Brunswick County- A View from the Bridge

The Pelican Post

Oak Island Press

Steve Simon

My wife Ellen and I started looking for a place to retire to and figured we had to look at Southport, NC- after all we were married in Southport... Southport, Connecticut that is! Therefore, this area was one of the first places we looked. Every summer vacation for several years we looked up and down the mid-Atlantic region and found ourselves comparing other places to Southport. We finally decided it had the most of what we were looking for. One factor was a close proximity to beaches, which we both loved as children and adults. That location would also provide for two other saltwater passions: boating and the availability of fresh local seafood.

: Sunset at Southport Dock

The area also gave us a look and feel of the coastal areas we both enjoyed in New England where we spent many years as children, and adults raising our own two daughters. Our working careers had me working in a corporate environment while Ellen worked in the education field. We both love to cook and for a period of time, I was an active home wine and beer maker.

We both enjoy amateur photography and have taken courses in adult education. Additional hobbies include several small boats that I'm in various stages of restoration and procrastination. The same can be said for my collection of antique toy trains. We have both revitalized our gardening interests and have had a good supply of flowers and vegetables all year round. We've enjoyed making many new friends who are a combination of both natives and those new to the area. We've been here a little over two years and we're happy to call North Carolina our home.

One morning in the fall of 2008 my wife noticed a spectacular early morning sky. I grabbed my bathrobe and camera and rushed down to the water and captured this scene. Luckily, none of my neighbors were quick enough to get a camera and capture a picture of me.

: Southport Dock

I've made numerous other trips when the dawn sky has looked promising. But nothing has compared to the morning I took these pictures!