Parked the car and took the walkway over the dunes. We continued along the road, and saw another group off in the distance, just standing around in the marsh. We hopped out of the car and began shooting lots of photos. After crossing the bridge to the seashore, we drove along the road for a minute or two and came across the first group of horses. Found out that there are 125 horses at the seashore. Stopped at the information booth, to ask about the horses. We were staying in New Jersey, and took the ferry from Cape May to Lewes, Delaware, and then drove about an hour to Assateague. The next day we did it all over again, because that's what you do on a beach weekend. After that excitement, we headed back into town, got delicious takeout from Ledo Pizza and ate at the hotel along the bay. The four ponies were then right along the road giving the passing tourists a close up look at the famous animals. One mare had wandered into away from the group into the marsh, but the stallion trotted out and rounded her up. And at the far side of the trail we came upon a small group of the Chincoteague ponies - a stallion and three mares. Along the fresh water catchments we spied great egrets, snowy egrets, blue herons, and black skimmers. Beware, the asian tiger mosquitos are vicious and bite all day long bring repellent, but don't be deterred. After packing up, we decided to drive along the nature loop, which opens to vehicle traffic after 3 pm. I got lots of great photos for my photography website. Ring-billed, black backed, and laughing gulls stood watch nearby. Sanderlings just in from their nesting grounds in the artic dashed in and out of the surf while a long legged Willet sauntered amongst them. At about 6 pm, with most of the crowd leaving, we walked along the beach collecting shells and watching the shorebirds. It was low tide and we could walk out a significant distance and still be in 5 feet of water, playing in the waves and catching the occasional breaker. After the initial shock, the water was actually rather warm. Since it was hot it didn't take long to go into the water. As expected the beach was crowded but we settled in for the afternoon. After about 45 minutes of enrichment we tried the road to the beach again and got to the shore without delay. You can learn about endangered piping plovers, the long distance migration of peregrine falcons (winter in the Argentine doesn't sound bad), and theories on how the ponies got to the island. This spacious facility has a great set of exhibits about the wildlife and history of the island. After sitting in a traffic backup for a few minutes, decided that this is not how I wanted to spend my vacation so I turned around and headed back to the snazzy National Park Visitor center. Unfortunately, it being a hot summer weekend, the lots at the beach were overfilled. After a relaxing first morning, we headed to the beach after lunch. While Chincoteague is a small, yet bustling, tourist town, Assateague Island and Beach are within a National Park, which helps maintain its natural setting. Just 50 miles south of Ocean City, this beach is a world away from the high-rise developments of that resort city. Assateague is one of my favorite beaches on the mid-Atlantic seaboard. The back deck is a great place to eat breakfast and just while away the morning, reading books, watching the ducks, and feeling the refreshing breeze. This is a great hotel right on the bay overlooking the old drawbridge. Stayed at our usual haunt at the Hampton Inn on Main Street. After a temperate July in Maryland, the weather turned hot and sticky in August and the beach was a great place to be. Had another wonderful long weekend at Chincoteague and Assateague in early August.
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