Sweetgrass Highway, SC Nov. 2010

Last month I took a shortcut back to I-95 S. from Myrtle Beach that turn out to be a super cool by-way route... Traveling down Highway 17 around Charleston, S.C., and you’ll see a collection of American artists plying their trade, a trade that’s been passed on from parent to child for centuries.

Armed with a broken spoon — called a bone — and strips of dried sweetgrass, bulrush and palmetto leaves, these artists, known as sewers, create coiled baskets in much the same way African slaves did 400 years ago.

Sweetgrass baskets today are more frequently ornamental, but their history is tied directly to slavery and to rice cultivation...

until this trip i did not understand the quote:

“Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything.”

Charles Kuralt

Downeast and Harkers Island, NC

Ok, so I get to live some kind of dream life straight out of a Nicholas Sparks book, that's cool I'm fine with that. However whats the fun if I don't rub it in a little...

My latest trip took me to Core Banks, Core Sound and Harkers Island, NC. This shot here and the others below (of the shrimp boats) were taken as we were on the way to dinner at Captain's Choice (which is a story in it's self) If you ever end-up 45min. past every body you need to check this place out. The owners are from Goldsboro, NC and have combine the best of North Carolina farm fixin's with the best local seafood. If you haven't tried "Downeast clam chowder" you don't know what you are missing!

Buy the way... most the seafood we had that night came off these boats that morning. And those clams, out or Core Sound....











So where is Core Sound? The region begins where most folks' geographic knowledge of North Carolina ends: beyond Morehead City, beyond Beaufort, to the far side of the North River. Down here things are just better, no stop lights, for the most part no cell phones, and your more apt. to see a boat then car. I mean, after all how many places are you ever you to visit where a crab pot washes up on shore and doubles as a Jello shot and beer cart...















By the age of 5 weeks the local kids are seasoned fisherman.... and the shot below, we'll call that "rush hour" which down here is the same as "happy hour"

Chainsaw Charlie in a little fishing village

In the parking lot of a seafood dive (i'll blog about later) Is the home, office, and workshop of 'The' Chainsaw Charlie, local artist and retired Marine. As I looked at Charlies' work I couldn't help but wonder, why are you here? With this skill he could be selling his work in anywhere... art galleries, gift shops, and interior designers.

And then as quick as the 'fast life' came to mind so did the song, 'the life' by Kenny Chesney. Chainsaw Charlie is doing what he likes (90% of people do not like their job) he 30 feet from fresh seafood at anytime and he's 35 feet from the saltwater... Now that's 'the life'

Charlie working on a website now, hope word doesn't get out... http://chainsawcharlie.com/

The City Pier (Florida Trip July 2010)

On a little island south on St. Petersburg FL. is a pier built by The Anna Maria Beach Company in 1911-1912. This pier served as the port of call for ships carrying supplies to the island before there was a bridge to the main land. Over the years it seen it share of hurricanes but repairs were done and from new boards to old it's a pretty cool walk to the end of the 678-foot Anna Maria City Pier.

Today as you make your way down the pier you'll pass by everything from local kids with castnets to tourist with more fishing poles then fingers to local artist selling their wares. And at the end of the pier is a 58 wharf, home to one of the coolest outdoor Bars with one of the greatest views you will every find. Fish, Eat, Drink, and Live music and never have to move a inch.... with out the pics you think I'm making this up.... so here you go!

I've been told that the pier was the brainchild of early island settlers, George Wilhelm “Will” Bean and Charles Roser (inventor of the Fig Newton.)

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"Down East" Trip, May 2010

The Outer Banks of NC is one of the coolest places in the World... This may shock you, out of all the places in the world I can travel why would I have this great love of a place 2 hours from home?

It's the people, their way of life, it's like talking to farmer's of the Sea. They tell you of storms that changed their life and reshaped the land and water they live on. They can look at a vast body of water and not only call out little pockets or 'cuts' by name but they know the depths and dangers of the waters they call home...

The photos below are from a little island I call "Naked Island" (only because there is nothing there, that's my story and sticking to it) It located off Core Sound in Brett Bay and to the locals it called Salter Lump...



The flat bottom boat is consider King in these waters!



No need to bring lunch you can get it right here....



Ok, ok... I call this "Land Shark at sea level" Need I say anymore...