so sad to watch a way of life that is passing and no way to stop it, i feel for the people that want to carry on but time is running short for them, thank god for the memories, i'm a child of the 50ts and i want to go back to that time again, the whole neighbor hood was a playground for hide and seek, kids played outside till 10 at nite in the summer, before tv , men pitched horseshoes till dark, catching fieflys was great, not video games. bring back the good ole days.
I'll never forget as a kid , our fire department in Clarksville, md donated a firetruck to Smith's island, we took the mail boat from chrisfield. The people of Smith's island put on one hell of a feast for us.
I came to the Chesapeake some 10-12 years ago with my sailboat and explore the Bay ever since. Some 5 years ago we visited Tangier Island and then Smith Island for the first time. It quickly became a favorite destination, one aspect being my wish to show my suburban preteen daughters that our / their lifestyle is not the only way. We stayed at Park's Marina on Tangier Island, and on the dock of "The Bakery" with the Jones family on Smith Island. What I found most noteworthy is an experience at the local playground. A bunch of island kids were playing when we came walking by and decided to take a rest on a bench. One of them, a girl, maybe 9 or 10 years old came up to my 3 little princesses and invited them to play. They clearly wanted to join but were shy and insecure. It took encouragement but eventually they played with the local kids who explained the different games they created and how to play them. It turned into the group taking a walk across the island, the local kids showing places where to find crab, where a snake can be found and how to catch tadpoles. I am still amazed by the social skills these kids demonstrated. Truth be told: my kids still find it inconceivable to live without fast speed internet but I hope the experience taught them something. And we will definitely come back.
I lived on the water in Bushwood MD my whole life….some of my best times and memories are taking my 27’ runabout down the river past point Lookout across the bay to Smith Island and spend a night or two on the boat while enjoying the island folks and the great food there with my wife by my side…..simply a great place to be….can’t really do it anymore with old age health and economics today….but have no regrets
I wish all people could be people like these beautiful people. I’m from Florida and I shall visit you folks soon……not for the water but for your people. God bless you.
A wonderful documentary. Want to get away from all the rubbish of the world, move there. Growing up in the 60's through the mid 70's sailing on the Chesapeake out of Annapolis, my favorite memory was visiting Tangier Island. At age 63 I can still taste the food I ate there.
lol i feel the same grew up on Fort Myers beach 60s and 70s much like Smith island back then but we had a swing bridge to the main land all little beach cottages and simple life Now all ruined by development
Wow! I never heard of Smith Island until my daughter returned from a school trip yesterday and fell in love with the island, praying that it could be saved. She told me how pleasant and welcoming the residence whom remain were to them. Now I am intrigued. Love&light Smith Island.
Not from Smith island but have grown up on a 6 by 9 mile island on Lake Erie. And much the same as it is there with the lake rising. The once quiet little pebble beaches hidden by the poplars along side of the road. Are now gone and replaced by limestone boulders to hold the shore line from lake Erie's constant weathering. The sounds of the old four cylinder tractors plowing the fields are long gone. There's still no fast food or movie theater. And the one gas pump is still located at the co-op the other at the south slip is now gone along with the marina. And over the past two decades more and more of the young adults leave the island for much the same reasons everywhere. Job's the benefits the stores fast food and the roadways. Things a little island doesn't need and couldn't support anyhow. But there was always such an amazing feeling being there. You were community. And furthermore a family. Each one responsible for the next. That is the one thing I will always embrace. But now will miss dearly. Because as the young move away so do the old and all leave the island a little less filled. And looking at society now. What I wouldn't give to have that one vestige of community back to live out my days in. But with each time I set foot on the island there's less and less of the smiles and voices that filled my eyes and ears of sense of love and community. And I can't help but wonder if this isn't a microcosm of this world in general?
I'm currently reading Tom Horton's "An Island Out of Time" for the second time. Finding this film is a pure delight. The true Smith Island is so beautiful, more lovely than my dreamer's mind imagined it. I hope whoever reads this comment can share my enjoyment of the movie. With great thanks to Tom Horton, who wrote so poetically (like a waterman) that I fell in love with Smith Island from his words.
The Cornish oyster men still dredge with sailboats but their community is going through the same thing. The fishing coves and watermens cottages are being sold as holiday lets and they can’t afford to live there. It’s sad. It can’t be the end though things have always changed.
Geologically speaking, t's not so much that the sea is rising as it is the land is isostatically sinking. If you were to move north up the N. American continent into Canada, you would find the land there to be isostatically rising. Lovely doc, btw. Such a beautiful place full of nice hardworking people.
