Captain Barry's Back Back Cruises - Chincoteague Island, Virginia

I grew up spending summers on Chincoteague Island, and I also lived there for several years in two and three year lengths of time.  I know what it's like to live there year round and to watch the visitors fade away and then come back like a flooding tide.  I know a lot of the island's history and the history of many families on both Assateague and Chincoteague.  I know about the ponies and wildlife on Assateague.  I can identify most fish in the area, and am knowledgeable about the shellfish industry there.  But I took a cruise with Captain Barry Frishman of Captain Barry's Back Back Cruises, and was astounded at all the thing I didn't know.  Captain Barry gave me an education in one tour - and I learn more each time I go out with him; and, believe me, that's pretty humbling for the granddaughter of a Chincoteague waterman.

   Captain Barry conducts a hands-on cruise.  You learn how to do things, like setting the anchor and how to seine net with partners.  You wander the tumps and hummocks in the Chincoteague Channel and Chincoteague Bay and learn to identify the different small fish, jelly fish, birds, crabs, clams and oysters found on the land and marshes and in the water.  He teaches you how to handle crabs without doing damage to them, and shows you how to identify females and you get to see their egg cases.  He shows you the smallest oysters that just tiny specks, shows you growing ones, and then (usually) opens one or two and offers you a fresh saltwater oyster right on the shell.  Sometimes you'll deploy a drag net and take it up at the end of the trip to view and discuss what you've netted.  He teaches you, in an easy-going way, the importance of the ecosystems of the marshes and why everyone should care about the state of of oceans and waterways.  You may be spotting bird nests of sea gulls, ospreys, and ducks; or you might stop and do some shell collecting....

   Captain Barry is a former tug boat captain, and he also ran a "hands-on aquarium," with his wife and family, in the old Landmark Plaza on north Main Street.  He is a volunteer with the Red Cross, and he and his wife travel to other countries during the off-season to do relief work after natural disasters.  He has been taking people out on eco-tours for over 25 years now, and is highly recommended by all.  His usual tours last for two hours (and he does have a restroom facility on board); his mooring spot is at 6262 Marlin Street, beside The Ropewalk.  He also does a Sunset Cruise (for adults only).

Other reviews have said:
  The ultimate high energy adventure cruise with hands-on, feet-wet, mind-on experiences.  "An interactive experience that differs from all others."
  Forbes Magazine describes Captain Barry as, "a whirlwind of energy and an encyclopedia of Chincoteague wildlife. He keeps the tours limited to six, so he can 'crawl around on his hands and knees' with every passenger."

Reservations are required.  The contact number is (757) 336-6508.  Captain Barry's website may be viewed at   https://captainbarry.net/   -  along with a video...

   You'll enjoy it!!  You can be as hands-on as you like, or just sit in a chair on deck and observe everything, and everyone else.

Returning from a sunset cruise...

