Enter the fun zone complete with miniature golf course, go-carts and even more rentals - bikes, surreys and fun coupes. People and cars seem like magnets just waiting to collide. Fun coupes (what appear to be little electric cars), while licensed or not, are driven in the roads, slowing traffic to a snail’s pace. One group of clueless vacationers is pedaling their surrey (bicycle with at least four people) in the middle of the lane chatting away, completely unaware of the row of cars growing behind them. They are but a few feet from the actual bike path but refuse to heed to anyone.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Once through this congested area, circle through another roundabout and arrive at the refuge admission gate. The park offers a variety of options with the least expensive being the seven-day pass. More cars and bicycles, including unattended children on bikes - less the fun coupes - are inside. According to the refuge it is one of the most visited in the United States with more than 100,000 guests annually. The park seems to be at capacity and like the town is well worn - everything from the rough road surface to crowded trails and parking lots.
One of the refuge’s purposes is to provide a habitat for migratory birds within its 14,000-acres that also encompasses Morris, Assawoman, Metompkin and Cedar Islands, plus Wildcat Marsh. Because Assateague Island National Seashore covers two states, different agencies oversee different portions of the facility. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is responsible for the Virginia section of the refuge, while the National Park service maintains the visitor center at Toms Cove, as well as ancillary services for the public beach. Park guests will also find the Herbert H. Bateman Educational Center operated by FWS. Both offer interpretive programs. Parts of the park may be closed seasonally to protect endangered species, such as the piping plover.
The park maintains 15 miles of foot and bike paths and about half of them are strictly foot trails. These provide wildlife viewing opportunities. On the Wildlife Loop, for instance, there are two observation platforms, great for watching birds.
Two popular activities on the island include visiting the lighthouse and viewing the wild ponies. On weekends from spring to fall, the Chincoteague Natural History Association offers tours of the 1830s red and white striped lighthouse for a nominal fee. Currently there are 150 ponies in the Virginia portion of the island. A pull off or viewing area exists on the west side of Beach Road. The wild ponies may be seen in the distance pastured behind the trees. A telephoto lens or binoculars are useful in bringing them into focus.
Chincoteague was once a picturesque island adjacent to a sleepy fishing village. Nowadays Mother Nature seems a bit weary from the constant flow of visitors and deserves a vacation.
The park is open year-round with extended hours during summer season.
Photos: Assateague Lighthouse; Chincoteague wild ponies; Wildlife at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - ©2007 Flying Compass, Inc. All rights reserved. |
