Island hopping on the Chesapeake. There are hundreds of choices on this Bay and we elected to try to do a mix of stops to get a flavor of the Virginia and Maryland coastal towns and islands. First up was the a Western shore and Tangier Island where 500 people live their lives much as their Cornwall ancestors have for 400 years. Their Cornish accents, crab fishing centered lives and conservatism was unlike anyplace we have ever visited.

Milton Parks, 84, caught our lines at his Parks Marina and then gave us a tour of town in his golf cart, the primary mode of transportation. The historical museum tells the story of tough times over the years driven by erosion and diminishing crab populations due to global warming. Tourism is on the rise as the 4 predominant families fight to protect their community.

We enjoyed the local restaurants (crab fritters and pound cake), white washed homes and biked to a lovely white sand beach.  A favorite was the standout purple home built by a transplanted couple from the Bahamas.

On to Hooper Island in Maryland. This stop is extra special as we were invited to stay in Cheryl Duvall's vacation home! Thank you!! We needed a little break and this tranquil spot is truly a slice of heaven.  A narrow part of the Island is banked by the Chesapeake and the Honga River so we get to see the sun come up and go down without leaving the couch! Ahhh, a couch! Great for reading, watching movies and resting after biking from bridge to bridge.

This Island is driven by the watermen as well. They are out fishing for crabs 15 hours a day. A few were on hand when we arrived to help us dock in shallow water.  We enjoyed the fruits of their labor twice at Old Salty's.

On to Solomon Island on the Eastern shore tomorrow!