We’re still here and so is the gorgeous saltwort!

Wednesday October 2, 2013
Assateague Island National Seashore
Maryland

 

 

 

Still haven’t heard anything about exactly when we have to leave.

 

 

 

It’s true that we are not around the coach much during the day except at lunch time.  We leave before anyone comes to work and come back after they have gone home.  But they could leave a note couldn’t they?   Or have the camp host just across the circle from us let us know?   We have heard nothing about when we have to leave.

 

So we go on with plans as usual and this morning that means a quick breakfast and out to kayak in the wetlands.  Just look at the color of the saltwort.  I cannot get over it.  Everything looks wonderful with the pink and fuchsia  all around it.

 

 

 

 

As usual, we head out into the wind hoping for a favorable wind returning.  As in hiking, I like to do the hard stuff first.  And this is hard stuff.  That wind is blowing.  Can’t put the paddles down long enough to take much of a picture, especially when the waves are strongest.

We leave the boat launch and head out over open choppy water to paddle around to the view we see from our coach.  

 

 

 

 

It seems the animals know this place is really theirs and there is no danger from any of us.  

 

We get amazingly close in the kayaks without them paying any mind at all.

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

I can’t get any closer to Winnona than this because the water is too shallow even for a kayak.  But she looks might fine from this direction.  It’s fun being inside the view we look out on.

 

 

 

 

 

I head down this tunnel to get a picture of 4 tri colored herons who’ve just flown in.

 

 

 

But I can’t get very close, the tunnel closes in on me and I have to back out.

 

 

 

 

 

My watch tells me we’ve been out here for three hours, sure doesn’t feel that long.

 

By now it’s getting close to lunch time and I want to have some time to explore the marsh near the put in.  We head back expecting to have the wind and waves at our back.  But the wind has died down so we paddle leisurely.  But we don’t get the  free ride we were hoping for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A larger band of horses is over here but further from us.

 

 

 

The egrets and herons are close.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The clouds really affect the picture quality.

 

I finally get a somewhat decent relative close up picture of the saltwort that is making this area so lovely today.    The pictures taken with cloud cover are actually much more vivid.   The heron above was taken in full sun.  The close up below under clouds.

 

 

 

Just as we head toward the put in, we see these egrets gathering in the tree.  I thought they only did this at night to roost.  Not sure what’s going on here.   But I’m hungry and not patient enough to sit still and wait to see what happens which is what I’ve done for most of the morning.

 

 

 

 

Back at Winnona we see that our loop of the campground is empty other than us and the camp host. 

 

We discover everyone else on the bay side has left.  But there are still folks on the ocean side so we don’t worry.   We still haven’t been told anything personally although one camper said they’d been told 11:00 tomorrow morning was the deadline.   The camp host is right across from us, I’d think he’d let us know.

 

 

From my chair in our backyard, I see the two horses I photographed early have moved closer toward us.   I am really torn between staying right here just to observe them and going over to the beach for a swim.

 

 

 

The beach wins!

 

After lunch it’s time to hit the beach for the afternoon.  It is such a difficult life we live.  Kayaking in the marsh in the morning.  Playing in the ocean in the afternoon and all right here at our doorstep.

 

The waves are great again today.

 

I’m being given the eye by this beach comber.

 

 

 

Hoping to be able to run out between the waves, I’m trying to judge the right moment.  There’s never any sense in walking in slowly.  In these waves you’ll get smacked good.  Just run in and get it over with is my motto.  

 

 

Made it.  Within a few minutes the shock is gone and the temperature feels perfect.

 

This is my idea of a great time!!   Ya’ll come on.

 

 

And this is David’s way to hang out at the beach.

 

What a great place!  What a great day!  No matter how you choose to spend it.