Assateague Island National Seashore
 

I would love to paddle Assateague island this time of year. Any clubs
that paddles this island ? Good places to launch a boat , camping ? Any
dangers in paddling this area ?

I lead a trip there for my club, and go at least once a year to surf. For
white water boat surfing, it's one of the few SAFE beaches to use. It has a
sand bar offshore where the waves break, so if you get trashed or flipped,
you're in deep enough water not to break your neck. We used the State park
campgrounds, had a bunch of flat water paddlers who paddled the bay and some
in th ocean too. Take bikes too! We usually go in late Sept\early Oct. when
the bugs are at a minimum. Best launching area is in the National Park end,
although there is a fee. I'm sure any shop within 100 miles will more than
likely have canoe trail maps. The only danger is knowing when the tide is
low, don't get stuck in the mud! And of course don't take people offshore
without proper experience.
"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...
I would love to paddle Assateague island this time of year. Any clubs
that paddles this island ? Good places to launch a boat , camping ? Any
dangers in paddling this area ?

How is it for the Month May (early part of ) ? Bugs ? What is your club
name ? Base in Virgina ? I will be moving to Richmond area soon.

Grip wrote:
I lead a trip there for my club, and go at least once a year to surf. For
white water boat surfing, it's one of the few SAFE beaches to use. It has a
sand bar offshore where the waves break, so if you get trashed or flipped,
you're in deep enough water not to break your neck. We used the State park
campgrounds, had a bunch of flat water paddlers who paddled the bay and some
in th ocean too. Take bikes too! We usually go in late Sept\early Oct. when
the bugs are at a minimum. Best launching area is in the National Park end,
although there is a fee. I'm sure any shop within 100 miles will more than
likely have canoe trail maps. The only danger is knowing when the tide is
low, don't get stuck in the mud! And of course don't take people offshore
without proper experience.
"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...

I would love to paddle Assateague island this time of year. Any clubs
that paddles this island ? Good places to launch a boat , camping ? Any
dangers in paddling this area ?

Drew Cutter wrote in
:

How is it for the Month May (early part of ) ? Bugs ? What is your club
name ? Base in Virgina ? I will be moving to Richmond area soon.

I've been there in May a couple of times and you'd be there near the
beginning of the official mosquito season. A couple of years ago we stayed
at a place right on the bay the week before the official start day
(something like May 17th) and it wasn't bad. Beware of ticks, however, as
they can be found in bushy areas as early as March.

There is a state campground right in Chincoteague and primative camps on
Assateague Island that I believe require a permit (perhaps Mike McCrea will
chime in as he goes there every year).

Little known secret: There is a restaurant at the Island Motor lodge that
serves the best breakfast I've ever had anywhere (we've been there three
times). Apparently it's run by a chef that used to run a 4-star restaurant
Chincoteague, left for DC for a few years, then came back to Chincoteague.
We had a french toast with grand marnier and Baileys Irish Cream that was
out of this world.




Grip wrote:
I lead a trip there for my club, and go at least once a year to surf.
For white water boat surfing, it's one of the few SAFE beaches to use.
It has a sand bar offshore where the waves break, so if you get
trashed or flipped, you're in deep enough water not to break your
neck. We used the State park campgrounds, had a bunch of flat water
paddlers who paddled the bay and some in th ocean too. Take bikes too!
We usually go in late Sept\early Oct. when the bugs are at a minimum.
Best launching area is in the National Park end, although there is a
fee. I'm sure any shop within 100 miles will more than likely have
canoe trail maps. The only danger is knowing when the tide is low,
don't get stuck in the mud! And of course don't take people offshore
without proper experience.
"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...

I would love to paddle Assateague island this time of year. Any clubs
that paddles this island ? Good places to launch a boat , camping ?
Any dangers in paddling this area ?

It's the Conewago Canoe Club in York Pa. They do not spray the area because
of the wild ponies, hence bugs when it's warm. Also, the water is warmer in
Sept than May. http://www.conewagocanoeclub.org/
"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...
How is it for the Month May (early part of ) ? Bugs ? What is your club
name ? Base in Virgina ? I will be moving to Richmond area soon.

Grip wrote:
I lead a trip there for my club, and go at least once a year to surf.
For
white water boat surfing, it's one of the few SAFE beaches to use. It
has a
sand bar offshore where the waves break, so if you get trashed or
flipped,
you're in deep enough water not to break your neck. We used the State
park
campgrounds, had a bunch of flat water paddlers who paddled the bay and
some
in th ocean too. Take bikes too! We usually go in late Sept\early Oct.
when
the bugs are at a minimum. Best launching area is in the National Park
end,
although there is a fee. I'm sure any shop within 100 miles will more
than
likely have canoe trail maps. The only danger is knowing when the tide
is
low, don't get stuck in the mud! And of course don't take people
offshore
without proper experience.
"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...

