Virginia | The Beauty Around Us

Easter Vacation 2021 Day 4

I got up for the day at 6:00 am. Bob was already up and in the midst of making an egg and cheese bagel sandwich. Bob said he got up around 5:00 am. My breakfast was instant oatmeal and a banana.

Around 9:00 am Bob and I decided to go to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Bob walked to the refuge; I drove.

Assateague Island National Seashore
It was a cloudy morning at the seashore, but so beautiful too.

Great Egret seen along Beach Rd, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

I picked up Bob, as he neared the Toms Cove Visitor Center. When I picked up Bob, he had walked 3.85 miles.

We were back at our AirBnB, Tranquil Shores, by 11:00 am. We ate lunch (leftover BBQ from the day before) and relaxed.

We returned to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge shortly after 3:00 pm. We drove around the Wildlife Loop twice and then down to the Toms Cove Visitor Center, where we turned around.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Loop
One Great Blue Heron, Four Poses

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Loop
Seven Turtles hanging out on a tuft of grass

Denise and Nic sure picked the right day to drive up here. We saw lots of Chincoteague ponies yesterday. We didn’t see any ponies today.

We returned to our AirBnB, Tranquil Shores, around 4:30 pm. Bob grilled two rib eye steaks for our Easter dinner. The steaks were accompanied by fried potatoes, mixed vegetables and, for dessert, cheesecake. We ate dinner on our screened-in porch.

We watched a couple TV series on Hulu this evening–“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Lark Rise to Candleford”. The second TV series, “Lark Rise to Candleford”, was suggested to us by Bob’s brother’s wife. That series, in which a young girl moves to the local market town to begin an apprenticeship as a postmistress, is set in 19 century Oxfordshire. We are enjoying each episode. I enjoy the show so much that I am considering the purchase of a book of the same name.

Easter Vacation 2021 Day 3

Today, April 3rd, is the third day of our Easter vacation.

We had visitors today. Our friends, Denise and Nic, drove up from Virginia Beach this morning. They arrived around 10:00 am and left for home around 4:30 pm. The four of us had fun together sightseeing on Assateague Island at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and at the seashore. We went sightseeing in Chincoteague as well.

We walked the Lighthouse Trail at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The Lighthouse Trail is a 0.25 mile loop that takes you through the woods to the historic Assateague Lighthouse.

Denise and Nic at the Assateague Lighthouse.
The lighthouse is 142 feet tall.

We walked the Woodland Trail as well. The Woodland Trail is a 1.6 mile loop that takes you through a beautiful pine forest.

We stopped at the overlook where Chincoteague ponies can sometimes be seen.

My recollection is that we saw one pony way off in the distance, too far away for a decent picture especially with a mobile phone camera.

From the Woodland Trail we drove to the Assateague Island National Seashore.

The four of us at the Assateague Island National Seashore

We visited two parks in Chincoteague–the Robert N Reed Waterfront Park and the Veterans Memorial Park.

The four of us at the Robert N Reed Waterfront Park

These four Adirondack chairs are 10 feet tall and weigh more than 500 pounds. The chairs arrived in Chincoteague in the summer of 2014 and promote the state’s “Virginia is for Lovers” tourism slogan. They had been located at Virginia’s Kiptopeke State Park since May 2012.

Denise and Nic at Robert N Reed Waterfront Park with *Misty of Chincoteague* in the background

Bob and I at Robert N Reed Waterfront Park with Misty of Chincoteague in the background

Veterans Memorial Park Cross; Assateague Lighthouse in the background

From Veterans Memorial Park we returned to our AirBnb, Tranquil Shores. We enjoyed a BBQ lunch –cheeseburgers. potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, chips and salsa and, for dessert, cheesecake.

We ate lunch on our screened-in porch.

After lunch we returned to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and drove the wildlife loop. The 3.25 mile loop trail is open to walkers and bikers all day. Vehicles are permitted to drive the loop from 3:00 pm till dusk.

We spotted an eagle nest, but we didn’t see the eagle.

Two Turtles hanging out on a tuft of grass

We drove back down Beach Rd and saw ponies, lots of ponies, in the marsh. We saw several egrets, too, both along Beach Rd and as we were driving the Wildlife Loop.

We saw the most ponies in one place during Denise and Nic’s visit.

One of several Great Egrets that we saw at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

We had a great visit with Denise and Nic. We are so glad they were able to make the drive up for the day.

Meanwhile, back at home …

Easter Vacation 2021

Today, April 2nd, is Day 2 of our Easter vacation.

