Chincoteague and Assateague Island Vacation Adventure Part 1

On the road to Chincoteague. It was our first real vacation... just Ellie and I. Just driving down the road with this view in front of me and Darrius Rucker on the radio I really felt like the world was ours! My heart was just... soaring!
We left Baltimore on Wednesday morning for an overnight trip to Chincoteague then Thursday afternoon we headed another 2 hours down the road to Virginia Beach to meet up with the Lysses and the Stones.
This is the town of Chincoteague.
The sign as we crossed the bridge to Assateague Island where we spent the rest of the day lounging and playing on the beach.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Another view.
On the beach Ellie didn't hesitate to bust into the toys.
Now we were off to check out the waves. Last year Ellie was terrified of the ocean, she would scream if she even thought you were going to take her near the water... This year was an entirely different story!
See, the wet sand wasn't so bad!
Uh oh! The water got a little close to her toes!
And here is was... the first touch of ocean water on her toes (since she was a baby). So far, so good!
Eeeeeee!!! This isn't so bad!
Actually, it is kinda fun!!!
Wait, no... Lots of fun!!
Ellie and I... SOOOO HAPPY!!!
More fun in the sand.
Ellie and I relaxing for a few minutes before we hit the waves again.
I tried to make her into a mermaid again this year but it didn't work too well.
But she did like rolling in the sand instead!
And crawling in it! And yes, she did have sand in places even I didn't know about!
This picture is about something HUGE and if I could have gotten an action shot, believe me, I would have but unfortunately there is only so much I can do without my Go, Go Gadget arms!
So, after playing in the surf for a while we were talking about waves and I told her that if she wanted to I could take her out in the water, hold on super tight to her so she would be safe, and we could go past where the waves crash and we could bounce in the ocean. She gave me the "Whatch-u-talkin-bout Willis" look and then about an hour or so later she told me she wanted to go in the waves with me... So we did! We had a blast! We were jumping in the swells and even had one or two waves that we didn't quite make it over. I am so proud of her!!
Resting after all of the wave hopping.
We were going to go to the lighthouse but Ellie was too scared of the trail into the woods. I let her slide on this one because she was so brave in the ocean earlier that day.
Checked into the hotel and Ellie looks like she is ready to check out!
A view of the Chincoteague Sound
Ellie liked the pink house... I can't imagine why!
This one is for Ellie!
We missed the pony swim by one weekend!
Ellie and Lightening, the pony at the hotel.
Enjoying her post-noodle-dinner chocolate ice cream.
More Lightening
Ellie and Lightening again.
A mural of a mermaid across the street from our hotel
A bedtime snack of noodles in bed. We snuggled up and watched some Hannah Montana then off to sleep. Wait! An hour later Ellie woke up and threw up noodles and chocolate ice cream in the bed... Poor Bug!
Thursday...
That is as close as we got to the lighthouse on this trip... maybe next time!
On the tire swing at the park.
And hanging on the bar.
And of course she had to do the monkey bars!!
Climbing on the jungle gym.
There were all sorts of fun things to play on... this one spun around when you walked on it!
Working on swinging herself.
At the sign to the Memorial Park.
Down by the water at the park.
Checking out the view from the dock.
At the Chincoteague Pony Center. Here is a mommy and her baby.
Checking out some more ponies.
We both like this one, she is very pretty.
And of course we couldn't forget the colt!
The last viewing before we head to the beach.
Checking out today's tides.
A good day for a run... Through the surf!!!
Ellie covered in sand and still having fun!!
Jumping for joy! Woo-hoo!!
Looks like she is even thinking about catching an Ellie-sized wave!
More jumping!!
Ellie the bathing beauty!
I think the only thisn she didn't do was actually lay down in the surf!
Told you, I think she did everything else though!
And back to the sand toys!
Ellie and I taking another break to warm up, dry off, and have snacks.
Visiting the Visitor's Center at Tom's Cove, last stop bwefore our 2 hour trip to VA Beach!
They had native aquariums set up, touch tanks, and telescopes inside and outside so you could see and learn everything about the National Seashore.
Below, on our way off the island, we actually saw the wild ponies! I was very excited! Then Ellie crashed out before I was able to cross the bridge! VA Beach here we come...