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They did *what* to Misty?
Nov. 25th, 2005 04:11 pmHome again from a little quick "mini-break" to Chincoteague Island, a place I had long wanted to visit (thanks to the Misty books) but had never actually gotten to until now. We had a splendeferous time walking on the beach, photographing blue herons, and mistaking a pony for a cow until we got up closer to it (it was spotted in that classic Holstein black and white! I swear, from a distance, it looked like a cow!). In fact, thanks to being there on the holidays, we didn't even have to pay the entrance fee to get into the wildlife refuge, so that was extra icing on the cake. Hopefully, our photos will come out - if they do, I'll put them up here.
Thanksgiving day turned out to have gorgeous weather - the breeze was chilly, but as the sun rose, the temperature climbed until it was very pleasant to sit out in the sun. We brought a big blanket and just hung out on the beach, listening to the waves and watching the sanderlings run around trying to avoid getting drenched. We also walked some of the trails, listened to the mournful cry of loons (I had never heard them before, and now I know why their cry is always referred to as "mournful) and the slightly demented hooting of a Greater Horned Owl. We also did spy some of the famous pony herds grazing, but not at a close enough range for a photo (brought the old 35mm camera and only one lens, which did not zoom).
Startling and mildly distastful fact learned while visiting: while the Beebes of the books do exist, and have a farm one can visit, they also still have Misty and Stormy. Because they are stuffed and on display. Eeech. Needless to say, we did not visit. We did visit one of the gift shops that had a few of the ponies in pens out front (presumably some of the ones bought at the annual auction) with big warning signs about how they may bite. The ponies were supremely uninterested in us until I rustled a candy wrapper, which made them hoof it over (hee!) to see if we had treats for them. The looks of disgust shot our way when they realised we didn't were very vocal.
Also, ponies are fun to look at, but having once owned a horse, they are not quite the wonder the Chincoteague Pony Tourist Industry wants them to be.
Anyway, it was a very restful trip, and both the Bemo and I are glad to have had it.
Thanksgiving day turned out to have gorgeous weather - the breeze was chilly, but as the sun rose, the temperature climbed until it was very pleasant to sit out in the sun. We brought a big blanket and just hung out on the beach, listening to the waves and watching the sanderlings run around trying to avoid getting drenched. We also walked some of the trails, listened to the mournful cry of loons (I had never heard them before, and now I know why their cry is always referred to as "mournful) and the slightly demented hooting of a Greater Horned Owl. We also did spy some of the famous pony herds grazing, but not at a close enough range for a photo (brought the old 35mm camera and only one lens, which did not zoom).
Startling and mildly distastful fact learned while visiting: while the Beebes of the books do exist, and have a farm one can visit, they also still have Misty and Stormy. Because they are stuffed and on display. Eeech. Needless to say, we did not visit. We did visit one of the gift shops that had a few of the ponies in pens out front (presumably some of the ones bought at the annual auction) with big warning signs about how they may bite. The ponies were supremely uninterested in us until I rustled a candy wrapper, which made them hoof it over (hee!) to see if we had treats for them. The looks of disgust shot our way when they realised we didn't were very vocal.
Also, ponies are fun to look at, but having once owned a horse, they are not quite the wonder the Chincoteague Pony Tourist Industry wants them to be.
Anyway, it was a very restful trip, and both the Bemo and I are glad to have had it.