I began reading "The Invisible Husband of Frick Island" and read the author based Frick Island off of Smith Island. I stumbled upon this delightful video and was enamoured by the souls who pour their hearts into their Island Home. Long live Smith Island.
I read a book about 40 years ago called "Beautiful Swimmers". All about the life of a young crabber on Smith Island. I still have the book. I loved the story he told and all about island life. I'd love to visit there some day. This video is along the same story as the book. Lovely people, hard working Christians raising families. My hat is off to you all. Thanks for the video.
My ancestor actually owned Smith Island. When my forefathers came here, they settled in what became Eastern Shore, VA. Smith Island has been fought over by Maryland and Virginia for almost 3 centuries, but it really belongs to Virginia. I'm pretty sure it was my ancestor who started the feud because he was all but thrown out of Eastern Shore and went to Crisfield, MD, where he also owned property.
@Ridley369 it was originally owned by my ancestor, who named it after himself, and he was one of the original English inhabitants of Eastern Shore, VA. So, yes, Smith Island did indeed belong to the state of Virginia. As I said, when my ancestor was run out of town, and escaped across the Bay to Crisfield, Maryland suddenly claimed Smith Island as part of their territory. I know my family history well. We have ample documentation to prove everything.
My father was raised in Dames Quarter and I grew up visiting my pop pop and mom mom during the Summers. Those were some of the best days of my life. I love this documentary.
I grew up across the Bay in Calvert County. I worked on crab and oyster boats, but everyone there said I was at my best charter fishing. I remember the group of captains I worked for liked fishing on the eastern shore. Later I visited smith, tangier and crisfield. The people there were amazing. True Marylanders. Like Jamie said “crab feasts and boating docking, that what Maryland does!”
From Age 5 to Age 18, I grew up in Dover, DE, courtesy of the United States Air Force. Weird thing how I ended up finding this video, though. Last night, I dreamed about a camp I visited when I was growing up-a camp named Camp ESPA near Sharptown, MD. I looked it up this morning because I wanted to know for what the acronym ESPA stood. I clicked on the “map” icon and followed the river that flowed passed the camp, all the way down to the Chesapeake Bay, where I eventually found Smith Island. I remember a man with the last name Evans from my church growing up who hailed from Smith Island. His accent always intrigued me. So, I duck-duck-goed “Smith Island accent”, and somehow came across this video. Sad thing, though-when I turned 18, I couldn’t wait to move away from the Delmarva peninsula. And now that I’m 50, I long to to go back and take my daughter with me so that she can see my “stomping grounds”. Hearing the Smith Island brogue on this video really makes me miss my growing up years. The accent on the peninsula in general, while not as strong as on the island, brings back memories of simpler times. One of these days, I hope to return to the peninsula for a visit and take my husband and daughter with me. Currently, I live in Arkansas, where my husband was born and reared, but it’s not home. I think it’s interesting because when people meet me, they say, “You’re not from around here, are ya?” Crazy thing, though-a few months ago, one of the restaurant patrons in my section at work asked me, “Are you by any chance from Dover, DE?” I about fell out, because his question was very specific. Maybe there’s still a little bit of the Eastern Shore left in me after all.
My folks live not far from here, off Mobjack Bay, waterfrontish property close to Port Haywood, VA. I inherit the house when they pass, and while I certainly don't anticipate the desire to see them go at any point, I am excited to return to a place where there's a little bit more peace and quiet. Certainly far removed from the hustle and bustle of Ft. Worth, TX.
Such a beautiful area, we have been there several times. The spirit, dedication, and tradition of the People ,you don't forget once you see it. And the food, especially the Crab Cakes and Oysters are amazing. If I were younger I would move there🦀🦀🦀
Absolutely love Smith Island. My ex-wifes family is from there. There last name is Somers. Don't know if there are any Somers left on the island but I did see many of their Headstones when we went there.
Grew up in Annapolis and spent time on the bay. Met a lot of watermen at the dock by Sadler’s. The draft got me in 67, wound up in Hawaii for 50 years. Plenty of water out here, but I’m hoping to get back home one day. Remarkable film.
Absolutely amazing, moving, and thought provoking . My husband and I visited many years ago, along with Crisfield and Tangier, on our honeymoon ....... and people have often asked us "why?" throughout the years! Though we always knew... no one could have said it better than Tom Horton. While thinking of beautiful days gone by almost 40 years later, I am thrilled to have found this through the ability to search on the internet. Time and place are truly a state of mind in many ways, and I am back there once again, looking forward to returning someday soon.
