Negotiating with Bugs on Assateague Island National Seashore

Journey 'Round the World with Mark

Like caribou in Alaska, Assateague Island’s wild horses on the Maryland coast hope to escape the bugs by taking a dip in water. In this case, the Atlantic Ocean.

Most people don’t expect to talk their way out of a bug bite. But as I sat on the famous barrier island of Assateague swarmed by black flies, I learned you can use a gentle yet persuasive tone to encourage insects to back off.

I had expected to see the iconic wild horses frolicking in the surf, my main draw to Maryland’s Atlantic coast for an overnight camp trip at one of the park’s 50-plus tent-only ocean-front sites. Instead, I was greeted by mosquitoes in the marshes near the campground parking lot and black flies on the beach. Deet helped fend off the mosquitoes. The black flies, on the other hand, were another matter. Not even the 15 mph wind kept them at bay.

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A Quest for Italian “Moonshine,” Hand-Crafted Negroamaro

Italians are well-known for their generosity. But if you seek them out for help, be careful. You just might get what you ask for. And they’ll take you to “near” the end of the earth to find it.

Pizza Topped with Pineapples and a Cappuccino Spiked with Grappa? No, Grazie!

In Italy the food culture can be so imposing outsiders might often feel one wrong order could get them deported. But there is a reason why Italians rule over their food—and drink—with such passion.