I've just uploaded the highlights of our photos from our Chincoteague Island trip.
Malcolm
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Ocean City and Chincoteague Island
We took a short break down to Chincoteague Island from Friday 13 to Monday 16 July 2007. After the hassles of the past four months in moving and settling, it was well needed and deserved!
Drove down via what started as a nice coffee break at a kids play area near the bridge in Cambridge. This went downhill after Olivia got a major splinter in her big toe and I had to operate to extract it. Found some limitations in our first aid kit's operating tools which we will have to fix asap. Visitor Centre there was quite good and picked up all the Maryland brochures we should need for the next year.
This was on our way down to Ocean City, Maryland. Think sideshow alley permanently based around the boardwalk on the side of the beach. If your imagination fails, check out the webcam. We didn't have time to do the full sideshow ride thing but just walking up the boardwalk and checking out the shops was educational enough. Kids were in child heaven!
Lunch was followed by Olivia finally getting us to cave in and buy her a webkinz - the latest toy designed to be irresistible to kids and extract $ from parents. This one is sneaky enough that the website log in only lasts 12 months so you then have to buy another one ...
Kieren strongly wanted to play some games along the way back instead. That ended in tears as he obviously expected to win something in everyone he played. Of course the opposite happened. May have been educational, memory may not last long enough ...
That all took longer than we expected so arrived at Chincoteague later on Friday night than planned. Checked into our room at the Best Western which was the best place we could get three nights at with short notice. Room was ok, albeit with limitation of the four of us in two beds in one room. But the included breakfast was worth it, esp the Belgium waffles that you made yourself - pour in the batter, close the lid, flip the pan, wait for the alarm in two minutes, peel it out and cover in syrup. For those without super sized appetites, one was enough.
Dinner Friday night was at what used to be the Island Family Restaurant and was now Mr Baldys. Our short trips book recommended this one as an inexpensive family restaurant. Food was ok but Donna was less than impressed by the basic decor and the non-existent wine list.
After breakfast on Saturday morning, we headed into the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. After our $10 weekly entry fee, we walked over to the Assateague lighthouse. Climbing the 172 steps was made more difficult by children who were worried they were going to fall between the steps but some pacification got them to the top, albeit with Kieren tucked under my arm for a few flights. Good views from the top including our first view of the ponies.
We visited the visitor info centre on the way in which was set out quite well. The kids didn't want to leave. Had lots of interactive displays, videos etc plus we watched a deer fawn outside the centre for some time that was happily grazing through the shrubbery.
The ponies are what attracts visitors to Chincoteague. Marguerite Henry's 1947 children's book 'Misty of Chincoteague' was written around the ponies living on the Island and the annual pony penning when they are herded up and brought into town. Foals are sold to benefit the local fire brigade who own the grazing permit and 150 are returned to the Island. One of the best examples of destination marketing I've seen where people go out of their way to see a herd of slightly small feral horses at a distance.
We didn't see any ponies on the way in. This included attempting the woodlands' walk which includes a viewing area. Despite being drenched in repellent, the ferociousness of the mosquitoes drove us (and many others) back before getting that far. We drove into the beach at Tom's Cove but were driven back from there by the hordes of cars, beach umbrellas and people packing the beach area. Not our idea of going to the beach. We were saved on the way back by a herd of ponies coming in close to the roadside viewing area so we got our token view of the ponies.
Drove down via what started as a nice coffee break at a kids play area near the bridge in Cambridge. This went downhill after Olivia got a major splinter in her big toe and I had to operate to extract it. Found some limitations in our first aid kit's operating tools which we will have to fix asap. Visitor Centre there was quite good and picked up all the Maryland brochures we should need for the next year.
This was on our way down to Ocean City, Maryland. Think sideshow alley permanently based around the boardwalk on the side of the beach. If your imagination fails, check out the webcam. We didn't have time to do the full sideshow ride thing but just walking up the boardwalk and checking out the shops was educational enough. Kids were in child heaven!
Lunch was followed by Olivia finally getting us to cave in and buy her a webkinz - the latest toy designed to be irresistible to kids and extract $ from parents. This one is sneaky enough that the website log in only lasts 12 months so you then have to buy another one ...
Kieren strongly wanted to play some games along the way back instead. That ended in tears as he obviously expected to win something in everyone he played. Of course the opposite happened. May have been educational, memory may not last long enough ...
