LaPlata, MD

We had a leisurely ride to the boat this morning.  Joe took many photographs of Onancock houses as we cycled through town. 

As we waited for our boat to depart we got a glimpse of “island life”.  Mark, our captain, had brought his dog with him from Tangier.  The dog was injured and needed to have veterinarian care.  While we waited for him to return, Norwood, one of his buddies showed up.  Norwood was born on Smith Island and now lives on Tangier Island.  He is responsible for maintaining the underwater electric cable that powers Tangier.  He said that both he and Mark have cars in Christfield, MD so they can get around when on the mainland.  However, neither had a car in Onancock and Mark had to have someone pick him up and take him and his dog to the vets.  Norwood likened living on an island to living on a farm.  He said that, instead of driving to town, islanders take a boat.  We understand the analogy but think it a little weak when you try comparing walking from a farm to swimming from a bay island.  We also met Bonnie who brought packages to be taken to Tangier.  Bonnie shops for island residents and brings the items to Mark’s boat when he is in Onancock. 

According to Norwood, the population of both islands is dropping as the old folks die off and the youngsters leave.  Today Smith Island has only about 250 residences and Tangier Island has about 450.  Mark’s boat, Joyce Marie II, is 36 feet long and has a 4 foot draft in the traditional style Chesapeake Bay deadrise fiberglass boat.  According to Wikipedia.com, “The Chesapeake Bay deadrise or deadrise workboat is a type of traditional used in the Chesapeake Bay. Watermen use these boats year round for everything from crabbing and oystering to catching fish or eels.  …the deadrise is characterized by a sharp bow that quickly becomes a flat V shape moving aft along the bottom of the hull. A small cabin structure lies forward and a large open cockpit and work area aft.

We arrived in Point Lookout at noon and started cycling in the heat of the day.  We made several stops for drinks and to take a few pictures in St. Mary’s, MD.  St. Mary’s was Maryland’s first capital and home of St. Mary’s college.  After that we pushed for a total of 62 miles in temperatures that hit a high of 99 degrees.  The last 9 miles were on route 301 with a wide shoulder.  We caught a tail wind that allowed us to fly.  Even with a 5 mile stretch where the road was milled into a bumpy mess we were traveling at 18 to 20 mph.  Once we got into our motel we collapsed and ordered deliver for dinner.

Maps

Photos