Things To Do On Chincoteague With Children - Part 1

When I write about things to do on Chincoteague Island in Virginia, I must make it clear that these items include things to do on and in the waters surrounding both Chincoteague and Assateague Islands in Virginia, as well as some wonderful places to visit on the nearby mainland of Virginia.  The island of Chincoteague is, due to it's very nature, tied to the water and marine life.  The portion of Assateague Island located in Virginia is both a seashore and a wildlife refuge - Assateague National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (which, confusingly, is located on Assategue, not Chincoteague).   People live on Chincoteague Island; people visit Assateague Island.
     As a former teacher of kindergarten and third grade, as well as being an assistant in high school classes, and being a step-mother and grandmother, I know very well that each child is unique, each has his/her own interests, and that attention spans can vary wildly - pretty much the same as adults.  As a parent, you know your child's likes and dislikes and attention span.  I am providing a list of multiple items that you can do with your child while on the islands of Chincoteague and Assateague.
  * If you have never visited the island before, the first thing that I recommend that you do is - open all of your vehicle's windows (weather permitting) as you go around Pump House Turn on 175, having passed the NASA Visitor's Center, and once you see the causeway and bridges that will lead you to Chincoteague.  If it's high tide, you can smell the salt air and listen to the calls of the gulls and other waterfowl.  If it's low tide, you'll be hit with the very distinctive smell of Chincoteague marsh mud, along with the smells of salt water, salt air and the sounds of local wildlife.   Also, be aware of turtles on the causeway and try to avoid them - they are precious usually only one son or daughter will survive to reproduce.
  * Depending upon where you are staying, your choices immediately multiply upon arrival.  People visit for a great many reasons, and it depends upon your interests as a group, as to what you do. If you're staying at a hotel/motel or residence with a pool, and either are afraid of the ocean, or don't like to be sandy, then the pool is the best place to swim, period.
   * Once you have checked into your residence for the visit, I suggest that you visit the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, where friendly island natives will answer your questions, and can provide brochures and information on just about everything on the island.  You can also visit their website - http://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/  and get up-to-date information.
   * Chincoteague has been the home of people who make their living on the water since the late 1600s (when my family arrived there) - the people are called watermen, and they fish, shrimp, crab, clam, oyster, and now aqua-farm for their livelihoods.  Up until 1920, people lived on Assateague, and horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs had free range there.  We also hunted ducks and geese and deer there.  In 1921 most of the village of Assateague was moved by raft and barge to Piney Island and the East Side of Chincoteague.
    If you are interested in learning about sea life and the ecology of the waters surrounding Chincoteague and Assategue Islands, the best thing you can do is take an eco-tour with Barry Frishman.  Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises is a hands-on experience for young and old (or if you prefer to sit back and just watch, that's OK, too), and each time you go out with him you have a different experience.  Since the waters, shoals, sandbars and tumps are always in flux, you never know exactly what you'll see and/or do.  Barry is an experienced waterman, a previous tug boat captain, has been a Red Cross volunteer around the world, has a huge crew of grandchildren, and is a well-known artist, as well.  He is an extraordinary man, and his excursions never fail to delight - many people return for his cruises each summer.  His website may be found at:  https://captainbarry.net/   and he is also on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Captain-Barrys-Back-Bay-Cruises-155032211287774/
    Captain Barry is a must do each and every time I revisit my old home.
  * Bike all over the islands - bring your own or rent one by the hour, day, or week.
  * Hike the trails on Chincoteague and on Assateague.
  * Go to the beach - swim, sunbathe, collect shells, fly a kite, picnic.......
  * Visit the Museum of  Chincoteague     ( http://chincoteaguemuseum.com/ )
  * Birding - the CNWR is on the Atlantic Flyway, and over 300 species of birds may be seen over the course of the year.  Last year, the Fall Flight Index estimated that over 90 million ducks passed through the area...
 
   Much, much more tomorrow.

Chincoteague Island Photos

In this aerial view, Assateague is to the right and center of the photo;

Chincoteague is in the middle-top, with white buildings on the edges

Downtown Chincoteague, Reed Park and the Misty statue

The world-famous Island Creamery - home-made ice cream shop

Assateague Lighthouse and Chincoteague ponies

The Assateague Lighthouse

Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises and Sunset Cruise

Captain Dan's Guaranteed Pony Tour

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company station on Main Street -

ground was just broken for the new station on Deep Hole Road

Chincoteague Island and Pony Information

Chincoteague Island is located in the state of Virginia along the Atlantic Ocean.  It is actually "sandwiched" between Assateague Island to the east, and the mainland (the Eastern Shore) to the west.  The Virginia part of Assateague is a continuation of the Assateague National Seashore, but it also consists of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (which, confusingly, is located on Assateague Island, not Chincoteague Island).  No people live on Assateague - only wild creatures.  People and businesses are located on Chincoteague Island and the mainland. (Again, there are limited camping sites on Assateague Island National Seashore on the Maryland end, accessible via the town of Berlin.  There is no camping on Assateague in Virginia.)
   For information regarding the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, please visit:
  Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - US Fish and Wildlife Service
      https://www.fws.gov/refuge/chincoteague/

  Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - Virginia State Parks
      www.stateparks.com/chincoteague.html

    For information regarding Chincoteague Island, Virginia:
http://www.chincoteague.com

http://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/

http://www.chincoteagueisland.org/

From Forbes Magazine, this article:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/fathom/2014/07/26/forget-the-hamptons-chincoteague-island-is-the-place-to-be-this-summer/#5fb8325e4622

If you want to take a hands-on ecological tour and learn about marine life, take a trip with Captain Barry's Back Bay TourCruises. 
If you want to see ponies on Assateague from a boat, I suggest Captain Dan's Guaranteed Pony Tours.
If you want to get a good view of the islands and learn about the history of the area, Captain Dan's Tours and Daisey's Tours are great.

If you want to hear about the history of the island, and sit inside a comfortable van, with a true Teaguer (and CVFC Firefighter) check out Teaguers Tump Tours  with Denise Bowden, who is very involved with the Pony Round-Up each July.

