Chincoteague and Assateague Islands Christmas Eve Day

W

Werner

Active member
I did not want to hijack Jon's "Chincoteague" thread with our recent holiday snaps so I thought I would add them here.

We visited Chincoteague and Assateague the afternoon of December 23 and the morning of December 24. In this short time we were able to see some wonderful sights which I think really capture the magic of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. (By the way, I do not recall ever seeing the array of wildlife we saw in our short stay this time.)

For those who do not know, Chincoteague is the island one reaches before crossing to Assateague island. I will try and arrange the snaps here in order of our stay on Chincoteague and then driving out onto Assateague.

The phrase "What you see when you don't have your gun" could not be more applicable then the following pictures will show.

The first picture of Canada Geese was taken right outside our hotel room which I think only cost us $89.


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After we had breakfast on the 24th we thought we better get some gasoline in town. Guess who was hanging out at the gas station right on the other side of gas pumps we used to fuel our Jeep? I have seen Drug Store Cowboys but do not recall seeing Gas Station Mallards -until that morning.



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We drove over the bridge onto Assateague Island and before driving onto the beach we saw wild ponies.



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I wonder if this pony is a descendant of "Misty of Chincoteague."



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Before we arrived at the beach there was a Blue Heron doing some hunting.



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We finally made it to Assateague beach only to come upon quite a few Snow Geese.


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We deflated our tires to 20 PSI so as not to get stuck in the sand. On to the beach we go. We follow the tracks of previous travelers.



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Driving along the beach we spot a Bald Headed Eagle but it flies a short distance away. The eagle is flying along Tom's Cove. We made several attempts to get close to the eagle on foot but the eagle would not let us get close enough for a good snap from the cell phone. This is the best we could do.






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Beautiful seascapes.



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After driving on the beach we have to re-inflate our tiers before driving south to Richmond. Good thing we bought this neat air pump. (I think there is an air pump just before the beach at Tom's Cove Visitor's center but "Be Prepared" seems like a sound motto to follow especially for driving on a desolate beach.)




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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Cheers!
 
What a beautiful set of pictures. I like what your photographer's eye saw on that trip. My favorite shot was of your seascape. Well done and thanks for the comments.
Al
 
Good morning, Werner~

Thanks for taking us along on your vacation - a fine way to celebrate the holidays. We plan to visit this area someday.

All the best,

SJS

 
Thanks for sharing. I never get tired of seeing pictures, or hearing stories about Chincoteague. Ever since visiting the Island on our Honeymoon in October of 1981, this little island has clearly become our "home away from home". Going back several times a year since, we have seen a lot of interesting wildlife, and met a lot of interesting and fun people. Some of which have become good friends.

The unfortunate thing for us is, we have seen a LOT of changes, most of which we're not fond of. Mainly The commercialization. Where, on the western side of the island, the hotels are so numerous and crowded these days, it's hard to watch a sunset. But such is progress, I guess.

Steve, when you do make it down there, if you want, get ahold of me and I'll share a few out of the way places to see, give you a little guidance, and maybe even recommend a good eatery or two.

Jon
 
Al,

Thanks for the affirmation on the seascape picture. It is one of those things being at the right moment and time. We had several interesting pictures like that one but I couldn't get them all in and tell the "story" with pictures.

Cheers.
 
Hi Steve,

It is a neat place. If you go in the summer you may want to visit Mr. Wippy (Maddox Blvd.) for some ice cream (bring cash and there maybe a long line) and there is a decoy caver who has his shop on the right side of Maddox Blvd just as you leave the bridge going onto Chincoteague. You may enjoy that.

Don't forget the bug spray if you go into the woods on Assateauge Island.

In August, if memory serves, they have the annual pony crossing where "salt-water" cowboys drive some of the ponies across the water for auction to help support the Chincoteague Fire Department. (By the way, there is usually several guys hanging out in front of the fire station. I bet they know where you might be able to seek out other decoy carvers.) That seems to still draw a crowd.

Thanks for your advice about putting a keel on my reconditioned plastic goose decoys.

Cheers
 
Hi Jon,

The island really does hold a special place for you. As a boy we stopped there on a family trip to Virginia to see historical sights. "Misty of Chincoteague" and my sister encouraged dad and mom to make a detour onto the island. The sand dunes on Assateague Island, if memory serves, were much much larger than they are now. I still remember the go-cart track near the marina on the south side of the island. As a boy I guess I would. The last I saw that old go-cart track was abandoned and covered in vines but Stukey's still stands on highway 13 just south of Chincoteague. That I still can't believe.

Good point about the sunsets. I noticed too that some of the old homes on Main Street facing west are now obstructed from enjoying the sunset views on the bay. However, we did enjoy seeing how festive some of those old homes were made out to be for Christmas. Very charming.

Cheers.
 
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