This is the second in a three-part series on my Memorial Day 2008 camping trip to Assateague Island National Seashore. You can find Part 1 here.
I didn’t really plan on waking up this early: checking my watch, it was only 5:40, an ungodly hour that I try to avoid at all costs. I had thought it would be worthwhile to see the sunrise, and that I did bring my camera along for a reason, but those thoughts were wrapped in a Yeungling-blanket 12 hours earlier.
Still, I was awake, and I could tell daybreak was on its way. I scurried back into some clothes and shoes, grabbed my camera bag, and made for the dunes.
The first thing I saw was this pale peach glow punctuated by the fence’s silhouette. And the gull hanging out. And I knew I had made the right decision.
I spend some time snapping off some sunrise photos: the water, the sun, the surf, shells on the beach, etc. I wandered up the coast for an hour or so, then wandered down it for another. I met fishermen and a few people walking their dogs, and spent a lot of time sitting and taking the experience in. There’s a lot to be said for the peaceful crash and boom of waves hitting the beach, interrupted by the raucous gulls’ cries or the chirps of the sandpipers. I collected some shells for a possible project, and watched a guy haul a two-foot long shark out of the water. “We catch em all the time,” he told me.
I finally made my way back to camp, and found my three companions just lately stirring – it was about 9:30, the lazy bums. We ate a breakfast of granola bars, muffins and fruits, and then made for the beach. It was cold at first, lying out on our blankets, but the chill gave way to bright sunshine and a partly cloudy sky. We grilled up some lunch, threw the frisbee, played some cards, and welcomed the arrival of four other guests: Danielle, Kristin, Monica and Rebeca. It was back to the beach for some more fun in the sun before we fired up the propane for dinner, and then we were off on a sunset stroll around the area. Finally, it was time for a bonfire and smores: this time with a different bundle of wood.
So, more photos below, and part three of our adventures awaits you tomorrow!
Assateague Island National Seashore – Day 2
I didn’t really plan on waking up this early: checking my watch, it was only 5:40, an ungodly hour that I try to avoid at all costs. I had thought it would be worthwhile to see the sunrise, and that I did bring my camera along for a reason, but those thoughts were wrapped in a Yeungling-blanket 12 hours earlier.
Still, I was awake, and I could tell daybreak was on its way. I scurried back into some clothes and shoes, grabbed my camera bag, and made for the dunes.
The first thing I saw was this pale peach glow punctuated by the fence’s silhouette. And the gull hanging out. And I knew I had made the right decision.
I spend some time snapping off some sunrise photos: the water, the sun, the surf, shells on the beach, etc. I wandered up the coast for an hour or so, then wandered down it for another. I met fishermen and a few people walking their dogs, and spent a lot of time sitting and taking the experience in. There’s a lot to be said for the peaceful crash and boom of waves hitting the beach, interrupted by the raucous gulls’ cries or the chirps of the sandpipers. I collected some shells for a possible project, and watched a guy haul a two-foot long shark out of the water. “We catch em all the time,” he told me.
I finally made my way back to camp, and found my three companions just lately stirring – it was about 9:30, the lazy bums. We ate a breakfast of granola bars, muffins and fruits, and then made for the beach. It was cold at first, lying out on our blankets, but the chill gave way to bright sunshine and a partly cloudy sky. We grilled up some lunch, threw the frisbee, played some cards, and welcomed the arrival of four other guests: Danielle, Kristin, Monica and Rebeca. It was back to the beach for some more fun in the sun before we fired up the propane for dinner, and then we were off on a sunset stroll around the area. Finally, it was time for a bonfire and smores: this time with a different bundle of wood.
So, more photos below, and part three of our adventures awaits you tomorrow!