Life on the isolated Chesapeake Bay island

I had the unique opportunity to visit Smith Island – a remote 8,000-acre island in the Chesapeake Bay with a population of only 250. This island is home to one of the oldest English-speaking settlements in the United States, with a culture and dialect all its own. What struck me most about Smith Island was its isolation and the way of life that has been preserved through generations. The locals were hospitable and took pride in their heritage. But the island faces challenges from sea level rise and erosion. The isolation has made it difficult for the island to grow economically or adapt to changing environmental conditions.