April 16
Since I'd stayed up late LARPing, I slept late, too.
I felt a strange sort of anticipation for the weekend: maybe I was alone 'cause Peggy and Aric were gone, and maybe I didn't have any plans, but that just meant that I'd have to come up with something to do on my own, and I was sure I could think of something.
When I looked outside, it looked all bright and sunny, and I opened the window to check and it was already warm and properly spring outside, at long last. I'd been worried that the last nice day had just been a fluke, but now I was sure spring was here for real. Any time now the trees would make leaves and the seasons would go on like they ought to.
I was already planning to go on a good long flight today, and was getting in my flight gear when my portable telephone chirped at me. I was so not used to it making noises that I looked around the room before I figured out where the noise was coming from, and then I remembered that my telephone made that noise when I had a telegram.
It was from Meghan, and she said that since it was a nice day the girls were going to go to the beach at South Haven. That sounded like a lot of fun to me—the beach in Los Angeles had been nice—and I could do something else I'd wanted to do as well. So I sent her a short telegram back saying that I was coming over to their room and we could talk about it because I knew that we could make arrangements over the telephone but that wasn't as easy as a face-to-face meeting.
So once I was over at their room I said that I wanted to fly to South Haven, along the route of the trail (that was easier, because I could follow it and there weren't any cars on it) and I could meet them on the beach and play all day and then they could give me a ride back if I was too tired to fly. I still didn't know for sure what my flight limits were on Earth.
Meghan was a little bit worried about me, but I assured her that I could fly a lot further than that back in Equestria, and it would probably be similar on Earth. She said to make sure I took my portable telephone and to call them or send a telegram if I needed help and they would come and rescue me. But I didn't expect to.
They wanted to go before breakfast to get the full day, but I hated flying on a completely empty stomach, so I said that I was going to eat first and then I'd be along.
We arranged a place to meet, and then Meghan hugged me and said that she was looking forward to seeing me on the beach and I went to get my meal while they were finishing packing up.
I didn't want to eat too much, just enough for energy that would stick with me, so I had oatmeal and a small portion of scrambled eggs. Then I got ready and called the airplane directors and once I had permission I took off and headed towards the trailhead.
The beginning was familiar, and then before too long I was in uncharted territory, for me. There were signs at every intersection so that I would know where the trail was (but it wasn't too hard to follow, since it wasn't a road), and it went northwest for a bit and then curved southwest at a place called Alamo.
I passed by a farm which had a big pipe on wheels, and then after that there was one that had lots of irrigation ditches and I went right through the middle of that one. And there were lots of little lakes and a couple of big ones on either side of the trail. Some places I could see how it was navigating the high ground, and other places I wasn't sure why it went where it did.
Right after that was a town called Gobles, and then after I was by there I was out in farmland again pretty quickly. Most of the fields were fallow, but there were some pastures that had cows or sheep in them, and some smaller ones with horses.
I considered flying down and saying 'hi' to the horses, but I was probably better off leaving them alone. I did give a friendly whinny down to a couple of pastures as I passed over, though. And it was good to know that they were there, because there were water troughs in all the pastures, and if a horse could drink from them, so could I if I got thirsty.
I did have a couple of water bottles with me in case I needed to drink and couldn't find any other source of water. And a can of anchovies in case I needed some more energy. But I'd have to land to eat or drink, and I wanted to not land unless I had to.
Not too long after leaving Bloomingdale I went over a pretty big forest that had a few houses in it. And it stayed forested until I got to Grand Junction. I knew that the Kal-Haven trail used to be a railroad, and I could see that it had once connected to another in Grand Junction. Some of the trackbed was still there, and the other railroad was still in place, and even had a train on it when I flew over.
When I got to Lacota my wings were starting to get a bit sore. This was the longest stretch of flying I'd done since I had been on Earth, and I was wondering if I was at the halfway point yet. I thought I was, but I also thought that if I had been thinking of turning back, now it was too late. I wouldn't make it back to Kalamazoo without some rest.
I still couldn't help but make a slight detour because south of town was a squiggly road with a grandstand along a straight stretch, and I wasn't sure what it was for. It didn't go anywhere; cars on it could only go around and around and what was the point of that? Unless humans had sports like barrel racing but with cars.
After that, I could start to see features on the lakeshore, and I knew I was getting pretty close. I’d been seeing the lake for a while, but it was kind of hard to judge just how far it was, ‘cause it went along the whole horizon.
Pretty soon the farmland gave way to more and more buildings which was South Haven, and the trail ended by a bend in the river. I kept close track of where that was so I could go back along the trail if I wanted, and then followed the river along until it went out into the lake, 'cause that's where the beaches were, on either side.
I had a little bit of trouble finding my friends, but not too much. They were all near where they said they'd be, sunning on the beach, and I managed to sneak in without any of them seeing me until I'd almost landed, then Amy pointed in my direction.
They weren't the only ones who noticed me, of course, and there were a bunch of people pointing and gawking when I came down and landed.
I said that I was going to go in the water to cool off, and Meghan helped me get my saddlebags and flight vest off, and then I galloped down the beach not caring who saw and when my hooves hit the firmer wet sand at the edge I took off and glided out a few ponylengths before splashing down in the lake.
It was bitterly cold but it felt really nice after all the exercise I'd just done. Unlike in California, there weren't lots of swimmers in the water. Probably they waited until it had warmed up some before going in.
When I'd cooled back off, I shook myself off on shore and then went back and everyone shuffled around to give me a spot to stretch out. Since I was wet, nobody wanted to touch me, but the sun was out and I'd dry off before too long.
They'd brought a big icebox full of food and we shared it among ourselves for lunch. I offered my anchovies, but nobody wanted them, so I put them back in my saddlebags to have for later.
I went into the water one more time, and I managed to convince Meghan and Lisa to join me. Both Amy and Becky said that we were stupid, and we agreed that was probably so, but what was the fun of coming to the beach if you didn't go in the water, even if it was cold?
They didn't stay too long, though, and I played around by myself a little bit but it wasn't that much fun to be alone so I left the water and went back with them.
We spent the afternoon sort of dozing off and on and looking out at other people on the beach and the boats that were coming out of the river every now and then. For a while Becky used my back as a pillow and I didn't mind because I had my head resting on Meghan's lap and she was petting my mane and I had no desire to move.
Once it was finally time to leave, everyone helped carry things including me (I had beach towels draped over my back). I didn't really want to leave, but I knew it was time and I didn't think I would be up to flying back to Kalamazoo on my own. So we all crowded into the Focus, me in the back between Meghan and Amy.
Although we were back in Kalamazoo in time for dinner if we hurried, nobody wanted to go to the dining hall so we ordered pizza and while they were waiting for it to arrive everyone took turns getting dressed in their lounging clothes but of course I didn't have to.
I wouldn’t have minded watching another Harry Potter movie, but they wanted something more lighthearted than that and there was a little debate before we finally settled on Over the Hedge, which I thought was really funny. Squirrels are really like that and they're always chattery and angry when you're in their tree.
The movie was almost over when Amy got a telephone call and said that it was Russ and he was going to pick her up in a few minutes, so she got some new clothes and went to the bathroom to get ready for him and pretty soon she got another call and left. I didn't think she'd be coming back for the night, because I knew why girls went to boys' houses.
We sat around talking for a while longer, until Lisa and Becky finally decided that it was time to go to bed. When I looked towards Meghan's bed she just nodded and I pushed the covers back and hopped up on the bed. Then she took her shirt off and threw it at my head. Before I could get myself free from it she was in bed and pulling the covers up, but only partway so that I could curl up on her bare chest like I liked to.
If she'd meant to throw the shirt at me to hide the fact that she wasn't wearing any clothes she ought to have pulled the covers up higher, because I could see and I was about to say something but then I thought maybe she'd be embarrassed.
I reached down with my hoof and hooked on the covers and pulled them up a little bit higher and she sort of tensed and then relaxed. Then she leaned down and kissed the top of my head and put her arm around my back and pulled me close to her.