Thank you for this, the Beautiful Swimmers film, and Thinking Like a Watershed. Outstanding work. As are Mr. Horton's fine books. What a life well spent. Just beginning a similar journey myself in my midlife. We'll see where (else) it takes us...
When you move a thousand miles away from where you grew up on a dairy farm and go back to the area 21 years later and many of the dairy farms are shut down because the younger generations didn't want to continue them it's sad.
@@jamesgillam9656 A lot of of the older farms are obsolete with the way they're built. Small farmers have to join a co-op or face bankruptcy. So you flatten your old farm & build a new one for over a million dollars? A million dollars is plenty of retirement,emergency, and school money for your children.
I was camping in cherrystone years ago with my girls. I fell in love with the chesapeake Bay. Over the years, I loved Virginia's eastern shore. The way of life, slowed pace, enjoyment of tranquility. I recently bought a building lot, although on the east side (boughs bay) it's in Atlantic, Va. I look forward to building a home and spending my last years in Virginia's eastern shore. Lewes Delaware has become so over developed it's not the same place I grew up in.
I just love hearing a near south western English accent in reality in what maybe direct descendance in relative isolation over a number of centuries. Its magic, especially for any of us who have travelled for a time in their life, that can hear some sounds and know the general direction of where there from.
Yeah it’s pretty fascinating. And this accent isn’t limited strictly to Smith and Tangier Island. It’s the regional accent of the Delmarva Peninsula, as far as the locals, not the transplants! So you’ll find it all over the peninsula - parts of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Sadly the younger the generation, the less likely someone will possess it. I was blessed to be Gen Z and still developed a relatively strong form of the accent. I’m from the Delaware portion of the peninsula. My fathers side of the family has lived on it since at least the 1680s.
@@connorpusey5912 that's amazing and what's even more amazing is you Connor from the area, taking the time to reply and with a brief history connection going back those centuries. Thank you 😉🍀🕊
@@connorpusey5912 my grandfather, a Smith and direct descendant of those who originally settled Eastern Shore and the original owner of Smith Island, had that accent. He was raised on the Shore and in Crisfield. I never understood his accent because he was from Virginia. My dad and younger uncle didn't have southern accents, either, but their accents weren't as hard to place as grandpa's was, either. I never knew where the accents and speech patterns came from, until I watched this video and heard people who sounded just like my granddad for the first time in, oh, 30 years or so! It still doesn't fully explain how my dad and uncle escaped the typical Virginia accent, but now I can pinpoint where it originated from, at least. lol
@@babyrocasmama Yes thick forms of the accent can be hard to discern for people who don’t hear it all the time. Especially when the speaker has had a few too many to drink! Lol. Were your dad and uncle raised anywhere on Delmarva? If not that explains why they didn’t develop the accent. If they were though, it may just be that they developed their speech either consciously or subconsciously from what they heard in the popular media. But that’s just a guess, I don’t know them! Some locals don’t acquire the accent for whatever reason. The younger the generation it seems the softer it will be, especially among mine (95-2010).
My Mom and Uncle grew up in Keller, and moved to Alexandria in their teens. My dad's people are from Alexandria, and that's where I grew up. But I have fond memories of the shore. I learned to ride horses there, and I well remember the second home my Aunt and Uncle owned. His heart was on the water, I can tell you, and his boat was not often docked when they stayed there. Sometimes I wish I had relocated to the shore in retirement years, but I'm on the other side of VA now. I'll be back, though, because my Mom wanted her cremains to rest in Keller. Thank you for making this video.
I started doing some research on smith island after having Smith island banana cake at a restaurant outside of ocean city MD. I believe I will visit the island.
On Medicare now? Socialism! Kidding! Great people, lovely place and Lord what a beautiful bride she was, and later the best wife ever! I fished well over 30 years in Nova Scotia Canada and I have a great respect for these folks! I dealt with ice, snow and storms but we are brother fishermen (water men as you say). Respect!
Came across Hooper Island on google maps in search of a new fishing spot. Glad to know there's a bit of history behind it. Can't wait for warmer weather!
Hey there. I used to fish out of Crisfield out toward Smith Island. A place called "The Puppy Hole". I'd head out to buoy #8 I believe it was and head north for about 100 yards or so. The Rock fish hung out on a ledge that went from about 50' to 30'. Used a "Sting Silver" lure about 3 oz. if I remember correctly. Haw River Tackle out of NC. Tore them up!!! Ever heard of The Puppy Hole? Ask the locals. As soon as that thing hit the bottom, hold on!!! Sure do miss it.
i grew up on Fort Myers beach back in the 60s and 70s where life was much just like this Now days the little beach cottages are all gone and side by side condos and the island is sinking fro all the concrete So glad that Smith Island did not go that route My heart is so sad for what has been lost to progress and modern life i just grew up 50 years to late lol
The cake.. that is literally the second thing I was told to eat when I moved to DC for work- the first was crab cakes . Went to Vegas $$$ cafe ,and what did they have?!?! Chesapeake Bay crab cakes and Smith Island Cake!!!!!