   If you are seeking the most up-to-date information regarding the ponies on the southern end of Assateague Island, in Virginia - the ones made famous in the book Misty of Chincoteague - then the best place for information is the website of Darcie and Steve Cole, who own and operate DSC Photography out of Greenbackville, Virginia.  They have multiple photos of each pony - and the groups are separated into stallions, fillies and mares, and herds.  They also start a new album each year of the new babies, listing dam and sire, sex, and when the baby was first seen.  Their website may be viewed at   https://www.dscphotography.net    and they also have a great Facebook page.  There are also many other informative Facebook pages regarding Chincoteague itself - I recommend them all.
   If you want to learn the names and designations (breeding numbers) of the ponies on the Maryland end of Assateague, I highly recommend visiting two different Facebook pages:  The Assateague Island Alliance and Assateague Island Ponies.

Fun Things to Do On Chincoteague - Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises

I am heading back to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands in a few weeks - and one of the things I am most looking forward to is taking a cruise with Captain Barry Frishman.  Barry is unique among the tour boat captains of Chincoteague - he has studied marine biology, he has been an oysterman and a tugboat captain, he has kids and grandchildren, and he travels around the world visiting disaster sites as part of a relief team, giving care, comfort and hope (and teaching about the need for fresh water), as a volunteer.  Barry is a fun person to be around.  He can be funny and silly with the youngest members of his two-hour crew; he's always informative; he is an accomplished painter; and, no matter your age, or what type of cruise you take with Barry, you return smiling... because you had fun.  Both youngsters and adults have an entertaining time with Barry.  You can be as hands-on as you like, or you can just sit in a chair on deck and observe the fun.
  Barry is a native New Yorker, who moved to Chincoteague and fell in love with a 'Teaguer ( a Chincoteague native).  His wife's family has ties on the island dating back to 1643, when the first land patents were issued for the Eastern Shore lands in Virginia.  His wife's grandfather and great-grandfather took care of the Assateague Lighthouse as contractors for the US Coast Guard in the 1920s and 1930s.  Barry and Aleda have a large and thriving family, and if you happen to hear someone yelling, "Poppy!" to Captain Barry, it's one of his grandchildren...
  There are two types of trips available  from Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises - the Sea Life Expedition and the Champagne Sunset Cruise.  I've been on both, and I highly recommend both.  On the Sea Life Expedition, you get off the boat on sandbars to dig for clams - you may be able to catch your dinner.  Then you'll head off to go crabbing, pull in crab pots and learn to identify the catch.  If you're feeling really good, Barry will teach you how to hold a live crab without getting pinched.  He usually stops at Shell Island Beach for shell collecting and identification - and then he'll take you hunting for jellyfish!  While you've been cruising the channels a trawling net behind the boat has been gathering passing sea life - you'll pull the net aboard and see what treasures have been gathered.  Then you go birding - and Captain Barry knows his birds.  On this trip you get to use all of your senses - hearing, touch, taste, sight, and smell - as well as your mind.  This is the real deal cruise to take so that you can experience the life of a Chincoteague Waterman.
   On the Champagne Sunset Cruise, all you have to do is sit back, sip your drink, and enjoy the views.  Most sunsets over the mainland are spectacular when seen from Barry's boat...  I can get drunk on them without imbibing any alcohol!  With the wind in your hair and the smell of the sweet sea air, Barry will take you away to a Chincoteague Bay paradise.  Your worries disappear, you relax, and appreciate nature and the sunset in all their glory.  This is a fantastic way to celebrate the close  of the day - and the beginning of a wonderful night. You can bring along a personal cooler, too.  This is scheduled as an Adults Only trip - the only way you can bring kids on the Sunset Cruise is to reserve the entire boat.
   Have I convinced you to take a trip with Barry?  Good!  You can call and make reservations to ship out with him at  (757) 336-6508.
  And, a little bit more.  A few suggestions about traveling on board Back Bay Cruises:
By US Coast Guard regulations, Captain Barry can only have 6 other people aboard his boat.  He has USCG approved life jackets for all kids and adults.  Folks ranging in age from newborn babies to 91-year-olds have sailed with Captain Barry.
There is a clean, beautifully renovated and easy-to-use bathroom on board.
Barry has water to drink while aboard, but you are welcome to bring your personal coolers, with whatever you want inside.
If you are participating in a "hands on" manner, you might be barefoot in the water, or you  might need a pair of water shoes (or old sneakers) for walking on shells.
Barry always wears shorts, so when he goes into the water, he doesn't have wet slacks.
Smaller children have a tendency to splash and get muddy - a change of clothing and a towel are good things to bring along for them.
It's always cooler on the water, so a light jacket, windbreaker, or sweatshirt is a good idea- especially if you're on the Sunset Cruise.
Always recommended are: sunblock or sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and insect repellent.
  Here are four quotes from previous passengers:
(1)  My older children first went out with Captain Barry about 11 years ago.  They still talk about what a blast they had.  We took the younger three out in the summer of 2013.  We had such an amazing time!  It's like a floating interactive science class, with built-in entertainment. This morning (May 2015) we had the pleasure of taking one of the first tours of the season with our 14 year old daughter and 12 year old nephew.  Captain Barry never disappoints.  We learn something new on every adventure, and the memories and learning the kids get is something that will stick with them for life.
(2)  Our group of four adults and a one year old granddaughter comprised the tour group for Captain Barry's charter.  Each of us was thoroughly delighted by the meet, greet, and even eat sea creatures right out of the water.  Our trip was at low tide which allowed us to visit exposed sand bars where we saw fiddler crabs scurrying about.  Part science, part local lore, part culinary, and through and through marvelous.  The captain was attentive, courteous, thoughtful, prepared, and lively.  Well done from start to finish.  Capt Barry, we will be back!
(3)  We loved this tour.  Definitely not your run-of-the-mill tourist experience, and well worth the money.  Capt Barry goes out of his way to entertain, engage, and teach.  The kids had a great time and can't stop smiling.  They're already asking about our our next trip with Capt Barry.  Go!
(4)  We had the BEST time! Heard so many good things and thought we should give him a try.  So glad we did.  I have never laughed and smiled so much!  He knows the area, knows what he is doing and showed us some VERY interesting things.  He is just a neat guy all around!  I have lived all over the country, seen a lot of bays, mainly San Fransisco Bay, and Captain Barry was BY FAR the best tour guide ever!  He made our Chincoteague Island trip feel like we were somewhere so perfect that EVERYONE should be there!

