This morning we left the dock at 0650 to ride the current down the river. The Pocomoke River, says Wikipedia, is one of the deepest rivers for its width in the US.
We went past the geese, which we have learned to look cross-ways at from the locals, numerous eagles (how many dozen eagles does one see and photograph?) and hawks! There were bunches of hawks, some of which I have yet to identify! We saw a deer, that never moved when we passed, but, turned to look at us.
We made sure the screens were closed as we went through the lower marsh grass, and didn't think twice about the channel, even though we went out the shallowest spots at MLW. I think I say a 5'6" spot, though only for a second.
We went out the dug canal (above) and down the Pacomoke Sound until we entered Tangier Sound, and turned to enter Tangier from the east.
Twenty-five years ago I worked on the Dredge McFarland with a few men from Tangier Island. As soon as we arrived at Parks Marina, we were greeted by 84 year old (next month) Capt. Milton Parks. I asked about my friends I hadn't seen in 25 years. He told me he'd take me to see them, and he was true to his word! This evening we went to see one of the men, and we had a great visit!
I'm getting ahead of myself, however.... We arrived in Tangier and met the legendary Capt. Milton Parks. He is active, charming, and a wealth of local history. He was at the USCG in Key West in 1954, before going on to Miami. He returned and worked as a waterman for years, and handles the "tourist" dock in Tangier. What a nice man! He told me stories of dredging for crabs (no longer allowed) and showed me around the shipyard on the island, where his daughter, the island's doctor has a medical facility, and the landing strip where emergency medical cases are taken to Salisbury.
I'm really having trouble with this timeline, as my visit with Danny, from the dredge, and golf cart ride with Capt. Parks all around the island, were in the evening. In the afternoon, after our arrival, we met a couple with a Nordic tug, from Patrick AFB, We went together with them, and rented a four-seater golf cart to tour the island. It took us a leisurely hour.
After the tourist boats left, with their accompanying folks, the locals came out, and lots of young people gathered at the ice cream shop. The local church was having services, and the whole island was alive with the residents out and about, enjoying the sudden cool down in weather.
Tangier Island is a great place to visit, as many tourists have discovered. The people on the island are friendly, and we saw bunches of cats, dogs, and kids. It is a great peak at a life style of hard working, God-fearing, watermen, who work crabs, oysters, fish, and opportunities, as the seasons allow.
There is no AT*T on the island, and no Data connection through Verizon, so the blog will just have to wait a day. It is worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment