Adventures of Normadillo: September Brings The Horse

In September, Normand joined us on a trip to Assateague Island.

I, for one was really excited. I've been wanting to see Chincoteague and Assateague for years. How awesome is it that wild ponies roam freely over the island.

Normand, being the small 'dillo he is wasn't so sure he wanted to meet these little horses. He took some convincing to join us. He'd seen a horse at the end of August at the county fair and he wasn't convinced that they wouldn't try to eat him.

He did, however, like the idea of going to the beach. So, to the beach he went.

Assateague is a very low lying island off of the Delmarva peninsula. It's full of lovely beaches, salt marshes, and of course ponies. Being low-lying, there are some very interesting features to the island.

The campsites were very flat.

There are trees, but they've adapted to the climate.

Humans, on the other hand, have not adapted nearly so well.

This was a road that existed on the island before a big storm hit in 1962.
There had been plans to turn it into another Hilton Head.
Chunks of pavement like this are all that's left.

Instead, it's now a state and federal park, home to protected wetlands, birds, and of course the horses.

Sandpipers

Egrets

Osprey

Normandillo at the wetlands

The Ponies. Grazing. From afar.

But, the ponies didn't stay afar. They came closer to the campsites.

 And, then, once the sun went down....

They struck.

There's nothin' in this pic-a-nick basket, Boo-Boo!

The rangers warn folks as they come in, but not everyone listens to the warnings. The horses go where they want to. They know people have food. They will raid camps. (They will also bite and kick. Moral of the story, stay away from unfamiliar ponies and keep your coolers in the car....)

Normand enjoyed himself. He even made a few new friends.

Until next time.....

Adventures of Normandillo: August

In August, Normand joined us on a trip to Point Lookout State park. Everything was fine until we passed a house we’d seen the previous year, and as luck would have it, their curious display was still there: Dopey and Tigger tied to posts on either side of the driveway as a warning to any other plushy that they were not welcomed there.

Needless to say, Normand was a little sensitive to the image (Poor little ‘dillo!).

(And for the sake of Normand and any sensitive readers, we are not including that photo.)

Point Lookout State Park is a beautiful stretch of historic woods and waterfront, containing the remains of a civil war prison camp. We've been going with friends for a few years now.

Normand took to camping like a fish to water, or a crab to chicken necks... more on that later....

He even found himself a perfect front row seat!

At the beach, Normand met some unusual new wildlife.

With a name like the "Cowkiller Ant,"
even Normand steered clear of this  1 1/2" long  wingless wasp!

Point Lookout State Park is on a peninsula where the Potomac empties into the Chesapeake Bay. We all enjoyed the view.

 Later, off of a dock in the small brackish marsh, Normand met some of the Maryland State crabs....

S' my chicken neck!! You let it go!!

You got a problem with me??

I am not coming over for dinners!!!

Figuring that the better part of valor was retreat, Normand joined us back at the campsite for a dinner that didn't bite back: hot dogs and s'mores.

So... are the marshmallows supposed to burn like that?

 And on the way home, we took a little side trip off the beaten track to see a piece of American history:

Until next time and the County Fair.....

Adventures of Normandillo: July, Part 1

Hello Mrs. B.,

Normand reminded me I'm still very behind in telling you about his adventures this summer.

In July, Normand joined my SO and I on a trip northward to visit my family for the 4th of July. Immediately, Normand found the best seat possible.

As we found out, he isn't just an armadillo, he's a navidillo and he insisted on charting our course from the cushy seat of the Garmin's pillow. .

He seemed really excited to go that far north -- within sight of the Canadian border -- as he'd never been. Apparently, he thought there would be snow. He was disappointed, but only briefly. There were too many friends to make, things to see, and exciting things for him to do.

He spent several lovely evenings along Lake Champlain.

Point Au Fer, New York, Lake Champlain

Cumberland Head, New York, Lake Champlain

 With ducks,

Normand with Bill the Duck

New Friend!

 Having drinks,

It's a big glass for a small armadillo.

A tea party

He even saw a small seamonster:

Not Champy. Actually, I think it was a baby otter...

It being the 4th, he got to see how a small town does Independence Day. 

Parades:

Parties:

and Fireworks:

But even with all of this, Normand was still up for more, so he came with us to the Finger Lakes....

To be continued....

The Tail of Normandillo - Part 1

Hi Mrs. B,

I'm interrupting our usual programming to introduce you to a new friend of mine.

His name is -- I think -- Normand. Normandillo.

He speaks with something of a Cajun accent despite being from Texas, so it was a little hard at first to understand who was Normand and who was Armand but after several iterations and perhaps a leeetle bit of alcohol, we seem to have come to an understanding. And perhaps a theme song.

Yes, a theme song, which I will attempt to post here at a later time. ;)

This is Genn. She told me, "You have to bring this guy home, Odd.
He looks like he could use a friend."

Normand came to find me on the trip I took in June to NYC. Friends of mine were in the area for a limited time only, having just made a swing through Texas. We got together, had a great couple of days, and spent the last few hours basking in the glory of the Met, when up truddles this wee little armadillo.

"I could take over Manhattan, but I have a feeling you might be up for an adventure...."

Imagine my surprise when he says he wants to come home with me.

"Hurray! The train! I wonder what wonders we'll see from here...?"

More on the Normandillo adventures soon.....