That all took longer than we expected so arrived at Chincoteague later on Friday night than planned. Checked into our room at the Best Western which was the best place we could get three nights at with short notice. Room was ok, albeit with limitation of the four of us in two beds in one room. But the included breakfast was worth it, esp the Belgium waffles that you made yourself - pour in the batter, close the lid, flip the pan, wait for the alarm in two minutes, peel it out and cover in syrup. For those without super sized appetites, one was enough.
Dinner Friday night was at what used to be the Island Family Restaurant and was now Mr Baldys. Our short trips book recommended this one as an inexpensive family restaurant. Food was ok but Donna was less than impressed by the basic decor and the non-existent wine list.
After breakfast on Saturday morning, we headed into the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. After our $10 weekly entry fee, we walked over to the Assateague lighthouse. Climbing the 172 steps was made more difficult by children who were worried they were going to fall between the steps but some pacification got them to the top, albeit with Kieren tucked under my arm for a few flights. Good views from the top including our first view of the ponies.
We visited the visitor info centre on the way in which was set out quite well. The kids didn't want to leave. Had lots of interactive displays, videos etc plus we watched a deer fawn outside the centre for some time that was happily grazing through the shrubbery.
The ponies are what attracts visitors to Chincoteague. Marguerite Henry's 1947 children's book 'Misty of Chincoteague' was written around the ponies living on the Island and the annual pony penning when they are herded up and brought into town. Foals are sold to benefit the local fire brigade who own the grazing permit and 150 are returned to the Island. One of the best examples of destination marketing I've seen where people go out of their way to see a herd of slightly small feral horses at a distance.
We didn't see any ponies on the way in. This included attempting the woodlands' walk which includes a viewing area. Despite being drenched in repellent, the ferociousness of the mosquitoes drove us (and many others) back before getting that far. We drove into the beach at Tom's Cove but were driven back from there by the hordes of cars, beach umbrellas and people packing the beach area. Not our idea of going to the beach. We were saved on the way back by a herd of ponies coming in close to the roadside viewing area so we got our token view of the ponies.
Lunch was at the Famous Pizza and Sub Shop Family Restaurant, another recommendation of our short trips book and again a bit lacking in ambiance. Seeing a pattern yet?
Back into the Refuge after 3pm when you are allowed to drive around a small loop. Saw some birds that were new to us although common to locals. Also saw a herd of deer which we watched for a while. Kids were more excited by going for a swim in the hotel pool afterwards!
Spent a lot of time looking for the Landmark Crab House for dinner. Address in our short trips book was wrong and after trying another couple of restaurants that were booked out, managed to get a table after a 20 minute wait at Don's Seafood Restaurant. Bit better restaurant and at least had a wine list. Crab cakes weren't as good as those from last night, which weren't as good as those I had for lunch in Ocean City.
Sunday was intended to start with a visit to the Chincoteague Pony Centre. After being hit by the 'closed Sunday' sign, we ended up playing a round of mini golf followed by bumper boats where the kids managed to get us as wet as they could manage. Kieren was particularly expert in deliberately driving his boat under the centre fountain to get Donna drenched. I didn't give Olivia that much control of our boat ...
After a bit of tourist shopping, waited for ages for lunch at the Sea Star Cafe, which was a sandwich place recommended by our short visits book. Again, underwhelmed by the place. There must be a good eating place on the Island but not sure we're going to be here long enough to find it ...
A quiet afternoon around the pool was followed by dinner at the restaurant across from the hotel which the kids had wanted to go to ever since we arrived. After the fare of the past few days, I quite enjoyed my McDonalds' Asian salad. Suspect some of my criticisms of the other eating establishments are related to the seasonal nature of the Island's tourism. They are massively overcrowded in summer, including the 40 - 50 000 who watch the pony penning next week. Population in winter must be down to the 3 - 5000 permanent residents. Even the salt water bays freeze over, with the ice thick enough for boats not to be able to get around for a few days at a time.
The early dinner was to facilitate our booking on the sunset cruise on the Assateague Explorer. This was basically a blast down past the lighthouse to where we could watch a herd of ponies grazing at the treeline some 100 metres or so from the boat. Rather than looking for other things to show us, the anchor was thrown in and we sat there for about half an hour. The ponies did get closer and I did get the best photos I have of them from the trip. We did see some egrets and a black skimmer while there. But rest of the 90 minute trip was the blast down and back, with the hint that they did see a pod of dolphins on the previous trip. A bit more variety and less pony time would have made it a much better tour.