Such a beautiful family and story about their lives on this beautiful island. Thank you for sharing, I may come and visit you and your beautiful island.❤️
Born and raised In Baltimore and fill up with tears when o think of southern md .and eastern shore and its sweet people that have so much history and pride.1608 is when they pioneered to Smith island.Think about it.I hope Dear Lord preserves this plase
This was great ! Growing up on the shore not too far from wye mills and dropping my dads boat in there every summer this sure does take me back and hit home ! ❤
Pick any place in the U.S. where someone has lived there entire life and they'll all say the same thing. And all the History of that area leaves with they're last breath.
What a great place! I just watched Pete Santello (sp) that did a video on both islands , Smith and the other one inside it and it reminded me of a book about the same area, but it was about Oystermen and Chesapeake Bay Area, it’s “Skipjack” by Christopher White. I’m starting to wonder if I’m not meant to go to that Island, it just sounds perfect for me…..It’s most definitely on my bucket list….
I went to Negril lighthouse and it was said to be a gift of the French government.It had a natural flame for the light.When I went there one could read the actual logs from the nineteenth and early twentieth century It was supposed to be digitized for years before .
If we were to dam the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, "from the eastern shore to Norfolk" along the same rout as the bridge tunnel, you could provide protection from rising seas for the whole of the Chesapeake Bay area, from Norfolk to Baltimore, Trillions of dollars in real estate would be saved and you could generate power with the tidal currents.
so sad to watch a way of life that is passing and no way to stop it, i feel for the people that want to carry on but time is running short for them, thank god for the memories, i'm a child of the 50ts and i want to go back to that time again, the whole neighbor hood was a playground for hide and seek, kids played outside till 10 at nite in the summer, before tv , men pitched horseshoes till dark, catching fieflys was great, not video games. bring back the good ole days.
I'll never forget as a kid , our fire department in Clarksville, md donated a firetruck to Smith's island, we took the mail boat from chrisfield. The people of Smith's island put on one hell of a feast for us.
Rev Edward and Mary Gladden were my parent's, when I saw this it brought tears too my eyes God bless all of u
I came to the Chesapeake some 10-12 years ago with my sailboat and explore the Bay ever since. Some 5 years ago we visited Tangier Island and then Smith Island for the first time. It quickly became a favorite destination, one aspect being my wish to show my suburban preteen daughters that our / their lifestyle is not the only way. We stayed at Park's Marina on Tangier Island, and on the dock of "The Bakery" with the Jones family on Smith Island.
What I found most noteworthy is an experience at the local playground. A bunch of island kids were playing when we came walking by and decided to take a rest on a bench. One of them, a girl, maybe 9 or 10 years old came up to my 3 little princesses and invited them to play. They clearly wanted to join but were shy and insecure. It took encouragement but eventually they played with the local kids who explained the different games they created and how to play them. It turned into the group taking a walk across the island, the local kids showing places where to find crab, where a snake can be found and how to catch tadpoles.
I am still amazed by the social skills these kids demonstrated. Truth be told: my kids still find it inconceivable to live without fast speed internet but I hope the experience taught them something. And we will definitely come back.
What a touching film that chronicles the lives of such salt of the earth people and their beloved home
I am a lifelong United Methodist and am smiling at the fact that Smith Island has that presence. Just wonderful.
I lived on the water in Bushwood MD my whole life….some of my best times and memories are taking my 27’ runabout down the river past point Lookout across the bay to Smith Island and spend a night or two on the boat while enjoying the island folks and the great food there with my wife by my side…..simply a great place to be….can’t really do it anymore with old age health and economics today….but have no regrets
I wish all people could be people like these beautiful people. I’m from Florida and I shall visit you folks soon……not for the water but for your people. God bless you.
A wonderful documentary. Want to get away from all the rubbish of the world, move there. Growing up in the 60's through the mid 70's sailing on the Chesapeake out of Annapolis, my favorite memory was visiting Tangier Island. At age 63 I can still taste the food I ate there.
lol i feel the same grew up on Fort Myers beach 60s and 70s much like Smith island back then but we had a swing bridge to the main land all little beach cottages and simple life Now all ruined by development
Beautiful people, Beautiful place, wonderful faith in God. You have a treasure for sure.
