But the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 destroyed the road, Baltimore Boulevard, and structures on the island. In 1950, construction began on Assateague for a private resort community called Ocean Beach, Maryland. History Of Assateague Island, The Pony Swim, And Pony Penning After several nor’easters in 1998, a sand replenishment program was undertaken to restore the north end of Assateague. It remains most pronounced at the north end of the island. This erosion has accelerated as the climate changes and the sea level rises. The source of sand erosion is runoff from the Appalachian Mountains. After the storm, land jetties were created to preserve the navigation channel which led to better beaches for Ocean City and increased erosion on Assateague. During the storm, an inlet was created south of Ocean City, Maryland. Multiple factors led to the island drifting westward, starting with the Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane in 1933. Some view this as a new island every season based on wind and sand shifts. The Ecosystem Is Changingīarrier islands, by their nature, change form based on sand movement on the land-facing side of the island. There’s a 2-mile stretch of road through the state park for visitors to reach the National Seashore. It provides orientation information, exhibits, and ranger-led programs in the summer and fall. Note: The Visitor’s Center is before the bridge on the Maryland side. You can take the bridge from either Maryland (Verrazano from SR 611) or Virginia (John B. It’s less than a 3-hour drive from Richmond, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, or Philadelphia. It’s the largest natural barrier island ecosystem in the Middle Atlantic states and part of a chain that extends from Maine to Texas. Located off the eastern coast of Maryland and Virginia, Assateague Island is a 37-mile long (but never more than a mile wide) barrier island. So save yourself the trouble don’t pet, feed, or even move within 40 feet of these beautiful animals. Additionally, rangers can ticket you for being too close to the horses. Though the horses may appear tame, they’ve been known to bite or kick park visitors. Lucky me.īut in addition to bringing strong insect repellent and wearing long-sleeve shirts and slacks, what else should you know to best enjoy your time at Assateague? Justin Starr Photography / 1. I’ve just learned that having Type O blood attracts mosquitos. The mosquitos are vicious, especially on the bay side during the summer months. Between the lighthouse, the Chincoteague horses, and exploring sand dunes, I think the only “bad” thing about any visit was the mosquitos. I’ve loved Assateague Island since I was a little girl. Growing up in Maryland and vacationing in Ocean City each summer, I can’t remember a year that we didn’t visit the Assateague Island National Seashore.Įven knowing that the horses more likely came from 17th-century landowners placing their horses on the island trying to avoid the Maryland fence tax (rather than on their way to a viscount in Peru) can’t remove the allure. Like most girls, I fell in love with the romantic notions of Assateague and Chincoteague Islands after reading Marguerite Henry’s children’s book, Misty Of Chincoteague (1947) and then seeing the movie (1961). Legend has it that the feral horses that roam Assateague Island National Seashore descend from survivors of a Spanish galleon, shipwrecked along the mid-Atlantic coast.
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