Sunday, November 9, 2014

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

14 comments:

  1. I am in total shock, Cecilia! I never win anything! I was having such a fun time reading about your wonderful birthday adventures and then to read that I won . . . wow! Thank you so much! And Happy Belated Birthday!

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    Replies
    1. Congratulations, Gail! And thank you for the birthday wishes. :)

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  2. What a great vacation with friends....I have been to all places with the exception of the islands...i know of many who have traveled there and they said it was quite an experience!...It is wonderful that places like that exist!

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    1. We travel well together. All these places were just beautiful. So much more to see...I'll have to go back one day.

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  3. Wow, happy birthday...what a fabulous trip! I too loved Misty and was fascinated with horses. I have a friend who goes every year now with her kids and they always look like they are having the best time! :)

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    1. I'd still like to see the actual round up AND buy a pony. Lol, don't think my husband will let that happen.

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  4. Congratulations to Gail! And...wow, your trip looks like such fun. And...coconut cream pie is my favorite pie and one of my favorite desserts! In fact, my mom and I had lunch out together today and I had something called coconut delight, which is much like pie and I was telling mama it is my favorite kind of pie. Good stuff! Happy belated birthday...sounds like it coule not have been any more perfect.

    Blessings, Vicky

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Vicky! My mom made the best coconut cream pie. It's what I almost always asked for...that or spice cake. Yum.funny but I can't remember what my twin sis always wanted. Guess I'll have to ask her.

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  5. Lovely trip, Cecilia ! I hope to get to Virginia some day soon. My birth family is from there and I have been able to do the genealogy way back. I want to visit cemeteries and records to learn more. I've always wanted to see the wild pony roundup, also, having a love affair with horses, like you. Hubby loves the history of the area, so I'm sure we'd visit some of the places you were. I also have an aquitaine -- the sailor's sundial -- which hubby gave to me one year. I may use it this week as part of my outfit for the Renaissance faire. Thank you for sharing your trip....it looks awesome !!

    patty

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    Replies
    1. Patty,
      If you ever get a chance, go in the Fall. The trees were so beautiful! And the weather nice and crisp. Definitely recommend going!

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  6. Cecilia, what gorgeous photos! Looks like you had such a great trip--a childhood dream come true! Love it! Have a great weekend! Blessings, Cecilia

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  7. Hi Cecilia! Nice to meet you and Happy Belated Birthday! Your vacation sounded wonderful! The hubby and I saw the wild horses a little bit further south from you on the Outer Banks last year and it was awesome! We're hoping to check out Mt. Vernon and Assateague in March.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kelly. Nice to meet you too. Thank you for stopping in and for the birthday wishes. I'd love to go back and see more. There is just so much to see!

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