Did a reconnoiter of the Herring Creek channel in the dinghy with the trusty lead line. Found a slightly deeper route right along the NW side of the jetty, just enough so we could sneak out without waiting all day for high tide. Motor sailed for a few hours downwind to Tangier Island. A beautiful sunny day.

Lo these many years I've wanted to stop at Tangier. Mr. Parks was not on the dock when we pulled up to his marina. We headed for a likely spot with a significant current running abeam the docks. Lightly aground.

As we pondered our next move, he showed up. "Mr. Parks is a national treasure," one of our fellow cruisers and frequent visitor to Tangier proclaimed.
"Now son if you just follow my instructions you'll be fine." We backed off, did a 360 in the channel, got a fresh shot at it, and came "as close to the piling as you dare." Presto, Calypso laid neatly along side, out of the current.
Mr. Parks seemed pleased. "You're the first one in six months who has listened to me."

Certainly one of the benefits of tying up over night is the ease of socializing. As I walked the dock, I struck up a conversation with Patty and Eric, hailing port Los Angeles. They ended up hosting sundowners for several boats and then we went to dinner at the only café that remained open at 7:30. Crabcakes, of course!