Monday was our last day of enjoying the Belgium waffle breakfast. Went back up to the Pony Centre for the kids to have a ride. Rather than the lush grass in their website photos, it was more the parched earth of post drought Canberra. Three rounds of a small enclosure for $6 each which kept them happy and the Centre rich. Was somewhat less than the 5 minutes for $5 that the stupid short short visits book sold the place as offering.
Four hours including lunch got us back home, not including a local shopping trip to pick up some super glue after Kieren's lighthouse fell out of the car door and the light broke off, but at least it was still working and salvagable. The driving made it a tiring weekend despite being only around 220 miles each way which traffic made around 3 1/2 hours, and about an hour longer to go down via Ocean City. Didn't help that there isn't much to see from the car, with the major exception of the 4.3 miles of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
Malcolm
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
July 4th in DC!
To celebrate the USA's 231st birthday, we headed a block down Connecticut Avenue to Williams Lane for the local parade. They thought it was the 35th or 36th consecutive year that this event has been held in Section 5 of Chevy Chase. Kids had their US t-shirts on and bike / scooter decorated up in the red, white and blue, while we were more circumspect!
Event commenced with us all singing The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful and God Bless America. Fortunately they handed out song sheets before hand so we weren't left looking too stupid! Three trucks from the local fire station then led us down Williams Lane to Brookville Rd, into Thornapple Street and Thornapple Lane, before ending in Underwood St. Parade seems to be a loose term for 'let's all walk together and have a good time looking after our kids'.
Jumping castles, baseball throwing speed competitions, pony rides, star red, white and blue cookies, popcorn and drinks awaited us. Was a great local event, all free, and very relaxed. Lots of the local kids are around the age of ours so a good time was had by all. Got some tips from a couple of local bike riders and found one worked in the same building as me! Olivia tells me she rode Hershey, Oreo and Shorty - completing the trifecta of ponies.
Had tornado alerts (one hit DC a few years back) and severe thunderstorms warnings tonight. Reports of large hailstones around and everyone was evacuated off The Mall where they had been camped out all day for DC's fireworks show tonight. Had nothing more than a few drops of rain here though some discussions about whether the new car would fit in the garage if we cleared it out did happen.
Besides not having to brave the crowds, we have been treated to fireworks around our house the last two nights. On Monday night, Donna and I watched the Connecticut Country Club's 20 minute firework show out the deck doors from our bedroom. On Tuesday night, the four of us walked up Connecticut Avenue a couple of blocks to watch the Chevy Chase Country Club's 20 minute show. TV tonight is showing fireworks from around the country including DC and New York so we'll settle for those.
Photos from the parade are here.
Malcolm
Event commenced with us all singing The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful and God Bless America. Fortunately they handed out song sheets before hand so we weren't left looking too stupid! Three trucks from the local fire station then led us down Williams Lane to Brookville Rd, into Thornapple Street and Thornapple Lane, before ending in Underwood St. Parade seems to be a loose term for 'let's all walk together and have a good time looking after our kids'.
Jumping castles, baseball throwing speed competitions, pony rides, star red, white and blue cookies, popcorn and drinks awaited us. Was a great local event, all free, and very relaxed. Lots of the local kids are around the age of ours so a good time was had by all. Got some tips from a couple of local bike riders and found one worked in the same building as me! Olivia tells me she rode Hershey, Oreo and Shorty - completing the trifecta of ponies.
Had tornado alerts (one hit DC a few years back) and severe thunderstorms warnings tonight. Reports of large hailstones around and everyone was evacuated off The Mall where they had been camped out all day for DC's fireworks show tonight. Had nothing more than a few drops of rain here though some discussions about whether the new car would fit in the garage if we cleared it out did happen.
Besides not having to brave the crowds, we have been treated to fireworks around our house the last two nights. On Monday night, Donna and I watched the Connecticut Country Club's 20 minute firework show out the deck doors from our bedroom. On Tuesday night, the four of us walked up Connecticut Avenue a couple of blocks to watch the Chevy Chase Country Club's 20 minute show. TV tonight is showing fireworks from around the country including DC and New York so we'll settle for those.
Photos from the parade are here.
Malcolm
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Finally - a car!
After a month living in DC and a month of renters, we finally bought a car on Sunday. Delay was related to need to have a local licence to get insurance and you can't drive a car off the lot without insurance.
