Holly Run

11/30/2012

Holly Run

Last day of November - can you believe it?  This morning's blog will have to suffice for today and tomorrow.  On Saturday, Jeff and I and a close friend will be winging our way (weather permitting) to Tangier Island for the annual Holly Run. For over 40 years, each December private pilots have been flying to the island bringing with them holly, pine boughs and Santa

Generally there are 40 or so planes that enjoy the event each year and this will be our second time.  We meet at a private airport near the Bay Bridge for breakfast and a pilot briefing and then we are wheels up in stages. Flying over the Chesapeake Bay is beautiful and you get to see all the nooks and crannies that populate the Bay.  

The island is tiny and most of the locals are fishermen and the island can only be reached by boat or plane.  After landing it's a short walk to town where Santa (and his toys) are joyously greeted by the children who are eager with anticipation for their gifts.

Besides bringing much needed decorations for the church and possibly homes, pilots also bring paper goods for the church as well as put donations in to the cash box to help out.  Tangier Island's residents need all the financial help they can get for fishing is a hard way to make a living and sometimes the living is meager.

After arrival, you can watch the children and Santa, walk through the very small town which has a few shops which might be open or you can sit quietly in the church and reflect.  There's no agenda for pilots et al except those helping out Santa.

Lunch is at a local restaurant and the food of the day is crab.  Crab cakes or crab soup are the specialties but you can also get a salad and sweet potato fries.  No burgers, no toasted cheese - just crab which is cooked to perfection.

During both flights tomorrow we will be surrounded by other planes flying in front or behind us. Of course, if a plane has more horses under the "hood" than we do - we may be passed!  All in all it's a beautiful and heart warming way to spend the day.  The residents of the island appreciate the official start to their holiday and the pilots are more than willing (let's be honest they love to fly) to donate their time and pay it forward.

Have a great Friday and I'll see you on Sunday.

P