Cruising towards a sunset

Nature is life's best luxury resort
~Altoid

Chincoteague and Assateague Islands- National Wildlife seashore


get·a·way
–noun 1. a getting away or fleeing; an escape.


Laptop - check
Cell Phone+Charger - check
Camera - check
Books - check
Music - check
Directions/Maps - check
Know what to do when you get there - Hopelessly unchecked

Many years ago, a co-worker of mine had mentioned this place, some 3 hrs away from Northern Virginia and from what I remember, he had said it was one of the less-frequented, beautiful, pristine seashores of the Mid-Atlantic Coast.

I shudder heading towards any beach in any coast of America in summer. Traffic on the roads as well as on the beach makes me want to go the swimming pool in my community armed with a beach towel and a book. But get away, I wanted to. Badly. Its one of those urges one has when life and its infinite demands just weigh on the body and mind much like a bench press. Since it was too early for beach trips for the aam-junta I deduced it was a perfect time just so long as warm weather prevailed. Friday looked hopeful, warm and cheery in the 80s and the weekend didn't sound like a bad deal either- the weather gods for some reason were smiling. So, as I looked for information on what to do once we got there, I discovered much was lacking. Armed with some basic directions, a booking for a night's stay and a rental car, off we went.
(Fair warning : This might turn out to be a long drawn travel post, pliss to bear with me or jump to footnote. There is a method to my madness)

Chincoteague and Assateague islands are located off the coasts of MD and VA, not far from the NASA center in Salisbury, MD and the beaches of Ocean City. As we headed outside of city limits, the air cleared, the skies turned brilliantly blue, weather was warm and the thrill of driving with windows open was heaven sent. No sooner than we landed on Chincoteague island, my cell reception went kaput. First of the gadgets to give up, so far.

There was a fair going on along the waterfront, through which we walked for a few minutes, in search of some kind of a visitor's center to guide us towards what to do and where to go. No such thing was in sight. With some assistance at a gas station, we finally figured how to get to our hotel, but it wasn't check-in time yet. Conveniently the hotel was en route to the other island-Assateague.












Assateague island has been preserved as a National Wildlife refuge, with no humans inhabiting the island. The National Park Service has fixed hours of entry in which visitors are allowed to use hiking/biking trails through the island where one is treated to some interesting sights of wildlife. There are many stories about the ponies on Assateague island and these gorgeous animals can be seen at various times meandering the land at a leisurely pace. After a quick lunch, we rented some bikes and managed some short hikes to the Assateague lighthouse.

Then it was time to socialize with the locals and find out the best things to see and do. What was noteworthy in these islands is maintaining the local flavor, there is a noticeable lack of big restaurant chains, not even any of the omnipresent Taco Bells, KFC's, BK's and Pizza Huts- all we found was one McDees and one Subway- not a Starbucks, no Olive Garden. Nope, not one. There were plenty of local fare, seafood restaurants, bed and breakfast places, quaint shops- simple, pure, pristine.

Our hotel staff kindly directed us to a local that conducted cruises around the islands. We called and were asked to report for the sunset cruise that left at 6pm at the waterfront. I sat on the picnic benches in the waterfront with a book and a cool sea breeze as companion and waited. 6pm and the tide brought in Charlie at our service. There was no one else but us. Since this wasn't tourist season and no one had foreseen such warm weather, there weren't any tourists at all when we had gone. Charlie was the best thing that happened to us on this trip. For 2 hrs, he provided us with windbreakers to keep us warm and handy binoculars. He was proud and delighted to share the history of these islands- where he has lived all his life, being married for 40 yrs to his lovely wife Deb who had come to deliver a warm flask of coffee for his last cruise for the day. He affirmed what we'd already discovered, that the place was reluctant for big hotel and restaurant chains to come and commercialize the islands. He showed us some of the birds which we'd never have noticed in detail, if not for him. Thanks to him, we sighted a variety of sea gulls, terns, cormorants, blue herons and egrets. The cruise took us around both islands and as we neared Assateague island we were able to feast our eyes on batches and batches of ponies. Charlie also described to us in detail - the pony swim that happens every year, during the last weekend of July- when ponies are made to swim across the two islands. It was wonderful to hear these stories told by a local so proud of his land and the beings that inhabit them. As I clicked vigorously at the many pony sightings....my camera battery decided to give in and give up. So that was it. Second gadget to go kaput.












Unfazed, while I continued to feast my eyes on the bird and pony watching, the return trip was another spectacular treat altogether. We caught a candy colored sunset in the making. And since there is no picture for proof, you have to take my word for it. That which I have committed to my memory and I will relish the experience for posterity. As we rode the tide back towards our island, with a gorgeous sunset for eye candy, wind currents cruising along, birds and animals homeward bound for a warm dinner and shut-eye, I realized- nature is life's best luxury resort. No Sandals resort could ever be as good as this communion with the five elements of nature. For a long time to come, I will remember cruising towards the sunset.

As we got off the boat, thanking Charlie profusely, with a parting hug he gave us each a parting gift- again something that I will cherish and that gets added to my list of 'touch and go'.

After such a wonderful evening, we had just enough energy to troop back to the hotel after a quick bite to eat and call it a day. It was also when I discovered I had forgotten to carry my laptop charger. Third and last gadget to go kaput. With that I was gadget-free for the rest of the trip and it was probably the best kind of getaway possible.

The next morning, dawned, again- warm, but cloudy. We managed to walk across to the waterfront where I spent a few more hours soaking in the fresh air and scenic beauty with only the sounds of birds and the splashing of the waves, immersed in a book.

Then recharged, it was time to head home, ready to take on the world.

Footnote : The reason for this turning into a long travel post was because I didn't have too many pictures to account for the activities(we do know a picture is worth a thousand words!) hence you had to bear with my rambling :).