Cooperative Living August 2020 - 12

" It is a wonderful place to relax. "
- Bryan Goldwasser
" It's beautiful all the time. "
- Myra Craft
CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND
Chincoteague, VA 23336 * (757) 336-6161
chincoteaguechamber.com
ou probably know about the annual running
of the wild ponies, which attracts 30,000 to
40,000 spectators to Chincoteague Island.
But Chincoteague is about more than the famous
pony swim and auction. It's a top 10 USA Today
" Best Small Coastal Town, " as selected by readers.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Chincoteague is a town of about
3,000 on Chincoteague Island on Virginia's Eastern
Shore. It is the entry point to Chincoteague National
Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National
Seashore, with miles of secluded beaches.
WHY IT'S GREAT: The pony swim was canceled this
year because of COVID-19. But a whirl through town
uncovers a trove of antiques, apparel, arts and crafts,
and specialty foods. The island also offers a full slate of
festivals, such as a decoy carvers show, a chili cook-off
and a Christmas parade. NASA's Wallops Flight Facility
Visitor Center is a must for aerospace buffs.
HOW TO VISIT: Take I-64 East to U.S. 13 North and the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (toll road). Chincoteague
is about 70 miles north once you are on the Eastern
Shore. From Northern Virginia, take I-95 and U.S. 50
East, and then south on U.S. 13 in Salisbury.
" Beautiful in the summer and
even more so in the dead of winter.
Great beaches, restaurants and shops abound
without all the trappings of the
trendier resort areas. "
- Deborah McCormick
Y
P
PEAKS OF OTTER
85554 Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA 24523
peaksofotter.com
eaks of Otter is one of the great stops along
the Blue Ridge Parkway. The vistas are among
the best in Virginia, and you can do everything
from a brief hike and a picnic, to an extended stay
at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. It has been a spot for
settlers since the 1700s.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: There are three peaks - Sharp
Top, Flat Top and Harkening Hill. Flat Top is the
highest at more than 4,000 feet, while Sharp Top
features a 360-degree view at the summit. Rocks
from the peaks are believed to be part of Virginia's
contribution to the Washington Monument.
WHY IT'S GREAT: In addition to hiking, visitors will
want to take note of the Johnson Farm, which is the
lone remaining structure from the time before the
construction of the parkway. Costumed interpreters
offer programs and work the farm on a daily basis.
A 63-room lodge offers spectacular views of Lake
Abbott, while a campground has about 140 available
spaces during prime seasons.
HOW TO VISIT: Peaks of Otter is located at milepost
85.6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take I-81 to U.S. 11
in Buchanan and Route 43 South to the Blue Ridge
Parkway. From the east, take U.S. 460 West to Route
23 North and the Parkway.
Johnson
Farm
" This is truly one of my
favorite places on earth.
The lodge is wonderful and
the restaurant is great! "
- Steven Wood
10 | Cooperative Living | August 2020
co-opliving.com
PHOTOS BY JAY DIEM
PHOTO BY STEVEN JOHNSON
PHOTO COURTESY OF NATIONAL ARCHIVES/GARY JOHNSON
http://www.chincoteaguechamber.com http://www.peaksofotter.com http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living August 2020

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