Assateague Island, VA

Next to Chincoteague Island is Assateague Island, which is a National Wildlife Refuge.

Apparently that also means it is a bug refuge, and we got our first mosquito bites of the trip.

They have a pretty nice Visitors Center with displays, a wildlife viewing area, and a theater where you can request videos.

The video the kids selected was the Kratt Brothers Wild Ponies. Turned out to be a very early video from 1993. It was quite funny to watch them bumble through the video, when they were obviously so new to being on camera.

After the Visitors Center we went to the beach.

When looking online earlier, I found that
shell collecting is permitted on the island,
but they limit how many shells you can take.

Only one GALLON per person!

We laughed, wondering why on earth anyone would collect a gallon of shells.

The water was so nice and warm, a comfy 72 degrees. Compared to the 50 degree water at home on the Pacific, it was so pleasant. We just giggled when a couple got their feet wet and said "brrrrr."

There were beautiful kites flying, birds at the waters edge, and even a small pod of dolphins in view.

We spent about an hour on the beach, and got back to the car with our shells,

all three gallons of them.

Grin.

Greeting the Atlantic Ocean

Kites

I think I'll make this my wallpaper when I get home