    So if you are looking for something fun to do, with kids, or without, I highly recommend seeing Captain Barry and his Back Bay Cruises for a fantastic time!

Captain Barry is BEST on Chincoteague Island

While moving, my internet access was down.  Then I left for two weeks on Chincoteague Island  -  and I have to admit that I cried as I crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, leaving the Eastern Shore, and headed for the mainland.  Back in the mid-1980s, there was an extremely popular bumper sticker (on the Shore) that read, "There is no life and no intelligence west of the Chesapeake Bay."  I completely agreed with that sentiment as I was crossing the Bay itself.
  But I'm back in Boulder, Colorado now.  I see the Flatirons of Boulder, the eastern outpost of the Rocky Mountains, from my current seat.  They are gorgeous.  They are awe inspiring.  But I miss the rhythms of the sea, the call of sea birds, and the scent of marsh mud.  Had it not been for my two cats, my new year-long lease, my sister, and Rosie, I would not be here.  I'd be getting more sand in my shoes and in my soul....
   I went on several cruises and tour boat outings while I was on the island, and I spoke to a lot of tourists who had also taken the tours.  Most tours are 90 minutes to 2 hours long.  Younger children (and, me, too, at age 59) can get very bored just sitting in a boat and looking in the direction someone points while talking.  Some of the information is excellent, and some is a bunch of hogwash, depending on the Captain, or "guide," you have. If you are there for ponies only, Captain Dan's tours are the best available.  However, if you want a fun, exciting learning experience that just might encourage your youngster to do some research on his/her own, then Captain Barry is the man with the magic.
   I have to admit that I wasn't too sure that I would enjoy a two hour cruise with a 2 year-old (just turned) on board.  I guess I had forgotten how Captain Barry's charisma and charm works.  First, small children adore Captain Barry - I think they can sense his enjoyment of their company and his high spirits and true love of the water.  Barry's trips are interactive cruises, unless you take the Champagne Sunset Cruise, for adults.  The Sea Exploration cruises that Captain Barry delivers are the best to be found on the Eastern Shore - and probably on the entire East Coast of the United States.  "An incredible learning experience for the whole family," was the response I heard most often from the adults I spoke with.  The majority of the kids said that it was "lots of fun" and that they were eager and ready to go out with Captain Barry, again, immediately.
  I'll admit that it was relaxing, occasionally, to clamber aboard a boat and just sit and listen to someone else spout information.  All I had to do was tune out the other folks' conversation, and look at the birds, a few dolphins, and the ponies, as we came upon them.  Captain Barry, however had me climbing on and off the boat, going into the water, handling clams, shrimp, oysters, crabs, jellyfish, and all the creatures and things that appeared in the trawl net.  I had a wonderful time!  And Evelyn, the two year-old, was always entertained, had things to do to "help" Captain Barry and, even though it was well past her nap time, she stayed smiling and bright.  And it was Captain Barry that made it happen.  He is simply the best when it comes to cruises with kids.  Period.
  And, yes, I'll give him more free advertising!   Check out Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises on Chincoteague Island, Virginia.  The phone number for reservations is:  (757) 336-6508.  You can e-mail him at captainchincoteague@gmail.com   If you don't believe my reviews, you can always ask the folks as they disembark from a trip with Captain Barry at the dock at old Marlin Street (west of Main Street) - where the Chincoteague Inn used to stand, and where the Jackspot is now open.  Captain Barry helped make our vacation dreams come true.  He's a wonderful man.