Wow! I never heard of Smith Island until my daughter returned from a school trip yesterday and fell in love with the island, praying that it could be saved. She told me how pleasant and welcoming the residence whom remain were to them. Now I am intrigued. Love&light Smith Island.
Not from Smith island but have grown up on a 6 by 9 mile island on Lake Erie. And much the same as it is there with the lake rising. The once quiet little pebble beaches hidden by the poplars along side of the road. Are now gone and replaced by limestone boulders to hold the shore line from lake Erie's constant weathering. The sounds of the old four cylinder tractors plowing the fields are long gone. There's still no fast food or movie theater. And the one gas pump is still located at the co-op the other at the south slip is now gone along with the marina. And over the past two decades more and more of the young adults leave the island for much the same reasons everywhere. Job's the benefits the stores fast food and the roadways. Things a little island doesn't need and couldn't support anyhow. But there was always such an amazing feeling being there. You were community. And furthermore a family. Each one responsible for the next. That is the one thing I will always embrace. But now will miss dearly. Because as the young move away so do the old and all leave the island a little less filled. And looking at society now. What I wouldn't give to have that one vestige of community back to live out my days in. But with each time I set foot on the island there's less and less of the smiles and voices that filled my eyes and ears of sense of love and community. And I can't help but wonder if this isn't a microcosm of this world in general?
I'm currently reading Tom Horton's "An Island Out of Time" for the second time. Finding this film is a pure delight. The true Smith Island is so beautiful, more lovely than my dreamer's mind imagined it. I hope whoever reads this comment can share my enjoyment of the movie. With great thanks to Tom Horton, who wrote so poetically (like a waterman) that I fell in love with Smith Island from his words.
I haven't been to Smiths yet, but I've visited & photograph Tangier. I plan on going to both islands once a year to photograph them to preserve it
My last name is Tyler. Tylerton is part of my family history. Really cool to see this.
The Cornish oyster men still dredge with sailboats but their community is going through the same thing. The fishing coves and watermens cottages are being sold as holiday lets and they can’t afford to live there. It’s sad. It can’t be the end though things have always changed.
Geologically speaking, t's not so much that the sea is rising as it is the land is isostatically sinking. If you were to move north up the N. American continent into Canada, you would find the land there to be isostatically rising.
Lovely doc, btw. Such a beautiful place full of nice hardworking people.
Don’t know how CZcams got me here but great documentary. Heart warming
I began reading "The Invisible Husband of Frick Island" and read the author based Frick Island off of Smith Island. I stumbled upon this delightful video and was enamoured by the souls who pour their hearts into their Island Home. Long live Smith Island.
What a life they have lived there on Smith Island. Truthfully one of the most enjoyable documentaries I’ve ever watched. Thank you.
I read a book about 40 years ago called "Beautiful Swimmers". All about the life of a young crabber on Smith Island. I still have the book. I loved the story he told and all about island life. I'd love to visit there some day. This video is along the same story as the book. Lovely people, hard working Christians raising families. My hat is off to you all. Thanks for the video.
czcams.com/video/6a9dnlk9i3s/video.html
Honestly one of the most beautiful things ever is that ending
My ancestor actually owned Smith Island. When my forefathers came here, they settled in what became Eastern Shore, VA.
Smith Island has been fought over by Maryland and Virginia for almost 3 centuries, but it really belongs to Virginia. I'm pretty sure it was my ancestor who started the feud because he was all but thrown out of Eastern Shore and went to Crisfield, MD, where he also owned property.
It doesn't belong to Virginia. Never has, never will.
@Ridley369 it was originally owned by my ancestor, who named it after himself, and he was one of the original English inhabitants of Eastern Shore, VA.
So, yes, Smith Island did indeed belong to the state of Virginia. As I said, when my ancestor was run out of town, and escaped across the Bay to Crisfield, Maryland suddenly claimed Smith Island as part of their territory.
I know my family history well. We have ample documentation to prove everything.
Island was founded (or maybe discovered) by Capt. John Smith in 1608, thus being called Smith Island.
These are the people you want to have as neighbors.
Hello from Costa Rica! I wish your island thrive, beautiful people! I really do :)
My father was raised in Dames Quarter and I grew up visiting my pop pop and mom mom during the Summers. Those were some of the best days of my life. I love this documentary.
i started working on my dads crabbing boat at the age of 13, in 1984. I been living on the paradise since then.
