we would visit. Is something wrong?

[Rick]

Mrs. BH and I found it in the same state last week... I'll try to find out what happened and report back...

[Michelle]

I absolutley love this place. My boyfriend and I would go there after every date we had and just it on the benches and look up at the stars all night. Then one night I stood on the stones surrounding the lighthouse and told him that I loved him for the first time. That place holds a very special place in my heart and I'm hoping that I get proposed to there.

[Marcus Good]

I understand that the gate has been been locked now because the current teen population have been using it as a place to go and smoke their weed.

[James K. McMullan]

I went back to Heides point last weekend. Rosie drove up right after I got there. There were alot of leaves around and a little trash but Rosie said that some of the neighbors had adopted heides point and it looks fabulous. The reason she started locking the gate was because of vandals, if you can believe that. They had stole the solar batteries out of the lighthouse, sprayed grafitee on it and were just trashing it up. I'm happy to report the lighthouse has been repaired and cleaned.

I would like to personally thank all who have love for Heide and her family for all the hard work and effort at the point. You are wonderful and I think we should all gather there together sometime. I would love to meet you'all. For those that would desicrate a memorial like you have, Don't let me catch you or may not ever leave. Needs a little bulkheading around there anyway. Which brings me to another point. There has been quite a bit of errosion at the point after the last couple of hurricanes. I'm concerned about the future of Heides point. Is there someone there, in Poquoson, that may know a coucilman or county supervisor or the like, that could talk to them about a permit for riprap. I think if we could start a fund and have someone in an official capacity on our side we may could fix the problems there. I went back today and cleaned it up and blew all the leave away and was looking at the troubled spots. It will take a small army but with the money secured and the right amount of people we could do this. I'll be glad to volunteer a four wheeler and cart etc. as the stones will have to be manually put in place and there is limited access for larger eqipment. Anyone that wants to contact me in this regard please feel free to call me at: cell 804-824-1698 or 804-758-2232. email splash@va.metrocast.net . Im available nov. through march as I fly out of state in the summer months.

Teresa I did not see your email address so just email me with it.

Love to you all and happy holidays
KennyMac

[James K. McMullan]

Oh yeah!!
Thank you Mr and Mrs. BH for this site. If anyone wants to visit Heides point and Rosie is anavailable, I have been blessed and Honored with a gatekey. I'm in Middlesex county but Call and I'll try to help.

KennyMac

[Whit Clifton]

Mr & Mrs BH –

Thank you for your splendid and sensitive documentation of Heide's Point. I am so pleased to have your photos. As others have said, to know the Cayouette's was and is a most distinct privilege. I have lived in CA for the quarter century, not far from where Heide was based in Oakland. There was a time, long long ago and back in VA, when I thought and hoped Heide would become my step sister. Her mother, Rosie, and my father, Jack were the closest of friends. So much so that Jack painted a portrait of Rosie that hangs in the Charles H. Taylor Art Center in Hampton, VA.

There is a photo of lovely Heide to be seen at this Southwest Airline site: www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/it-seems-it-really-does-take-a-rocket-scientist.

I understand that over the years there have been some disrespectful nuisance problems at Heide's Point that have very sadly resulted in the removal of the lovely and symbolic lighthouse, as well as increased security measures. Your splendid photos have captured and preserved the former splendor and unmarred serene beauty the sacred site as it was intended to be. We are in your debt.

Whit

[Ruth]

I saw the gate and the plaque and later on searching on google found out all these comments and pictures.
The gate was closed and so sorry that is not available to the public but thanks to your pictures i can enjoyed the place and thanks to your notes i can feel the love and memories about Heide.
Thanks all for posting and hopefully will reopen again.
Best Regards,
Ruth