Chincoteague, a horse of a different color
Layoff? Not so good. Planning a getaway after the “termination date?” Best thing ever! And this is how I landed on Virginia’s Chincoteague Island, in a little rental cottage all to myself. Heaven!
AA Hubby and I visited Chincoteague once before, on a return trip to Connecticut from a vacation at the Outer Banks. We stumbled upon and stopped for lunch at Bill’s Seafood Restaurant. The irony: we met at Bill’s Seafood restaurant in Westbrook, Connecticut. (Twenty-six years ago, this weekend, as a matter of fact.) Lunch was the extent of our visit, and my getaway was a follow-up to my plan to return for an extended stay.
Chincoteague Island is near the bottom right (Image from Google Maps)
Chincoteague is known for its wild ponies. Perhaps you’re familiar with Misty of Chincoteague? The rental cottage had a copy of the book, and I read it during my stay. There is a 1961 movie version, Misty, but I haven’t seen it.
I’m an animal-lover, so my whole intent during my getaway was to capture a wild pony on film. Well, digital memory card. I had learned about pony tours by boat which afford tourists an up-close view of the horses. I figured, based on this finding, that they were elusive. I’d never see one. Wrong.
On the second day, driving through Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on the barrier island of Assateague, a stone’s throw from Chincoteague Island, I saw two. This mare and her foal. They stood in that spot the entire day. I think they were posing for all of the island’s visitors.
The next day, I rode my bike through the refuge on one of its beautiful bike paths, and found this gal (let’s call her Sally) hanging out in a parking lot. Obviously, she thought the car was a Mustang. Which would make her? Yup, Mustang Sally.
Oh wow! The cottage is sooooo stinkin’ CUTE. And the mare and her her foal? Magical! A wild horse running around a parking log? That is the COOLEST thing ever. These are great! LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Thanks so much, Angelia! The cottage was like a little doll house, and the mare and her foal were ADORABLE. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog and photography!
Hi AA,
Looks like a lovely little place that you stayed in, and to see wild horses just roaming around, magic, “Sally” has very beautiful colouring, the Island sounds like a lovely place to go and relax for awhile.
Hi Magsx2 – yes, everything about the place was lovely!
I think they’re not as shy as people believe. My son is seeing a ton of them on his internship. They seem not to mind people around, just not right up on them. Great shots!
Your son is doing an internship there? Awesome! I heard the horses bite and kick, so my photos are with my zoom lens and from a safe distance.
Love your Mustang Sally, the mare and her foal, and envy your stay in that cute, secluded cottage in its exotic setting. Enjoy, AA.
Everything about the stay was truly enjoyable! I’d love to go back.
I’ve always loved DelMarVa. The combination of English and Indian names nakes it very exotic and timeless for some reason.
While visiting, it dawned on me what DelMarVa stands for! Maybe you can tell me, Thomas, if it’s pronounced like DelMAREVa or DelMARRVa? I picked up a book there, “True Tales of the Eastern Shore,” with many of those English and Indian names and accompanying stories. It’s really an interesting place.
When I was there the locals called it Del MARR Va, and that’s the only pronunciation I’ve ever heard. Have you ever read any John Barth? He was a professor at Johns Hopkins and wrote a lot of books in the 70s+/- based in the area, mostly the Maryland Eastern Shore. I’d recommend The Floating Opera–really funny but also captures the sense of place. If you’re brave you could try The Sot Weed Factor which is a retelling of the John Smith/Pocohantas story. It has a lot of the history of the Indians and place names.
Thank you so much, Thomas! I haven’t read any John Barth, but will now. The Floating Opera sounds like something I’d really enjoy, as does The Sot Weed Factor. Would you be surprised if I told you that I love documentaries too?
Yaris Sally wouldn’t be nearly as cool a name. What a nice getaway.
You are always so funny, Hippie!
I tink you prevented a crime. Sally looks as if she’s going to do a bit of Grand Theft Auto.
There wasn’t going to be any horsing around of that sort with me keeping an eye on things!
“They stood in that spot the entire day. I think they were posing for all of the island’s visitors.” Are you sure they weren’t statues? I’m just thinking of the ant sculptures.
Dang! You’re on to my miniature plastic horses!
Weren’t you also responsible for that Loch Ness Monster hoax a few years ago?
No, but did you see the famous video of me running around in the Big Foot costume?
You’ve always been a little camera-shy, haven’t you?
I want to hang out on your front porch for about a month … what a perfect getaway, and I love this part of the country! (grew up in Delaware so it’s kind of my back yard…)
That porch is really nice in the early evening – you can watch the bunnies come out and hop around the yard! I really enjoyed the Eastern Shore, and would love to explore Delaware – I have a basket full of brochures for places to visit.
Lucky you to have that cute cottage in some of the prettiest country on the east coast. I remember as a child going there right after I read the books and it was like stepping right into the pages of Marguerite Henry’s words. Magical. Enjoy. Enjoy.
Basket of brochures??? Phooey! Betty and I are both former First Staters so when you are ready to explore Delaware, Betty and I can be your TripAdvisor team!
Lucky YOU having such a wonderful experience as a child! I didn’t do a very good job with this post, because it reads like I’m there now … but I was there a couple of weeks ago. I’d love to spend the summer there!
Oh, you and Betty will be sorry you volunteered that information! Brochures, here I come!
I think I am going to have to read the book again. You’ve inspired me. And, I hope, one day, Rob, the boys and I can go up and spend some time. This was lovely, AA. Glad you had this to plan and enjoy after the layoff. Good stuff!!
Lenore, if you and your family plan a trip, I’d be happy to provide additional info about Chincoteague and Island Breeze Cottage. It’s tiny – a one-bedroom, but has a pull-out sleeper in the living room – only $90/night April-May. Can’t be beat with a kitchen (big money-saving potential for a family of four on vacation, based on experiences from AA family vacations) and a yard with bunnies!
AA, I will definitely get in touch with you, should we plan a trip. $90 is a steal of a deal! Thank you!
I’ve actually heard of this island and have it on my long list of someday travel sites–thanks for the info and the beautiful pictures!
The island of Chincoteague was a little disappointing – not particularly charming. But its portion of Assateague was wonderful! I hope you get to visit one day – bring your bike!
I want to go there! To that adorable cottage and to meet Mustang Sally. Lucky you!
The cottage was so perfect, and I just loved the horses – up close in the parking lot, or at a distance. Saw lots of birds, too!
Thanks for letting me camp out in your blog for a little while today. I had a great time and tried to leave my campsite as good as when I arrived. I’ll be back!
Thanks so much for visiting, Russel. Come camp out again soon. Why am I craving s’mores now?