By Sylke

Washington County is filled with hidden treasures, and finding them makes me feel like I won a lottery. A weekend filled with errands and trips to the farmers' markets was punctuated with side-trips that made my Saturday seem like a mini-vacation.

My first stop was at the Hillsboro Farmers' Market, where I scored some of the sweetest berries - strawberries, blueberries and some hybrid blackberry - so far this season. Of course, I couldn't leave without getting a rhubarb pie, made with locally grown rhubarb, no less.

There is something nostalgic about Main Street, and the just the sight of the new Venetian theatre and adjoined wine bar had me planning future sojourns to downtown Hillsboro. So with my head in the clouds, and my car smelling like a field of fresh berries, I headed home, but decided to take the back roads rather than the main drag.

It is on one of Washington County's "back roads" where I discovered Rood Bridge Park. I stopped and explored the park. The weather was perfect, cool and a little cloudy, and the park wasn't crowded.  I envisioned a friends-and-family get-together with B-B-Q and a friendly game of croquet, and started planning the guest list and menu in my head.

Time to get back on the road, and I decided to make one more stop before I get home to nosh on my treasures from the farmers' market, so I traveled to the Beveland Street Coffee House. This was my first time there, and after pulling into the parking lot, I knew that this was going to be my new hangout. It is a quaint coffee shop that serves a tasty latte, not to mention that they also serve beer and wine...I went for the coffee, but stayed for the shopping. About a fourth of the shop has fun and unique gifts, candles and other goodies that I couldn't resist.

After spending $50 on candles, coasters and a cute bag, I finally ventured home, where I made a yogurt parfait with my fresh berries, lit my new eucalyptus and lavender candle from Beveland Street Coffee House and started planning my next perfect Washington County Weekend.