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Chincoteague-Assateague Seaside Adventure …
A Photo Journey Guide

>> Click Here to visit the Gallery of Pictures from Chincoteague and Assateague
>> Click Here to see where to get this book

Chincoteague and Assateague Islands: plan your first visit or relive your latest visit again and again through this photo adventure. Enjoy the sights: migratory birds; local birds such as ducks; views from the lighthouse; views of the beaches of Assateague; and of course the ever popular wild ponies. This guide captures the spirit and feeling of nature in this rural community easily reached from Washington, DC.

Where can I get this book

Amazon (US)
Sundial Books
  Chincoteague’s Premier Book Store
  4065 Main St. Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
  757-336-5825
  info@sundialbooks.net
Buy Direct From Me.
Send me a “Contact Me” message to inquire about prices
Amazon (Canada)
Amazon (Mexico)
Amazon (UK)
Amazon (Germany)
Amazon (France)
Amazon (Italy)
Amazon (Australia)
Other opportunities will appear in the future.

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The Chincoteague-Assateague Gallery:

(This Gallery below has seven colage pictures.)

1. The first thing you see when visiting these islands is Chincoteague. This is the residential area, and includes some interesting sights, the Sundial Book store, various hotels and other housing options, and restaurants. I recommend that you nose around to see the sights there.

2. One of the iconic elements of the islands is the Assateague Lighthouse, which can be viewed from Chincoteague and from Assateague Beach. You can climb it, and enjoy some great views from the top.

3. Another iconic sight on Assateague Island are the wild ponies. Once per year in July, the Chincoteague cowboys round up the ponies and they’re driven across the water to Chincoteague Island for health check-ups and some are sold to interested buyers. Are you interested? Other times of the year, you can see them roaming about Assateague Island, often grazing out in the marshes.

4. Of course, a big draw on Assateague Island is the beach. Some days is rough, and other days it’s calm. Many people like to swim in the ocean, some like to fish in the ocean and others like to just wander up and down the beach. Happily, there is parking available there, and shower and changing facilities in the summer.

5. A big part of both Chincoteague and Assateague are the great varieties and numbers of birds. This area is a stop over form many migrating flocks, as well as the permanent home of numerous aquatic fowl. You don’t need to work hard to find birds on either of these islands, especially near the water ways and marsh lands.

6. And the birds are active down at the beach. Some are just playing in the surf, but others are hard working ones enforcing traffic ordinances.

7. Of course plants are a big deal in these islands, providing both color and texture. There are Loblolly pines, the massive marshes full of life, and the brightly colored salt-wort.

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Published Books in the Photo Journey Guide Series

Book Covers of Published and Not Published Photo Journey Guides

On this page, I list the book titles that I’ve published so far in the Photo Journey Guide series. To date, I’ve only published one. This, however, is just the beginning, and I will post the new ones as they are published.

Below is a listing of the individual book titles published to date in the Photo Journey Guide series.

Chincoteague-Assateague Seaside Adventure

MD Catoctin Mountain Range

Catoctin Mountain Range of Maryland

<< Return to Maryland Hiking and History

View of Catoctin Mountain Range from farmland

The Catoctin Mountain Range in Maryland, which is one of the most wonderful recreational treasures within driving distance of Washington, DC. People in the area of course use it for hiking, but also in certain places for camping, for trail-biking, for fishing, and even for boating and swimming. The southern end of this mountain range begins in the south just west of Frederick, MD, and runs about 30 miles north, roughly parallel to South Mountain, which is more to the west, and roughly parallel to MD-15, which is just east of it. On both sides it is surrounded by productive farm land. Over its length, it comprises a ridge that dips a few times into passes. It runs through four parks, as follows from north to south:

Catoctin Mountain Park, a national park with numerous recreation opportunities and which is popular for hiking and camping. It includes the popular east-side Catoctin Mountain Extended Loop Trail. The Loop Trail visits highlights such as Chimney Rock, Wolf Rock, Thurmont Vista, Blueridge Summit Overlook, and Hog Rock. The west-side is dominated by the Catoctin Trail, but also offers hose-back riding, camping, and getting close to nature.
[Click here to see the sites in Catoctin Mountain Park (NPS)].
Cunningham Falls State Park, which comprises camping opportunities and two special areas:
- the more northern “William Houck” area, which includes the falls and Hunting Creek Lake, a popular swimming and boating area in the summer.
  [Click here to see the sites in the William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park].
- the more southern “Manor Area,” which provides historic and nature experiences.
  [Click here to see the sites in the Manor Area of Cunningham Falls State Park].
Frederick Municipal Watershed, also known as the Frederick Municipal Forest, which comprises a large series of mountain ponds and some beautiful woodlands nature. Mountain bikers will also enjoy exploring the variety of trails.
[Click here to see the sites in the Frederick Municipal Forest].
Gambrill State Park, which includes several well blazed looping trails in addition to the non-looping Catoctin Trail. The looping feature of these trails is nice … you can park at the trailhead, and follow the loop trails right back to the trailhead. Some of the trails are limited to foot traffic, while others also offer the excitement of mountain biking.
[Click here to see the sites in Gambrill State Park].

Strictly speaking, this mountain range does continue south into Virginia, but at much lower elevations and with fewer notable hiking opportunities to explore.

The Catoctin Trail … Each of the four separate parks include many hiking trails. Additionally, there is one long trail, which is a wonderful resource, the Catoctin Trail, maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC). This trail is 26.6 miles long, and the northern end is just three miles from the Appalachian Trail on South Mountain. In addition to hiking and mountain biking, the trail is also the site for the annual 50K Catoctin Trail Run, which runs out-and-back from the Gambrill Tea Room to the Manor Area Visitors Center.
This photo journey provides you with an opportunity to virtually “hike” this trail in either direction.
[Click here to see the sites and virtually hike the Catoctin Trail].

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