Walking at Assateague Island

Egret at Assateague Island

One of my favorite things about homeschooling, is the ability to learn outside the boundaries. The other day, it was a beautiful 70 degrees and after all the cold weather we've had, my family decided to take a break and get out of the house. So off we went, to the Wildlife Loop on Assateague Island.

The first thing we did was stop in at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to buy our season pass. The we wandered through their presentation area. We especially enjoyed the Eagle Cam. The nest has 3 chicks in it. As we started down the path, we could see the nest in the distance. One of the parents flew over us and landed near the nest.

We also saw a great blue heron, a huge snapping turtle, and some tundra swans off in the distance. We didn't see the ponies, since we didn't go that far down the road. 

We walked all the way out to the bike access beach, and then a half mile further down the beach. Barefoot. Yes, I admit it, I even went in the water up to my ankles. Brrrrrr! But it felt so good to be barefoot!

Three years ago, I walked this path. I had to sit at every bench because I was having back spasms. My feet hurt. My knee hurt. There was no way I would have attempted it alone. I went about 3 miles that time. That was in the fall of 2012.

In February 2013, I started DDP Yoga. I felt so much better, and the difference was immediate. By the end of March, I tried the Wildlife Loop again, this time without Michael. I went the whole 3 miles without needing to sit down at the benches! No back spasms, my knee didn't hurt, no blisters. Okay, my feet still hurt though. 

 This week I went 6 miles, 1 mile of that through soft sand. Now I don't even have to think about it, just go. I still have a long way to go, but I am so glad I can just get up and go now! I can't wait for warmer weather, so I can be up there all the time.