Virginia Vacation and A Winner!

Hello friends! Do you have something from childhood you always wanted to do? I did. When I was a little girl, I read every horse book I could lay my hands on. To say I was horse crazy is an understatement. I wanted a horse of my own but had to be content with living vicariously through books. One of those books was "Misty of Chincoteague" by Marguerite Henry.

I loved this book! I wanted to go to Chincoteague during the pony round-up and bring one of the ponies home. Sadly, I was never able to convince my parents of this plan. :o)
So when we started planning a vacation with our friends and Virginia was chosen, I knew I wanted to go to the island if at all possible.

I told Bruce, "I don't care what the others want to do, but on my birthday you are going to take me to Chincoteague and Assateague to see the wild ponies!" (We were going to be in Virginia on my birthday). Fortunately, our friends were agreeable and we went on my actual birthday!

Assateague Island Lighthouse

 We booked a boat tour with Barnacle Bill (what a great name!). He is the perfect old Salty Dog seaman. So nice and friendly and told us all sorts of stories as he took us over to Assateague Island. And we did see ponies grazing on the island! It remains one of my highlights from our trip.

A "Misty" looking pony

Afterwards, we went to a local restaurant and ate a delicious seafood dinner, complete with my favorite dessert, coconut cream pie. (Everyone else got ice cream. :o) )

We also went to Monticello,

Colonial Williamsburg,

Group Photo at the Stocks

Bruce and I peeking through a gnarly tree

Mary Kay and I 

our friends Paul and Mira

our friends Mary Kay and Mark

and our friends Kevin and Susan

and Jamestown and Yorktown.

Giving George bunny ears (Sorry George!)

Checking out the sailor's sundial

Hamming it up in Jamestown armor

We stayed at the most fabulous place:

Blue Water Haven Inn right on Chesapeake Bay - a large house for rent.

Sunrise looking out from the back porch 

Enjoying the fire pit 

The leaves were just beautiful and we had perfect weather most days.

Spectacular tree at Monticello

On the road to Richmond

The beach wasn't too far from the house so we went and checked it out.

The sun going down behind the reeds caught my eye so I stopped and snapped a picture:

It was a lovely trip and we really enjoyed ourselves. However, it's good to be home!
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And now for the winner of the giveaway. I added everyone's name to a bucket and had my husband draw and he drew:

Gail of Purple Hues and Me. Congratulations, Gail! I'll be in touch to get your information.

Thanks to all who entered. If you are interested in purchasing cards, email me at ceciliabramhall@gmail.com. They will be $16 for a set of 8 with envelopes.

Have a great week!
Cecilia