June 12, 2017...Coffee and donuts at Shindogs and then it's time to leave because I have a hard 10:00 time on the Cape May Ferry.  Took some pictures but didn't want to leave.  Hugged Mimi, John's sister.  She is a magnificent woman and takes great care of her brother John.
The ride to Cape May was pleasant but then it started to get hot and they kept us sitting outside for a long time.  The ride over to Lewes Delaware was nice but once off the ferry it was really hot with a lot of traffic.  Arrived at The Charlotte Hotel B&B around 1600 and after a cocktail was directed to The Mallard for dinner.  It is also where you meet up with your boat driver for the trip to Tangier Island.  The Mallard served up a delicious seafood dinner and then it was a walk back to the Charlotte Hotel, a little TV and early to bed.
June 13, 2017...The Charlotte served up a gourmet breakfast and an interesting chat with the owner on the history of Onancock.  At 0900 I was off to catch the boat to Tangier.  I was the first to arrive at slip #10 and Capt. Mark Crockett was already there with the Joyce Marie II, a 36 foot long Chesapeake Bay Deadrise Fiberglass fishing boat that can carry 25 passengers.

The first thing I noticed was that Capt. Crockett is one tall drink of water but a great guy.  He always has a smile and a good word for everyone.  We sat and talked while waiting for the passengers to arrive and we seemed to share the same politics.  Folks started arriving and then two ladies showed up and didn't have reservations and Capt. Crockett had to tell them he didn't have room for them.  As they were leaving he had two cancellations and called them back.  They were very happy.  As he collected their money he asked if they were coming back the same day or staying overnight.  When they told him they were staying overnight he asked where and they gave him the name of a place.  He said there was no such place on Tangier Island but they were sure there was because they had reservations.  Now, Capt. Crockett was born and raised on Tangier Island and there is only 727 inhabitants on the island but he said no more, got everyone loaded aboard and off we launched for the hour ride to Tangier Island.  As we got off the boat Capt. Crockett said the boat leaves for the mainland at 3:30 sharp.  As you come off the dock the first thing you notice is the friendliness of the islanders.  Most everyone gets around on golf carts, scooters or bikes.  Every time you pass an Islander they smile and wave.  The main streets are narrow, a little wider than two golf carts and the other paths are even smaller.  I stopped at the four brothers and rented a golf cart for the day and proceeded to make my way around the island.  As you can see below, this is one of the main streets.




The homes appear to be narrow and tall.  Occasionally some run into trouble.

There is a beautiful church on the island which I visited and said a prayer for my good buddy John "Shindog" Shinnick who is having some serious medical issues.  I also included in my prayers a three year old boy who is the grandson of my good buddy, Marshall Dildy. 

 I had a great lunch at Lorraine's and then drove my cart over to Spanky's for some really great ice cream.  After that I continued to drive around the island taking in the sights.  Shortly before 2:00 the sirens at the Volunteer Fire Department went off and the ambulance drove off and stopped just before the church above.  On the left side of the street there is a medical center and apparently a boy or young man had been injured and they were preparing to medivac him to a hospital on the mainland.  The chief of police was standing out by the ambulance and showed me a detour to get around the ambulance.  We chatted for a few moments and I was off again.  Now it was getting to 2:45 and the Capt. had told us be there by 3:30 or be prepared to stay the night on Tangier Island so I turned in my golf cart and headed for the dock.  Shortly after arrival at the dock the two women who were supposed to be staying overnight at a B&B showed up at the boat.  The reservations they supposedly had were not for Tangier Island but some other totally different place.  We all had a chuckle about that.  And then along came the Joyce Marie II to take us back to the mainland.

After we loaded everyone aboard I joined the Capt. in his cockpit and off we went.  I had lots of questions which he happily answered.  I was actually saddened somewhat by my visit to the island.  The islanders have a beautiful life style but sadly, it is slowly slipping away from them.  The younger generation is leaving the island and 30 years from now there may not be a Tangier Island.  It will be a sad day but I fear it is coming and it doesn't appear there is anything to stop it.  It was a great return trip and I thoroughly enjoyed spending the time with Capt. Crockett.  I got off the boat and one of the folks kindly gave me a ride up to the Charlotte Hotel.  I had a great dinner in the B&B restaurant and then headed for the rack and a good night's sleep.

6-14-17...Woke up this morning and packed up and started carrying all my gear down to the motorcycle.  First thing I noticed, some dirtbag had run into the back of my trailer and left a good ding and didn't have the intestinal fortitude to leave a note or some other notification that he had damaged the trailer.

I had a great breakfast at the Charlotte, checked out and drove down to the docks to say goodbye to Capt. Crockett.  He came off his boat and we talked for a few minutes.  I really felt like I had made a new friend and he was a special friend who, based on his upbringing had a somewhat different slant on life but at the same time we agreed on what makes a man a man.

Capt. Crockett, thanks for the time we spent together and I hope sometime to be able to return and visit with you.

From the docks I headed for Route 13 and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel.  It was a very pleasant ride, especially across the bridge's.  There was a nice, cool breeze but no heavy winds.  I arrived at my college buddy's home around noon.  Pete and Diane had a nice lunch ready for me and we sat and chatted for an hour and they I took a one hour power nap which didn't add any power but sure made me feel better.  Worked on the blog for awhile and then we had cocktails and sat out a thunderstorm and Peter cooked a pork tenderloin while Diane prepared potato salad, slaw and fresh tomatoes with mozzarella cheese and herbs.  Dinner was delicious with fresh fruit and ice cream for dessert.  Following more conversation, I'm blogged out and ready to retire for the evening.

Hope all had a good day and Cleary, watch out.  We're coming for you.  Good night all.