5-16-10 Chincoteague

After our day exploring the Assoteague part of the barrier island, we headed for the Virginia part of the barrier island to the South. We had to go inland, as there is no road or connection between the two parts - we found out later the boundary is fenced because the horses are managed VERY differently on the two sides. It was getting late when we got to the town of Chicoteague but we drove out to see the sights. First stop was the Chicoteague lighthouse - a really good specimen and still putting out light.

The Best Western we stayed in Saturday night is just outside the park entrance. Out time in Chinoteague on Sunday was occupied with walking some trails in the woods and marshes and driving between these trails. Mass was in a little church packed with people. We saw some birds, and the Delmarva (Delaware-Maryland-Virgina) squirrel, which is rare. We went to the Visitor Center and learned that the townspeople of Chincoteague have been taking advantage of the horses on the island for a long time. Now there is a yearly event called The Swim, where the horses are rounded up and made to swim over to the town site where the young ones (not all) are auctioned off to benefit the Volunteer Firefighters. Draws big crowds. That's how these folks manage the herd size. On the other end of the island, the National Park Service sends out Rangers to shoot darts into the mares with contraceptive drugs.

We had to leave about 3pm to get back to Alexandria but we were ready to go after we stopped at the famous ice cream store and pigged out on a homemade treat. It was a good trip.