Other than torrential rains and pot hole ridden roads which included an overnight in Burlington, NJ at Wal-Mart ( where else?) , we made it safely to Assateague National Seashore and checked into the Ranger Station where Campground Registration is located. All three guys were welcoming and full of enthusiasm. Today and for the next month, we are one of them without the spiffy uniforms.
We were handed a large tote marked Bayside 1 filled with lots of goodies. Inside were t-shirts, name tags and volunteer caps. Also, in the box is our official reflective vest, hand held radio, flashlight and manual. This morning our golf cart complete with pooper scooper shovel and bucket arrived. We have a couple of days off before our orientation even though we already have our schedule.
With campsite set, water turned on and pipes drained of winter antifreeze, we made a list of must have stuff and headed off the island to nearby Berlin to get those provisions at, you guessed it, Wal-Mart. Our return to the island was greeted by a small herd of 5 Sika Deer and a bit further down the road a small band of horses consisting of a young stallion and two mares. They looked a bit rough sporting rain soaked winter coats.
Sunday during the day and all through the evening our camper was buffeted with 20 mile an hour winds. There were even some very healthy 30 mph gusts. I thought about the hardy wild horses this island is famous for and marveled at the conditions they must endure, brutal heat, lack of water and bugs the size of B-52s during the summer punctuated by the constant threat of hurricanes. And during the winter, blizzards, blowing sand, poor feed and all they have is each other to snuggle up to for warmth.
