FW: [NorthFlatheadYachtClub]http://nfyc.org Barbara's report on Smith Island

13 Sept, 2011 After a leisurely breakfast, (no hurry-nothing opens until 11AM), we took a stroll through town. Most of the houses are turn of the century, some restored and some falling down. We ended up on a dead end street, no pun intended. As we were deciding if we should turn around or brave the path through the marsh, a bearded, topless, semi-toothless resident stepped out to say hello. We chatted for awhile and then he invited us in to “see something amazing”. He offered us a cup of coffee, which we declined-house keeping was not high on his list of something important to do. I think that the amazing thing was supposed to be his many paintings and those of his teacher that were hung everywhere. However, what I found amazing was the house. He and his wife are restoring it, mostly with stuff they have scavenged from other old houses. What a conglomeration. By the time we had admired his art and house, it was almost 11 and the bakery was open. We just had to purchase a Smith Island cake! We choose yellow cake with fudge and peanut butter between the 8 or 9 layers-who is counting! We left greetings for the owner, a friend of Ben’s. Next was a snack at Rukes store, a milkshake for me and a crab cake sandwich for Reggie. We needed fuel for the walk to Rhodes Point! We made it and wondered why we had wanted to go there. But, alas, we saw a man doing something to crabs, pinching and sorting. We kept watching until he finally invited us in and explained what he was doing. He was pinching the claws so they wouldn’t eat each other and sorting them as to when they would shed. His objective was soft shell crabs. He asked if we had ever eaten a soft shell crab. I refrained from telling him I thought it was gross. It is starting to get hot and I’m beginning to wish we had rented the bikes, when a nice woman offered us a ride in her golf cart. She was worried we might be stranded on Rhodes Point as the tide was coming in. Apparently, the road floods now at high tide, ever since the hurricane. She dropped her off at the museum. I actually don’t remember much about it, except that it was air conditioned and there was a video we sat down to watch. Then we bought some fig preserves and crackers, just because we had never had fig preserves. Off to an early dinner at the Inn, remember, they close at 4. We had read about the family style dinner, so Reggie ordered that. Family style for a family of one is a plate with some meat and several small dishes as sides. It was a lot of food! We waddled back to the boat and decided to go out in the channel to anchor for the night. Dropped anchor and ate Smith Island Cake for a bed time snack. Everyone who has a chance should go to Smith Island. Talk to the people and listen to their “backward talk” before the world encroaches too much. They are wonderful people and they won’t let you starve! Reggie Good CLU, LUTCF, ChFC Reginald J Good Agency 135 Clothier Lane PO Box 654 Lakeside, MT 59922-0654 406-844-3143 1-800-823 LIFE(5433) fax: 406-844-3191 website www.Insurance-Solutions.biz email: Re… [at] Insurance-Solutions.biz