Outer Banks

My week at the Outer Banks of North Carolina is almost complete. Ocracoke Island, Hatteras Island (where we camped), Bodie Island, Currituck Island - all parts of what make up a beautiful barrier island paradise off the coast of North Carolina.

A week is the minimum amount of time needed to explore these islands as the chain is 100 miles in length with speed limits that are as low as 25 averaging about 40. There are many State Parks, National Parks, Lighthouses and National shoreline to check out in addition to boutiques & restaurants.

Protecting the dunes is foremost in managing this natural wonder. There are numerous entry points for vehicles to drive on the beach - but beware, you'll need an SUV with 4-wheel drive and high clearance if you plan to go out on the beaches.

I've tried to capture the various aspects of these islands in the photographs in this gallery. I hope you enjoy the images as much as I've enjoyed my week here in coastal paradise.

Next week I'll be in our nations capital being a tourist to the core and then after the July 4th weekend I'll be headed down to the South Carolina coast bordering with Georgia. Charleston, Hilton Head, Hunting Island and Savannah are on the agenda for the beginning of July.

Hawaii is planned for the end of the month - the big Island! More to come...

Cheers,

Monty

Texas City, Tx

Texas City is a somewhat small town located south of Houston down near Galveston Island. It is one of several small communities within Galveston County.

Texas City has two primary industries. First and by far the largest is its Petrochemical roots. If Texas City is famous for anything it would be its refineries - and the couple of accidents (read explosions) it has endured over the years. Its second industry would be Shrimping & Fishing. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Texas City participates in the large fisheries industry of the gulf coast. This linkage extends to the High School mascot - The Stingrays.

Upon first glance most visitors will see the enormous petrochemical plants. Most people will then leave and head on down to Galveston not giving a second thought to Texas City. But, if one does take a second look Texas City offers a beauty and diversity that is not found everywhere. It is this diversity that I have tried to begin to capture in the two shoots I have done thus far. There is a plethora of wildlife in the wetland marshes that surround Texas City. People have been successfully fishing the waters around Texas City for decades. Through proper management, these fertile fishing and shrimping grounds will continue to be available for generations to come.

Texas city also has a complex system of dikes, levees, pumps, and spillways to control flooding due to storms. Texas City has been affected by many hurricanes over the years. Primarily in the early 1900's and most recently in 1993 by hurricane Alicia. These systems kept the coastal community safe from flood waters in the Alicia hurricane and during the many thunderstorms which tend to hit the coastal area of Texas during the spring and summer months.

There's more to come from Texas City and the proud people who call her home.

The above link will take you to photos of Texas City which i have taken on my last two visits there. I'll build on this over time and also hope to add a page for Galveston Island.

Cheers,

Monty Chandler