I woke up early to a foggy morning on North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, last Sunday. The misty air was very beautiful, and it dissolved into a bright, clear day as I walked. It was wonderful and peaceful and quiet.
The first shot above is a view across the intracoastal waterway to some houses on the beach. The second is a view of some folks who got up before me; and the third, a view of the fishing pier in the solitude that I cherish. Everyone else seemed to have gone. I enjoyed watching the water as the light around it changed. This very beautiful place shows me again and again the wonder of being alive, the privilege of being alive, the joy of being alive. It's all so very simple.
At the heart of all of this, I feel a tremendous gratitude to my parents, who made the ocean a part of my life from an early age. When I was younger, I didn't always want to be there when we would go boating on summer weekends. I am glad my parents did their job and took me there, anyway. They helped me begin a relationship that continues to enrich me. I am a lucky girl. Blessed.
The first shot above is a view across the intracoastal waterway to some houses on the beach. The second is a view of some folks who got up before me; and the third, a view of the fishing pier in the solitude that I cherish. Everyone else seemed to have gone. I enjoyed watching the water as the light around it changed. This very beautiful place shows me again and again the wonder of being alive, the privilege of being alive, the joy of being alive. It's all so very simple.
At the heart of all of this, I feel a tremendous gratitude to my parents, who made the ocean a part of my life from an early age. When I was younger, I didn't always want to be there when we would go boating on summer weekends. I am glad my parents did their job and took me there, anyway. They helped me begin a relationship that continues to enrich me. I am a lucky girl. Blessed.
45 Comments
My heart has a gasp ...
ReplyDelete:-)
Ah, these magnificent shots!!!
kids nowadays don't appreciate nature enough...lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place, Sandy! And your photos are stunning as always. For someone who was born and raised in the middle of Texas, I have over the years developed a strange but wonderful relationship with the ocean and can't imagine ever living far from it anymore. It does indeed feed the soul. Wonderful post for the day! Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I miss being near the ocean. I am always drawn to it and look forward to the next time I can walk on the beach. I would jump out of bed for an early morning walk in the fog. These are beautiful images Sandy.
ReplyDeleteAdd to that we get to share it with you ..
ReplyDeleteI was also at the beach this past weekend IN THE RAIN FOREST on the Pacific in northern WA. We weren't so lucky as you. . . no rain the first afternoon on the beach but pouring rain for the cleanup.
ReplyDeleteI like your misty photo. I am glad you so enjoyed your beach walking!
Very refreshing photos my friend.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place and your photos are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
Theres a real kind of mystical feel to those photos. really lovely.
ReplyDeleteNuts in May
Even though foggy, they are beautiful.
ReplyDeletebeautiful photos.
ReplyDeletein the mists of time. isn't it interesting nnow as adults, how many fond memories we have of places we were 'dragged' to as kids?!
Sandy: What a great place to be in this world.
ReplyDeleteVERY nice...and I should know...
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
Sandy these are wonderful shots from Topsail and beautiful words too. I am greatful to my parents for the beach and the mountains. We always spent a lot of time at the beach when I was growing up and also at the mountains. That's one thing I like about where I am in NC, it's only a few hour's drive in one direction to the coast and then in the other direction to the mountains.
ReplyDeleteThese photographs are beautiful, Sandy. It looks a beautiful place, but you've captured it at a particularly wonderful moment in time. Have a lovely week,
ReplyDeleteJanice.
I grew in a town beside the ocean and these photos bring back many happy memories. Thanks, Sandy!
ReplyDeletethese are beautiful, especially that first one. Love the fog and colors!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing these lovely shots. i find the second one particularly romantic.
ReplyDeletewww.ewok1993.wordpress.com
What beautifully mystical (sorry) photography!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots, the ocean has an entirely different look and feel in the fog.
ReplyDeleteThe colors of these photos are so beautiful...I long to capture these kinds of colors. Wow, Sandy...just simply divine!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly are blessed and you are doubly blessed since you realize it. These are great moody photos. No wonder you enjoy being there. It looks magical.
ReplyDeleteso peaceful and lovely!
ReplyDeleteThese are just amazing.. beautiful photos. Thank you so much for sharing this wonder.
ReplyDeleteAmazingly dreamy shots... Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteFantastic sceneries, Sandy! Great light in these images, I enjoy them very much!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteOh, that first shot is just stunning!
ReplyDeleteA stunning set of pictures... certainly a place to stop and take in the atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder we are drawn to the beauty and tranquility of the ocean. It's profound power is beautifully expressed in your words and these heavenly photos. Thanks Sandy! A lovely start to my day in a very dry BC!!! :<(
ReplyDeleteYou are a lucky girl! To have the beach ever a part of your life has to be fascinating!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous place .... stunning photos!
ReplyDeleteyour appreciation to your parents touches my heart. your morning walk and photos brings a spirit of peace. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics... just amazing...! :) What a gorgeous morning walk. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the POTW from Hilary!
Love/ Jo.
nice pics...i grew up going to topsail with my fam every year...
ReplyDeleteYou see beauty in the foggy scenes and you help us to see it too. Lovely. Congrats on POTW.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos. Love all of them especially the first one.
ReplyDeleteThat's is oh-so-beautiful. What wonderful pictures, and such an invitation to imagination. It's not just the sea, although my goodness, the sea has caught many a heart and mind over time. It's the fog.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved fog, and mist. Whenever I see it, part of me imagines who lies beyond my sight range, and in my imagination, it is always something wonderful, never mundane.
Fog renders the world full of secrets barely hinted at and it adds that sense of anticipation to even known surroundings. Your pictures perfectly captured that. Very well done indeed, and congratulations on the post of the week mention over at Hilary's blog :-)
Back to say: Congrats on the POTW mention from Hilary
ReplyDeleteI love to visit the ocean, it must be great to live near by. I really like these photos taken in the mist. I, like you, enjoy the solitude on mornings such as this.
ReplyDeleteYou are a lucky girl and wise too. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteI love fog, especially fog near the ocean. The people wandering on the beach, the silhouette of the pier--these do capture that wistful feeling I associate with such places on foggy days.
ReplyDeleteso breathtaking ...
ReplyDeleteThese are truly spectacular, and the words are such a testimony to much of our life.
ReplyDeleteJust a new reader.. looking around if that's okay.
Such a beautiful space.
Beautiful sepia photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.