Cross-Country Roadtrip to Assateague Island National Seashore

Wander Here
Written By Candice McCoy

Wander Here: Assateague Island National Seashore + State Park, Assateague Island, Maryland USA

 

The one-hour drive from Chincoteague Island to Assateague Island held several amazing surprises - the tiny, quaint town of Berlin, Maryland, the storybook countryside dotted with vintage farmhouses, miniature ponies, chickens and goats, and an up close and personal  encounter with the ocean on an almost flooded road...just to name a few!  We stopped on our way in to wander the streets of town, stopping in at shops and one of the only open diners that had seating for 6 for some lunch. Like a step back in time in the best way, Berlin charmed us and was the perfect welcome to this part of the coast.

father and daughter walk hand in hand down street in Berlin Maryland the great wanderlust candice Mccoy wander here
girl with glasses drinks milkshake in Berlin Maryland the great wanderlust candice Mccoy Wander here

Even after all that, as we rolled across the bridge onto Assateague Island, I knew there were even more special things ahead.  We followed the quiet road through the trees, around bends that promised ethereal views and trails that meandered off into the trees toward the marshes. Slowing down upon seeing a few folks gathered on the side of the road, cameras in hand, we felt the anticipation, wondering -  was this the moment? Had we finally tracked down the wild ponies we’d come so far to see?  The ones we’d heard about for the first time ever while sitting in the coffee shop picking random places to scope out on this cross country road trip just weeks before. From Oklahoma to Assateague, with every mile and every page of Misty of Chincoteague, we had fallen more in love with the idea of seeing these wild horses.

We quietly hopped out of the car and backtracked several yards.  And there they were…just as we’d imagined them - so peaceful. So charming.  So unaware of us gawking at them and clicking incessantly.  It was a moment - no time there watching them was enough.  Flicking their tails and grazing on the tall grasses, they were even more idyllic than I’d imagined.  I loved seeing the kids stare, wide-eyed and quieter than they’d been in days, taking it all in.  So worth all the driving and searching just for those moments.

Assateague Island national seashore wild horses
girl watches wild horses Assateague Island national seashore the great wanderlust wander here

After a bit, we reluctantly pulled ourselves away to see what else was waiting for us down the road. On the left were paths leading to campsites and the ocean, on the right - wooded trails to the inland pools and marshes.  We alternated exploring both sides - soaking in the views and beauty of deer + birds…. and stumbling upon even more horses infiltrating the campsites.  They seemed oblivious to all that was around them - living in their own little world on their magical island.  

After exploring the trails and working on our Junior Ranger booklets, we stopped back by the National Park center to say our pledge and get our badges before making our final trek back to the beginning of the road and our last stop - the Assateague Island State Park.

The State Park welcomed us with a cute little boardwalk all the way to the waves.  Already chilled to the bone, we hurried up the walk and came over the top of the dunes just in time to spot dolphins splashing playfully just beyond the surf.  Thankfully the beach was nearly empty, so my screaming, pointing and jumping went unnoticed.  No matter how many times I see dolphins in the wild, it’s like the first time, every time.  Our time at the beach was a little shorter this time than the days before at Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge because the cold was more biting, but we still savored every moment.  The kids were of course undeterred by the cold, so we traversed up and down the shoreline, them in the surf and Jon and I sticking to the freezing cold sand.  There is something about experiences that are not ideal - that force us just a little (or a lot) out of our comfort zones that make the biggest mark. This was no exception. These moments on the beach as a family were totally worth the cold, and our time on the outermost edge of the States is a memory that will live on!  

At one point, Assateague Island seemed a little far-fetched. Almost 23 hours in the car to experience a place we’d only just found out about?  And in the off-season when it was likely to be cold and overcast?  But something told us to take a chance, and we’re so glad we listened and have this special place in our family’s heart forever.  

Have you ever traveled far to go somewhere that didn’t really make sense on paper?  So many times we want ideas that find their way to us to be reasonable, efficient, and make sense on all levels before we’ll commit.  But from our experience, the ideas that seem a little crazy end up becoming the most incredible moments of all.

Wander Here Series

 
Candice McCoy

Candice McCoy is the founder + editor of The Great Wanderlust.
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