Sunday, February 1, 2009

Milford Haven


This is a rather odd shot I took from the Sea Breeze restaurant on Gwynn's Island. It's odd because I didn't know there was a bird flying across when I snapped the picture and if I could take this picture over, I would have angled it upwards a little more, but never mind. This particular area is known as Milford Haven, which is referenced in today's brief post.

Recently I checked out a bunch of library books relating to the bay and to Mathews. Below is an excerpt from one of them that references the vicinity where I took today's picture.

"...Gwynn’s Island, where colonial Governor Lord Dunmore took refuge from the patriots at the start of the American Revolution, is a recreational area where marinas serve both watermen and pleasure boaters and many houses have their own docks. The scene at Milford Haven, which separates the island and the mainland, is a typical Bay tableau. Small, unpainted buildings stand near a short pier piled high with crab pots. The land curves eastward in a long arc that creates a cove. Boats move in and out of a larger docking area in the distance. A small, white motorboat moves slowly landward and docks at the end of the nearest pier. The waterman glances at those watching him, then silently places a half-empty bushel basket of gleaming blue crabs on the pier and begins unloading empty pots.

He is more talkative than most watermen. In response to a question, he explains his half-empty basket. This conservation-minded waterman has thrown back the “white” or papershell crabs and kept only full-grown blues. He blames—regretfully not accusatively—fellow watermen for helping cause a decline in the crab population. Why are crabs declining? Others are taking too many “cushion” crabs – the crabs with the big orange pouch of eggs on their stomachs. No hatching, no crabs, he says matter-of-factly..."

- from Adventuring in the Chesapeake Bay Area
John Bowen
Sierra Club Books, San Francisco
1999

Chesapeake Bay Woman's Random Two Cents: On the topic of declining crabs, there are many contributing factors, and different people will give different reasons. We also notice a decline in oysters, both in quantity and size, and we must do everything humanly possible to ensure the future of the fried oyster. I'm quite certain I would be unable to function without a regular dose of those delectable, heavenly morsels.

14 comments:

Mental P Mama said...

Now I want some crabcakes.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

MPM - Maybe we can get you some when you're here in July. Also, let me know if you need me to call Miss Ann up for you.

Ann Marie said...

ARRRGGGGGHHHHHHH you have the books! I went to look at some yesterday LOL

Ann Marie said...

Oh and just cause you have the books I wanted I will let you know I have a half a quart of freshly opened oysters in my fridge.. did I mention that I love my husband LOL

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Ann Marie - I swear I didn't take them all (library books)...and actually almost all of the ones I did get have to do with the bay at large rather than Mathews; they might contain a page or two relating to here. One of them is a book about pirates....fascinating stuff.

I'll be over in half an hour for some oysters. Actually, my father is frying up some tonight for the Super Bowl. He has The Best method of breading the little delicious things. I'm sure there are many, many benefits to being married to a waterman.

pjhammer_1965 said...

The best crabcakes in Mathews are at the Seabreeze. We come 700 miles twice per year and have to go to the Island for those crabcakes. Love oysters too! Would be interested to know how CBW's Dad breads his...

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

PJH - I'll ask Daddy tonight, but I know it is a double coating process. Milk is involved, cracker meal and another ingredient that's escaping me, but the double dipping is what makes it so good. I know sometimes he's used that House of Autry stuff and always calls it Gene Autry, every single time. It may be a combo of that and corn meal, but I'll find out.

Anonymous said...

If you have House Autry, you don't need anything else!!!

We purchased a bag of oysters from CB's nephew last week. CB has been roasting them every night.....OMG, they are SO good!!!

pjhammer_1965 said...

Cool. Thanks for the follow-up. Enjoy the Superbowl and Happy Groundhog Day...LOL

Unknown said...

Now I wish I could eat shellfish! I think it's the one thing I really miss...but can't eat.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

BHE - Yes, Gene Autry's stuff is awesome (as my father would call it).

PJH - I'd completely forgotten about Groundhog Day.

GJ - Don't worry we'll feed you something else when you're here this summer. How about fiddler crab on a stick? (Darn, they're shellfish too.) We'll come up with something good.

Hope y'all are enjoying Super Bowl Sunday.

Ann Marie said...

CBW I had the same thing for dinner!! and I threw in a couple of scallops! I knew you didn't nab all of them.. cause I found a few LOL..

freaky photo shoot today...

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

AM - We tossed in a couple of shrimp for good measure and a side order of chicken wings. A good dine was had by all.

I am not a football fan, but I do watch the Super Bowl. This was one heckuva game, although I confess to pulling for AZ. No matter, it was still a good game.

foolery said...

Blogger ate my comment, without benefit of hot sauce or cold beer or nuthin'. I hope Blogger gets indigestion.

. . . something something shellfish . . . something learn to eat it . . . something something big girl pants . . . something lotta beer . . . something not raw, are they? . . . something more beer . . .