The wild horses of Assateague, 50 miles south of where we live, are rough-coated, small and keep their distance. However, the group apparently voted to send one of their number over to the road so we could see him close up.
He stood quietly chipping away at the desireable new grass while humans got out of their cars and petted him - against the rules of the national park. The pony-sized horse seemed docile enough even though there were signs posted that these horses are unpredictale and should not be fed or petted.
The horses are thought to be the descendants of horses left on Assateague Island by mainland farmers in the 17th century who were trying to avoid mainland taxes on their possessions. They seem quite content with their lot as they stand at the edge of the land and water.
Farther south, on Chincoteague Island, there are even more wild horses. These are rounded up in July and herded across the water to the mainland where they are auctioned off. We might return for that event.
We had come south, stopping at Ocean City inlet to watch the surfers dancing with the waves. Ocean City seems to live mostly for tourism. There might be 40 miniature gold courses along the main road. Lots of seedy motels and condominiums rise into the sky.
As we sat on the rocks of the inlet jetty, photographing the wet-suit-wearing surfers, a rogue wave smashed over the rocks and soaked both of us. We retreated to the warm car.
Just a short distance from where we live, on the way home, we came to the Indian River inlet. The current was racing in at about three knots. Chinese families crouched by the inlet, casting their fishing lines into the water to capture dinner.
He stood quietly chipping away at the desireable new grass while humans got out of their cars and petted him - against the rules of the national park. The pony-sized horse seemed docile enough even though there were signs posted that these horses are unpredictale and should not be fed or petted.
The horses are thought to be the descendants of horses left on Assateague Island by mainland farmers in the 17th century who were trying to avoid mainland taxes on their possessions. They seem quite content with their lot as they stand at the edge of the land and water.
Farther south, on Chincoteague Island, there are even more wild horses. These are rounded up in July and herded across the water to the mainland where they are auctioned off. We might return for that event.
We had come south, stopping at Ocean City inlet to watch the surfers dancing with the waves. Ocean City seems to live mostly for tourism. There might be 40 miniature gold courses along the main road. Lots of seedy motels and condominiums rise into the sky.
As we sat on the rocks of the inlet jetty, photographing the wet-suit-wearing surfers, a rogue wave smashed over the rocks and soaked both of us. We retreated to the warm car.
Just a short distance from where we live, on the way home, we came to the Indian River inlet. The current was racing in at about three knots. Chinese families crouched by the inlet, casting their fishing lines into the water to capture dinner.
1 comment:
Sorry to correct you - but the entire island is named Assateague, and the MD/VA state line divides the island. The horses on the southern end of the island are swum across to Chincoteague Island where the volunteer fire department auctions the foals to raise money.
Lynn
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