I would love to paddle Assateague island this time of year. Any clubs
that paddles this island ? Good places to launch a boat , camping ? Any
dangers in paddling this area ?

I'm Guessing that camping is out for the most part (during the warmer
parts of the year ). Is there a good area to camp
(safe from mosquito's) ? What about clothing / guard against ticks ,
etc ?

John Fereira wrote:
Drew Cutter wrote in
:


How is it for the Month May (early part of ) ? Bugs ? What is your club
name ? Base in Virgina ? I will be moving to Richmond area soon.


I've been there in May a couple of times and you'd be there near the
beginning of the official mosquito season. A couple of years ago we stayed
at a place right on the bay the week before the official start day
(something like May 17th) and it wasn't bad. Beware of ticks, however, as
they can be found in bushy areas as early as March.

There is a state campground right in Chincoteague and primative camps on
Assateague Island that I believe require a permit (perhaps Mike McCrea will
chime in as he goes there every year).

Little known secret: There is a restaurant at the Island Motor lodge that
serves the best breakfast I've ever had anywhere (we've been there three
times). Apparently it's run by a chef that used to run a 4-star restaurant
Chincoteague, left for DC for a few years, then came back to Chincoteague.
We had a french toast with grand marnier and Baileys Irish Cream that was
out of this world.




Grip wrote:

I lead a trip there for my club, and go at least once a year to surf.
For white water boat surfing, it's one of the few SAFE beaches to use.
It has a sand bar offshore where the waves break, so if you get
trashed or flipped, you're in deep enough water not to break your
neck. We used the State park campgrounds, had a bunch of flat water
paddlers who paddled the bay and some in th ocean too. Take bikes too!
We usually go in late Sept\early Oct. when the bugs are at a minimum.
Best launching area is in the National Park end, although there is a
fee. I'm sure any shop within 100 miles will more than likely have
canoe trail maps. The only danger is knowing when the tide is low,
don't get stuck in the mud! And of course don't take people offshore
without proper experience.
"Drew Cutter" wrote in message
...


I would love to paddle Assateague island this time of year. Any clubs
that paddles this island ? Good places to launch a boat , camping ?
Any dangers in paddling this area ?

John Fereira wrote:
Drew Cutter wrote:

How is it for the Month May (early part of ) ? Bugs ? What is your club
name ? Base in Virgina ? I will be moving to Richmond area soon.

I've been there in May a couple of times and you'd be there near the
beginning of the official mosquito season. A couple of years ago we stayed
at a place right on the bay the week before the official start day
(something like May 17th) and it wasn't bad. Beware of ticks, however, as
they can be found in bushy areas as early as March.

John, how do they enforce the start of the season on the mosquitos?

--
Steve Cramer
Athens, GA

Steve Cramer wrote in
:

John Fereira wrote:
Drew Cutter wrote:

How is it for the Month May (early part of ) ? Bugs ? What is your
club name ? Base in Virgina ? I will be moving to Richmond area soon.

I've been there in May a couple of times and you'd be there near the
beginning of the official mosquito season. A couple of years ago we
stayed at a place right on the bay the week before the official start
day (something like May 17th) and it wasn't bad. Beware of ticks,
however, as they can be found in bushy areas as early as March.

John, how do they enforce the start of the season on the mosquitos?

It's quite unenforceble, and the "official" date I read just came off a
local island paper. Obviously, the weather will have a lot to do with when
mosquitos really start to become a problem. From my experience as a
flyfisherman it seems that insects are very temperature sensitive,
especially aquatic insects. Mayflies start hatching when the water
temperature reaches 50 degrees and different species will hatch at different
times of the year as the water warms up.

Drew Cutter wrote in
:

I'm Guessing that camping is out for the most part (during the warmer
parts of the year ). Is there a good area to camp
(safe from mosquito's) ? What about clothing / guard against ticks ,
etc ?


From what I've read bay side camp sites are much worse than ocean side
sites. When guarding against mosquitos and ticks generally exposing as
little skin as possible helps. For ticks, having a "friend" check places
that you can't see (behind the neck) at the end of the day if you've spent
any time in the bush is a good idea.

May is still pretty much "off season" in that area so motels are often at
reduced prices and vacant. Depending on your budget there are also a lot of
vacation houses that can be rented by the week and some for as little as 3
days. As I wrote earlier we rented a place that was right on the water. It
was about 3-4 houses away from the bridge that goes from Chincoteague to
Assateague. At night the light from the lighthouse would wash across the
second floor deck. It was a great location.

John have you done any camping around assateague ? Would a hammock and
portable stand work , against Sand fleas , mosquitoes ? Rain storms and
bivy , good idea or go with a tent ?

John Fereira wrote:
Drew Cutter wrote in
:


I'm Guessing that camping is out for the most part (during the warmer
parts of the year ). Is there a good area to camp
(safe from mosquito's) ? What about clothing / guard against ticks ,
etc ?



