Intracoastal

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.
Intracoastal

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.

Intracoastal

Intracoastal

Some folks find a way to make a few bucks from the wildlife in the mud.
IMG 8799

Others, like the folks on the Menka II from Beaufort, don't mind a little piracy--and shooting blank at gawking tourists.
Intracoastal

I just kind of love the whole thing, even from the outside looking in.

My World Tuesday