Daytripping - Chincoteague Style

One of the great things about Chincoteague Island is that it is truly a self-contained vacation playground. With the beautiful beach at the National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island many days can be spent in the sun and waves. The beautiful waters provide so many water recreation opportunities like sailing, jet skying, parasailing, not to mention pleasure boating, scenic and eco-cruises and of course fishing. Days and days can be spent on Chincoteague’s waters.
There always seems to be a special event or festival either at the Beautiful Robert Red Park, on Main St. or at the Chincoteague Center. And of course there’s bike riding, miniature golf and shopping at all of the wonderful stores and gift shops sprinkled throughout.
Chincoteague is also blessed with a full range of comfortable accommodations and restaurants to fit any budget or taste. So why would anyone ever want to venture off the island?
The “Insider” has often remarked that Chincoteague Island is the ideal two-week vacation destination simply because though it has everything, that irresistible human impulse to explore an area inevitably kicks in and Chincoteague is ideally located for those little road trips that everyone seems to enjoy. You know, where you just jump in the car and head for points unknown, but not too far away from your homebase. That’s right with Chincoteague as a homebase you can tour to fascinating smaller and larger towns on both the Eastern Shore of Virginia and the Eastern Shore of Maryland and never drive more than 90 minutes in either direction. This allows plenty of exploration time for you and your family with the comfort and security of your homebased bed and pillow back on Chincoteague Island.
Daytripping Chincoteague Style is big fun and I recommend it to any one. Go to the Daytrips tab on the www.chincoteagueislandvacations.com homepage and you will find descriptive articles of many of the fascinating towns on the Eastern Shore with estimated driving times, directions and more. Have fun when you explore the Shore! Until later, have a great day!

The Ice Cream Chronicles

With summer fast approaching, the Insider is reminded of some of the tastes that I associate with warmer weather and a generally more relaxed approach to daily living. You know things like steamed crabs at Steamers Restaurant or a Vodka Martini on the deck at the Sea Shell or perhaps my favorite guilty pleasure, fresh homemade blueberry ice cream at the Island Creamery.

Now, it is said that the origins of ice cream can be traced back to the 4th century B.C. Early references include the Roman Emperor Nero who ordered that ice cream be brought down from the mountaions and is believed to be the first to use fruit toppings. The Chinese made a ice and milk concoction for centuries and later exported this tasty little treat to the Europeans who in turn exported it to the New World where it was a big hit at Colonial America's parties held by the likes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

However, this perennial favorite of young and old did not reach it's pinnacle of gastronomic excellence until Kelly Conklin owner of the Island Creamery began to make and sell his ice cream

on Chincoteague Island. You can learn all about the Island Creamery and actually watch one of his frozen creations being made before your very eyes in a new video posted on www.ChincoteagueOutlook.com and when you visit Chincoteague, be sure try a scoop or two for yourself. You will then understand why the lines are literally out the door and down Maddox Blvd. on all those sultry evenings waiting for a true taste of Chincoteague Summer at the Island Creamery.

Chincoteaue Vacation Tip and more

Chincoteague Insider Vacation Tip

Greetings from Chincoteague Island! With Memorial weekend only one week away marking the official start of the vacation season; the time for procrastination is over. I'm talking about making the accomodations for your family vacation. Chincoteague has a wide range of great hotels, motels, campgrounds, B&B's, cabins, cottages and vacation rental homes to suit any budget , so visit www.chincoteagueislandvacations.com for a sampler of fine accomodations or call the Chincoteague Chamber for a comprehensive list at 757-336-0614.

2nd Saturday Art Stroll
If you missed this months stroll, you missed a good one! To avoid a disappointment like this next month , I urge you to visit www.chincoteagueculturalalliance.org and get up to speed with all of their happenings. And speaking of happenings of the musical stripe, the CCA will be presenting Will Kimbrough in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center on Church St. Mr. Kimbrough blends interesting lyrics and skillfull guitar into a folk,rock,country and bluegrass stew that is a real crowd pleaser. There are lots of places to get tickets in advance, notably Sundial Books and the Kite Koop. You can also get tickets at the door.
Also, the CCA will begin their Music at the Dock series of Free concerts at Robert Reed Park on May 24th. Bob Zentz gets the music started at 5pm with a wonderful menu of sea chanteys, folks songs and his own original songs. All you need to do is show up and enjoy!

An Insider thumbs up to Chincoteague's Mayor Jack Tarr for signing the National Safe Boating Proclamation. NSBW runs from May16-23 and encourages all boaters to wear life jackets and promotes safe boating education.

Be sure to check out the new videos at www.chincoteagueoutlook.com. This week we posted a video on the Seafood Festival, an interview with Jeff Davis of the ESVA Chamber and a few other surprises as well.
Until the next time...