When I was snuggled up against her to her satisfaction she traced her hand along my spine all the way to my dock a couple of times, then she leaned down and kissed me on the top of my head, and so I tilted my head back and nuzzled her on the bottom of her chin then closed my eyes and fell asleep on her chest.
a nice relaxing day
I'm genuinely conflicted about her and Meg. It's sweet to read about... When I forget Aric.
Meg's confusion over her own wants reminds me of your Sam and Rose stories.
Beach episode!
Woah there. Filly, the only way she could be any clearer is if she tugged your tail.
Thinking back to the other chapter with the 'unlucky' charms, I wonder if Silver might like Cheerios, the plain basic ones.
7303297 Its obligatory to have a beach or hotsprings episode.
As previously suggested: Meghan.
Since you're writing about real places here, I'm picturing you writing this with Google Earth open (or even taking a road trip in person?), moving along the trail to see what landmarks Silver would see.
Edit:
- lots of irrigation ditches (right before Gobles, too!)
Though I can't find any big pipes, I'm guessing you'd have to actually be there to see it.
Side note: Looking at that map made me realize I had no concept how fucking big the Great Lakes actually are.
Yeah, I haven't kept count but I think they must be at least on #4 by now, so they're probably starting to get pretty dark.
A mare after my own hearth!
She's unto us!
I'm sure this has been pointed out before, but every time I see the name Meghan in an MLP story I keep thinking of Meghan from the original MLP, only now she's college age.
In the words of the great
Vinyl ScratchNowacking: "OH MY GOD, JUST BUCK ALREADY".Edit: I actually have that part bookmarked. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nd34V6vvLA&t=17m53s
*pat pat* Wait until you get sleet in June or 80 degree days in January. Earth weather is crazy, crazy I tell you!
I wonder when it'll really hit her that humans can't control the things that make weather what it is.
7303500
"Big pipe on wheels" sounds like one of those self-propelled irrigation systems that many farms have. Maybe less so in the Upper Peninsula, but they're all over the place.
ers.usda.gov/media/1175106/13sept_datafeature_schaible_photo.jpg
at some point i think she should ask Meg about... "exploring"
7303500
There are a holy crap ton of people that don't realize just how large the Great Lakes are. Especially people in Europe that I have meet while playing various mmos.
7303614
She knows, but it's like when Americans go to Germany and invariably complain about the lack of air conditioning.
7303721
I complain about the lack of air conditioning here in the US! My four roommates outvoted me on AC being too expensive, so we use lots of fans 24/7.
How in the world though do you open a can of sardines with hooves? I can barely do it with fingers.
7303731
Yes, but in Germany it's cultural, they just roll with the weather, and even Americans living in Germany tend to have trouble wrapping their heads around it.
7303636 It is kinda hard for people of western Europe to figure it, their frame or reference aren't the same. The biggest lake in western Europe, the lake Geneva is less then 600 square km in surface, while lake Ontario, the smallest of the great Lakes is around 19 000 square km.
Heck! The Lake Superior is bigger then the English channel.
7303799
Yup, AC is pretty much limited to public buildings and vehicles here.
7303316 they are getting there slowly ...
A question I myself have asked several times, which my family in Florida has always been quick to answer. There's something hilarious in seeing someone trying to justify driving a car as a sport by virtue of enduring G-forces. I will grant that it's a competition, even one with a strategic element, but when internal combustion is doing all of the work, it's not athletic.
Also, I get the feeling that "silly pony playing in the water" is going to be the latest in Silver's string of viral videos.
UgggghhhhhhaaAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! Come on! Do it already!
Even in the hottest part of July, Lake Michigan is always cold. It takes a bit of getting used to when going for a swim.
I know Silver is a little oblivious to Meghan's advances, and she is innocently returning the gestures in kind, but something tells me that if Aric were to find out, he will feel quite hurt...
Cute.
This must have caused considerable confusion among the horses.
Silver Glow used the definite article with regards to a car! Has she figured out that the name printed on the vehicle is a generic name and not specific to the vehicle?
7304645
"Those foals today have no respect for gravity. "
7305332
Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from technology.
