When we bought our RV last spring, a year’s membership with Thousand Trails was included, but we didn’t activate it until we went to Gettysburg last October. We were determined to get our money’s worth (even if we didn’t spend money on it), and scheduled some trips this summer that we’d been wanting to take that had TT campsites nearby.
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| picturesque road to our middle of nowhere campground |
Monday we drove to the Eastern Shore of Virginia in the RV, towing the car on the dolly. Mr M had a business trip, so he wasn’t able to come, and this was the only week we could fit this trip in, so the kids and I went without him. We’d have liked it if he could come, but it was empowering for me to do it all myself and realize it’s not quite as scary as I’d made it out to be. Though following my track record with discovering problems when Mr M’s not available to help, I found some damage on one interior wall. I initially thought it was carpenter ant damage, but after researching once we got home, it might be water damage. We'll have to peel the wallpaper off to find out for sure. Sooo frustrating.
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| those spiky bumps aren't natural.... |
The campground was older, but on the water, at the end of narrow road in the middle of nowhere. It wasn't a sandy beach, but there was a fishing pier and a swimming pool right next to the fishing pier. There was also a playground and a putt putt course, and grass everywhere. At one point in the past there were a lot more camping sites (you could see the old concrete picnic table pads in a couple of fields), but I don't think most of them are used these days.
Since we arrived on a Monday, we had our pick of sites, and opted for a shaded site with water and electric. We could have gotten full hookups, but it would have been in full sun with neighbors right next to us. There was a trailer next to us in the shade, but we never saw the owner's the whole time we were there- most likely they just stay on the weekends. The next closest were 3 sites down and also deserted for the week. Despite the age of the park, we loved how scenic it was and having so many empty sites around us was super nice.
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| old concrete pads in a field, with the ocean in the distance |
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| view of the ocean from our campsite |
Since we arrived on a Monday, we had our pick of sites, and opted for a shaded site with water and electric. We could have gotten full hookups, but it would have been in full sun with neighbors right next to us. There was a trailer next to us in the shade, but we never saw the owner's the whole time we were there- most likely they just stay on the weekends. The next closest were 3 sites down and also deserted for the week. Despite the age of the park, we loved how scenic it was and having so many empty sites around us was super nice.
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| view in the other direction from our campsite |
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| private road through the campground- perfect for walking and bike riding |
I’d checked our cell phone provider’s service map before we left, and they claimed we’d have 3G coverage, but that was a lie. I was roaming most of the time, and the signal was just strong enough for me to send and receive texts, but that was it. So no using my cell as a hotspot to get work done. Getting a cell signal booster or other provider is looking more and more attractive all the time.
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| Assateague lighthouse and the view from the top: the causeway between Assateague and Chincoteague |
Tuesday we drove an hour and 15 minutes north to Assateague Island National Seashore. After River begged to stop at the lighthouse, we climbed Assateague lighthouse, which River didn’t enjoy. His favorite part was getting back to the ground :) but he climbed all the way to the top and back. Ocean didn't have a problem with the height, though he did try to convince me to carry him part of the way because he was "too heavy" ie, didn't want to walk anymore.
We started the kids' Junior Ranger packets and went on a ranger program through a salt marsh, then hiked a trail through the trees, where we saw some wild ponies way off in the distance. We stopped for ice cream in the town of Chincoteague, then headed back to the RV. We stopped at the lone Walmart we saw and picked up a couple lighters (I’d discovered the one in the RV was empty when I tried to light the oven pilot light the night before for dinner- thanks renters for leaving an empty lighter in the cupboard) and a boogie board. We went swimming again before dinner to cool off from the heat and humidity of the day, but the biting horse flies were a <literal> pain.
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| band of wild ponies on Assateague |
We started the kids' Junior Ranger packets and went on a ranger program through a salt marsh, then hiked a trail through the trees, where we saw some wild ponies way off in the distance. We stopped for ice cream in the town of Chincoteague, then headed back to the RV. We stopped at the lone Walmart we saw and picked up a couple lighters (I’d discovered the one in the RV was empty when I tried to light the oven pilot light the night before for dinner- thanks renters for leaving an empty lighter in the cupboard) and a boogie board. We went swimming again before dinner to cool off from the heat and humidity of the day, but the biting horse flies were a <literal> pain.
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| River, ready to take on the ocean. Well, until the first wave came :) |
Wednesday we got a much earlier start and went to the beach first for about 2.5 hours, but took another hour to get stuff to the car, walk to the rinse station, try to clean up, and walk back to the car. It was way too hot for all that nonsense. We did have fun in the water though. We collected shells, played in the sand (giant sand box!), and boogie boarded.
Sunshine had the boogie board most of the time, but I grabbed it to give it a go, and Ocean begged to come with me. So I laid him on the board and we floated around and caught some waves, and he loved it. River wanted a chance after that, but he wasn't sure about the whole thing. He did enjoy the waves, but he was also happy to get back to the shore. This was the first time I’ve really played in the ocean, doing more than just standing or sitting in the water, and it was a lot of fun.
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| another junior ranger pin to add to her collection |
Sunshine had the boogie board most of the time, but I grabbed it to give it a go, and Ocean begged to come with me. So I laid him on the board and we floated around and caught some waves, and he loved it. River wanted a chance after that, but he wasn't sure about the whole thing. He did enjoy the waves, but he was also happy to get back to the shore. This was the first time I’ve really played in the ocean, doing more than just standing or sitting in the water, and it was a lot of fun.
