Chappaquiddick enters the diary as both a real destination and the site of an inquiry: during a May 1981 excursion, the travelers crossed by ferry with their car and retraced the steps surrounding Ted Kennedy’s accident, ultimately deciding that he was guilty.

Setting and Arrival

From Martha’s Vineyard, the travelers took a ferry to Chappaquiddick with their car. The crossing followed an outing that had included a boat trip, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown, but the island gave the day a more investigative purpose.

Retracing the Accident

On Chappaquiddick, they photographed a man who recounted where and how the accident happened and explained why he did not believe the account. They then retraced the steps themselves to assess whether Ted Kennedy was guilty. Their conclusion was that he was.

Narrative Significance

The island visit shifts the entry from travel and celebrity encounters to an attempt at firsthand verification. Chappaquiddick is presented through the diary’s sequence of crossing, listening, retracing, and judging; the conclusion is clear, though the entry does not provide further details about the accident or the evidence behind the verdict.