Glamping Gone Wild: Wild Horses, Sandstorms, and One Very Reluctant Teen on Assateague Island
The Davis family – Maria, David, Chloe, and Ethan – decided to try something new this summer: glamping. Ditching their usual hotel stays, they booked a weekend at Assateague Island National Seashore Campground, lured by the promise of wild horses and luxury camping, thanks to Eastern Shore Glamping Outfitters. Little did they know, "luxury" and "Assateague Island" would prove to be a…sandy combination.
Their arrival was, in a word, chaotic. Unloading the minivan felt like performing a live-action Tetris game with camping gear, beach toys, and enough snacks to survive a small apocalypse. Finally, they located their bell tent: a large, beige canvas structure already pitched on a raised wooden platform. It looked promising, at least from the outside. Approximately 16 feet in diameter, it boasted a zippered doorway and mesh windows – a far cry from the nylon tents of David's Boy Scout days.
Inside, the initial excitement was palpable. Chloe, Maria’s 10-year-old horse enthusiast, squealed with delight. A queen-size air mattress dominated the space, promising a comfortable night’s sleep (a major upgrade from sleeping on the hard ground). Battery-powered fairy lights were strung around the tent poles in a valiant, though ultimately doomed, attempt to create a magical ambiance. A small folding table completed the "glamorous" interior.
"This is way better than regular camping, Dad!" Chloe exclaimed, bouncing on the air mattress.
Ethan, David’s 16-year-old son, offered a less enthusiastic assessment. "Yeah, if there was Wi-Fi," he muttered, already scrolling through his phone. His words were the harbinger of things to come.
The Reality Bites (and Scratches): Sand, Sun, and Subpar Lighting
The first challenge presented itself almost immediately: the battery-powered string lights. Gravity, it seemed, was not a fan of battery power and flimsy tent poles. They kept falling down, resulting in a tangled mess of wire and plastic. Maria, ever the organized nurse, attempted to secure them with duct tape, but even her MacGyver skills were no match for the laws of physics.
The next issue was the heat. The beige canvas acted as a giant reflector, turning the tent into a sweltering sauna during the day. Shade was scarce, and the stuffy canvas offered little ventilation. They quickly learned to limit their time inside the tent to the early morning and late evening.
But the real villain of the piece was, without a doubt, the sand. It was everywhere. In their hair, in their clothes, in their food, and most certainly, in their tent. Maria waged a constant, and ultimately futile, war against the invading grains. She bought a small broom from the camp store and swept with the ferocity of a woman possessed, but the sand seemed to multiply faster than she could remove it. The doormat, intended to be a barrier against the sandy onslaught, quickly became saturated and transformed into a sand-filled welcome mat.
"David, please take your shoes off before you come in!" Maria pleaded, her voice tinged with exasperation.
David, ever the laid-back musician, shrugged. "Relax, honey, it's just a little sand! It's the beach!"
Ethan, in an attempt to protect his precious (and expensive) headphones from the gritty menace, resorted to wrapping himself in a beach towel like a desert nomad. It was a comical, yet surprisingly effective, solution.
Wild Horses and Sandcastles: Moments of Beach Bliss
Despite the challenges, there were moments of pure joy and connection. On their first morning, they woke before dawn for a horseback riding tour with Assateague Island Adventures. The sunrise ride was magical.
Chloe's face lit up as she rode a chestnut mare along the beach. The pink and orange sky reflected on the wet sand, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The smell of salt air filled their nostrils, the sound of waves crashing against the shore was a soothing soundtrack, and the wind whipped through Chloe's hair as she cantered along the water's edge. For Chloe, it was a dream come true. Ethan, surprisingly, even cracked a smile.
Later that afternoon, they embarked on a sandcastle-building project of epic proportions. Maria, the structural engineer, supervised the foundation and ensured the walls were sturdy. David, the artist, provided the creative flair, adding intricate details and flourishes. Chloe, the dedicated decorator, gathered shells and seaweed to adorn their masterpiece. Ethan, surprisingly, even looked up from his phone occasionally to offer a suggestion (and take a few TikTok videos, of course).
The sandcastle, a magnificent structure of turrets and moats, was promptly destroyed by a rogue wave. But instead of disappointment, there was laughter. They snapped photos of the crumbling fortress, capturing a moment of shared joy and absurdity.
Charcuterie Boards, Crab Cakes, and Curious Critters
Food was another adventure. Maria, determined to maintain some semblance of civilization, prepared an "Instagrammable" charcuterie board for a picnic lunch. Artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and fresh berries were artfully arranged on a wooden serving tray. It looked beautiful… for about five minutes. Then, the ants arrived. In droves. The Davis family quickly learned that gourmet picnics and sandy beaches don't always mix.
Dinner was a simpler affair: pre-cooked crab cakes from Crabby Lou's in nearby Berlin, MD. They ate them on paper plates under the stars, enjoying the salty breeze and the quiet murmur of the campground.
And then there were the wild horses. They roamed freely around the campground, a constant reminder of the unique beauty of Assateague Island. The Davis family kept a safe distance, adhering to the park's rules of not feeding or approaching the animals. One evening, a particularly curious horse approached their picnic table, sniffing at the remains of the charcuterie board. Maria let out a small shriek, David grabbed a paper plate to shoo it away, and Ethan finally looked up from his phone with genuine interest.
The Davis family made a concerted effort to "Leave No Trace," carefully packing out all of their trash and food scraps. However, in their haste to break down camp, they forgot to double-check the area. Later, Maria realized that several sandwich crumbs were left behind, a small oversight that she felt guilty about.
TikTok Moment
In honor of their sandy struggles, the Davis family created a TikTok video set to "Kokomo" by The Beach Boys. It featured a time-lapse of their attempts to keep sand out of the tent, Maria comically sweeping, David tracking sand in, Chloe playfully burying Ethan in sand, ending with a shot of the entire family covered in sand, laughing. The text overlay read: "Glamping Fail: Sand Edition!"
The Verdict: Glamping… Maybe Next Time?
So, would the Davis family choose glamping again? The answer is a resounding… maybe. Maria appreciated the comfort of the air mattress and the novelty of the experience, but she was overwhelmed by the constant battle against the sand. David enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the proximity to nature, finding the experience a refreshing break from their ordinary, everyday routine. Chloe loved the horseback riding and the opportunity to see the wild horses up close. And even Ethan admitted that being unplugged for a few days wasn't as terrible as he expected. He even managed to capture some cool content for his social media.
Ultimately, they agreed that while glamping was a fun and memorable experience, they might prefer a more traditional campground setup with a camper for their next adventure. The hard walls and air conditioning would be a welcome respite from the elements.
Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. The sand and temperature issues were the main drawbacks.
Would we recommend Assateague Island Campground for other families trying glamping? Yes, with caveats! Be prepared for sand (lots of it), pack extra bug spray, and maybe bring a portable air conditioner if you're going during the summer months. But the wild horses and the stunning beach make it worth the effort!