Tangier Island

Milton Parks has been landing and launching boats from his marina on Tangier Island for 60 years; he tells you frequently, so you’d best listen to his instructions.

When we call ahead to inquire about space at Tangier, Milton thinks aloud about the large boats he already has tied up, then says come on in, he’ll find us a spot. He’s seems barely equipped to handle the 60’ length he lists for the cruising guide, but he’s game to try, and he’s fit us in both times, however messy the process.

This time, like last summer when we visited with Susan & Russell, Milton has 2 men who happen to be around on hand to take our lines. “Bring the bow in here,” he hollers over the wind as we approach. “No! I said HERE,” he says with gestures which are just as unclear. Bill brings Act III in as he sees fit and I toss a spring line, suggesting that Milton take a turn around a piling, but he seems to prefer muscling the boats into place.

So, with some adventure but no real problems, we tie up, hug Milton, greet our neighbors and the million cats hanging around. One sailing neighbor was towed in the previous night after losing halyard and engine; the other is on a big trawler, and his wife doesn’t like wind or waves, so they can’t go to the Bahamas. We change out of full foul weather gear and prepare to go out to eat. Milton wants to drive (golf cart) us the ¼ mile to Lorraine’s restaurant, after questioning why a nice lady like me is out on a raw, drizzly day like this, why I’m not home knitting and having babies, but we decline the kind offer and enjoy stretching our legs.

The next morning we’re up early to start a rather long day to Hampton VA, and Milton is already on the dock. He insists we cannot leave today. He gestures to the distance and says the island is completely fogged in, and the wind and tidal currents will keep us on the dock. We note at least ¼ mile visibility and Bill is confident he can move out safely, so despite his disagreement, Milton begins to take lines from our starboard side docking and plan our getaway. Naturally, Capt. Bill and Milton have different ideas about the best way to get off the dock. Milton: “I’ve been docking and undocking boats for some 40 years, so…”

Bill: “Have you ever sailed a long skinny sailboat?”

Well, no, Milton reluctantly allows he has not, so we agree that we’ll try Bill’s plan first, then Milton’s if it doesn’t work. Captain Rescued-man stands by with intense interest…he’s heard the whole morning debate and doesn’t have enough experience yet to know which man is right. Besides, he’s depending on Milton for his own rescue from Tangier.

As we done many a time, Bill springs off a fender positioned at the starboard bow, with me tending the line. On his word, I haul my line aboard, and Bill slides away neatly in reverse, clearing the trawler’s bow and lining Act III up nicely in the channel.

“He DID it,” squealed Capt. Rescued-Man, as I coiled my line.

“Of course he did,” I answered.

Now Milton could have gone either way, but I was pleased to hear him marvel, “He’s GOOOOD!”

And on we went to Hampton VA, to meet the family for the holiday.