Yet another beautiful morning as we left Reedville headed for Tangier Island about 20 miles due east across the bay. The channel entrance is very narrow and shallow so we decided to go around the island and anchor in a bay on the east side. The island was home to Fort Albion where the British built a fort from which to launch their attacks on the American forces way back when. The fort is now submerged.

The island is slowly sinking into the bay and the water level is rising. The highest point of land is 4' above the high water level, however the island still supports an active crabbing and oyster industry. We dinghied ashore for a visit late in the day and we kept running aground, but with directions from a fisherman we finally made it into town. It really is like taking a step back in time. There are numerous sheds used by the watermen that are completely surrounded by water, telephone poles are in the water and the only way around much of the area is by boat. We tied up at a marina and went for a walk around town; almost everyone travels by golf cart or bicycle as there are only a handfull of cars on the island. Once we got away from the harbour there are some beautiful homes, you can't help but wonder what will happen to them in the future. It hadn't rained in a week or so but there was standing water in most of the lawns as the water level continues to encroach on the island. There are a few shops and restaurants on the island but it was after 5 on Saturday afternoon and everything was closed. Since it's a dry island, so to speak, it was time to head back to Dagny for a cold one.