The last few days people have not seen me online. With the
exception of posting a couple photos to Facebook upon my arrival and a couple
of texts to my kids, I made a conscious effort to avoid what I spend hours
doing each day. As a result, life slowed down, yet time went much too quickly.
I also left my mini-vacation feeling relaxed.
Wild ponies roam freely on Assateague Island in Maryland. (Of
course, that was one of the pictures I posted on Facebook as soon as I saw
them.) After listening to the Ranger emphatically tell me not to approach them
because they are aggressive and will bite, I got a bit freaked out when one put
its head in the window of my car when I first arrived. My heart rate quickened
and I quickly shut the window and made sure to give the pony a wide berth the
rest of the night. By the end of my stay, when the same pony walked right up to
me and put his face in mine, I was not concerned in the least about being
bitten.
Campfires are one of my favorite parts about camping. While
the fire itself is chill, the starting it can be an adventure in and of itself.
The first night was windy, and the wood was rotted. Just when we would think
the fire was going, a big gust of wind would come along and have us trying once
again. By the time the fire was going, it was that much sweeter to enjoy it. The
tension and stress of the last few months began to ebb away.
Most of the time was spent at the campsite just chillin’ and
chatting while watching the horses graze nearby. Sounds of surf and seagulls
along with the warmth of the sun pulled me under its spell. And then we met
Hook. Hook had a fish hook stuck in his tongue. He came each day to get
whatever was on the menu. His favorite was Chipotle Cheese-Its. He avoided
melon altogether. In the beginning, the other gulls would come in and chase him
away for the food. (The food was put away as soon as they flew in.) We watched
Hook transition from on edge to relaxed. The first day, he would fly away when
the other birds came in. By the time we left, he was puffing himself up and
standing his ground causing the other gulls to leave.
When so close to Ocean City, one needs to take a ride to
check it out. So we did. One of these days, Layla and I will ride to Ocean
City. This trip Layla stayed home and I sat on the back. We walked the
boardwalk checking out the leftover merchandise from last week’s Bike Fest. I
have always been curious about them. I hear the wings are good and the breasts
better. When he heard I had never been to one, our spot for lunch was decided
upon. My first visit to Hooters. Good times.
All too soon, it was our last night to sit around the fire. The
original plan was for us to camp the week before and spend our time at Bike
Fest. A weekend that would have been fun, but spent in the hustle and bustle of
crowds of bikers. I would have kept everyone updated on every little thing I
was doing. Instead, life slowed down and I learned the magic of turning off.
Comments
Post a Comment