After we finally made it back to the car after attempting to rinse off, we turned in the Junior Ranger packets, got a better view of the wild ponies, and then stopped by the Misty of Chincoteague statue in downtown Chincoteague. Unfortunately, we were about two weeks too early for the annual wild pony swim. A bummer, but pictures of the crowds tell me I wouldn’t enjoy it, so it’s ok.
Then we went to NASA’s Wallops Island Visitor Center. Rockets are regularly launched from the Wallops Island facility, but none were on the schedule while we were there. We stopped by a railroad museum that was supposed to have cars we could walk through, but most of them were locked up (boo).
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| we caught the tail end of a wind tunnel activity they were hosting for kiddos |
Then we went to NASA’s Wallops Island Visitor Center. Rockets are regularly launched from the Wallops Island facility, but none were on the schedule while we were there. We stopped by a railroad museum that was supposed to have cars we could walk through, but most of them were locked up (boo).
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| one of the locked railroad cars |
Thursday we went to the Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge, where we went on a Butterfly hike to a WWII bunker, complete with de-commissioned gun barrel. After that, we went on to Cape Charles. Sunshine and I fangirled over Young House Love’s beach house and duplex that they’ve been restoring. In a non-creepy way, though- we just drove by once or twice, didn't even take pictures :)
We did take pictures at the LOVE sign on the beach though, and then walked the on the white sand beach. The tide was out, which was a new experience for us. The rippled sand was super cool, and the shallow water was warmer than we expected after the cold water at Assateague beach. We collected some shells, though nothing as large as the day before.
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| running on the shady part of the trail |
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| (l-r, clockwise) the bunker, the stairs to the top of the outside of the bunker, a shell, and the <huge> gun |
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| love the materials used |
We did take pictures at the LOVE sign on the beach though, and then walked the on the white sand beach. The tide was out, which was a new experience for us. The rippled sand was super cool, and the shallow water was warmer than we expected after the cold water at Assateague beach. We collected some shells, though nothing as large as the day before.
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| Ocean wanted to pick up ALL the rocks and ALL the shells |
We headed back to the car to get ice cream, but this happened, which I shared yesterday:
Almost-3-year-olds cannot be reasoned with.
We ended up stopping at an old fashioned candy store, where the kiddos behaved well enough for me to give the ice cream store a second chance. I thought they had better ice cream than the place in Chincoteague, though Sunshine disagreed.
We stopped at a real, old fashioned hardware store that’s been around for more than a hundred years and literally has a little bit of everything- it was so crowded. The linoleum on the floor was worn through on the main aisles. It also had the coolest old stamped tin ceiling tiles with peeling paint. Those tiles probably haven’t been touched since they were originally installed.
We got back to the RV earlier than the last few days, so we had quiet time, which was much needed by all. Since the cell signal was so bad, I couldn’t get online to work, but I did get my desktop cleaned up and worked on writing various posts that I'll publish in the future. |
| the boys loved having a flat area to ride their bikes, and I liked that I could still see them |
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| my view while working at the picnic table |
Friday we got up early and made breakfast, then started putting everything away so we could break camp. Since we didn’t have sewer hookups I had to empty the tanks on our way out. It went better than the last time I dumped, so that was a win. We got home in the afternoon, unloaded the RV, and started laundry, then it was time for quiet time.
This trip was different than when the kids and I went to help my sister move because I was towing the car on the dolly for the first time. I was a little nervous about getting the car on the dolly by myself, but I helped get it on enough times last summer, that it wasn't too hard. Driving with the car behind me wasn't too bad either- I mostly didn't know it was there.
The worst part of the trip was the 20 mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel that stretches from Hampton Roads to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. It's made up of three bridges and two tunnels, and while the bridges are 2 lanes each way, the tunnels are only one lane each way. The tight quarters with semi trucks barreling towards me in the other lane was a bit nerve-wracking, but I survived.
The worst part of the trip was the 20 mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel that stretches from Hampton Roads to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. It's made up of three bridges and two tunnels, and while the bridges are 2 lanes each way, the tunnels are only one lane each way. The tight quarters with semi trucks barreling towards me in the other lane was a bit nerve-wracking, but I survived.
There are some things we need to do still and we'd like to bring Mr M back with us, so we'll definitely go back. One thing we didn't get a chance to do was camp right by the beach on the Maryland portion of Assateague Island. Doesn't that sound cool?
I didn’t manage to stick to my half marathon training schedule, but I knew it would be very difficult without Mr M along to watch the kiddos while I went for a run every day. Despite that, I did get some workouts in, and my mileage was close to where it should be. I even managed my 6 mile long run/walk Saturday on the treadmill. I haven't enjoyed running on the treadmill lately, but this time I actually felt good, which was a nice change.
Monday- 1.69 miles walked and run around the campground
.70 miles walked around the campground
Tuesday- 2.42 miles hiked
.44 miles walked during the ranger program
.75 miles walked while at the lighthouse
Thursday- 1.25 miles hiked
1.10 mile beach walk
Saturday- 6.00 miles walked and run on the treadmill
total- 14.35 miles
12 hikes towards #52hikechallenge
2.14 kayak miles towards #365milechallenge
2.14 kayak miles towards #365milechallenge
130.11 foot miles towards #365milechallenge
195.00 bike miles towards #365milechallenge
327.25 miles total
195.00 bike miles towards #365milechallenge
327.25 miles total
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