7303500
Google Maps, actually. And I used to live in Kalamazoo and I've been on four or five miles of the Kal-Haven trail, as well as other, similar trails in Michigan.
You would; but if you know what you're looking for, you can see it on the map.
The parallel arcs caught my eye; that's where the wheels are. And if you look closely, you can see the irrigation arm at about the 2:00 position, pointing from the centerpoint of the arcs to the farmhouse.
agriculture.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/233627/Centre-Pivot-system.jpg
They're really popular out west, and if you look at Google maps (or whatever) you'll see all sorts of circular fields . . . one of these babies is pivoting around the center of every one. They're not so common in Michigan, but they're not unheard of, either.
Hey Meghan? I think Shia LaBeouf has some words for you.
7305307 doh forgot about cheese. The ponies have nothing holding them back from discovering crout. Although it boggles the mind on how certain stuff would be found edible. Take cinnamon. It is tree bark. How was that found to be flavorful?
I think most pickles nowadays are pickled with vinegar instead of fermented although there are still some companies that make the fermented kind.
7305186 .. I was referring to something else entirely.
When Trixie was a foal, she worked on a pony farm. One of the ponies got.. ahem... excited.. and his... tackle... hit the dirt.
7305549 Cro-Magnon was Homo Erectus.
7305561
When the only trait you are bothering to select for is shortness of stature, other traits might not adjust to match.
Though, I think if he was really excited, he wouldn't have been touching the ground
7305307 Judging by all the game and fiction projects sitting uselessly on my hard drive, future archaeologists will probably conclude I am a powerful shaman of my people.
7305149
Booooooo. She already has more restrictions than she should have. A good rights lawyer could probably get some of the FAA ones lowered too. They are basically taking away her own personal rights and freedom since they are regulating natural abilities with a lot of them and went too far on the restrictions. Needs to have some, but probably not as many as she currently has, and hopefully the FAA will adjust stuff eventually.
The testing for some basic aviation knowledge, mostly learning the places not to just randomly fly at like airports with out permissions, and staying away from planes in the air were really good things though. And maybe the light being used after dark, in certain locations or heights is good too. But overall, to many restrictions on poor pegasi.
7303032 that's assuming that magic is solely incantations. If it is, then yes that is exactly what the language needs to do. Messing up words in that case would be catastrophic. If magic isn't incantations then the needs of the language changes drastically because stupid grammer doesn't mess with stuff any more than it does every other aspect in life.
It has been confirmed through chat by Admiral Biscut that it is more than just a script and i'm trying to figure out how it functions.
7303086 It'd really be one mathematical language. Math is by definition abstract. engineers, mathematicians, scientists, and business (and others) all take the same calculus course. It's the same notation for everything, the only changes are variables and their names. Although magic is a bit different from this and how it's handled depends highly on head canon.
My main problem is that the separate unicorn language now doesn't do squat as it only replaces regular equestrian. If regular equestrian can't describe it then the unicorn language can't describe it. (has it been named at all?) so it really doesn't serve much purpose.
7305125 i'm good as long as it doesn't try to analogue to 3d (such as surface area). In general try to avoid thinking of it as a graph, think of it using concrete example. For example, the volume of a rectangular prism (box) is actually a four dimensional surface. dimension one is length, 2 is height, 3 is width and 4 is volume. But when you plug in numbers, it collapses into one value. which is similar to how I was able to find the surface area of a 5 dimensional shape, I was able to force it into 2d where I could calculate the area. I guess what i'm trying to say is that it helps if you don't try to visualize it and just look at the math.
7305198 that's true for any word. words are all interdependent and there isn't any true inherent value. Although the notations for derivative are a bit more like that. dy/dx is fairly self explanatory. change in y over change in x.
Math is also deliberately vague and abstract. So you can kind of look at it as a set of grammer and letters. Then science comes a long and finds a use for all of these rules and tidbits and craft them into something meaningful.
7305242 online resources took over and with engineering, you aren't really doing things like getting books for papers (at least at my level). Even when I go to the library it's because I need the computing power that the engineering computer labs don't have and for some reason I can't use my computer or when I need some software I don't have (photoshop, illustrator, whatever)
"And yesterday residents of Bloomingdale reported seeing a strange UFO flying over their town at low level..."
