June 30th, 2013 - A Modest Church Service

There were a few churches in town, but Jenny told us they have a 9am service right here...in the club house.  

One of the deacons, Jay, from Union Baptist Church in town, does a service here every week.  We were greeted by Bill, who lead the music and invitation. Knew every song again...Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, He Keeps me Singing and Just as I Am - a personal favorite!


There was no bulletin (sorry John!) or Bibles, just this folder with song sheets.  But the sermon was great - based on Proverbs 14:34 - fitting for the upcoming holiday celebrating the founding of this great country.

Spent the rest of the day planning routes, finding diesel stations and doing work...
...we go back on the road tomorrow!

June 29th, 2013 - Where the horsies at??

              

Determined to get another look at the Chincoteague horses, we set out to the National Park again...with cameras, suntan lotion and bug spray!   

Such a peaceful area.  As we walked, all you heard were birds and the rustling of trees. Nature is an amazing thing.  

My favorite - the squiggly trees...

Across this field is where we saw horses the 

other day, but they eluded us today... 

So, yeah, you're thinking...oh, another tree...

but THIS one is significant!  We were walking along, looking up at the trees and we see a large bird start to fly.  I thought it was a falcon but then we noticed it had a white head and white on its tail!  It was an eagle!!  It flew past so fast and we were so in awe that neither of us moved fast enough to take a picture of it!  It flew to these trees and then it was gone.  But wow!  It was quite a moment!  

We continued on, happy with seeing such a magnificent bird, and started down another path that took us to the water's edge...

 

...a friend of Nicole's...

Heading back, we saw "evidence" of horses coming through recently, but they were hiding - mocking us for sure!

A few photos in town...

A sculpture of Misty from Chincoteague.  

As we took a walk in the evening around the campground we realized what a different type of life was here.  Many of the sites were RV homes that people lived in year round. We had seen it in previous places but this place had so many.  People attached mini garages, extra rooms, porches, had beautiful gardens, neighbors visiting one another...a very peaceful community.

We walked over to the docks,...and across the water were our elusive horses!  Eight of them..all different colors...2 tan,  2 brown, 1 black, 1 white and 2 brown and white.  

Our day was complete...

June 28th, 2013 - Space, the Final Frontier

We were so psyched to go to the rocket launch...

Upon arriving we hear them announce that the weather is not suitable for launching so they will most likely postpone until tomorrow or Sunday...
...but we can still wander around, check out the center and take pics!!

  

We went up to the balcony of the building for a great view!!  Met a gentleman whose son was in the Navy, worked at Westinghouse and did work for NASA.  Somewhere under ground is a mock submarine that simulates being on a real sub, movement and all. He also told us that Wallops was an alternate runway if the Space Shuttle couldn't land at Kennedy.

The center's guides told us that tours to the actual launch site are not open to the general public, only groups.  :(   But you can view the launch in person down by the marsh (mosquitos galore - bring bug spray!)  They also have a live webcast.

What was neat is that it wasn't just a job to the guides, they were genuinely caught up in the excitement of this field.   They also said a good portion of the people on Chincoteague work in these facilities.

Some more pics of those cool satellite dishes...

my favorite

I guess you could say that Greg and I are space nuts.  Our favorite movies are space and sci-fi ones.  Greg has this fantastic telescope that we once saw Saturn with - rings and all. We're not trekkies, but I have to tell you, Gene Roddenberry came to my college (many) years ago to show "never before scenes" and give a talk... it was incredible!

Greg spent the rest of the day working while I ran errands...and took a few pics of the town.

Where Marguerite Henry stayed while she wrote "Misty of Chincoteague".

Bought some fresh vegetables at Ricky's.

And what day would be complete without....

...delicious!  These were considered "small cups" - but were half the price and twice the size of ice cream at home!  (I love Virginia)