Fun Things to Do With Kids On Chincoteague Island

I love to do everything that is available on Chincoteague Island and it's eastern neighbor, Assateague.  Originally, Chincoteague had a small farming community - mainly subsistence farming - and the main source of income for most folks was from the water.  My ancestors were Chincoteague watermen, and I love the water and all the intriguing marine wildlife...  That is why my first choice of anything to do on Chincoteague is going out on Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises (see my previous blogs:  http://bscrittersitter.blogspot.com/2015/06/chincoteague-dreams.html  and  http://bscrittersitter.blogspot.com/2015/06/captain-barry-fun-things-to-do-with.html) - Barry's Sea Life Expedition is a fantastic, informative, and (if you want) hands-on trip looking at the things that Chincoteague watermen did, and do.  There are many tour boats to choose from on Chincoteague, but if you want factual information about marine biology and ecology, and how the shallow bays around the islands the islands encourage and propagate sea life, Captain Barry is the best way to learn.
  A large amount of visitors to Chincoteague are there for one of two things - Chincoteague ponies and the birds at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - or both.  Me?  I'm as horse-crazy and bird crazy as one can be - and, yes, I do have some great suggestions about things to do...
  For those whose kids are pony crazy, or are fulfilling their own dreams (as adults) about Misty and the other famous Chincoteague ponies, I make these recommendations:
  Take a trip out with Captain Dan's Guaranteed Pony Tours - if it isn't the week of Pony Penning - and you will see the ponies (usually several different herds) going about their daily lives.  These Skippers know the individual ponies, and can give great background information.
  Visit the Chincoteague Pony Centre, open every day except Sunday, and meet some descendants of the real Misty of Chincoteague.
   Go across the bridge to Assateague and visit the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - you can usually see some of the ponies from your vehicle, or you can walk the Woodland Trail to the Pony Overlook.  During the evening, one can drive along the Wildlife Loop, if you don't want to walk it during the day, and usually one can see several groups of ponies there, also.
   Visit the Refuge Inn, and see some of the Leonard family Chincoteague ponies in a pasture between the Inn and the McDonald's.  The Leonard family has been on the island for a long time, and they breed their own ponies, much as Grandpa Beebe did (in Misty of Chincoteague).
   For the people visiting for the bird watching, I can easily recommend:
  Visiting anywhere on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island.  The 14,000 acre CNWR is a part of the  Atlantic Fly Way, and sees over 300 kinds of birds each year.  You can get birding lists from the Visitor's Center, or print them out from your own computer.
   Take the free Wildlife Bus Tour and Lighthouse Tour on the CNWR during the weekends.
   Take Captain Dan's Around the Island Tour.
   Take Captain Charlie Birch's Chincoteague Island Tours & Nature Cruises.
   Take Daisy's Island Cruises.
Rent a bicycle and see the islands (and all the sights) in a relaxed fashion, at your own pace.
If you're there on the weekend (Friday or Saturday night), visit the 90th Annual Firemen's Carnival.
There are all kinds of shops - local artists, photography, painting, decoys, books - and restaurants to fit any budget.
Go the the Museum of Chincoteague Island, the Captain Timothy Hill House (imagine a family living in a space that small), or, head back to the mainland and visit the NASA Visitors Center for space and rocketry information.
 Hire a fishing guide, or rent your own boat, canoe or kayak.
Play on the beach, get a tan, and swim in the Atlantic Ocean at the Assateague National Seashore (the beach part of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge).
Go clamming, crabbing, or fishing from a dock, from the water, or surf fish at the beach.
Swim.
Have a picnic and look at the cloud shapes.
Relax and have the kids read any of the multitude of childrens Chincoteague books, or study the new edition of The Field Guide to the Chincoteague Wild Ponies  Expanded, Revised & Updated by Kelly Lidard. Or look over the Chincoteague Pony Identification Cards by Lois Szymanski.  Check out bird identification books written for kids and/or adults.
** A few words of warning:  Ponies do bite and kick unexpectedly.  Ticks, mosquitoes, midges, and flies are plentiful.  It's very humid and you will sweat a lot - stay hydrated.  Take insect repellent. Use sunblock.  Wear a hat.  Wear sunglasses.  If you go out on the water, take something warm to wear; weather on the water changes quickly.**
  Enjoy the islands!