It is an one owner white 2000 Subaru Outback with 54000 miles on the clock. Looked at newer ones but this one was best buy and had lowest mileage. Has ABS, airbags, air con, winter pack (heated seats, heated external mirrors and heated wipers) etc. Only thing that shows its age is the radio cassette. Did look at a 2002 Limited with 71000 miles, which I liked, for not much more but was going to take a couple of weeks and a lot of running around to transfer rego from Virginia to Maryland - worth a lot to have the dealer do that for us, esp when we don't understand the system here.
Arranged insurance yesterday (can't drive it off the lot without insurance!!) Only 6 month contracts here and quotes from $450 to $1400. Many companies are not prepared to cover us while Donna doesn't have a US licence, while others won't provide cover until we both have 3 years of US driving experience. The cheap one we signed up for gives us 30 days for Donna to get a local licence and we'll probably do that on Friday.
Picked it up at lunchtime yesterday. They detailed it and resprayed the rear bumper which had the odd mark from 7 years of parking and putting things in and out of the back
Then went to talk to some guys about a towbar (I mean a 'hitch receiver'!) to fit the bike rack. Can only get 1 1/4" hitches for Subarus while my bike rack needs a 2" hitch. Still thinking about whether to just install the towbar and buy an adaptor or buy some racks to carry the bikes on the roof. Both aren't ideal options.
Best Buy have a free same day install on CD players as long as spend $99 this week so went up to update the radio cassette. Bought a new deck but installation guy was so rude I took it back. Now thinking we might just buy a $20 cassette adaptor for my iPod to get us through the longer trips this year.
Suspect will be up for a new battery soon (it is 4 years old) but that's all that I can see wrong with it. Hopefully it won't break down and prove me wrong! Only has a 30 day 1000 mile warranty from dealer. Many seem to be fitted with new brake rotors around 70000 miles so hoping this one lasts out our ownership. Has had new pads fitted all round.
Didn't get a mechanical check as that is pretty well already covered in the Maryland rego transfer process which is basically a multipoint checklist that the car has to pass. Also has to pass an annual emission test which it did in May which again shows the engine should be pretty well ok.
Photos are here.
Malcolm [who is hoping he doesn't come to regret those positive words about the car ;-)]
It is an one owner white 2000 Subaru Outback with 54000 miles on the clock. Looked at newer ones but this one was best buy and had lowest mileage. Has ABS, airbags, air con, winter pack (heated seats, heated external mirrors and heated wipers) etc. Only thing that shows its age is the radio cassette. Did look at a 2002 Limited with 71000 miles, which I liked, for not much more but was going to take a couple of weeks and a lot of running around to transfer rego from Virginia to Maryland - worth a lot to have the dealer do that for us, esp when we don't understand the system here.
Arranged insurance yesterday (can't drive it off the lot without insurance!!) Only 6 month contracts here and quotes from $450 to $1400. Many companies are not prepared to cover us while Donna doesn't have a US licence, while others won't provide cover until we both have 3 years of US driving experience. The cheap one we signed up for gives us 30 days for Donna to get a local licence and we'll probably do that on Friday.
Picked it up at lunchtime yesterday. They detailed it and resprayed the rear bumper which had the odd mark from 7 years of parking and putting things in and out of the back
Then went to talk to some guys about a towbar (I mean a 'hitch receiver'!) to fit the bike rack. Can only get 1 1/4" hitches for Subarus while my bike rack needs a 2" hitch. Still thinking about whether to just install the towbar and buy an adaptor or buy some racks to carry the bikes on the roof. Both aren't ideal options.
Best Buy have a free same day install on CD players as long as spend $99 this week so went up to update the radio cassette. Bought a new deck but installation guy was so rude I took it back. Now thinking we might just buy a $20 cassette adaptor for my iPod to get us through the longer trips this year.
Suspect will be up for a new battery soon (it is 4 years old) but that's all that I can see wrong with it. Hopefully it won't break down and prove me wrong! Only has a 30 day 1000 mile warranty from dealer. Many seem to be fitted with new brake rotors around 70000 miles so hoping this one lasts out our ownership. Has had new pads fitted all round.
Didn't get a mechanical check as that is pretty well already covered in the Maryland rego transfer process which is basically a multipoint checklist that the car has to pass. Also has to pass an annual emission test which it did in May which again shows the engine should be pretty well ok.
Photos are here.
Malcolm [who is hoping he doesn't come to regret those positive words about the car ;-)]
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