THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 11, 1994 TAG: 9410110049
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E4 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Mom, I'm Bored
SOURCE: Sherrie Boyer
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
WE SPENT the weekend camping on the sand at Assateague State Park in Maryland, roasting marshmallows by an open fire and falling to sleep wondering if wild horses would trample us in the night.
They didn't, but all those piles of fresh manure in the morning does make one wonder how they miss the tents, strewn about like fat, round mushrooms, dark as the night.
And what a night it was. Surf breaking over the last dune, the crackle of the flame, songs in muffled rounds from around the fire, countless stars overhead, children nestled in blankets on our laps sleepy and wide-eyed at once.
This was only our second camping adventure since the children were born and again, sadly, it was one night tucked into a school weekend. But camping is so joyful, peaceful and fulfilling that we simply must do it more. And for longer spells.
The family at the next site over chuckled as we groaned in the morning - Tom and I hardly slept. The children wouldn't fall asleep, Maddie rolled constantly and Sam changed positions every few minutes, eventually sleeping horizontally so that neither of us could stretch fully.
``Everyone sleeps the second night,'' they advised, ``because you're tired.'' We'll remember.
We started the day at 7 a.m., crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and wound our way up the Eastern Shore. By 10, we'd found the campground on this narrow barrier island and met the grandparents. Grandpa fried ham and eggs, we set up tents and Grandma played in the sand with the children. Then we were on the beach where it was warm enough to play in the waves, empty enough to find shells on our walks and quiet enough to drown out echoes of the city.
We did see several wild ponies quite close, eating tall grass and flicking green-head flies, which bite. The children wanted desperately to pet the horses, but the park posted very stern warnings against it.
Assateague State Park is open just until Oct. 31 and worth the trip if the ride doesn't intimidate you (just 2 1/2 hours without potty stops).
Your children will want binoculars to check the horizon for horses. Other wildlife is equally abundant. Families who used the hiking and biking paths in the national area found them wonderful.
A tent site is $20 a night, and there are good, hot, hard showers and very clean bathhouses. For details, call (410) 641-2120. From the bridge-tunnel, follow Route 13 to Maryland, then Route 113 to Berlin. Follow Route 376, then Route 611 to the state park. There are signs.
Assateague Island National Seashore borders the state park and offers trails and boat launching points. It is open year-round. For details, call (410) 641-3030.
Closer to home, try Seashore State Park on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach. A tent site is $18.25 a night, and many are set among live oaks, which make for great shade, privacy and a bit of daredevil climbing. This, too, is a wonderful campground on the beach with hiking trails, and far enough away - once you're standing by a tent with a strong breeze in your face - to forget that home is so near. You will hear the cars on Shore Drive, however. For details call 481-2131.
Reservations are a good idea at either place. by CNB