Rainy and cool, but ponies galore! As hiking was somewhat limited by weather, I decided to drive around a bit and see what I could see. Moe and I headed out to the ranger station, where who should we see but Chief and his band, with Phoenix close behind. There was a brief traffic jam while the “boys” had another scuffle. After the action died down, I turned around to head down island.

You can only go so far before the road ends and you can not go further without a special Over Sand Vehicle pass (you don’t need to have a Jeep or off-road vehicle, but you do have to carry items including a shovel and tow rope in case of getting stuck). There are a few pony bands that stay down in that area, so maybe I’ll try that in the future.

End of the road.

I’d never actually gone to the Life of the Forest trail before, so I stopped there and headed out, over Moe’s objections (dogs are allowed everywhere in the Assateague National Seashore except trails). Along the way, I spotted these young deer doing some mutual grooming.

And I was rewarded with the sight of another band of ponies, this time stallion Adriana’s Happy Camper with mares Pretty Lass, a pinto, Little Dipper, and Silver Spurs Island Mist, both unmarked chestnuts. Unfortunately, while I got a good look at them through my binoculars, they were too far away to photograph. I was told later by one of the “pony watchers” that Silver Spurs, b. 1999, and Little Dipper, b. 2003, are two of the oldest ponies on the island.

You may be wondering about the ponies’ names: for many years now, the Assateague Island Alliance, a nonprofit group supporting the Assateague Island National Seashore, raises money through auctions and raffles to “Name that Pony” or “Name that Foal.” Names range from the simple (Dewey, Billy Bob, Rosie) to the ornate (Fitzpatrick’s Declirian Star, Gokey GoGo Bones, Mr. Frisky Hooves, Tommy Thunderbolt Nektosha), depending on the age or imagination of the lucky winner. I’m waiting for a Horsey McHorseface to pop up.

Anyhow, after that, I headed back toward camp, but stopped at the Life of the Marsh Trail, as someone had mentioned seeing another band there. With poor Moe wailing away in the car, I headed out along the raised boardwalk and there they were!

From left to right: unnamed colt born late April, his dam Little Acorn, unidentified filly/mare, and stallion T.J. Hollywood. My third pony band of the day!

Colt exploring the marsh:

I got a good long look at them, then reclaimed Moe and headed back to camp. Couldn’t get to my campsite because Chief and Phoenix were just outside the entrance causing a ruckus, with the resulting traffic blockage. I’ve had enough of their shenanigans for the day!