Misty Chincoteague

When I was eight, my favorite book was Misty of Chincoteague. I had a Misty Breyer horse. (I still have it somewhere.) And at recess, when we went outside, my friend Jody and I would crawl around in the grass pretending to be Misty.

Fast-forward many decades, a friend invited us to visit Chincoteague Island, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, with her family. By some miracle, we managed to swing it.

And we loved it.

For me, it was like being invited to vacation in Narnia—a place I had known from childhood as part of a favorite story. Only this place was real, and I could go there.

We returned for a few years, and then, one year, we did not due to finances. My children missed it terribly. They spoke sadly of it for the entire following year. We have not missed since.

There have been many years when I don’t know how we managed it. Some years, like this one, the important bills were paid months ago, so there was no point not to go. Other years, friends or unexpected funds have magically appeared out of nowhere (not an exaggeration) to allow us to enjoy this one week away from electronics, of famiy and fun.

Over the years, my daughter has started inviting friends—sometimes half a dozen. Nowadays, they get their own cottages and do their own things. Friends of ours come. Fans of John’s come. Families of friends come.

Some years, it is the best week of the whole year.

I have even been working, on and off, on a series of children’s books that take place at Chincoteague, about a little girl named Winny who visits with Sea Ponies and always says So, as in So hot! So cold! So happy. (I posted a Christmas episode, so to speak, last winter.)

Each of us have our own things we look forward to doing during our Chincoteague week.

For John, it is resting and having a daily iced vanilla coffee and perhaps an occasional root beer float.

For Ping-Ping and her friends, they enjoy the beach and do fun things together. Now, with several children (though the older girls often come with us or with mutual friends.)

For our talking sons, their favorite thing is boardgames with their godfather. Sadly, he has not been able to make it the last few years, but their father and other friends will often play.

For the Cherubim*, he has a list of things he likes to do: Beach, Bus, Boat, Ice Cream, Lighthouse, and Amusement Park. (The Amusement Park is a mini golf place with a few carnival rides.)

And for me…I look forward all year to two things.

1) Some years it is the only week all year that I can read novels…novels I am not being paid to read, at least.

2) Walking on the beach and thinking. As I look out at the crashing waves, I often feel as if I am recharging my imagination, preparing for the next year of writing.

I have for years wanted to join forces with A. M. Freeman (of Marymae and the Nightmare Master fame) and do a writing conference at Chincoteague, ideally in the fall held at the same Bed and Breakfast where Misty of Chincoteague was originally written.

It hasn’t worked out yet, but…who knows, maybe someday. If we ever get it off the ground, I hope you can join us!

The Princess and her friends at the beach

The Cherubim at the “Amusement Park”

Chincoteague Lighthouse

The lighthouse bulb that was the inspiration for the Roanoke Academy Obscuration Lantern

The Cherubim on the beach