While my daughter and I were vacationing on North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, last week, we took a trip up to Beaufort and then out to Shackleford Island to try to spot a wild horse or two. We spotted one in the dunes who stood so still for so long I was afraid he might be made of cement. I am thinking the herd must send one out to amuse the tourists while the others get on with the business of being horses for the rest of the day. We walked around the island and then through the middle, where we found ample evidence, shall we say, of many horses. My daughter wondered what the horses did for fresh water as we drank from our bottles (before the hallucinations set in). Legend has it these guys have noses for water and find it when they need it. It was a beautiful day full of everything wonderful, including a ferry ride that blew the sweat off and gave us the chance to enjoy a view of some of the other barrier islands. (Click here for the Shackleford Horses website.)
53 Comments
What a wonderful destination- it looks amazing! I love what you said about the horse to amuse tourists. I can just picture the horse and one drawing the short straw and saying "dang!"
ReplyDeleteBeautiful beach and the horses are very interesting. NC is a great place to visit.
ReplyDelete* * *
Please visit me at The Chrysalis Stage and Esoteric Uncovered.
Follow me on twitter and facebook
Cute story to go with your beautiful and interesting photos. Looks like you had a great time making memories with your daughter!
ReplyDeleteI should ahve looked myself as the reader thingie didn't say you had soemthing past BYBS. Thus, I left comments on three posts today.
The story of the Shackleford Horses enchanted me. I remember reading a book, as a child, about horses on an island off the east coast, but I don't think it was about Shackleford Island. Do you happen to be familiar with the book I'm remembering?
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed this post. We have wild horses in the middle of Flathead Lake but they have to monitor their numbers closely. What a beautiful place you have photographed here.
ReplyDeletebeautiful images...
ReplyDeletei am sure you had a great time...what a blessing!
what fun summer memories you are making with your daughter...
ReplyDeletebeautiful captures sandy. i so love the wild horses on the ocean islands. their history is quite interesting. the horses/ponies annie was asking about are the chincoteague ponies.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chincoteague_Pony
have a wonderful evening.
The Banker Ponies have been on my list of photo assignments for ages! And you caught one the first time out??
ReplyDeleteBut the only time I ever went looking for them I didn't go to Shackleford Banks. I only went as far as Carrot Island (the one you can see from the Beaufort Waterfront).
I'm glad you got up there. That's probably my favorite part of the NC coast. Definitely a must-see if you're anywhere close by!
And your description of the herd sending out a "spokeshorse" would make a perfect Far Side cartoon. (Except that very few people would get it.)
Looks like a lovely place to spend vacation.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous beach! All your pictures are stunning :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place! I love the last shot! I assume that's your daughter and surf and colors are marvelous! Sounds as though you had a great time! Another place I would love to visit!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, Sandy!
Sylvia
That looks like a very nice and relaxing place.
ReplyDeleteThe beach and the entire location is beautiful. Very nice snaps.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a refreshing spot on a hot day. Liked the hoof print in the sand.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that such a thought occured to your daughter. Simple-yet-profound picture
ReplyDeleteSandy, what a great post with amazing photos to boot. How I would love to be dipping my toes in that surf right now. I love horses BTW. I am not familiar with these though, I do know about Chincoteague and Assateague ponies thanks to Marguerite Henry.
ReplyDeletenever seen a horse in the wild and your picture of it just amazes me. i hope it's not lost though. you took beautiful pics! very nice!
ReplyDeleteMy ideal kind of day on a vacation. Thanks for sharing your beautiful beach day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely mother-daughter retreat! Smart girl to wonder what the horses do for fresh water!
ReplyDeleteThere's something mystical about wild horses.
ReplyDeleteLovely post.
That lone pony is so sweet. What a beautiful laid back place to relax.
ReplyDeleteI think I have heard about these horses before. I think this pony looks lonely. Love seeing the ocean. I rarely get to see it living here in the center of the country.
ReplyDeleteHow magical.. .it looks like a dream. Just beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. That's my kind of holiday too. Going to the beach and just relax and destresss. Nice to be able to see a wild horse near the beach.
ReplyDeletethat is one of my favorite places to visit! You got lucky to see one on your first trip. I think I saw my first one after about my 6th or 7th trip. It looks like you had fun on that day. I am glad that you made the drive up there to visit.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovelyday out for you both, but that poor horse looks to be on starvation rations.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great outing.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots!
ReplyDeleteI was smiling reading your imagination of the horse being made of cement.
What a beautiful place. Great pictures too. MB
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you and your daughter had a very good day in that wonderful place!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful vacation. Love the horse photo.
ReplyDeleteAmazing shots Sandy!!
ReplyDeleteThe one with the wild horse.. Freedom!!
Truly stunning.
Well done on capturing the pony on photo - what a lovely place to visit. I was just wondering where the ponies got their water from, when you said your daughter asked the same question. Aaah. (((Hugs))) Jo
ReplyDeleteSome very powerful pictures here.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy, What a marvelous vacation you two must have had. That's quite a journey and I'm sure you both will always have many fond memories of your time together.
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to go to Shackleford Island, thanks for the link :D
What great pictures. I have heard of this island before and it is on my long list of places to see before I die.
ReplyDeleteHeck, i may even get there one day. I think I will go move it up the ladder a few notches thanks to your post.
Thanks for the visit and nice comment on my site.
I enjoyed reading about your vacation in NC. I have never been there and it is on my list of places to visit. I love the post about the bike and riptides - how scary that must have been but you handled it so well. As usual I am in awe of your beautiful, creative photos! Enjoy this beautiful summer day!
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that there are still wild horses thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome place! The beach looks wonderful. Must have been a gordious day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting :)
What a truly great spot for a vacation. Horses are such magnanimous animals.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy, must have been a wonderful vacation. Loved all the photos!
ReplyDeleteSandy: Neat captures of a fun time. I did enjoy your photos of the coast.
ReplyDeleteVery,very nice photos!!Great shot!
ReplyDeletekisses,
irina
NC sounds like a great state. Thanks for sharing this post Sandy, it was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a peaceful place. The photos are beautiful!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful place to stay, I love the beach so beautiful..
ReplyDeleteFantastic post.
ReplyDeleteso cute horse :)))
I love also the BEACH !!!
Beautiful photos as always!
ReplyDeletehow fantastic! you create such lovely memories for your daughter!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots - so wild and empty of people. Looks like paradise!
ReplyDeletegorgeous.. I have a daughter who would love to ride this pony
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.