7/25/2002: Assateague ponies swim

The official caption:

Firefighters, background, drive ponies across Assateague Channel during the 77th annual Pony Swim to the Island of Chincoteague, Va., Wednesday, July 24, 2002. About 150 wild ponies hit the water at Assateague Island and swam across a channel in an annual tradition made famous by Marguerite Henry's 1947 novel "Misty of Chincoteague." The firefighters, also known as "Saltwater Cowboys," care for the animals all year long. Some of the ponies will be auctioned Thursday to raise money for the fire department.

Nice Thursday image? I could have saved it for tomorrow but it's just too good.

We took the kids to see the ponies while we were on vacation. They already had a bunch penned up on Assateague, so we checked them out before the swim. We also took a boat ride around the area with a local whose family has been there a long time, really cool place with an interesting history. James Mitchners Chesapeake is a nice attempt at doing the region justice.

You should see my ford -- it has quite a few ponies. (Yea, it's a stretch.)
In a recent Gallup poll - How many horses like the glue factory? 100% were neighs.
Quit horsing around.

Alright, alright. That's enough outta you.

Camping at Assateague

There are two camping areas in the Assateague / Chincoteague area, and these ponies will run wild right through your campsite. Quite enjoyable as long as your tent doesn't get trampled, and you get the little kids outta the way. But it's camping right behind the dunes, which really cant be beat...

fredo

Re: 7/25/2002: Assateague ponies swim

Maybe they care for them, as in, think about them lovingly and send them cards on Valentine's Day.

Instead of a carton of chocolates, they bring the finest oats. No stuffed animals...the ponies would eat 'em.

Re: 7/25/2002: Assateague ponies swim