Date: Tue, 10 Aug 1999 14:50:31 -0400
Reply-To: "Henning, Eric" <Eric.Henning@BAILEY.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Henning, Eric" <Eric.Henning@BAILEY.COM>
Subject: Trip Report (long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Having completed the replacement of all rubber bits associated w/ fuel lines
and gas tank,
and also rebuilding of the front calipers on my '80 westy, we were ready for
our trip down to
Assateague Island, Maryland (sister to the more famous Chincoteague Island,
VA). This
barrier island is home to herds of wild horses rumored to be descendants of
ship-wrecked
Spaniards. Assateague has state and national park camping. I made
reservations in the
more primitive national part as it is more secluded. Only has outhouses and
cold shower
stalls. Campsites do not have much if any shade and are mostly sand w/ a
few scrub pines
around. We stayed on the oceanside drive-in. Sites are spacious, but like
I said, pretty open.
If it weren't for the steady ocean breeze, things could be hot. Within
minutes of arriving,
several horses wandered in to graze amongst us as we set up. At first my 8
yr daughter
and 9 yr old son were a little taken back by having these wild horses
roaming freely around us.
We resisted feeding these seemingly tame animals, as the rangers did remind
us they do bite
and kick. The beach was a short walk over the dunes. Most of the time we
had several hundred
feet of beach to ourselves as most people opted for the state beach.
Access to the national
park beach is limited to campers as there is no parking lot. Plenty of bike
trails and historic
spots to explore in the park. An open fire ban was in effect due to the
drought in the area.
Open fires were however allowed on the beach. One night we had a terrific
lightning display
followed by heavy rains. We were nice and cozy in our campermobile. Hit
the boardwalk of
Ocean City one night to let the kids hit the rides. My son gathered enough
courage to do the
loop-do-loop roller coaster by himself as i was a little queasy after eating
so much cotton candy.
After 3 days at Assateague we packed up and headed for Henlopen State PArk,
Delaware.
I had heard about this place from another listee. It is an old WW2 site
that was used as a
defense site against German U-boats mainly. Pretty much abandoned by the
gov't during
the cold war. They are on a first come first served, no reservations
system in the camp ground.
We got the last site. I soon found out why it was the last site. The main
part of the campground
is basically several parallel asphalt roads which each road being about as
wide as a three lane
highway with sand in the medians. You parallel park into your spot with
hardly any shade.
Most of these sites did have pine trees but not ours. There was talk about
leaving already.
At nite this three lane highway pretty much became a three lane highway with
people driving
in and out all hours of the nite. Foot traffic was heavy also as the
bathrooms were nearby.
All in all a terrible first nite there. The next morning I discovered the
trick to Henlopen.
First, just get in, any spot, take whatever they give you. The highway
portion of the campground
hides the less congested dirt roads that sprout off this main section. The
next day, ride around
looking at everybody's checkout dates posted by each site. Find a choice
spot, wait until 10 am,
and request a site transfer. You will now move into a secluded, shady
wonderful campsite that
you have hand picked. It was the difference between having an awful
experience versus a wonderful
camping experience.
The park has lots of bike trails and old bunkers, towers, beaches to
explore. Rangers put on a variety
of activities (movies, campfire stories, nature walks, canoe trips,
etc...). There is a nature center w/
tidal pool touch tank along with fish tank displays. Avoid the state beach
and visit the non-lifeguarded
beaches. You will be glad you did. Stayed three days and was sorry to
leave. Historic Lewes is
nearby and a reproduction 1630's sailing ship was docked and open to the
public. Nearby Rt 1 has
movie theatres, go-karts, etc... for more activities. Bring plenty of bug
spray and sun lotion.
Mosquitoes weren't that bad, but my daughter got several bites.
Planned on stopping at Ft. Delaware on the way back home only to find out it
is open only Weds thru
Sunday this time of year. Only put about 500 miles on my 1980 air-cooled
westy, but it ran great.
Even drove at 70 mph for short bursts.
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