With Hurricane Arthur now classified as a Category 1 Hurricane, and making its way past the Outer Banks tonight, the National Weather Service has now issued a Small Craft Advisory for the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. Although it is not likely the area will experience more than rain, wind, and scattered thunderstorms from the hurricane, perhaps even clearing up by Friday depending where you live and crab, will you be canceling or pushing back your Fourth of July holiday weekend plans?

For us at Long Point Outfitters, I know that nothing feels more like freedom than being out on the water! Although we enjoy crabbing early in the season just as much as we enjoy crabbing late in the season, there is something about making it out onto one of the Chesapeake Bay’s many fine rivers on July 4^th weekend that has always given us a sense of freedom to be able to enjoy what we love. The whole experience resonates why we’re proud to be an American and the freedom that comes with that! Perhaps it’s those broad stripes and bright stars flown at the many water front properties that can be seen from the water. Or maybe it’s even the occasional spotting of an American Bald Eagle flying over, or perhaps perched in a tree or local field just beyond the river’s bank. I think these visuals all add to what a great experience being out on the water can be, especially on a holiday weekend that celebrates the freedoms we have. I think some of the experience may also be rooted deeper, that it may be from a feeling we sense by doing something with your hands that many past generations of Americans have done before. Whether for recreation or commercial, it is a sense of carrying on traditions that can be experienced; our own form of American traditions for us so blessed to have been born and raised on the bay or now live near the bay. Lastly, I think that the American spirit can be found in the nature of entrepreneurship and those that work hard to achieve things in life. I mention this as I believe this can be found in the experience of crabbing whether as participating in what some may consider a laborious hobby, and most definitely in those that work sun-up till sun-down to earn a living from the bay. “Small town USA” is thought of by most when getting back to their American roots during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, but for us perhaps it’s more of “water town USA”.

At Long Point Outfitters we know we will be back out on the bay at some point this weekend as soon as the winds die down and waves settle! To all others who enjoy spending their July 4^th weekend on the bay, enjoy and please be safe.

For more information on Small Craft Advisories and updates on Hurricane Arthur, please visit The National Weather Service at: http://www.weather.gov/

Map from http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/