Sailing Away for a Day

Our office always tries to take a day or two each summer to do something a little different. We get just a few days a year without a magazine in production and used to hold the stereotypical “office picnic” on one of those days.

A few years ago, we tried something a little different and went to a local amusement park—King’s Dominion for those of you who know Virginia—and it was a great hit. Last year, we spent the day at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. We got to see the new baby panda, the refurbished reptile house, one very tired looking sloth bear and a great variety of unique mammals. The best part of that trip for me was watching the looks on the faces of the kids of our employees as they got to see the animals. I have some great pictures of the Taffera girls (daughters of DWM publisher Tara Taffera) at the petting zoo that I treasure.

Our venues are always chosen by majority vote and this year, a trip to Tangier Island (http://www.tangierisland-va.com/island) won.

If you’ve never heard of Tangier Island, you are not alone. It is a 1 ½ mile wide and three-mile long island at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It was one he first places settled by the British in the 1600s and was relatively isolated until the 1960s. Some of it older residents still speak the King’s English with a decidedly English accent that is neat to hear. The only businesses are crabbing, fishing and a little tourism. Tangier Island has just over 600 residents, 20 cars, a ton of golf carts. It has no post office, no bank and ferry service twice a day to both Virginia and Maryland.

Everything used for the construction of buildings there comes by boat. Glass is brought in via boats from three glass companies that work on the island and is rolled in carts from ship to site. “Most of the glass that comes in is already in windows,” explained Captain Billy, captain of our vessel, Liquid Assets http://www.captbillyscharters.com/charters.asp), and our tour guide. “None of the pieces that come over are too big because of the transportation. You just don’t see large expanses of glass.”
Pity, because the views are beautiful.

After a day of visiting the island (and, boy, did we pick a hot day) we all gathered at Hilda Crockett’s Chesapeake House (http://tangierisland-va.com/cheshouse/) for an indescribably delicious meal of Tangier fare, including crab cakes made with crab so fresh I was expecting it to crawl away.

The islanders were so hospitable that they opened the new Tangier History Museum (http://tangierisland-va.com/water_trail_brochure/) especially for us in the early evening. We saw a very moving film about the history of the island and how the Chesapeake, their way of life and their livelihood is being destroyed by environmental irresponsibility. It gave life and new cause to everything we are trying to do in the office to be green. We then boarded Liquid Assets and enjoyed a peaceful trip—and beautiful sunset—on our way home.

Photo Captions (from top to bottom)

• Views of Tangier Island
• The Key Communications team enjoys a visit to the Tangier History Museum
• Art director Dawn Campbell, chair of Key's activities committee with Captain Billy (right) and first mate Tony (left) on Tangier Island.