Chincoteague Mother's Day Weekend

First of all, the ' Chincoteague Insider' would like to wish a belated Happy Mother's Day wish to all of the Mom's everywhere. I know the older I get, the more I appreciate the love and support my Mother has given to me over the years and continues to do so. I love you Mom!

Saturday May 9th on Chincoteague was literally crammed with fun and exciting things to do. My good friends Larry and Shelly were still here on vacation and we decided to "do it all."

First thing in the morning,it was breakfast at Mr. Baldy's. Always a good choice and a great value for those that enjoy a traditional breakfast. And who doesn't?

From Mr. Baldy's it was off to the Chincoteague Farmers Market. Held in the parking lot behind Don's Seafood Restaurant, the Farmers Market is where local purveyors of fresh fruits, vegetables,plants and flowers, homemade jams, jellies, relishes and more display their goods. The Farmers Market is a wonderful resource here on Chincoteague Island.

After visiting the Farmers Market, we took the short drive over to Assateague Island and took in the marvelous International Migratory Bird Celebration held at the Bateman Center. It was here that many wonderful Wildlife Artists converged along with Native American Drumming,dancing and numerous educational stagings for children and adults. The celebration attracted a large number of visitors of all ages and was a great experience. Sally Bowden, Michael Dixon and the rest of the staff at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge do a bang up job of putting together events that get people to interact with the bounty of Natural wonders found on Assateague in a highly entertaining way and for that they get an 'Insider' thumbs up!

From the International Migratory Bird Celebration, my party "beat feet" to catch the wild happenings at the Mother Day Earth Celebration held at the beautiful Robert Reed Park. This event is organized by Megan McCook in conjunction with the Main Street Merchants Association. Music was supplied by the always entertaining Pod Quad. Robert Reed park was filled to the brim with wonderful art and craft booths,Eco-friendly product booths and demonstrations, tons of fun activities for the kids. With just the right hint of Woodstock Era nostalgia,splashed with tie-dyed colors, the Mother Earth Day Celebration blended Big,Retro Fun with the raising of consciousness for the plight of the planet. Big Peace Sign Megan!

Seafood Festival 2009

Yesterday, was the 41st Annual Seafood Festival held at Tom's Cove Park on Chincoteague and sponsored by the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The 'Insider' attended with good friend Larry Warwick and partner and his lovely wife Shelly. It's always fun to bring someone who has never attended such an event that is so engrained in the Shore's social fabric. And let's face it the Seafood Festival is all about social. People skipping work to "run in to" people they haven't seen for a while and just having fun. It just wouldn't be the same if it was held on the weekend, I mean drinking beer and partying at mid-day during the week is "so wrong", but feels "so right." And party we did! The weather cooperated just enough to get by; meaning that it stopped raining for a while. That was different! It's been raining non-stop for about a week around here.
The Festival music was supplied by JetStream, a very proficient Classic Rock Band from the Baltimore area. The crowd rocked to favorites like Jethro Tull's Aqualung while enjoying clam strips, oyster fritters, chowder, clams, oysters etc. lubricating the entire experience with the coldest beer I have ever tasted. It was a good time! A Classic event set to Classic Rock!
This weekend on Chincoteague is as jammed with things to do as I have ever seen. On Saturday there's the Mother Earth Celebration at Robert Reed Park, the Farmers Market and the Migratory Bird Festival at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. By the way, 'the insider' interviewed Lou Hinds the Refuge Manager today for www.ChincoteagueOutlook.com. A fascinating gentleman and a passionate advocate for protecting wildlife here on the island. Look for that video interview to be posted real soon.
Saturday evening brings us the always enjoyable 2nd Saturday Art Stroll compliments of the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance.
Here are a few 'Insider" thumbs ups. First one goes to the American Bridge Company who announced that the New Chincoteague Bridge is on schedule and should be open for business on Nov.9th. This is extremely good news for those of us who have been standing in traffic awaiting our turn to enter or leave the Island. Two lanes will be open starting May 22nd and the era of delays will officially come to an end.
Second thumbs up goes to Steve Potts and Kevin Krome for hosting a fundraising reception at their home to benefit the ESVA Welcome Center Project. Steve and Kevin run the very fine Bill's Seafood Restaurant and they throw a heck of a party. Their support of Eastern Shore Tourism is legendary as well.
The third tumbs up goes to Bob and Tina Zoeller of Mr. Baldys restaurant who along with Robin Rothschild of WCTG and Harley Davidson of Ocean City sponsored an event to
benefit Operation We Care which supports our troops in Iraq. Good work guys and thanks!