Chincoteague Island

On Friday Mike called me up and said that he was going to be done early and we should go on a trip to Chincoteague Island!  Since the next several Saturdays were busy and we wanted to do this trip before July when it gets crowded we decided to do it!  I drove home (yes, I was at Target, my new addiction,  I have thought of one good reason to go back to work, other then to pay my mortgage and buy food, I won't be able to go to Target every day!)  Anyway, I drove home, fed the little girls, packed up  the car and we were ready.  We met the kids at the bus stop and took off for the Eastern Shore.  To get to the Eastern Shore (a string of islands on the north east coast of VA) you have to go across a 13 mile bridge (with two tunnels).  It's just a series of islands with small towns and is somewhat isolated.  It's beautiful and very easy paced.  We got to Chincotgeague Island later then we intended - but still had to swim in the hotel pool - that's the kids favorite part of any vacation!  We went to bed (but not to sleep, does anyone have kids who sleep in hotels?) Celeste surprised us by sleeping until 6:30 (that is 8 and half hours!).  In the morning we took a walk on the pier, checking out crabs, oysters, and birds.  Then we had breakfast and took off for our boat ride.  We rode on a pontoon boat around Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.  We saw the wild ponies (some had just had babies earlier that week), where the saltwater cowboys heard the ponies, where they swim from one island to the other for Pony Penning day, clam farms, lots of wildlife, the light house and other landmarks.  The kids all got a turn driving the boat with Captain J!  Then we were off to a cool playground to get some wiggles out, had lunch and hit the beach.  The beach was beautiful!  It's on Assateague Island which is a nature preserve, so no buildings, just beautiful natural beaches.  They had outhouses, changing places, showers, lifeguards, etc so we had what we needed, but could enjoy the beach without all the merchandising and build up that we see at Virginia Beach.  After the beach we got some homemade ice cream and headed home.  It was a quick trip but so much fun!   We want to go again and see what else they have to offer.  If you have never heard of the famous Chincoteague wild ponies go here to learn more about them.

 The wild Chincoteague ponies - you can see a foal and a Stallion running off his competition.

 Lilah taking her turn driving (wearing Calvin's hat) 

 

On the boat using the binoculars

 All the kids buried in the sand - Calvin was buried on his stomach!