Chesapeake Bay, North American’s largest estuary, has been a place my mom and I have wanted to visit for awhile because it is one of the things we talk with students about at Marine Science Adventures. We had set aside one week to explore the area but because of previous delays, we were left with two hours. We got to Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge only to find out that while it is on the Bay, you can’t hike to it because the habitat is very sensitive. We didn’t have time to go anywhere else because a huge storm was coming and we were afraid we wouldn’t be allowed across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel if the winds got any worse.
This Refuge did not in any way disappoint. The volunteers were so friendly and helpful. We really enjoyed talking with them. The Visitor Center is very well put together and we learned a lot about the Bay from the displays that are beautiful works of art. They have a great touch table that has a skull of a humpback whale. The storm was getting closer so we took a very quick hike out to see an old military fort and a WWII gun barrel. We kept going to the marsh overlook and then climbed a larger overlook on our way back to get a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean. The wildflowers and butterflies were amazing. The Refuge itself is gorgeous. We hope to explore more of it someday.
We did get to see Chesapeake Bay when we crossed the Bridge. It is so vast and beautiful. We also got to cross through Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge when we first got onto the bridge.
For more about this Refuge, please see our photos at: https://www.facebook.com/wildlifeonthego/posts/1933864950218724
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