And I too am looking forwards to Silver, Magen, and Alic having a long overdue talk about boundaries and what they expect out of various levels of friendship. Which leafs to the question does Alic know about Magan? Because I can't imagine she doesn't know about him.
But on the other hand, I've slept naked with a house cat, and stroked her down to her 'dock' while she rested her head on my chest - and I didn't want to have sex with her. Yes this looks like a prequel to Super Lesbian Horse Adventures, but Meghan embracing nudism / equestrian social mores is still a valid explanation.
7305200
How many interesting phrases this could turn into. What do you do when you pop an emotional pimple? How about emotional cerebral hemorrhage? Emotional chemical burn.
7305439
And that clears up another mystery! I've seen a lot of those patches from the air (flying in a regular airplane, not on a pegasus :P ) probably over California, definitely somewhere near the west coast. I wondered why fields would be circular; there's hardly any artificial irrigation where I live, so space is more of a concern.
Also my inbox right now is made of awesome:
l.calref.net/9z
7305332
Hey, if the students at U of M Duluth can tolerate their batpony dormmate who's mad for durians, those Michigander wimps can handle a little of the True North.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2013/10/18/451278__safe_solo_oc_blushing_oc+only_smiling_cute_open+mouth_tongue+out_spread+wings.png
7305966
Not so, while our language isn't inherently phonetic, and sometimes words have pronunciations that aren't inherent obvious from the spelling, but they could be made such. The idea is that the letters or combinations of letters are related to the sounds we make.
I think Silver Glow would appreciate a Camel Back for drinking while flying.
Their trip to the beach reminds me of the beach in Reykjavik. The Icelanders have imported several hundred tons of sand from Morocco and built themselves a beach. Supposedly the water there is heated a bit by geothermal energy, but if it is I don't want to know how cold the water is normally.
Looks like you've got an error here.
7303218
the best kind of day
7303251
There are some similarities, aren't there? Although the situations for Sam and Meghan are rather different. . . .
7303297
Ponies on beaches is just awesome.
7303316
7303334
I think she's had them once in-story. She also likes shredded wheat and plain oatmeal. And waffles, when the wafflemaker isn't broken.
7303513
You want to go to South Haven? I haven't been there in some years, but I assume it's still the same as it was.
She's a smart filly.
7303549
I do have one story with that Meghan as an adult.
7303550
You are the hero Fimfic deserves.
7303614
Her first assumption will always be that we do, and then when she thinks about it she'll remember that we can't.
It is. And a technical quibble, Kalamazoo is in the lower peninsula (and so is the Kal-Haven trail). Not to pick on the UP (okay, a little) but all that's up there is mooses, bears, and trees. They don't have running water, except for Tahquamenon Falls.
7303628
Perhaps. . . .
7303721
She knows, but it's like when Americans go to Germany and invariably complain about the lack of air conditioning.
Ha! I wouldn't be one of those people. My work doesn't have A/C, and neither does my house. Also most of my cars don't (true story, my Grand Marquis is the first car I've ever owned with functioning A/C, and my Impala is the second. Out of thirty or so cars).
7303776
You hold the back of the can with your hoof and catch the ring-pull with your teeth and yank it open that way, then lick any sardine juice that got on your muzzle off.
7303915
10% of all the liquid freshwater in the world. And the rest of the Great Lakes makes up nearly another 10%.
7304220
There's a skill involved, though. And it is somewhat athletic (endurance, mostly), just not in the sense that a lot of sports are.
Really, almost anything Silver does could spawn a viral video. "Silver licking jam off her muzzle" would get a million hits in a heartbeat.
7304414
7304497
But on the plus side, it's unsalted and shark-free.
7304645
Yes; they're not built to understand the concept of a fellow equine flying by overhead.
She has. But some of them she'll probably keep treating as if it was their unique name--the ones she's most familiar with like Sienna or Cobalt. Winston, obviously, but that's not what the manufacturer called it.
7305350
Yes it is.