2018 Spring Checkout – Assateague National Seashore
It’s been a year since we returned from our 11 month trip around North America. Since then we have completed a number of house projects, fostered seven dogs, and adopted one, ‘Bindi’. We’ve upgraded the van communication electronics, installed a webcam, resolved an issue with the engine-driven alternator alignment and built in an extra storage shelf. We’re planning to leave home in a few weeks to start a six month trip to Quebec City, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland returning in the Fall via Maine.
Click for full size image
Bindi is a 16 month old rescue, turned in as a stray in West Virginia. We found her at a shelter near Harrisburg, PA and she has been with us for eight weeks now, proving to be a wonderful addition to the family. She’s calm (relatively), friendly to other pets and people, doesn’t bark (much) and fits perfectly in our van. We decided to take a short trip South to acquaint Bindi with life on the road and make sure everything was in good shape for our next adventure. She passed with flying colors!
Assateague Island National Seashore is a barrier Island located on the Atlantic Coast, by the Maryland / Virginia border. It’s famous for its band of wild horses descended from domestic animals brought over in the 1600s by early settlers and has a wide variety of birdlife.
Bindi seemed to enjoy her trip, particularly running free on the beach and chasing pieces of seaweed blowing in the strong winds we experienced. We had some minor territorial issues at nighttime when she decided that Colin’s bed was more comfortable than her spot in-between us.
Colin had an opportunity to try out his new long focus lens, capturing some of the birdlife on the island in addition to action shots of Bindi on the beach and some of the island’s wild horses.
Click on any thumbnail below to see larger image gallery.
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- Mother…
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- …and Daughter
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- Red-Breasted Mergansers
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- Horned Grebe – underwater 90% of time
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- Snowy Egret…
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- …Catches Fish…
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- …Then Walks on Water
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- … and Takes Off
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- Little Blue Heron
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- Joined by Great Egret
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- Great and Snowy Egret size difference
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- Great Egret Green Eye Patch (only in mating season)
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- Beach Runner
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- Whitetail Deer
Assateague Island
Click on map to show location
Glad the McNaught clan is back on the road again! Bindi is a great addition – and long overdue!
From Cheryl: This was a check-out trip and Bindi passed with flying colors! She was such a hoot playing at the beach, running along the water. Thanks for being happy for us, we feel so lucky to be with her!
All these pictures are fun to see. One can get a mini-tour of the U.S. just by spending some time on your site. Thanks for sharing.
Does this newest email indicate that you two are soon off again? Let us know, Patti and I would like to see you again before you start the engine again.
From Cheryl: We will be getting in touch, can’t wait to break bread again with you two. We have time, not leaving until late May.
Welcome to McNaught family, Bindi. We hope to see you someday. We look forward to following your journey and amazing pics. Good luck with the trip. Love from us
From Cheryl: So great to see your family grow and thrive, the children are so beautiful. We love having you with us in our travels. Lots of love to the four of you!
Love it!!
From Cheryl: We love you!
All, wonderful, and your sharing mucho appreciated. Sooo jealous, here!
From Cheryl: We MUST get together to introduce Joey with Bindi. Over due. We’ll call this week and set something up!
Beautiful scenery, but Bindi takes 1st prize on Colin’s bed. I wouldn’t be surprised if Colin ends up sleeping in the front seat. I received my poster today, it is so awesome, I love it. So glad your first trip out was successful. Miss and love you❤️
From Cheryl: So glad you received the poster of you and Mike as (Photoshopped) Pharaoh and Queen for your birthday. We loved having Bindi discover the Atlantic Ocean and be free to run on the beach without running away. It was a success!
Sounds as though you have updated your Starship Enterprise.
From Cheryl: We are updated, squared away, and ready to go. Maps of the far Northern US and Canada already downloaded!
Bindi looks so happy!
From Cheryl: We are so happy with this new pup. She is a sweetheart and is already bringing us joy. And we laugh a lot! Her jumping antics over furniture and running around the house are quite amusing. Thanks for being with us!
What a wonderful place to practice for your new odyssey. Chincoteague and Assateague have a special place in my heart for we took our granddaughters there many times for Spring Break when they were little girls. Beautiful photos!
From Cheryl: We know any place that has horses in it would be special in your heart. You love horses the way I love dogs, I think! So happy for Colin to receive your lovely comment, new camera, new lens, ready for the next thousands of pictures . . . .
So glad to hear about your planned trip. Maybe we can connect in Maine.
From Cheryl: We are planning to stop in, we’ll call a few weeks ahead of our time in Maine and make sure you are around. Looking forward to comparing travel notes.
Can’t pick a favorite on photos!! Still have not been there, on my wish list.