Assateague Island - Part 2

Assateague Island is a barrier island located on the coast of Maryland and Virginia. The Maryland side is called Assateague, the Virgina side is called Chincoteague. The island is most famous for its herd of wild ponies - something that brought us there a few years ago. What the general public does not know is that it's an amazingly well preserved (i.e. not built on) section of beach. If you have some form of camping gear, you can camp either in the National Park or the State Park. We choose the state park because it's a bigger park and primarly ocean side camping. They have a nature center and great programs for the kids - the "girls" took advantage of 8am yoga on the beach! We also pulled a permit to take the truck on the beach. Dad's truck was elected (grudgingly on his part) because duallies are not allowed. Well - they are allowed if you take one of the dual wheels off in the back, but that's a SOB of a job if you are camping and don't have air tools or a lift. Dad used to take his truck on the beach when he was much younger in Montauk, Long Island - and it didn't always turn out very well. ;o) I'm happy to report that it was one of the most fun things we did during the trip! No one got stuck (well, a stupid ass park ranger that we helped yank out - but that is a WHOLE 'nuther story). We drove approx. 6 miles down the beach and found the "bull pen" - a section where if you have a truck camper you can stay overnight! And the bull pen was pretty busy - we thought about 30 - 40 truck campers were in there overnight. (Bonus - you can pull out of the bull pen in the wee hours, drive a few hundred feet and have your truck camper right there to surf fish). We found a giant dead sea turtle near the dunes that had washed up - it was probably about 10' across. Amazing. We also found what we suspect was a shark carcass (they head was cut off - probably for teeth).

We waded in the bay - Dylan was pretty freaked out when a horseshoe crab zipped under his tube and didn't want to leave (it was looking to "hide"). My parents did a lot of "birding" and found some new birds they hadn't seen before.

Other memorable highlights - two ROCKING thunderstorms during the week. Blow your tent down if you didn't use extra stakes kind of storms. (Di - that would be plan B for you - run like hell for the trailers should we get any of those storms while you are there next year). ;o) Tent camping is not easy in the shore area. Not impossible, you just have to know your stuff.

We hit the boardwalk (and saw a Siamese twin on our second boardwalk that was beyond freaky - again, another story) and ate the obligatory vinegar fries and ice cream and gyros. Yummmm. Dylan and I took surf lessons (in the post below the horse show). We also did a water park (could have done with out that myself - but it was the kids choice). Next year I'd like to rent a boat and tool around the bay area. We had great beach weather, a fabulous time, and already have reservations for next year!

Here are some pix...

Grandma and Grandpa with the kids in the bay.Bumper cars on the boardwalk. Did I mention my parents are still really fun? ;o)
Oh my gosh, how could I forget. Mike and Dylan flying the blimp kite after dinner..... (con't below)
which crashed and burned in the waves. MOM rescued the kite by jumping in - clothes and all. I'm sure there were quite a few snickers from the other campsites as we trudged back to our site.
Now - I have to tell you the BEST part of having the truck on the beach. There are many things on the market designed to carry the huge volume of CRAP you need to take to the beach when you have kids. Gone are the days of a towel, lotion and radio. Now you have boogie boards, umbrellas, chairs, coolers.... Well - you can load the back of this mo' fo' up until it's filled - let the air out of the tires, hit 4WD and the sand - and find your own damn spot. No truding of shit required! And, for Dylan and Morgan, we will have a REAL camo pee hut for next year ;o) don't ask.
And - last but not least, a wild pony in Grandma and Grandpa's camp site. Mike noticed how white they are - the girls at the barn said a romp in the sand works better than any bottle of cowboy magic. Hmmm..... I should have brought a bucket back for Misty's one white hoof! Maybe we wouldn't have to scrub it so hard!!!