Giulia has greeted with unusual hard feelings the news that she will not be attending the 85th Annual Firemen's Carnival, Pony Swim & Penning & auction in Chincoteague, Virginia this Wednesday (28 July 2010). This news was not unexpected but one cannot always reason with a feline. That her editor was in Chincoteague (briefly) last month, only adds to Giulia's distress. It was decided that GG would not accompany us to the elegant Channel Bass Inn. The wonderful innkeepers offered a room suitable for the redheaded feline but the stress of worrying about her mischievous nature was too much for her editor's delicate nervous system. Channel Bass innkeepers, Barbara & David had eleven cats on the premises, so GG feels that she's been held back socially.
In plain American English: GG is stinkin' mad. For she also wants a Chincoteague pony (who doesn't?) to ride, especially at sunset on the Assateague* shoreline. She wants to visit Mueller's Ice Cream Parlour (again, who doesn't?), & she just wants to parade up & down Main Street as if she lives there. (On cue: who doesn't?)
GG must be content--this summer--with listening to Marguerite Henry's 1947 award-winning Misty of Chincoteague & looking at 2-1/2 decades worth of photographs. We avoid the pony swim (it's very crowded but it's fun to do once or twice), but the week before the big splash, the fireman have a carnival. You eat big pieces of pie, hop onto a ride, become ill, & shriek for it to stop. It's a tradition, you see. The operators think they're giving you extra time/fun, & all you can think is, "Oh dear, that last slice of blueberry is about to become public knowledge." It's more entertaining than it sounds; especially for masochists, one's friends & family.
Other big attractions are the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, especially just before sunset. We hear sunrise is lovely, too, but um.... Also, ta da, our favorite, Assateague Island National Seashore. (Take a loop around the Refuge to & from the beach, daily. Terns, egrets, Great Blue Heron--if you are very fortunate indeed.)
The Feather Fund helps at least one child sucessfully bid on a pony at the auction. The late, lovely Carollynn Supplee & her spontaneous generosity inspired the Feather Fund. Grab a hankie & read Carollynn's story. We are pleased to see that there are two winners this year.
If you're going this year, have a super time. If you have never thought of going (not only at pony penning time), do. We've met many French Canadians over the years in Chincoteague. We're not sure if it's still a popular spot for them, but we hope so.
ciao-chinc-meow/GG's party pooper editor
(*Assateague barrier island is divided between Maryland & Virginia. The Maryland herd is managed by the State & does not auction ponies.)
[images via Chincoteague National Refuge, tripadvisor, & Channel Bass Inn; our photographs still await a good scanning.]