We first visited Tangier Island on our initial cruising time, 2019. A truly unique place with interesting people and history. Mr. Parks was the owner and operator of the 'marina'. Charming man, in his late 80's at the time. It turned out to be a sad occasion for us, because our beloved American bulldog, Max, had had an almost drowning event in Crisfield, Maryland before we came to Tangier Island. We had to leave Tangier in a hurry to get him back to Crisfield and to a veterinary hospital, where he died a few days later.
Anyway, this time at Tangier Island was a totally different experience. Mr. Parks, sadly, had died the previous year. Apparently a younger relative is running the marina now, but there was only a box where you are to place your dock fee. The docks are in terrible shape. There was very few spots where our boat could fit, and someone on a small fishing boat had blocked access to the best spot. We opted for a shaky dock, where we had to pull in bow first - makes it difficult to get on and off the boat. Electrical connection seemed to work.
The island has not been prospering in recent years. I'm sure Covid had a huge toll. The one grocery store was closed. The two restaurants near the docks were closed. We did go to the more 'fast food' place and had a bite to eat and some ice cream. We biked around the main part of town, but, having seen it all the last time, we decided we didn't need to spend any more time there. If we come back, we will probably not bring the boat, but leave it in the very nice marina in Crisfield and ferry over to the island.
I feel for the folks that live there, some for generations. Until they started allowing tourists to come, only a few decades ago, the livelihood of the residents was fishing. The island is literally washing away, losing land every year. It may not be here at all in 50 years.
From Tangier Island, we cruised 3 hours to Reedville, Va. on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay, on Virginia's 'Northern Neck'.
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