We slept in a bit this morning. Our later-than-usual awakening was most likely caused by our early departure from home yesterday and noisy hotel guests who kept us awake. Those guests left sometime in the late evening. Do you find that strange? I do. Perhaps they were asked to leave?

We went downstairs for breakfast a little after 8:00 am. Because of COVID-19 breakfast wasn’t the typical full hot breakfast, served buffet style. Breakfast was still good, though, with selections individually wrapped. I had an egg and bacon sandwich, a banana, cranberry juice, a banana nut muffin, and a cup of tea. Bob picked up similar selections. We carried our breakfast in paper bags to our room and ate there.

We checked out of the hotel around 9:00 am and began the last leg of our drive. Today’s destination is Chincoteague, VA. As was the case yesterday, the GPS is programmed to avoid highways.

Shortly before 11:00 am we stopped for a potty break in Cambridge, MD at the visitor center (Sailwinds Park). It was only 36 degrees. It was a lot warmer during our stop there in late November last year. We enjoyed a walk in the park last year. Today we were happy to hurry to the bathroom and back to the car.

At 12:00 pm we met our friends Tom and Ellen for lunch at Evolution Craft Brewing Company in Salisbury, MD. Bob ordered a brisket sandwich with Sweet Potato fries; Tom ordered a pulled pork sandwich with French fries; I ordered chicken wings and a half order of fries; and Ellen ordered French onion soup and clams. We sat inside and ate our lunch. It was too cold to sit outside to eat, as we did in November. The food was delicious, and we enjoyed our time together. I don’t have a picture of the four of us because I forgot to have one taken!

We departed the brewery at 1:30 pm and arrived on Chincoteague Island around 3:00 pm. We had an hour to kill before the check-in time at our AirBnB. We drove around the island a bit, before heading out to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Assateague Island National Seashore.

Virginia’s Assateague Island National Seashore

We checked into our AirBnb, Tranquil Shores, at 4:00 pm. We unloaded the car and got settled in.

Meanwhile, back at home….

Thanksgiving Week Vacation Day 8

Today (November 28th) is day 8 and the final day of our Thanksgiving week vacation.

We awakened at 4:30 am. We departed Tranquil Shores, our airbnb rental located in Chincoteague VA, shortly before 6:30 am.

At 12:30 pm we stopped at the Historic Round Barn in Biglerville PA and made a few purchases (apples, apple butter, and a long-sleeve “Round Barn” shirt). The barn was well ventilated, with very few people inside. It was the end of the season, so the shelves were emptying out too. I would like to revisit the Historic Round Barn another time, in season.

Vacation is over; Almost home

We returned home between 5:00 and 5:30 pm. Thus ends one of the most enjoyable and relaxing Thanksgiving holidays ever. We are glad to be home, though, after being on the road since 6:30 am with stops only born of necessity except for one — our quick stop at the Historic Round Barn.

Now begins our quarantine, ordered by Gov. Tom Wolf for travelers entering Pennsylvania from locations outside the Commonwealth as well as Pennsylvanians who are returning home from locations outside the Commonwealth. We were very careful, while on vacation. We are voluntarily placing ourselves in quarantine on the off chance we came in contact with someone with COVID.

Thanksgiving Week Vacation Day 7

Today (November 27th) is day 7 of our Thanksgiving week vacation.

Sunrise at Tranquil Shores, our airbnb rental

Late this morning we drove to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, VA. We followed the Beach Access Road to Toms Cove, where we turned around.

Our first stop, while on the Beach Access Road, was at the Lighthouse Trail.

The Lighthouse Trail takes you through the woods to the historic Assateague Lighthouse.

Assateague Lighthouse

Our second stop was at a marsh area, where we frequently see wild ponies. We had not seen any ponies here since our arrival on Sunday, November 22. We saw some wild ponies there today.

The wild ponies finally made an appearance in the marsh seen from the Beach Access Road.

Our third stop was near Toms Cove.

Assateague Lighthouse, as viewed from Toms Cove area

You will recall from yesterday’s blog post that the reason we chose to spend Thanksgiving week in Chincoteague was to participate in the Waterfowl Week Special Drive. As I wrote in yesterday’s blog post, there is a 7.5 mile service road off the Wildlife Loop that is open to the public only during the Thanksgiving Day weekend. The service road opens at noon and closes at 4:00 pm. We drove the service road yesterday and again today.

We were parked alongside Wildlife Loop by 11:40 am, lined up to drive on the Service Road.

The line waiting for access to the Waterfowl Week Special Drive

The cars began to inch forward at noon. Yesterday it took us 1 1/2 hours to make the 15-mile round trip. Today it took about 1 1/4 hours. Yesterday was overcast; today was sunny. We saw far less horses and waterfowl today than we did yesterday. Bob didn’t have a memory card in the GoPro yesterday. The GoPro was armed today. This video shows very little wildlife, but it does show the terrain along Special Drive.

