A Step Back In Time

Our next destination as we head north in the southern part of Chesapeake Bay is Tangier Island. Described by others as a "not to be missed" location as it has not changed much over the last 50-60 years. We had to see it.

The town can be approached from the west entrance or the east side. Because we knew that we would be departing to the west. the next day, we chose to enter from the east just to get a feel for the waterway in this town. While I am not much on using other's words to describe our trip, Dozier's Waterway Guide, Chesapeake Bay 2012  has an opening paragraph that describes Tangier Island, VA perfectly:

"Nosing through the channel leading to Tangier Island...

 is a rare experience. There is no other way to put it. Contrasted against the blue sky are small white crab shanties,

each with their own dock, lining the way on both sides like a welcoming committee for those arriving on Virginia's working waterman's island.

As you proceed through the thoroughfare you will see a whole village of crab shanties standing on pilings out in the water.

These are the peeler sheds where soft crabs are held until they molt, at which time they are packaged, refrigerated, and taken to the mainland for distribution far and wide."

Parks' Marina was our destination for the night and we were greeted by Mr. Parks himself.

At 82 years "young" and having been born and raised there, he had all the information about the island and was happy to share it with us.

Our day ended with another superb sunset over the Chesapeake Bay.

On May 22nd before we departed our slip, we took time to walk the town. Having very few cars or trucks on the island most people get around by walking, on bicycles, or via golf carts that they refer to as golf buggies. If you don't have one, you can rent one from Four Brother's Crab House for the day. Small motorbikes are another favorite mode of transportation.

Caution: there is a speed limit to observe!

The town water tower sums up what the main industry here is.

And there are helpful historic signs to remind you of the towns past.

Captain John Smith happened to stop by here on his way to Jamestown in 1608. The oldest family lineage on the island traces back to John Crockett when he settled there in 1686. That family name can be seen all over the island as well as Pruitt and Parks.

There are many classic houses on the island...

with graveyards intertwined in amongst the churches and old family homes.

We were reminded that Memorial Day was not far away.

There is a fairly new school on the island for all the grades...

where, we were told, they have classes in English and then they have classes in English. A significant portion of the population still speaks an old style "Elizabethan Period" English which we found to have quite an accent to it. The students have an opportunity to keep that tradition.

There are many bike paths that lead to and from the school building and throughout the town.

During our walk along the pathways we were greeted by a few ducks...

and a muskrat.

Our host and dock master, Mr. Parks, was there to lend a hand as we slipped our lines and headed to our next destination, Kilmarnock, VA.

Nautical Word For The Day: [from seatalk.info]

Warp:

1. To handle a ship into or out of a dock by using spring lines and the engine.

From Great Loop Jargon:

2. What happens to a wooden BBQ top when it spends too much time in the engine room and dries out.