There is no better place on earth than where the river meets the bay on Gwynn’s Island.
Traveling across the swing bridge to the island brings an immediate sense of nostalgia. Sure, modern improvements and conveniences have found their way here, but you can still find a charming cottage that originated as a Quonset hut back in the ’40’s. A waterman’s residence displays an old anchor among the well-tended lawn and gardens.
Many a dusty road will lead you to a quiet creek, where with just some string, a few chicken necks and a dip-net, you can catch crabs to your heart’s content. A dip net is just a hand net, usually long-handled and used to scoop up the crab after it has been coaxed to the shallows by the lure of the moving raw chicken neck.
If you’re in a hurry, there’s a great seafood market right on the island where you can buy crabs fresh or steamed, as well as other fresh catch of the day. And for the truly lazy, head to the family-style restaurant that offers mouth-watering dishes as well as water views and all the local news. And by news I mean gossip; some of it is true, all of it is entertaining.
There are no traffic jams.
The pace is slow.
The scenery is simple and exquisite at the same time.
By day, the water reflects the sky’s blue hue as the sun kisses everything with golden light. At night, the landscape dims as the stars seem to twinkle on the waves, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a moonbeam cutting a wide swath across the water.
It really hasn’t changed that much since childhood visits from years ago. Summer days are spent on sandbars, crabbing in the creek, catching a breeze on shaded screen porches. Nighttime entertainment is as easy as a deck of cards, a great group of family and friends, and a spirited game of crazy-eights or hearts – no cover charge. It’s the last great place, sand and salt-crusted hands down.
