Adella and I took a little boat ride on the Intracoastal Waterway from Surf City on Topsail Island on the last day of our vacation there. The waterway was started the early 20th century to create a safe passageway for boats along the length of the East Coast. This section of it is an expanded version of a natural waterway thanks to the Army Corps of Engineers. Prisoners dredged the thing in the 1900s. The rich mud they dug up and tossed aside became the little land masses that dot the waterway and support a host of maritime vegetation. The above photo is a view of the swing bridge from Surf City to the mainland. It's a lovely thing if you're not waiting in line to use it.
Topsail Island is dotted with summer mansions that, as a friend said, could be seen from outer space. The folks who occupy these trailers have a different set of priorities, I think. All the good living takes place on the water.
Some folks find a way to make a few bucks from the wildlife in the mud.
Others, like the folks on the Menka II from Beaufort, don't mind a little piracy--and shooting blank at gawking tourists.
I just kind of love the whole thing, even from the outside looking in.
My World Tuesday
49 Comments
I learned to love the Intracoastal while living in Little River, South Carolina. The scenery is similar to what you're showing for Topsail Island. North Myrtle Beach (a few miles down the waterway) has a swing bridge.
ReplyDeleteI though that was a drawbridge in Surf City. Wow, won't Babooshka be pleased to know Ramsey doesn't have the last one left on earth!
ReplyDeleteSo who was driving the boat this time?
beautiful phots of a terrific holiday..
ReplyDeletepeace and health to you..
shraddha
Thank you for taking me on your journey! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying things. Lovely place.
ReplyDeleteIs that ship sliding!!!!!!
never been to that part of the usa but enjoy tripping with you through photos and descriptions. But this is the last day of our vacation? Well next week I head to Northwest Seattle and ORegon coast so I'll take you along. LOL!
ReplyDeleteOh, what great shots, Sandy! Marvelous post and thanks for taking us along! What a great vacation!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Sylvia
Lovely shots!
ReplyDeleteGreat vacationing spot.
Great shots from a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI Like your World
ReplyDeleteGreat photos
and writeup
Intercoastal waterways are great.
To see a part of Texas, Click here.
Troy and Martha
Sign me up for one of those trailers! It really doesn't matter so much what you live in when all you have to do to be on the water is to step out your front door! ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat sequence of photographs and post for a part of my world that I love. Fun seeing places I'm familiar with through someone else'es lens.
ReplyDeleteThat seafood market is awesome!
ReplyDeleteNice pictures. I love being near the water.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour, these pics are fantastic. I especially like the second last one of the boat.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week
Guy
Regina In Pictures
Sandy: That is a neat show of the intercostal and you got some great photos.
ReplyDeleteI knew about the Intracoastal Waterway, but had not seen it. Very interesting. Hope you had a nice holiday.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you love this area. It is so pretty and interesting with all the different types of boats etc.
ReplyDeletePerfect vacation spot. And you showed us exactly how beautiful this place is.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You know how much I like anything to do with the water... and this certainly fits the bill.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard about this intracostal way before - intersesting - lovely photos too :)
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at Mojo's comments. So true. Of course I am hooked on this world today. I really need to curb my bridge enthusiam.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing journey you had, Sandy. I enjoyed all your wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteA great way to spend a day Sandy. I would not mind going out on that three master and catching a fish or two myselt. I would prefer to sweep out the sand from a shack rather than clean a mansion and not have any time to enjoy my surroundings.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful scenery. Love the itneresting ongoings around the river.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures!! I enjoyed this post very much.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. I enjoy the waterway and think it is so much fun to see the little places along the *trail*.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy, I really enjoyed your My World post. A great variety of interesting photos.
ReplyDeleteI love the shots! It lets me peek at the lives other live. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteDropping by from Advertising For Success' Click and Comment Monday.
Thanks for the tour . . . I would enjoy living on the water like that!
ReplyDeleteGlad you found out the name for the flower below -- I left another comment thee.
Very beautiful scenic shots. In the last shot the cloud formations are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to spend a day on the water. Your photos are beautiful with great composition and colour. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and smiles
WOnderful snaps
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Sandy. I've always enjoyed life along the intercoastal.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good place for good living by the sea to me.
ReplyDeleteThis post has a very special atmosphere, which is created by the photo of the "Fresh Seafood". I like the whole tour very much! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy. It's the seafood market that I find so charming. Bet you can buy some pretty good fish there.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Looks like you had a great time!
ReplyDelete<3 Lindsay
Fun post- lots of different sights! I get nervous about bridges and just looking at the swing brindge gave me butterflies. I much prefer the trailers on the water- like you said...different priorities!
ReplyDeleteI've thought of this before when you've mentioned it, but I don't think I ever told you, but I think topsail Island is just about the most charming name I ever heard!
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy !! These are some really cool and beautiful shots !! Thanks for sharing..Unseen Rajasthan
ReplyDeleteWOW!
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful!
You've a great skill for photography...
It was a knowledgeable tour! Thanks for the info..:)
Nice way of educating people about places and their importance, really impressed am I!
Loved the third Pic...Nostalgic! And the last pic is mind-blowing...
Loved this post, felt so much at home while reading it..felt like being and living there..:)
Keep writing..
hey I'd live in a trailer to live on the water like that - but I'd prefer to live in a houseboat. :)
ReplyDeleteStrange to consider another 'Surf City' on the opposite coast from my own. I enjoyed the virtual tour of this lovely Intracoastal Waterway. Thanks for the historical information too.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
that looks like such a fun trip; those are ominous looking clouds coming in!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures beckon. "It's a lovely thing if you're not waiting in line to use it." lol. But it's great you could include the place on your vacation.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great place for a holiday.
ReplyDeletewhat a great series of pics... fun times on the ICW!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.