An unexpected moment that will be cherished forever
A weekend to unwind and be alone, detached from the noise and clutter of the modern world…
This was planned in the middle of the MR54 race, while ‘enjoying’ the never-ending hills where at one point I said, “I want to go the beach”. So after the race, I regularly checked recreation.gov for camping availability and luckily, a spot has opened at Assateague Island National Seashore for Saturday-Sunday. I immediately grabbed the opportunity, booked the spot, and headed to Maryland Saturday morning for a weekend camping.
Welcome to Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island is a barrier island spanning from the coast of Maryland to Virginia. There are 2 parks on the Maryland side, the Assateague State Park, established in 1956 and managed by the Maryland State Parks, and Assateague Island National Seashore, established in 1965 and managed by the National Park Service. Both parks offer camping options, but the National Seashore is more ‘primitive’ than the State Park. Either one is a good place to just unwind and relax.
The island is just 8 miles south of Ocean City, MD, via Rt 611. So it is very easy to make a trip to Ocean City for beach-and-boardwalk experience, plus a quieter experience at the Assateague Island.
Saturday. On my way to Maryland, I stopped at Ocean City for some sightseeing. Enjoyed some leisure time with my Dahon bike on the boardwalk. Did you know that there is a dinosaur fossil in Ocean City beach?
Wooah, a dinosaur fossil in Ocean City beach
My travel companion Dahon bike
Went to get some crabs at Crabs To Go, just off Rt 50, after the time at Ocean City. It was past noon when I got there, so I ended up eating some of the crabs in one of the store’s outdoor picnic tables. I thought of having the rest of the crabs for dinner at camp, but realized that it would be messy and might attract bugs that would make dinner unpleasant, so I bought some Popeye chicken for easy-eating dinner. Last stop was at the local store for some firewood before heading to the Assateague Island.
There are 3 campgrounds in the Assateague Island National Seashore, 2 oceanside and 1 bayside. The oceanside campgrounds have drive-in and walk-in, tent only, campsites. My campsite, #73, was on the oceanside walk-in sites. It was just a short walk from the parking lot for campers to the campsite, but still took some back-and-forth trips to the car for all the camping gear. Enjoyed a cold soda after finally setting up the tent and everything.
My Kamp-Rite tent
Oceanside camping
The purpose of this trip was just to unwind and relax, and not think of anything else. I had no cell signal, which was a plus for me. After setting up camp, I took my bike and went for a leisure ride in the park. Took some pictures here and there. There was a forecast of thunderstorm in the late afternoon going into the evening, but I never thought it would hit the area. Took a walk on the beach, with nothing in my mind. Went to the OSV area and had some laughs watching a jeep over-spinning trying to get unstuck from the sand. Back at the camp, I could see the storm developing quickly in the distance. The distant sky was turning dark with strikes of lightning. “After the storm is a rainbow”, a quote says. I wasn’t expecting one. I wasn’t even thinking about it at that moment. Then lo and behold, the sky has cleared and there was a rainbow. A double rainbow. An unexpected moment. That moment made me realize that the trip was worth the cost and the hassle. And I was really thankful to have witnessed and captured it.
View from my campsite
I went to the bayside area for some sunset viewing, but it was hazy and cloudy. The tranquil sight of the bay gave me a different view. Sunset is not always about seeing the sun set on the horizon. You just need to turn and look around to see the effect of it on the surroundings.
After dinner, it was just some peaceful moments sitting by the camp fire. The view from the distance was something to marvel – strikes of lightning dancing in the sky with sounds of thunder as the accompanying music. The flashes were becoming more frequent and the sounds getting louder. I thought it would stay in the distance. I said, “Perhaps, I could capture these moments”. So I started setting up the camera. I have just finished setting up the gear and testing shots when drops of rain started to fall, fast and heavy. The storm was right on me. I quickly grabbed the tripod + camera, and rushed inside the tent, all wet with feet covered with sand. It was a dolby surround experience sleeping that night, with the sound of thunder playing like a rock band. Checking the pictures back home, I got one shot of the lightning strike. It was a test shot, but it was still good. Just another unexpected moment.
Thunder and Lightning show
Enjoying a peaceful moment by the camp fire
Sunday. I woke up early the next day to watch the sunrise. The storm has passed. It’s time for some rejuvenating sunrise. Another reason for this trip. Sunrise always gives me renewed spirit and energy. I’m like Kal-El, getting powers from the sun. Watched some sea gulls dive into the water for breakfast. Another stroll on the beach. Another leisure ride on my bike. Saw some wild horses. Saw a blue heron in one of the trails. Rode the bike to visit the State Park, and checked the hot showers (the national park only provides outdoor showers, without hot water). And then it was time to break camp. Lunch would be somewhere in Ocean City before heading back home.
Driving to Ocean City, I searched for restaurants with all-u-can-eat crabs. Yes! Found some that are open. On the expensive side, but it’s part of this trip. And I was hungry. Went to OCM Crabs, just by coastal highway. Good choice – the crabs were fresh and tasty. Took my time eating those tasty crabs. I finally surrendered after 15 crabs.
The first serving of the all-u-can-eat crabs
Took the Cape May-Lewes Ferry back to NJ. Had some more unexpected moments seeing an osprey nesting in the Lewes Ferry terminal. Captured a picture of the mother? staring straight at me.
Back in NJ, I decided to do one final stop before the drive back home. Sunset beach in Cape May – to watch the sunset. Bought some McDonalds burger for dinner-in-car, and drove to the place. A popular spot for sunset lovers, as there were lots of people enjoying the beach and waiting for sunset. Not the picturesque sunset, but still a good sunset experience. Took a different shot at it. And finally headed home.
Different take on sunset at Sunset Beach
Double rainbow, Flashes of lightning, Rejuvenating sunrise, Blue heron, Wild horses, All-u-can-eat crabs, Nesting osprey, Tranquil sunset – Yes, happy to do it again.