I took a couple photographs of the few wild ponies that we saw during our drive.

Two wild ponies

Three wild ponies

We ate lunch at Tranquil Shores. We had leftovers–sweet and sour chicken with rice, cottage cheese, potato salad and applesauce.

I wanted to see the lit Christmas tree at the Robert N Reed Waterfront Park in downtown Chincoteague. We drove there at dusk.

the Christmas Tree and me

Christmas decorations at Robert N Reed Downtown Waterfront Park

Sunset at Robert N Reed Downtown Waterfront Park

Aren’t the Christmas tree and the park, itself, pretty?

By the time we left the park, it was time to eat. We chose to eat inside the Chincoteague Diner & Restaurant, located on Maddox Boulevard next to the Best Western hotel. We had a choice to eat outside on their screened porch or inside the restaurant. It was a bit chilly to eat outside; the restaurant was not full of people; the tables were socially distanced; we smelled Clorox as soon as we opened the door; and the wait staff wore face masks. All of those factors went into our decision to eat inside the restaurant. This was the only restaurant at which we ate indoors, while on vacation. Bob ordered a Chef Salad. I ordered a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with French fries. The service was good, and our dinners were tasty.

From the restaurant we drove to Island Creamery, where the best homemade ice cream is served. We ordered our ice cream inside and carried it out to the car to eat. Yum!

We returned to Tranquil Shores, after our ice cream stop.

It is our last night here. We have had such a relaxing vacation. I wish we didn’t have to go home, but at the same time I am ready to go home.

Thanksgiving Week Vacation Day 6

Today (November 26th) is day 6 of our Thanksgiving week vacation. It is Thanksgiving Day too. I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

This morning we went for a drive at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, VA. We drove around the Wildlife Loop. The Wildlife Loop, which is normally open to vehicular traffic from 3:00 pm to dusk, is open to vehicular traffic all day today through Sunday. The sky was heavily overcast, and it was raining. We saw very little wildlife on the Wildlife Loop.

Leaving the Wildlife Loop, we drove on the Beach Access Road to Toms Cove and turned around.

We finally saw a Kingfisher!

We returned to the wildlife refuge early this afternoon. The reason we chose to spend Thanksgiving week in Chincoteague came to fruition today. Today begins Waterfowl Weekend. There is a 7.5 mile service road off the Wildlife Loop that is open to the public only during the Thanksgiving Day weekend. The service road opens at noon and closes at 4:00 pm. We drove the service road today, arriving there shortly before noon. We pulled off the Wildlife Loop behind other cars and waited the few minutes for the service road to open. It should be noted that no one was permitted out of their vehicles, and we weren’t supposed to stop. Traffic did stop at prime viewing spots, but a park ranger would show up to tell us to keep moving. It took us a little over 1 1/2 hours to drive the 15 miles round trip. We saw the northern herd of wild ponies, as well as waterfowl.

a Wild Pony Grazing

a Pair of Trumpeter Swans

a Great Blue Heron

Wild Ponies

Wild Pony

a Wild Pony

Wild Ponies

I loved seeing the ponies standing in the water.

a Wild Pony

Wild Ponies

a Wild Pony

the same Wild Pony walking toward me

Snow Geese!

We plan to drive the service road again tomorrow.

For our Thanksgiving Day dinner Bob grilled steak.

Accompanying our steak we had store-bought potato salad, whole green beans (frozen), and applesauce. It wasn’t a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner, but it was a good dinner.

Thanksgiving Week Vacation Day 5

Today (November 25th) is day 5 of our Thanksgiving week vacation.

We awakened to a gorgeous sunrise.

Sunrise at Tranquil Shores, our airbnb rental

Today’s breakfast was fried potatoes ‘n onions, sausage and scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese.

Bob prepared this morning’s breakfast.

Breakfast was delicious!

Later in the morning we drove to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, VA. We followed Beach Access Road to Toms Cove and turned around. We made a couple photo stops along the way.

A Cormorant Drying its Wings

Great Blue Heron

Leaving the wildlife refuge, we drove to Food Lion in Oak Hall, VA and picked up groceries for Thanksgiving Day and a few other items (charcoal, grill brush, and birdseed). A “Shop&Earn Savings” of $7.00 was deducted from our total. I would say that is a good savings amount, as it was earned only from our previous shopping trip this past Sunday (where we spent $45.28).

Today’s lunch was leftover sloppy Joes and coleslaw.

This evening’s dinner was take out from Asian Express.