We were searching for a place to celebrate my 80th birthday with our 18 kids and grandkids, and EUREKA!, here it was! The reviews were great and the description of the property seemed perfect for our needs...something to keep everyone happy, from the kayaks and canoe to puzzles and games.
The listing was completely accurate in every detail. We were glad to be able to make a quick trip a few months in advance to try to figure out the sleeping arrangements and have some idea as to what we might need to bring. Stephanie, who manages the property, was most generous with her time and very patient in answering our questions.
As each family group arrived, the oohs and aahs were proof of the rightness of our choice. The house is truly beautiful, with a gorgeous water view, as advertised, from every room. The living space is so vast and with so many decks and balconies that we often wandered lost just hunting for the stairs, but that vastness made it possible for the family hermits to be alone when they wanted to be and for the groupies to group! It was possible, too, on the night of the big birthday dinner, to arrange the tables and chairs on one deck so we could feast and celebrate together. (If anyone wants to know, my best birthday present was a Jayson Werth Garden Gnome!!!)
One of my concerns that was quickly laid to rest concerned what we might find in the kitchen. No worries...everything we needed for cooking was there. Both the owner and Stephanie were always available to quickly answer any questions we had.
We managed to enjoy seafood every night...and often for lunch also. We ate at Zack's right down the road, the Crab Shack...best of all, Bill's Seafood Restaurant (!!!), bought fish and shrimp at Gary Howard's, a few short blocks away. Among the other activities our family enjoyed: renting "bikes for 4", miniature golf, Wallops Visitor Center, The Creamery, a scenic nature cruise ("Daisey's") whose wonderful captain graciously took us right in front of Eureka!, an historical tour of Chincoteague on the little shuttle bus, and exploring the house's large and varied library (definitely not the typical beach reads).
I must not forget to mention the beach at Assateague. It does tend to be crowded, but we found the best time to go and have only a few fishermen as our companions was early morning around 7am. There are picnic tables and grills available and it's easy to stake out a space. Even better, come at 6am and watch the sun rise over the ocean.