Captain Barry - Fun Things To Do With Kids on Chincoteague

Let these photos speak for themselves, please.

Captain Barry Frishman

Barry's boat

Sunset Cruise

Chincoteague Boating Tours

I'll be arriving on Chincoteague Island in July.  I will be going home.  One of the first things that I will do is call a specific number and make a reservation for a boat tour for myself.  Then I'll make reservations to go with the rest of the family, when they arrive four days later.  I can't wait to get aboard Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises!  Captain Barry Frishman is unique among the tour boat captains of Chincoteague - he has studied marine biology, he has been an oysterman and a tugboat captain, he has kids and grandchildren, and he travels around the world visiting disaster sites as part of a relief team, giving care, comfort and hope (and teaching about the need for fresh water), as a volunteer.  Barry is a fun person to be around.  He can be funny and silly with the youngest members of his two-hour crew; he's always informative; he is an accomplished painter; and, no matter your age, or what type of cruise you take with Barry, you return smiling... because you had fun.  Both youngsters and adults have an entertaining time with Barry.  You can be as hands-on as you like, or you can just sit in a chair on deck and observe the fun.
  Barry is a native New Yorker, who moved to Chincoteague and fell in love with a 'Teaguer ( a Chincoteague native).  His wife's family has ties on the island dating back to 1643, when the first land patents were issued for the Eastern Shore lands in Virginia.  His wife's grandfather and great-grandfather took care of the Assateague Lighthouse as contractors for the US Coast Guard in the 1920s and 1930s.  Barry and Aleda have a large and thriving family, and if you happen to hear someone yelling, "Poppy!" to Captain Barry, it's one of his grandchildren...
  There are two types of trips available from Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises - the Sea Life Expedition and the Champagne Sunset Cruise.  I've been on both, and I highly recommend both.  On the Sea Life Expedition, you get off the boat on sandbars to dig for clams - you may be able to catch your dinner.  Then you'll head off to go crabbing, pull in crab pots and learn to identify the catch.  If you're feeling really good, Barry will teach you how to hold a live crab without getting pinched.  He usually stops at Shell Island Beach for shell collecting and identification - and then he'll take you hunting for jellyfish!  While you've been cruising the channels a trawling net behind the boat has been gathering passing sea life - you'll pull the net aboard and see what treasures have been gathered.  Then you go birding - and Captain Barry knows his birds.  On this trip you get to use all of your senses - hearing, touch, taste, sight, and smell - as well as your mind.  This is the real deal cruise to take so that you can experience the life of a Chincoteague Waterman.
   On the Champagne Sunset Cruise, all you have to do is sit back, sip your drink, and enjoy the views.  Most sunsets over the mainland are spectacular when seen from Barry's boat...  I can get drunk on them without imbibing any alcohol!  With the wind in your hair and the smell of the sweet sea air, Barry will take you away to a Chincoteague Bay paradise.  Your worries disappear, you relax, and appreciate nature and the sunset in all their glory.  This is a fantastic way to celebrate the close  of the day - and the beginning of a wonderful night. You can bring along a personal cooler, too.  This is scheduled as an Adults Only trip - the only way you can bring kids on the Sunset Cruise is to reserve the entire boat.
   Have I convinced you to take a trip with Barry?  Good!  You can call and make reservations to ship out with him at  (757) 336-6508.
  And, a little bit more.  A few suggestions about traveling on board Back Bay Cruises:
By US Coast Guard regulations, Captain Barry can only have 6 other people aboard his boat.  He has USCG approved life jackets for all kids and adults.  Folks ranging in age from newborn babies to 91-year-olds have sailed with Captain Barry.
There is a clean, beautifully renovated and easy-to-use bathroom on board.
Barry has water to drink while aboard, but you are welcome to bring your personal coolers, with whatever you want inside.
If you are participating in a "hands on" manner, you might be barefoot in the water, or you  might need a pair of water shoes (or old sneakers) for walking on shells.
Barry always wears shorts, so when he goes into the water, he doesn't have wet slacks.
Smaller children have a tendency to splash and get muddy - a change of clothing and a towel are good things to bring along for them.
It's always cooler on the water, so a light jacket, windbreaker, or sweatshirt is a good idea- especially if you're on the Sunset Cruise.
Always recommended are: sunblock or sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and insect repellent.
  Here are four quotes from previous passengers:
(1)  My older children first went out with Captain Barry about 11 years ago.  They still talk about what a blast they had.  We took the younger three out in the summer of 2013.  We had such an amazing time!  It's like a floating interactive science class, with built-in entertainment. This morning (May 2015) we had the pleasure of taking one of the first tours of the season with our 14 year old daughter and 12 year old nephew.  Captain Barry never disappoints.  We learn something new on every adventure, and the memories and learning the kids get is something that will stick with them for life.
(2)  Our group of four adults and a one year old granddaughter comprised the tour group for Captain Barry's charter.  Each of us was thoroughly delighted by the meet, greet, and even eat sea creatures right out of the water.  Our trip was at low tide which allowed us to visit exposed sand bars where we saw fiddler crabs scurrying about.  Part science, part local lore, part culinary, and through and through marvelous.  The captain was attentive, courteous, thoughtful, prepared, and lively.  Well done from start to finish.  Capt Barry, we will be back!
(3)  We loved this tour.  Definitely not your run-of-the-mill tourist experience, and well worth the money.  Capt Barry goes out of his way to entertain, engage, and teach.  The kids had a great time and can't stop smiling.  They're already asking about our our next trip with Capt Barry.  Go!
(4)  We had the BEST time! Heard so many good things and thought we should give him a try.  So glad we did.  I have never laughed and smiled so much!  He knows the area, knows what he is doing and showed us some VERY interesting things.  He is just a neat guy all around!  I have lived all over the country, seen a lot of bays, mainly San Fransisco Bay, and Captain Barry was BY FAR the best tour guide ever!  He made our Chincoteague Island trip feel like we were somewhere so perfect that EVERYONE should be there!

