Chincoteague Island, Where Horse and Heron Roam Free

The sea grass has a salty flavor that is released into the sea-filled air. As the wind blows, my attention is drawn to the marshes ahead. Way out it in the horizon graze the wild ponies splashed with patches of rich sorrel and buckskin tones. Chincoteague, Virginia is the ideal vacationing spot. With its abundance of wildlife, exciting events, and relaxing beaches, the island has its way of bringing me back. I find myself falling in love all over again.
Chincoteague Island is nestled outside the busy city of Pocomoke, Maryland. The town has a vivid history that attracts the attention of many. The fans of the books Misty of Chincoteague and Stormy, Misty’s Foal, by Marguerite Henry, know how Chincoteague Island is famous for its wild ponies. The most trusted theory is that there was a Spanish boat full of ponies to trade to America. A volatile, vehement storm caused the ship to hit rocks. The ponies were untied of their restraints and they had a chance of survival. They escaped and swam into the angry sea. The survivors made it to a strip of land called Assateague Island and lived on the remote land of sea grass and brackish water. The natives from Chincoteague noticed the ponies and left them on the island to live freely and happily.
Assateague is an island free of any human inhabitants. The island is open for tourists to visit the beach, ride bikes, clam, and fish. Assateague Island is known for its beauty and the wildlife that makes its home there. The island connects right to Chincoteague by a bridge so both islands are accessible. People can hike many scenic trails and visit the Assateague Lighthouse and even walk to the top. On the trails there are numerous species of birds like Herons, Laughing Gulls, and Egrets. The animals are not afraid of people because the island remains untouched by permanent residences. The island is home to the rare Red Squirrel and many types of deer. Assateague is most famous for its wild ponies. The ponies have been seen crossing roadways, swimming in the ocean, and even laying out in the sun. The ponies live in herds that are guarded by a stallion, a male horse who leads his mares and their foals. People are not advised to pet the ponies because a stallion could charge and become highly aggressive towards a human being. However, at a distance, these ponies are beautiful and graceful, and they are the reason why most people visit the island.
Every year in the second week of July, the ponies are herded by a team of “Saltwater Cowboys,” a team of riders who round up all the ponies and make them swim through the Assateague Channel onto Chincoteague Island. This is called the pony swim. The wild horses crash into the water and swim to the shore of Chincoteague. After their swim, the ponies walk through streets passing people’s homes in a stretch of almost a mile. They are led into a corral where they are vet checked and documented. The weanlings and yearlings are sectioned off where they can be auctioned to the public. This well-known event drives people from all over the country to witness or purchase a piece of history of Assateague Island. The auction is an event that is worth seeing. The cowboys wrestle the babies into the chute where they will be bid upon. Some of these wild weanlings amazingly fetch over four thousand dollars each! After the bidding is completed, visitors can enjoy a legendary oyster sandwich and be entertained by the old-fashioned carnival. Chincoteague Island is full of life during the extreme heat of July. If one hears horses whinnying and a merry carnival, there is no doubt it is the week of Pony Penning.
After wallets are emptied from an unexpected purchase of a pony, it is time to relax on the beach and catch a few winks. The ocean is located on Assateague Island, and a short drive will take one to the other island. The beaches are part of the wildlife preserve, so they are kept immaculate and pristine. Shell-hunting is always a pleasurable activity because there are sand dollars, scallop shells, and large elegant conch shells on the beach. For those who are looking for sustenance inside the shells, there is some exciting news. The bay connects to the ocean from behind called Tom’s Cove. While the women are tanning, there is a chance to get an almost free seafood dinner! Tom’s Cove is loaded with beds of mussels and clams. After entering the marsh and tolerating the mucky smell of low tide, the clams, oysters, and mussels are ready to be found. Although it involves digging into the smelly silt of the bay, and coping with severely cut hands from sharp shells, the eating outweighs the pain. People including myself come with Styrofoam boxes filled with shellfish and crabs. After lugging the catch into the car, it is time to get the steam pot out and have a Chincoteague Island seafood feast.
Chincoteague Island is a vacationing spot that makes many dreams come true. Whether it is to purchase a palomino filly that caught a young girl’s eye, or to relax on the beach and eat a few clams, this island is indeed one that has warmed the hearts of many visitors. This island holds not only ponies, but also the memories of my childhood.