I reached a point after Patsy's passing and the flurry of activity that follows where I'd about had my fill of sympathy and felt the need to get a little solitude. I've never found a better way to do that than on the boat, so after attending a party at sister Barbara's in Bedford, I headed to Urbanna.
The mid-Atlantic was in the midst of an early heat wave while I was there, so sleeping was not easy, but the kind breezes on the Rappahannock and Chesapeake more than made up for that inconvenience. After spending the first night in Urbanna, I sailed to Reedville on Tuesday hoping to be able to find a place to watch the USA world cup match on Wednesday. That didn't work out (Who knew nothing would be open in Reedville on Wednesday at 10:00am?!), but the marina did have wi-fi which allowed me to at least listen to it on the computer/radio.
After the match ended, I headed for Tangier Island. What an interesting place! The streets are barely wide enough for one automobile, but that's OK because most people drive golf carts. The people are as friendly as can be and the crab is as fresh as it comes. After a great crab-stuffed flounder and a beautiful sunset the first night, I decided to spend the next day touring the island on my little collapsible bicycle, and leave for Urbanna on Friday.
Thursday morning, I rode my bike to the southern end of the island, walked about a half a mile down the beach, swam a bit, and then set off on foot for the southern tip. I read the the beach here is 3 miles long, so it was about a 5 mile round trip to the tip and back. I about burned my back to a crisp, but it was worth the walk. There were tons of birds, complete solitude, and the satisfaction of making it to "land's end"!
I headed back to the boat for a light lunch (it just seemed hot enough to take away your appetite), and then rode around the entire island on my bike. The photo below is taken across the marsh looking at the Canton area on the eastern side of the island.
I sailed back to Urbanna from Tangier on Friday with great winds until almost the very end. I got into Urbanna in time to get the boat secured back in her slip, get the car packed, and be on the road to the Outer Banks about 4:30.
This was such a perfect trip, given my circumstances. I really enjoyed the solitude although I wasn't exactly alone; Patsy was on my mind a whole lot. I remembered the fun times we had on the boat, but I also had time to reflect on her life and our life together with happiness, not grieving. I'm finding that more than most anything else, fond memories of her are what sustain me, and I think she'd approve of that (see last post).
June 25 - July 9
I got to the beach house Friday evening and continued the welcomed solitude. The place was thick with memories of Patsy because she loved it so and because the last time we'd been here was just before she passed. The memories of her were most apparent as I got the house set up for occupation, something that was typically her job. It took me a bit longer than she would have taken, but once settled in, I easily slipped into "beach mode"! And after four days of upper 90s, I was more than content with air conditioning and rum!
I had five days on my own and then the family showed up. Pictured below (L-R) are Cousin Jim and his wife Cindy from Newport News who came down for the day and Lulu, Missy, Barb, and Ray. The immediate family members were with me for a week and the time was filled with beach, laughter, tons of food and drink, and merriment.
After they left, I had another couple of days on my own and then packed up for the 'Boro. I'd been gone for almost three weeks, and although I'd really enjoyed my time away, there's no place like home!