    So if you are looking for something fun to do, with kids, or without, I highly recommend seeing Captain Barry and his Back Bay Cruises for a fantastic time!

Chincoteague's Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises

 I admit up front that Captain Barry Frishman is the husband of my cousin, Aleda - but I think that I can write an honest opinion of Barry's cruises.  Barry is a member of the Chincoteague Island Charterboat Association, and he has run cruises and tours in the waters surrounding Chincoteague for at least 20 years.

I have never heard a derogatory remark made about Captain Barry, his boat, or his treatment of clients.  He's a happy-go-lucky soul, and especially enjoys teaching youngsters (and adults) about the marine and island ecology systems - and why they are so important to the United States, and the world, as a whole. His day cruises are fun, entertaining, and very educational.  They can be very hands-on, or you can sit back and watch your friends and family enjoy the cruise.
   Captain Barry's website may be viewed at: http://www.chincoteague.com/captainb/
   Information regarding prices and times are on the site, or you can call the reservation number - (757) 336-6508.   The e-mail address is:  captainchincoteague@gmail.com
   And you can always "Like" him on FaceBook at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Captain-Barrys-Back-Bay-Cruises/155032211287774

   Barry's Champagne Sunset Cruises are quiet and private affairs - and the scenery is wonderful.

Captain Barry and his boat

A family in the Assateague Channel with Cap'n Barry (right)

Cap'n Barry fooling around - marsh mud and seaweed wrap, anyone?

Placing a small net out at the beginning of the cruise

Jellyfish are common catches

Dolphins may be seen

And, while Cap'n Barry does not guarantee seeing Chincoteague ponies on Assateague, there is always a high possibility of it happening...

I endorse any cruise, boating, or fishing opportunity with Captain Barry.  He's the best. Period.

The Pull of the Islands

The weather folks are forecasting a high of 97 today, and I can believe it - it was 80 degrees at 7 a.m. this morning.  By that time, I had cared for all the critters where I'm house-sitting, walked the dog, and watered all of the hanging baskets and potted plants.  (The baskets continue to look fine, but, as I said before, the Chinese wisteria lost about 90% of it's leaves.  And it's definitely my fault.)  Anyway, my kits are running around outside , and I've had breakfast and checked out all my usual sites for news of interest and e-mail.  I will return home tomorrow after walking Rosie, and don't have to leave my place until Tuesday morning - to walk Rosie. It will be heavenly to be in my own bed with my own cats tomorrow night...  I can't wait!
   I haven't heard otherwise, so I'm guessing that the fireworks that were postponed Friday night, to to high winds in the aftermath of Hurricane Arthur, went of without any problems last night.  And, as usual in July, my island blood is starting its siren song, calling me back to the Eastern Shore of Virginia.   You know, that's a lie...  I start feeling the pull of the islands in March, it seems to reach a peak around Pony Penning, and then settles back down in late October.  I don't believe that a single day passes without my thinking of Chincoteague and Assateague, my parents, and my husband.
  So, probably beginning tomorrow, most of my posts will relate to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, Pony Penning, our Volunteer Fire Company, the local history, birds that use the Atlantic Flyway, wildlife on the islands, and ponies.
  For today, I'll just suggest two FaceBook pages to visit - one for cruises around the islands, based out of Chincoteague; and the other for the Barrier Islands Center, which is located in the idyllic town of Machipongo, to the south of Chincoteague.  I highly endorse both enterprises.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Captain-Barrys-Back-Bay-Cruises/155032211287774
(These cruises are run by my cousin, Captain Barry Frishman - they are a super combination of sight-seeing, and learning about the marine and island ecology.  The exception is the Champagne Sunset Cruise, which is very quiet and cozy...)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barrier-Islands-Center/130871130768
This group has fantastic programs, great films, and superb children's books.  Check out the two available books about the Hog Island Sheep - they are awesome!!!

