Maryland and Virginia beaches are awesome!

The inlet beach in Ocean City Maryland

Maryland and Virginia Beaches

One of the things Steve and I loved about living in Florida was our proximity to the beach. Just a short drive to the beach for an afternoon of sunshine made us feel like we were away on vacation. And since we started this journey of a lifetime on June 1 our only beach opportunity had been in North Myrtle Beach. One of the reasons we chose Lake Somerset Campground was that it was close to both Maryland and Virginia beaches.

Ocean City Maryland

Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen in Ocean City, Maryland

One hungry Traveling Locavore waiting for her Pastrami on Rye

Juicy Pastrami on Rye with Coleslaw and Russian Dressing

Grilled Reuben with Lean Corned Beef and Swiss on Marble Rye

Our first excursion was to Ocean City, Maryland. Before enjoying the beach there we had a yummy lunch at Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen. Since I had a craving for a good pastrami sandwich, I ordered the pastrami with coleslaw and Russian Dressing. Steve ordered a Reuben with Swiss Cheese, Corned Beef and Coleslaw. In true Jewish deli fashion our sandwiches were stuffed with flavorful, tender, juicy meats on great seeded rye bread.

The boardwalk in Ocean City Maryland

A black octopus kite flying over the beach at Ocean City Md.

Seagull hangin’ out at the beach in Ocean City, Maryland

After lunch we took a walk on the boardwalk. And then we headed to the inlet beach area for some needed beach time. There is just something about the sound of the waves breaking at the shore and the salty air that totally relaxes me.

A beautiful Swordfish sculpture near the inlet at Ocean City Md.

A totem by the Ocean City inlet.

The inlet beach in Ocean City Maryland

The inlet was a fun area filled with activity. People were fishing off the jetty. Boats were going in and out of the inlet. People were flying kites. And everyone was enjoying the beautiful day.

On our way back to our campground we picked up more of those fabulous little clams to steam on the grill for our dinner. We could get used to this. Beach by day, something fresh from the sea for dinner at night.

Chincoteague Island

Our lovely next door neighbors had told us about another fabulous beach location on Chincoteague Island. So the next day we decided to head south on Highway 13 to check it out.

National Park

Wild horse at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

After a lovely filling breakfast at a little diner on the island we continued our drive to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and National Seashore. As it turns out we were back in Virginia on their Eastern Shore! Their is a fee to enter the park unless you have the pass. We were so happy that we bought ours years ago for $10. It is now $80. But even at that price it’s a deal. We have been to 4 National Parks since we left Florida in June and we we have to do to enter is show our pass and ID.

National Seashore

Lifeguard stand on Chincoteague Island

With tons of parking we easily found a spot and marched over the dune with our chairs and umbrella. We set up close the the water, slathered ourselves with high SPF sunscreen and began catching some rays. Then Steve got antsy so we went for a long walk. And that’s where we had a small glitch. When you walk on most beaches there are landmarks that clue you in that you are back to where you began.

But there were no landmarks. So after walking further than we thought we should have Steve started to panic. He swore someone had walked off with all of our stuff. Now I have to tell you that it the 51 years that we have been married and going to the beach, we have often taken walks. No one has ever touched our things. Not once. But Steve kept insisting that there’s always a first time. I, on the other hand, am always an optimist. However, at this point his panic was starting to wear me down.

The ice cream stand we stopped at for fabulous waffle cones filled with great ice cream.

Of course, since I am able to write about it, we are not still walking back and forth looking for our chairs and car keys. We had passed right by our seats. At least three times!!! When we found them I was so exhausted that I collapsed into my seat and took a nap. On the way home we stopped for huge waffle cones filled with ice cream. I can tell you that I savored every single lick of my Mint Chocolate Chip.

Assateague National Seashore

The entrance to Assateague National Seashore

So the next day, when we went to the Assateague Island National Seashore, we didn’t even wear bathing suits. We went to see the famous wild horses that roam the islands of Chincoteague and Assateague. The only ones we saw were at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, so I was hoping we wouldn’t be disappointed. And we certainly was not.

Wild horses

This guy was stopping traffic at the entrance to the Assateague National Seashore

This one was happy to stay on the side of the road to have lunch!

Right after we entered this National Park traffic came to a halt because two horses were grazing on the grass at the entry. Pretty much everywhere we looked there were more horses. It was so cool. We drove to check out the beach on the island and there were horses. There were lots of RVs parked and tent camping AND horses just wandering free right alongside. It was so joyful to watch them roaming and grazing at will!

Wild Horses roaming through the RV park area

This one was chomping on grass by a tent camper.

The beach at Assateague National Seashore

This wild horse has a hitchhiker and doesn’t seem to mind a bit.

The wetlands in the Assateague National Seashore park.

We really loved this area called Eastern Shores and its Maryland and Virginia Beaches. I can see us returning for more summer beach fun year after year.