December 3, 2011 - Tangier Island Holly Run

It's that time of the year for the annual Tangier Island Holly Run.  The weather was simply perfect:  not a cloud in the sky, blues skies, great vis, not too cold.  I didn't really have to pre-heat the engine but I did anyways.  I enjoyed a short hop across the Chesapeake Bay to Bay Bridge airport.  The plan was to meet up with Chef, Mugsy and Bromo and fly to Tangier Island in formation.    The Harmon Rocket pictured here landed just before I did and I met its owner George. 
 
Like last year, the Holly Run was extremely well organized by Helen of Chesapeake Sport Pilot, and it started off with a pancake and sausage breakfast. 
 
I knew quite a few people in attendance so it was quite the social event.
 
The Holly Run received a nice story in the newspaper:  Link
 
Helen briefs the pilots for the transit to Tangier Island.
 
Edward Nabb, whose father started the Holly Run in the 1960s, and organized it himself for many years, said a few words and gave a pilot's prayer. 
 
AOPA's Turbo-Caravan containing Santa Claus and presents, took off first.
 
Chef was in the lead, I was #2, Bromo was #3 and Mugsy was #4.
 
Bromo in route formation.
 
Mugsy bringing up the rear.  Later we tightened the formation up and did some practice turns in finger-four and diamond formation.
 
Off Chef's wing in route formation.
 
Bromo and Mugsy off Chef's left wing.
 
We practiced some turns in fingertip formation. 
 
Lined up nicely.
 
Tangier Island at two o'clock as we come in for an overhead pass.
 
 
 
We did a pass down the runway in diamond formation, then came back around in echelon formation for a break and landing.
 

Here is Dragon flight on the ground.  Left to right:  Claw, Mugsy, Chef and Bromo.

 
Our rides sprarkling in the sunshine.
 
Bruce R. standing next to Mugsy. 
 
The white bagts are filled with the Holly. 
 
Lee F. is in my EAA Chapter and flies his Kitfox around everywhere. 
 
Heading to main street with the Holly.
 
A little history of Tangier Island for you.  This is the third time I've been here. 
 
They have an interesting museum worth going through.
 
Now this is something you don't see too often:  Maryland Blue Crab chairs!
 
 
There is not a lot of good, dry land on the island; there are cemetaries all over the place, packed in between houses.
 
This Cessna 150 is the only airplane still operating out of Mountain Road airport. 
 
Forty-five planes participated in this year's Holly Run. 
 
Last year we had to wait quite a while for lunch on Tangier Island.  This year they had two sittings, and both were full.  We flew over to Crisfield, and a local pilot drove us into town (and back -- the local pilots are really friendly at Crisfield!) for lunch.  We had a good lunch at the Waterman's Inn.
 
I flew back to Essex Skypark by myself.  The late afternoon sun was behind me and really lit everything up.  It was a very enjoyable flight. 
 
Big flat area south of Cambridge.
 
 
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