For those of you that missed the Eastern Shore Run, you surely missed a good time. By the time I arrived at the rest stop across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Several HR MINI folks were already there Dave and Kathy in Apollo, Don and Steph in the Gorgeous White JCW and a new couple from Williamsburg in a sexy dark grey MCS with some very sharp wheels. For the life of me I can't remember their names, I really hate getting old! As we waited for others to show, a new 2010 Interchange Yellow Cabrio pulled into the rest stop. I thought it looked familiar with it's "ALWZ OPN" license and in fact it was the same one that was at our Cold Stone Get ToGether a while back. This time it was the wife driving. She was headed to Annapolis, and we just couldn't get her to change her itinerary. So 9:30 strikes and it's wheels up. As we head up route 13, Dave leads us and traffic is fairly light and very manageable. Given US 13's notoriety for speed traps, we held a conservative pace and had no problems. With a great drive up under our belts, we turned off 13 and headed east to the Island. Driving past NASA's Wallop's Island I couldn't help but consider the contrast with the farm lands of Virginia's Eastern Shore and the technology I was now seeing. It really shows how diverse any place in this country can be. From Migrant workers in the fields just a few miles earlier to the rocket scientists of Wallop's Island.
The drive over to the island as interesting to say the least. There is a two lane causeway that can be no more than 4 feet about see level. I had to wonder what this looked like during Hurricane Isabel several years ago. There was marsh land for at least 4 miles and nothing else. Once to the Island we crossed the draw bridge and immediately stepped back in time, or so it would seem. Chincoteague started as a fishing village and still holds most of that charm. It's noticed as soon as you hit the Island. You're dropped off into what must have been downtown. Now, it's the tourist center. Our first order of business was Mr. Whippy's Ice Cream. After all, that was the impetus for our run. It's nestled right on one of the Island's main roads. One of the items on the menu was a "MINI Split". Who could resist? Not I, and it was exactly what it sounds like, a banana split, only smaller. Everyone seemed to love their treats as Dave noticed their sign that noted the ice cream was 97% fat free! Delicious and forgiving, who could ask for more? As we were enjoying our ice cream, who shows up? None other than Scott Miller, Bloodvayne on HR MINI. It was good seeing him. Apparently he made "good time" heading up 13.
Back to the cars and off to the Chincoteague Horse center. They offered pony rides and a close up, hands on horse display. Watching some of the kids there, I don't think they ever saw a horse before. That was fun. Kathy and Dave's dog Maggie wasn't impressed much, however. On to Assateague Island, or so we thought. Seems pets aren't allowed, even in a car, so Kathy and Dave decided not to push their luck and the rest of us also decided against that foray, though Christy would beg me to go back later. Instead we stopped at Woody T's Chicken shack for lunch. Very good food cooked out of two concession trailers with a awning built over the customers area. Don mused that if business was slow, they'd just hook up the trailers and relocate. I don't think they have to worry about that. A soggy parking lot maybe, but I think their business is sound. The new couple headed back after lunch and missed the shopping. Hopefully they'll be back, they were super nice folks and had a sharp MINI.
Next stop, the shopping district. As you enter the island you immediately hit shops galore. From clothing, to artsy type stuff, much very well done, to the standard fare for any visiting money spenders. Of which I ended up being. Additionally, as a fan of old buildings, as well as MINI's, taking in the local architecture was fun. A quick stroll to the park and some entertainment of a sailboater trying to dock what was probably a 40 footer into a fairly narrow slip against a current of at least 8 or 10 knots. That livened things up. He finally gave up and laid up beside the bulk head. Back to the MINI's Dave and Kathy headed to their hotel as they were spending the night as did Don and Steph. We all decided to meet up at Wright's Seafood restaurant at 6 for dinner and that gave Christy and I time to explore more of the island. Scott headed home also and I'm sure we'll see him again.
As Scott's Chili Pepper Red Clubman headed back to the Hampton Roads area, Christy and I set out. We decided to go from one end of the island to the other. At first glance, most of the houses appear to be rather modest, but I assure you, the people with money have found Chincoteague as well. On the northern tip, there is a private community that could make most anyone jealous. Very nice houses and well manicured landscapes. I couldn't imagine what just the flood insurance must cost! The southern tip is more what I would think people picture Chincoteague. Some work boats among pleasure boats are docked there and there are a couple of campgrounds. After that, Christy was begging for some beach, so off to the Assateague Island refuge. I wasn't real impressed, but it's a nature preserve, so how impressive could it be? But wait, at the end is a beach, and I mean a pretty darn good one at that. I'm far from a beach fan, Sun doesn't like my skin and vice versa plus, do you know the kind of stuff that's in salt water! Anyway, I do know a good looking beach when I see one and I was most assuredly looking at one. It must be 2 miles long and great white sands and people were out in the water an easy 30 feet and the water was just over their waist. There was hardly anywhere to park and the are to park was HUGE! If you're a beach person, I'd highly suggest this one! Since this part of the refuge is a very narrow peninsula there was the other side of the land. More marshy, much like my native Poquoson. Now we're talking! We waded down and christy took her shoes off and headed out where others were clamming. I waited just at the edge of the water watching the fiddler crabs. It reminded me of times 40 years prior. It made me feel kinda sad for kids that grew up in the city or on a farm. Everyone should get to play in marsh mud as a kid!
back in the car and cleaned up, did I mention that marsh mud has a distinct aroma? It does, and beach sand goes everywhere. But that didn't daunt us to head back to what others call civilization and Wright Seafood. As we made the right hand turn to cross the draw bridge, there was a police officer, standing right at the intersection with his hands on his belt. We had met him earlier in one of the shops and he's a super nice guy. But watching him in that pose I couldn't help think of Barney Fife of Mayberry fame. It was comical as well as fitting. Almost like a figure head, saying goodbye to us and letting all newcomers know who's in charge. Just after we arrived at Wright's, Don and Steph pulled in and we went inside to get a table. Great looking place, a little dated, but very well kept. Just as we were seated, Dave and Kathy strolled in. I can attest the food was excellent and most the plates were empty when we were done. Anyone driving up 13 should stop by there if you're feeling hungry. So with full bellies, Christy and I left our friends that were staying on the Island and headed back down 13 to the CBBT. We ran into some torrential rain on both sides of the Chesapeake Bay, but that couldn't damped the fun we had. Great MINI people, ice cream, gorgeous settings and a good meal, you really can't ask for much more.
Thanks to Wendy for suggesting Mr. Whippy's in the first place and special thanks to Kathy for her info packet on the Island and things to do. I swear, if we had called Chincoteague's Chamber of Commerce, they couldn't have provided as much information as she did!
We definitely need to make this an annual event, and for those of you that missed it, PLEASE make sure to do this trip next year, you won't be sorry.
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