a child times three 1943 1971 2007 (and 2011) generations

family vacation in the same place every year? 
Annual rituals bond us together, and give (grand-)children a backdrop to grow against.

Gwynn's Island

Gywnn's Island is a part of Mathews County and is located at the mouth of the Piankatank River where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay.

Gwynn's Island is a popular weekend destination for many in Virginia's inland areas, relatively well accessible to most of I95 corridor and almost immediate access to the Bay.

Gwynn's Island offers some sandy beaches along its eastern border with the Bay.  Southern and western sides border the more protected Milford Haven and Hills Bay and are natural.

Water Depth around Gwynn's Island is shallow near shore (less than 3'), dropping to no more than 20' in most nearby areas including bordering sections of the Chesapeake Bay.

Tin Can Alley dispute 14A in Gloucester-Mathews newspaper

Tin Can Alley is still in dispute. The Gloucester-Mathews newspaper has a front-page article.
There is 45-foot wide public access. As far as "private property" on Gwynn's Island, I believe
any beach front deed specifies "mean high tide" and therefore when the tide is "out"
where the water was is also public, thus the long tradition of
walking to either "end of the Island" either hole in the wall or Cherry Point.
I have done that many times beginning in 1960's and continue to do so.
Spouse is age 71 and has been doing this since about age 5
when the family (Pirkle) lived in Petersburg (close to Fort Lee).

by any other name

My parents had three boys in rapid succession: 1944 Bobby, 1945 Buddy, 1947 Buster. I was the Bobby - through graduation from high school in 1962. That August / September I arrived at Wake Forest University and a senior opined: you should be called "Bob." I graduated from college in 1966, attended graduate school, worked 1974-1985 at a large insurance company in New Jersey. The next job was as computer consultant for a contractor supporting Pentagon (U.S. Navy) and because of my good work, the manager who worked for the government called me "Dr. Bob" (I have a desk name plate to that effect). After the birth of our first grandchild in 2007, when the grandson learned to speak the language, he named my spouse "Grandma Bee" so I became "Grandpa 'B'" and carry that name still and into our future.

Reminders to family members who go to the Perch / cottage

1) plug in the power for the water softener - unplugged while painting / power washing

2) water heater circuit breaker FROM "save energy" to the ON position - double size breaker

When leaving, make sure the cold water cut off outdoors is in the OFF position 

(across the line, not lined up with the water pipe).

3) take a look at the "stink pipe" which stands outside the kitchen window. 

It should be upright, not lying down. Bob could try to work that when down there all together.

life is good - siblings and reunion

Life is good. family "Pirkle" began coming to Gwynn's Island at least about 65 years ago.
In a few days the four will be meeting in Mathews County for sibling reunion.
Years of birth 1927, 1929, 1942, 1943. First two are males
and graduated from William and Mary. In preparation, we have had the cottage exterior painted
(Mad Calf Lane). Hope the new look does not drive "our" eagle away.
It has been up on the limb of the pine - but I personally have missed seeing it - as I also miss Whip-O- Will that used to frequent (in the 1960's).

a testament to Mama Rachel - Grandma to Rachel

Funeral is Saturday at Moore's Chapel Baptist Church, Saxapahaw, NC. Rachel (grand-daughter to Rachel Ione Thompson Braxton) wrote: all the trips we took, all the long talks we had, the laughs, sharing a bed with her at Gwynn's Island, the chores I helped with (snapping beans, shucking corn), and the things she taught me. I miss you so much ...