Author: Carol Ann Ross

Such a beautiful day today at low tide this afternoon. Sky looks like whipped cream. The island is gearing up for the busy season – Surf City Summer Market will start in May – hope y’all come. Lots of cool stuff and cooler people.

Thanks to all of you who have taken advantage of the “free” promotion for THE DAYS OF HAIRAWN MUHLY.  The response has been fantastic. However; true to form and as my luck would have it – THE TRILL OF THE RED-WING BLACKBIRD has had some glitches and will not be available for purchase for a few days. Please be patient, I am working with Kindle to correct this problem. Thanks again, Carol Ann Ross

This morning it was really foggy outside, still the beauty is overwhelming.

Oh what a beautiful morning on Topsail

Really cool high tide this morning.

This morning around 7. High tide.

My dog Joey noticed that the sale on THE DAYS OF HAIRAWN MUHLY does not start until Nov. 20. Sorry for the oops! I should listen to my dog more – he’s usually right.

This is a photo of my sister, Mary Ellen, brother John and myself in the early 1970s when I worked as first mate on my father’s boat CLOUD NINE.  The boat was docked at the marina across the road from the Dolphin Pier next to Buddy’s Pirate. The Pirate was an old World War II PT boat, Buddy Mizzell was the captain. Wow! what a great time in the history of Topsail Island.

 Topsail still has lots to offer. In fact, this weekend Autumn with Topsail is taking place with lots of vendors, food and live music. I’ll be there with my Topsail Island trilogy – it is complete and makes a great Christmas present. But there are so many gifts and treasures to be found this weekend – local artists abound with an eclectic array of “stuff”. Come check out Autumn with Topsail this weekend at Topsail Beach.

This photo was taken at Swan Point Marina in Snead’s Ferry by Laura Hackney, a wonderful artist and crafts person. She is one of the artists that will be at Autumn with Topsail. I’ll be there too with my Topsail trilogy. Hope you will come and enjoy the festivities. Lots and lots of vendors, food, games and musicians will be there, Oct 18th and 19th. Come on and join in the fun.

This photo (above) along with several others and an article about the lifestyle at the marina can be seen in the magazine LIVIN’ OUT LOUD –  it celebrates the active lives of seniors and boomers in the southeast coastal area of our lovely state.Check out this publication, I think you’ll enjoy it and find it very informative.

This is what was left of Scotch Bonnet Fishing Pier a couple of years ago.  Oh if only those pilings could talk.

 At one time there were nine fishing piers on the island. Starting at the north end of the island there was McKee’s Pier, then Paradise, Ocean City, Scotch Bonnet, Barnacle Bill’s, Surf City Pier, Dolphin, Jolly Roger and then the Sound Pier.