I grew up across the Bay in Calvert County. I worked on crab and oyster boats, but everyone there said I was at my best charter fishing. I remember the group of captains I worked for liked fishing on the eastern shore. Later I visited smith, tangier and crisfield. The people there were amazing. True Marylanders. Like Jamie said “crab feasts and boating docking, that what Maryland does!”
Nice last name bud !
From Age 5 to Age 18, I grew up in Dover, DE, courtesy of the United States Air Force. Weird thing how I ended up finding this video, though. Last night, I dreamed about a camp I visited when I was growing up-a camp named Camp ESPA near Sharptown, MD. I looked it up this morning because I wanted to know for what the acronym ESPA stood. I clicked on the “map” icon and followed the river that flowed passed the camp, all the way down to the Chesapeake Bay, where I eventually found Smith Island. I remember a man with the last name Evans from my church growing up who hailed from Smith Island. His accent always intrigued me. So, I duck-duck-goed “Smith Island accent”, and somehow came across this video. Sad thing, though-when I turned 18, I couldn’t wait to move away from the Delmarva peninsula. And now that I’m 50, I long to to go back and take my daughter with me so that she can see my “stomping grounds”. Hearing the Smith Island brogue on this video really makes me miss my growing up years. The accent on the peninsula in general, while not as strong as on the island, brings back memories of simpler times. One of these days, I hope to return to the peninsula for a visit and take my husband and daughter with me. Currently, I live in Arkansas, where my husband was born and reared, but it’s not home. I think it’s interesting because when people meet me, they say, “You’re not from around here, are ya?” Crazy thing, though-a few months ago, one of the restaurant patrons in my section at work asked me, “Are you by any chance from Dover, DE?” I about fell out, because his question was very specific. Maybe there’s still a little bit of the Eastern Shore left in me after all.
I live in Delaware and just love the accent people have here. I grew up in Colorado which has a pretty flat accent. Wuter for water. Love I it.
@IcelanderUSer wooder, that's a philadelphia invention
My folks live not far from here, off Mobjack Bay, waterfrontish property close to Port Haywood, VA. I inherit the house when they pass, and while I certainly don't anticipate the desire to see them go at any point, I am excited to return to a place where there's a little bit more peace and quiet. Certainly far removed from the hustle and bustle of Ft. Worth, TX.
Such a beautiful area, we have been there several times. The spirit, dedication, and tradition of the People ,you don't forget once you see it. And the food, especially the Crab Cakes and Oysters are amazing. If I were younger I would move there🦀🦀🦀
Absolutely love Smith Island. My ex-wifes family is from there. There last name is Somers. Don't know if there are any Somers left on the island but I did see many of their Headstones when we went there.
Grew up in Annapolis and spent time on the bay. Met a lot of watermen at the dock by Sadler’s. The draft got me in 67, wound up in Hawaii for 50 years. Plenty of water out here, but I’m hoping to get back home one day. Remarkable film.
I’m from Newport News, I love Smith island
Absolutely amazing, moving, and thought provoking . My husband and I visited many years ago, along with Crisfield and Tangier, on our honeymoon ....... and people have often asked us "why?" throughout the years! Though we always knew... no one could have said it better than Tom Horton. While thinking of beautiful days gone by almost 40 years later, I am thrilled to have found this through the ability to search on the internet. Time and place are truly a state of mind in many ways, and I am back there once again, looking forward to returning someday soon.
Thank you for this, the Beautiful Swimmers film, and Thinking Like a Watershed. Outstanding work. As are Mr. Horton's fine books. What a life well spent. Just beginning a similar journey myself in my midlife. We'll see where (else) it takes us...
I'm there right now, in Ewell...rewatching this to see who I now recognize. lol.
When you move a thousand miles away from where you grew up on a dairy farm and go back to the area 21 years later and many of the dairy farms are shut down because the younger generations didn't want to continue them it's sad.
you were the younger generation when you left
@@hairyyeti21 Sorry, but it was my stepfather's farm...NOT THE FAMILY FARM. OH and my stepfather only had the farm for 8 years and lost it.
Dairy farmers have had it tough for a long time now and there aren’t any signs of things getting better. I can’t blame people for giving up
@@jamesgillam9656 A lot of of the older farms are obsolete with the way they're built. Small farmers have to join a co-op or face bankruptcy.
So you flatten your old farm & build a new one for over a million dollars? A million dollars is plenty of retirement,emergency, and school money for your children.
How beautiful. What a gorgeous picture of the spirit of a place
I was camping in cherrystone years ago with my girls. I fell in love with the chesapeake Bay. Over the years, I loved Virginia's eastern shore. The way of life, slowed pace, enjoyment of tranquility. I recently bought a building lot, although on the east side (boughs bay) it's in Atlantic, Va. I look forward to building a home and spending my last years in Virginia's eastern shore. Lewes Delaware has become so over developed it's not the same place I grew up in.
