Chincoteague

Despite an almost complete lack of planning, our annual May weekend getaway was great fun. We went to Chincoteague Island off the coast of Virginia, home to the Assateague Island National Seashore and the wild Chincoteague ponies made famous by Marguerite Henry's 1947 children's book Misty of Chincoteague. Perfect weather the whole time. The island seems laid back - the season doesn't really start until next weekend. The scenery reminds me very much of home (the North Fork of LI).

We arrived Friday night, and after a dinner of crab soup and oysters (a recurring theme) followed by delicious homemade ice cream at the Island Creamery (also a recurring theme), made it to our hotel, the Refuge Inn. The hotel is right next to the bridge to Assateague, and has an indoor pool and its own herd of Chincoteague ponies.

Lunch at Woody's BBQ. No crab soup, unfortunately.

This is a see saw!

No measly pony ride for Lily. She took a 30 minute pony riding lesson at the Chincoteague Pony Center, home of Misty descendants and a gift shop of all things pony. Her horse was named Teaguer. Lily did really well - learned to steer (is that the right word?) the pony, start, stop, and even trot, which elicited huge giggles. But she wouldn't kick him to make him go faster, even though we promised it wouldn't hurt him.

The finale. Lily has pronounced that she wants to ride a horse every day, loves Teaguer and misses him already, and wants to be a farmer so she can have a horse. I fear we have just unleashed an expensive hobby.

Post-lesson pink ribbon, and stuffed pony to ease the pain of having to say goodbye to Teaguer.

We spent the afternoon at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, and Lily actually went in the ocean. In May. Brrr. While Michael and Lily explored the beach, I engaged in one of my all-time favorite activities - an hour dozing on the sunny but chilly beach snuggled in a blanket and listening to the crashing waves.

This actually was not a reaction to getting yet another photo taken.

Pizza (and crab soup) for dinner, then miniature golf. Lily's style is more akin to field hockey.

Surprise! We learned that Lily can swim. She's been taking lessons but the parents aren't allowed to watch.

Michael showing Lily how to squirt water with your fists.

Please, please come home with me!

On Sunday we took a slow drive back home through the Eastern Shore, stopping at little towns here and there. And, we managed to stop at our favorite restaurant on Kent Island for crab soup and Lily's annual feeding of the ducks.

More photos are on flickr. And later in the week I'll post some of the better scenery shots.