March 20, 2008 – The first day of spring – A visit to Assateague Island National Seashore Park ,which is nearby Ocean City Md. I had a couple of visitors to Ocean City Md with me and suggested a drive to Assateague Island as a sight seeing adventure. Neither of my guests had ever been to Assateague. We drove to Assateague and discovered that Assategue’s wild ponies and deer were visibly present along the winding road entering the National Seashore Area of Assageague. The Island’s primary occupants of ponies and deer were obviously waiting for SPRING to arrive. It was a somewhat chilly and WINDY day with wind gusts approaching 20 and 30 mph, but fortunately with a sun drenched landscape. Standing sheltered from the wind but in the sun revealed a very pleasant day, but the chilly wind was relentless. The Assateague ponies were mostly found feeding along the roadside (which was protected from the wind) and not venturing to the bayside or oceanside, both of which were feeling the prevailing chilly winds from the west!
There were many ponies feeding along the roadside, and we even observed a couple of obviously pregnant female horses. They were mostly just ignoring us as their main intent was to feed on the sparse green grasses along the roadside. I also observed that their hair growth was thicker than what i had observed in summer trips to Assateague Island.
We ventured further along the entrance road and reached the “entry” gates to the National Park area. The entry fee is $10 per car for a 7 day pass. Having completed that registration, we went further and decided that due to the high winds, we would only venture on the bayside through a wooded forest walking trail, which protected us from the wind on this particular day.
The Forest Walk turn around point is at an elevated OVERLOOK viewing the bay marshlands and the western shore. A spectacular view and surely inspirational!
We then drove to the ocean side and parked the car to venture up the wooden walkway over the sandy windswept dunes to view the Atlantic Ocean. Sand swept relentlessly around our feet blowing to the East. Not a foot track was to be found anywhere in the white sandy dune or beach, which brings some real exhilaration and understanding of the wonders of nature to your “senses” .
During this period of high winds the white sand particles blew as if it were mere snowflakes in a snowstorm causing the dunes to change shape in a matter of hours! It’s no wonder the Assateague Ponies nor human visitors were populating the beach on this day, however soon the beach will be populated with people fishing, swimming, bathing and simply enjoying the refreshing breezes which contain the “salt air freshness” …
While the Assateague Ponies were easily observed when driving into the park area, the deer were not seen for some time, but eventually we saw them, also along the roadsides. One had to have a sharp eye to see them as their winter fur cover is much lighter in color and therefore they blend in easily with the surrounding bushes, shrubs, etc.. The deer are much more elusive and can be frightened by us humans so they can quickly disappear into the shrubs and bushes unless you approach by car slowly and don’t make noises. Their hunger kept them feeding while we took a few pictures from inside of the car.
This turned out to be a great 1/2 day Pre-Spring trip to enjoy some of the nearby Ocean City Md Attractions in Assateague Island, experience our wonderful natural environment, and bring another memory home for visitors to share with their friends. If you are visiting Ocean City MD, or nearby areas of Berlin Maryland, or Ocean Pines Maryland, you are but a short drive away from this near spring time experience. Assateague Island is a great place to visit during most any season of the year. We hope you will enjoy the natural environment should you visit. … At The Beach, Ocean City Md .. .. CLICK HERE TO JUMP TO THE ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL PARK web site provided by the National Park Service.
I have uploaded a few of the photos taken on this day visit to Assateague Island in our At The Beach Photo Gallery … Ocean City Maryland – CLICK HERE TO VIEW THEM …
Should you travel to Ocean City Maryland for a weekend get-a-way – you will find the Best Ocean City MD Hotel Rates here! ( Guaranteed )
I welcome your comments – thoughts – and feedback on this article.
Subscribe to the Blog.AtBeach.com Blog RSS Feed!
Have a comment? Visitors are welcome to register and advance this topic, offer other views, etc.. You MUST FIRST REGISTER, AND A PASSWORD WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU: Simply CLICK HERE to login or CLICK HERE to register so that you may post a comment.