From what I've read bay side camp sites are much worse than ocean side
sites. When guarding against mosquitos and ticks generally exposing as
little skin as possible helps. For ticks, having a "friend" check places
that you can't see (behind the neck) at the end of the day if you've spent
any time in the bush is a good idea.

May is still pretty much "off season" in that area so motels are often at
reduced prices and vacant. Depending on your budget there are also a lot of
vacation houses that can be rented by the week and some for as little as 3
days. As I wrote earlier we rented a place that was right on the water. It
was about 3-4 houses away from the bridge that goes from Chincoteague to
Assateague. At night the light from the lighthouse would wash across the
second floor deck. It was a great location.

Drew Cutter wrote:
I would love to paddle Assateague island this time of year. Any clubs
that paddles this island ? Good places to launch a boat , camping ? Any
dangers in paddling this area ?
I Just wait till bout mid September to go the weather still kinda nicew
and the bugs aren't so bad. Other than that just be prepared for bugs
any real camper will know how to deal with them. The National park has
some backcountry campsites that are only accesible by boat.

for more information
http://www.nps.gov/asis/
http://www.paddling.net/places/showReport.html?607
http://www.paddling.net/places/showReport.html?377
http://www.paddling.net/places/showReport.html?1053

I know this club has paddled there in the past and don't know if they
will be doing it again.

http://www.caskva.org

Drew Cutter wrote in
:

John have you done any camping around assateague ? Would a hammock and
portable stand work , against Sand fleas , mosquitoes ? Rain storms
and bivy , good idea or go with a tent ?

I haven't actually done any camping around Assateague but I'd definitely
bring a tent.

You can tell that i don't live near a ocean or large body of water ,
yet. When i was going to school in Minnesota the bugs weren't really
bad. Worse than here in ohio. The portable hammock i found weight around
20 lbs. , ok for a weekend trip. The hammock comes with its own stand .
:-) . I won't know what kind of tent that would work the best , secure
it to the ground. From article i read , this may not be a problem
(designated camp grounds ).

John Fereira wrote:
Drew Cutter wrote in
:


John have you done any camping around assateague ? Would a hammock and
portable stand work , against Sand fleas , mosquitoes ? Rain storms
and bivy , good idea or go with a tent ?


I haven't actually done any camping around Assateague but I'd definitely
bring a tent.

Drew Cutter wrote:

You can tell that i don't live near a ocean or large body of water ,
yet. When i was going to school in Minnesota the bugs weren't really
bad. Worse than here in ohio. The portable hammock i found weight around
20 lbs. , ok for a weekend trip. The hammock comes with its own stand .
:-) . I won't know what kind of tent that would work the best , secure
it to the ground. From article i read , this may not be a problem
(designated camp grounds ).

We camped on the ocean side and found that the main issue was the strong
wind combined with just having sand to secure the tent stakes. On our
first trip back to town we bought some larger stakes and supplemented
them with sticks tied to rope and buried in the sand. We didn't have
any problems with our tent but saw a few others blowing across the beach.
The horses sometimes wandered through camp and brushed up against tents
and other things.

Peter ;

Is your food safe from the horse ?

Peter wrote:
Drew Cutter wrote:

You can tell that i don't live near a ocean or large body of water ,
yet. When i was going to school in Minnesota the bugs weren't really
bad. Worse than here in ohio. The portable hammock i found weight
around 20 lbs. , ok for a weekend trip. The hammock comes with its own
stand . :-) . I won't know what kind of tent that would work the best
, secure it to the ground. From article i read , this may not be a
problem (designated camp grounds ).


We camped on the ocean side and found that the main issue was the strong
wind combined with just having sand to secure the tent stakes. On our
first trip back to town we bought some larger stakes and supplemented
them with sticks tied to rope and buried in the sand. We didn't have
any problems with our tent but saw a few others blowing across the beach.
The horses sometimes wandered through camp and brushed up against tents
and other things.

Drew Cutter wrote:

Peter ;

Is your food safe from the horse ?

After a "learning experience" with squirrels in the Grand Canyon, I try
not to leave the food where any critters can gain access to it.
[Although it turned out that we had a surplus and the squirrels just
lightened our load on the way out.] So we didn't lose any food to the
horses.

Peter wrote:

Drew Cutter wrote:

You can tell that i don't live near a ocean or large body of water ,
yet. When i was going to school in Minnesota the bugs weren't really
bad. Worse than here in ohio. The portable hammock i found weight
around 20 lbs. , ok for a weekend trip. The hammock comes with its
own stand . :-) . I won't know what kind of tent that would work the
best , secure it to the ground. From article i read , this may not be
a problem (designated camp grounds ).



We camped on the ocean side and found that the main issue was the
strong wind combined with just having sand to secure the tent stakes.
On our first trip back to town we bought some larger stakes and
supplemented them with sticks tied to rope and buried in the sand. We
didn't have any problems with our tent but saw a few others blowing
across the beach.
The horses sometimes wandered through camp and brushed up against
tents and other things.