Lewes delaware is where I live. I agree it's too over developed and I've lived here for 20 years. Plan on moving soon. They can have the traffic.
i grew up in island park and long beach ny. and loved the marsh lands! i still know all the creeks at certain tides. and show my friends kids.
Such a well done film. Beautiful.
Very well done documentary! Thanks so much for posting it. I'm one of the Mister family who made the island home during the 1700's.
I just love hearing a near south western English accent in reality in what maybe direct descendance in relative isolation over a number of centuries. Its magic, especially for any of us who have travelled for a time in their life, that can hear some sounds and know the general direction of where there from.
Yeah it’s pretty fascinating. And this accent isn’t limited strictly to Smith and Tangier Island. It’s the regional accent of the Delmarva Peninsula, as far as the locals, not the transplants! So you’ll find it all over the peninsula - parts of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Sadly the younger the generation, the less likely someone will possess it. I was blessed to be Gen Z and still developed a relatively strong form of the accent. I’m from the Delaware portion of the peninsula. My fathers side of the family has lived on it since at least the 1680s.
@@connorpusey5912 that's amazing and what's even more amazing is you Connor from the area, taking the time to reply and with a brief history connection going back those centuries. Thank you 😉🍀🕊
@@connorpusey5912 my grandfather, a Smith and direct descendant of those who originally settled Eastern Shore and the original owner of Smith Island, had that accent. He was raised on the Shore and in Crisfield. I never understood his accent because he was from Virginia. My dad and younger uncle didn't have southern accents, either, but their accents weren't as hard to place as grandpa's was, either.
I never knew where the accents and speech patterns came from, until I watched this video and heard people who sounded just like my granddad for the first time in, oh, 30 years or so!
It still doesn't fully explain how my dad and uncle escaped the typical Virginia accent, but now I can pinpoint where it originated from, at least. lol
@@babyrocasmama
Yes thick forms of the accent can be hard to discern for people who don’t hear it all the time. Especially when the speaker has had a few too many to drink! Lol. Were your dad and uncle raised anywhere on Delmarva? If not that explains why they didn’t develop the accent. If they were though, it may just be that they developed their speech either consciously or subconsciously from what they heard in the popular media. But that’s just a guess, I don’t know them! Some locals don’t acquire the accent for whatever reason. The younger the generation it seems the softer it will be, especially among mine (95-2010).
Well done! A simple, tastefull and humble doc. As are the island's inhabitants.
That was a beautiful piece. What wonderful people.
My Mom and Uncle grew up in Keller, and moved to Alexandria in their teens. My dad's people are from Alexandria, and that's where I grew up. But I have fond memories of the shore. I learned to ride horses there, and I well remember the second home my Aunt and Uncle owned. His heart was on the water, I can tell you, and his boat was not often docked when they stayed there. Sometimes I wish I had relocated to the shore in retirement years, but I'm on the other side of VA now. I'll be back, though, because my Mom wanted her cremains to rest in Keller.
Thank you for making this video.
What a lovely & we'll done video. Not only informative but such a human story! I cried watching...
I can’t believe this is Maryland
It’s sooo… different from mainland MD.
The Eastern Shore of MD is a whole other world from the rest of MD.
@@ronshawver6880 It's not different from Southern Maryland. SoMD and the Eastern Shore are the last bastions of Maryland culture.
I visited Smith Island back in 84 while vacationing in Ocean City, MD. It seemed pretty lively back then.
I haven't been to Ocean City in years, but you just made me want Thrashers fries, darn it. Thanks for that. lol
Lovely film. I may live in Spain now but my grandparents´place in Tyaskin Md. is still home.
I started doing some research on smith island after having Smith island banana cake at a restaurant outside of ocean city MD. I believe I will visit the island.
USED TO CRAB IN THE BACK BAYS OF OCEAN CITY! 100'S OF THEM. WHAT A DINNER WE HAD. I EVEN BROUGHT MY CRABBING POT FROM HOME!
Turn caps lock off, boomer.
On Medicare now? Socialism! Kidding! Great people, lovely place and Lord what a beautiful bride she was, and later the best wife ever! I fished well over 30 years in Nova Scotia Canada and I have a great respect for these folks! I dealt with ice, snow and storms but we are brother fishermen (water men as you say). Respect!
Came across Hooper Island on google maps in search of a new fishing spot. Glad to know there's a bit of history behind it. Can't wait for warmer weather!
