Eastern Shore is Out of This World
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
 
        The appendage of land on the right side of Virginia maps that is connected to the remainder of the state by water only is the Eastern Shore.  The two Virginia counties comprising the area, Accomack and Northampton, have a combined population of just over 50,000.  They are accessible only by ferry boat or the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, one of the longest in the world, from the south or through Maryland from the north.  The region is one of contrasts:  rich, natural beauty with bountiful agricultural crops and high technology focused around Wallops Island.
 
        I traveled to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS, www.marsspaceport.com) last week to see the launch of the TacSat III Air Force satellite on a rocket integrated by local technology firm Orbital Sciences Corporation (www.orbital.com).  Although the flight was cancelled while I was there due to bad weather, it was to be rescheduled later in the week.  The launch will open a new era of activity at the Spaceport as Orbital starts to launch its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services/Commercial Resupply Service (COTS/CRS) from the site.  Orbital is contracted to put together eight missions between 2011 and 2015 carrying cargo to and waste away from the International Space Station.  Virginia is one of only four states with an operational commercial spaceport capable of launching satellites into orbit.
 
        In addition to the activity at Wallops Island, Virginia has a growing aerospace industry.  Orbital on Route 28 has more than a billion dollars in contracts.  There are more than 350 other aerospace firms in the state with 27,000 people employed.  The NASA Wallops Flight Facility along with NASA Langley Research Center pumps $1.2 billion into the Virginia economy with 11,000 jobs.
 
        Surrounding Wallops is some out-of-this-world beautiful coastline, barrier islands, salt marshes, and wildlife.  Nearby is Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge where more than 320 species of birds are known to take refuge.  The Chincoteague ponies made famous by the novel Misty of Chincoteague are part of a local celebration the last week in July.  The Virginia Seafood Festival took place last week when I was conveniently there.
 
        For an out-of-this-world trip this year, take Route 50 East off the Beltway in Maryland past Annapolis and across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Route 13 south to the Wallops Space Flight Facility and to the beauty and quiet splendor of the Eastern Shore.  Travel south to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to Norfolk where you can then make your way back home.  For more information, visit esvachamber.org or write to me at kenplum@aol.com.