Photos from Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises

Clamming

Pulling crab pots

Captain Barry explaining a crab's life

Looking for clam sign

How to handle a crab -  everyone gets involved!

I have no idea what this young man is holding...  a jellyfish?

Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises

Captain Barry Frishman was not born on Chincoteague Island, but he is one of the best Chincoteague Watermen on the island.  Barry has worn many hats throughout his career - he is a Red Cross volunteer and is present to help at almost all major events: he was in Sri Lanka in 2004 after the tsunami, and he and his wife spent more than two years in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.  His great passion is water, fresh or salt, and his wife.   He has been a tugboat captain, and an oysterman, and he travels around the world to dig and repair fresh water wells in Africa, South America, Asia and the Caribbean.  His wife, Aleda, is a lawyer interested in women's services, and, together, they helped found We Advance (www.WeAdvance.org), an organization that provides free medical care, educational opportunities and community outreach programs to the needy in underdeveloped countries.
   Cap'n Barry owns what Chincoteaguers call "a party boat" - it's got a flat deck and is on two pontoons, and there are awnings to protect you from the sun and weather.  You're welcome to bring a cooler along during your (usually) two hour trip.  Barry gives two types of trips, and both are fabulous (speaking as a passenger): the Sea Life Expedition that generally runs four times a day, and the Champagne Sunset Cruise.

   The Sea Life Expedition is a wonderful example and hands-on look at the everyday experiences in the life of a Chincoteague Island Waterman.  It's fun, interesting, and entertaining.  You're invited to join in and share all the experiences, or you can sit back and document it with a camera.  The expedition will employ all of your senses - sound, touch, taste, and smell.  During this trip you can: dig for clams; pull up crab pots; learn how to handle crabs; go shell collecting; find, identify, and handle jellyfish; see hundreds of bird species; and haul in a trawling net and learn to identify all the marine life that's been caught.  This trip is the real deal for getting your hands dirty and your feet wet!
   The Champagne Sunset Cruise leaves the dock at 6:30 in the evening.  Your own coolers are welcome. Cap'n Barry will take you and the boat out to a Chincoteague Bay Paradise, where you can watch the sunset colors vary and disappear, just like your worries and cares.  In the water, on a quiet evening, you'll be overcome by a sense of relaxation and your appreciation of nature will intensify.  It's one heck of a good cruise. ** Please note: Due to alcohol consumption, this cruise is restricted to adults.  If you wish to bring someone under age, you may do so, but you must pay for the rental of the entire boat.**
   Cap'n Barry provides Coast Guard approved life jackets for children and adults.  Following Coast Guard regulations, the boat can hold only six guests.  What should you wear and/or bring?  Shorts and tops, or bathing suits with a cover-up; on the Sea Life Expedition, you might wish to have water shoes, or old worn out shoes that can get wet and muddy, where there are shells; it is always cooler on the water, and a sweatshirt or light jacket might be useful in the early morning or on the Sunset cruise.  Most definitely bring sunblock and a hat or visor, possibly sunglasses.  If you're bringing small children who like to splash, a towel and a change of clothing is suggested.
   Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises are one of the best hosted adventures on the island. His boat leaves from the dock at The Chincoteague Inn at 6262 Marlin Street, on Chincoteague (just off Main Street).  To make reservations, please call   (757) 336-6508.  Plan ahead and make reservations early - Cap'n Barry is extremely popular.  See his website at:  http://www.chincoteague.com/captainb/index.html

Photos of Assateague and Chincoteague Islands

Camping at Assateague State Park in Maryland

Rent a kayak and see the ponies up close and personal

The Assateague Lighthouse has weekend tours during the summer

Chincoteague is the stopping place for the National Seashore

Boats in the Chincoteague Channel and one of the NOAA dishes

If you want a super fun hands-on experience, take one of Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises from the Chincoteague Inn - but be certain to make reservations!