Just Horsing Around

Well, we had such a nice getaway these past few days! My sister and her family were all spending the week in Williamsburg, Virginia, and had planned a day at Busch Gardens. Generous Bonnie said that if any of my family wanted to come for a day or so and join in the fun, she'd cover the cost of Busch Gardens. With Tom and Andrew and their families both living within a couple of hours of Williamsburg, it was a no-brainer.

Joe and I left on Sunday and made a leisurely drive down the Eastern Shore, stopping at Assateague to see if we could catch a glimpse of a horse or two. We had never been there before and didn't really know what to expect.

We saw horses. And more horses.

When we go to a National Park, we always try to begin our visit with a stop at the Visitors' Center and to catch a viewing of the orientation film. This has always proved helpful.

And, of course, we want to get our National Parks Passports stamped.

The Park Rangers and the volunteers we encountered were all so helpful and informative. It turned out we found two different groups of horses. Each small herd consists of a stallion, his mares, and any foals. We learned that a male foal is welcome in the herd until he starts to show signs of maturing; at that point, the stallion ejects him and he goes off to form a little herd of his own.

The horses, of course, had the right of way, and they wandered and grazed wherever they were inclined. We saw horses poking around a campsite and horses crossing streets and meandering through parking lots.

It was a lot of fun.

Our destination for the day was Pocomoke City where we'd booked a room at the River Gem B&B.

I need to tell you how well-named this place is. I need to tell you a lot about this place.

River Gem is owned an operated by a sweet, fluttery woman named Mona who lives there with her daughter Violet. She has another daughter and it turns out that Aurora lives within a mile of our home here Near Philadelphia!

Now, this photo of the Ruby Room isn't one I took; it's actually from the website. Each of the four rooms is named for a gem stone. The room was comfortable, well-appointed, had a TV that we didn't watch and wifi that we did use.

When we asked about a dinner recommendation, Mona sent us off to Mallard's, a couple of blocks away. The food was good. Our table was by the window and we enjoyed watching the water and the various waterfowl who came and went. We especially liked an adult beverage called Pocomoke Paloma.

On Monday morning, we went downstairs for what is truly the most spectacular meal ever to be served at a B&B. The first course was a home-baked strawberry-and-chocolate-chip scone. It was to die for. Coffee and juice in abundance, and then some freshly cut up berries and sweet pineapple. We liked it. But then came the main course: Two crepes nestled on the plate. The first was filled with spinach, ham, and egg white. I loved it. The second crepe's filling was sausage, apple, and cheddar. It was fabulous. Neither of us could finish, but obliging Violet wrapped them in a to-go box and then brought out the final course: Another crepe, this one filled with banana and nutella. Unbelievable.

We would go back in a minute.

When you go to Mallard's, be sure to try the Pocomoke Paloma. Trust me.