North Topsail Beach to Holly Shelter Game Land, westbound
October 22. I decided to hike this 18.4 mile segment westbound, because I wanted to do the beach portion at low tide.
With a 3-hour drive from home, I needed to come to the beach the day before the big hike. As it turns out the MST makes a little one-mile loop at North Topsail Beach, so I decided to complete that and make tomorrow’s hike a half a mile shorter.
I explored the North Topsail Beach Town Park and had some good birds, including a cheeky marsh wren.
Time to check out the beach!
The low-tide sand was firm to walk on, but it was warmer than I thought it would be, so for both reasons I’m glad to get a very start in the morning!
I stayed at a pleasant Airbnb in Hampstead–Katie’s “Peace of Mind”
Gracious Trail Angel Nancy met me at Holly Shelter at 6:15am for the half hour shuttle to North Topsail beach.
Such a blessing to be on the beach before dawn, to see this beautiful sight!
It’s 9 miles of beach walking, from North Topsail to Surf City.
I don’t get to do morning devotions on the beach very often!
Willets and Sanderlings scurried in the surf.
What is this thing?!?
A much-needed bathroom break at Beach Access #2 (mile 4). There’s no ducking into the trees at the beach!
Observation tower from “Operation Bumblebee,” a WW2 experimental missile project by the Navy. https://islandlifenc.com/operation-bumblebee-topsail-towers/
This one was a keeper!
I modeled the found sunglasses, but didn’t keep them…
The Surf City Fishing Pier marks the end of my first nine miles. In the last two miles the tide was coming up and I had to walk on softer sand–kind of a slog. I was glad to finish up the beach portion of the hike.
Boris enjoys the sun at the beach while attracting children to come hear the librarian’s assistant read a story.
Heading inland across the Surf City Bridge.
Soon after turning onto NC 210, the sidewalk ends, and you are on the shoulders for the next seven miles.
Traffic was way too busy and fast to walk on the asphalt, but generally the grass was short and the shoulders were wide enough to feel safe.
It just wasn’t pleasant. Kind of jarring, actually, to go from the lovely pounding of ocean waves to the smelly roar of traffic!
I took a sit-down break at 13 miles in the shade at Lowes.
After four miles of US 17, my final challenge was crossing four lanes to get to my car.
In these situations, I always take the advice of my Aunt Jo who drove both school buses and semis: Just be very patient–there will be an opening in traffic.
Safely across! Thanks, Jo!
My.Bird.Walks. 
This is close to my idea of heaven, hiking along the beach, at sunrise and sunset.
Very few tourists.
Lorraine Boyd
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