Hey there. I used to fish out of Crisfield out toward Smith Island. A place called "The Puppy Hole". I'd head out to buoy #8 I believe it was and head north for about 100 yards or so. The Rock fish hung out on a ledge that went from about 50' to 30'. Used a "Sting Silver" lure about 3 oz. if I remember correctly. Haw River Tackle out of NC. Tore them up!!! Ever heard of The Puppy Hole? Ask the locals. As soon as that thing hit the bottom, hold on!!! Sure do miss it.
I just left hooper island- it’s a amazing place. I have never felt so at peace in my life
i grew up on Fort Myers beach back in the 60s and 70s where life was much just like this Now days the little beach cottages are all gone and side by side condos and the island is sinking fro all the concrete So glad that Smith Island did not go that route My heart is so sad for what has been lost to progress and modern life i just grew up 50 years to late lol
The cake.. that is literally the second thing I was told to eat when I moved to DC for work- the first was crab cakes . Went to Vegas $$$ cafe ,and what did they have?!?! Chesapeake Bay crab cakes and Smith Island Cake!!!!!
IT HURTS MY HEART TO HEAR THAT WATERMEN ARE DECESING I COULD NEVER
Such a beautiful family and story about their lives on this beautiful island. Thank you for sharing, I may come and visit you and your beautiful island.❤️
A well produced film. Cheers
Beautiful Historical Story.
Born and raised In Baltimore and fill up with tears when o think of southern md .and eastern shore and its sweet people that have so much history and pride.1608 is when they pioneered to Smith island.Think about it.I hope Dear Lord preserves this plase
A good life I would have loved to live- wrote down Smith Island mby one day I can visit - great vid Thanks 👍
Sadly erosion caused by tides and storms will claim this Island like the mythical Devon Island in the Novel Chesapeake.
Maryland is such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing this film! I truly enjoyed it.
Love it! I will back on the Chesapeake soon. Don't eat all them oysters and crabs now!
This was a wonderful documentary. I have here from another video on Smith Island featuring islander Jerry Smith and that also was fantastic.
this was an unbelievably good documentary
Love this place wholesome life with Jesus included
❤✝️
Much love and peace! Hope to visit for crab cake sometime this summer when COVID is over.
This was great ! Growing up on the shore not too far from wye mills and dropping my dads boat in there every summer this sure does take me back and hit home ! ❤
Pick any place in the U.S. where someone has lived there entire life and they'll all say the same thing. And all the History of that area leaves with they're last breath.
Just loved this video, thanks.
Where can you buy her crab cakes? I live on the shore but always willing to support business and I kinda want to try them lol.
Thank you so much. We plan to visit this summer!
Excellent video Beautiful pics TY Smith Island All the Best
😭😭😭 one of my dreams, breaks my heart.
Great story. Well worth watching.
Youve inspired me to make a video on my hometown on the chesapeake with this one
Smith and Tangier are SO cool.
This was beautiful.
umm going to bed at 8pm then getting up a 2 , 2-30am is still only 6 hrs of sleep. not good for the ole' weight gain.
What a great place! I just watched Pete Santello (sp) that did a video on both islands , Smith and the other one inside it and it reminded me of a book about the same area, but it was about Oystermen and Chesapeake Bay Area, it’s “Skipjack” by Christopher White. I’m starting to wonder if I’m not meant to go to that Island, it just sounds perfect for me…..It’s most definitely on my bucket list….
Save the Chesapeake bay!
Oh man.. I was born too late and in the wrong place. I wish I coulda been born and raised there some like 50 or so yrs ago
Good shit, I enjoyed this very much
Loved this video
I went to Negril lighthouse and it was said to be a gift of the French government.It had a natural flame for the light.When I went there one could read the actual logs from the nineteenth and early twentieth century It was supposed to be digitized for years before .
Always found the water nasty there.
Stunning
Lived on the water for the last 56 years and had no problems from the rising water
It would probably better to turn it into a park with a museum explaining the old culture.
fantastic
Great documentary!
Stand as one people keep the Stand strong
Beautiful place
Good stuff !
Just wow!!
Awesome!
I worked on Tangier Island close and very similar to Smith island
I MAKE CRAB CAKED TODAY! AS THEY SAY, WATCH OUT FOR THE SHELLS ON THE SURFACE OF THE CRAB CAKES.
If we were to dam the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, "from the eastern shore to Norfolk" along the same rout as the bridge tunnel, you could provide protection from rising seas for the whole of the Chesapeake Bay area, from Norfolk to Baltimore, Trillions of dollars in real estate would be saved and you could generate power with the tidal currents.