Walk with me - Shem Creek

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC 

Shem creek is always a vibrant photo op. Birds, fishing, shrimp boats, paddle boats, kayakers and dolphins all in one sweet package. It is always a treat to walk the boardwalk and up on to the bridge.

We made it through Monday, kids! Hang on!

NICO's on Shem Creek

NICO Oysters & Seafood, Mt. Pleasant, SC     

I've had many a good meal prepared by Chef Nico when he was at Fish Restaurant. Now he has opened his own restaurant on Shem Creek called NICO's Oyster & Seafood Restaurant. This evening was a celebration and the restaurant was packed with friends wishing him well and celebrating the opening.

Check out the details and menu here: NICO.

The parking lot was packed but my understanding is that free valet parking will be a regular option. Congrats Nico and team!

Shem Creek Boardwalk

Shem Creek Boardwalk, Mt. Pleasant, SC   

Walking the boardwalk at Shem Creek park is like an instant vacation. Shrimp boats, kayaks, stand up paddlers, fishing and dolphins bobbing in the creek.

Shem Creek Park Walking

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC   

Sidetracked  by the sniffles this long weekend it was lucky I had stockpiled some photos. You can't go wrong walking the lovely boardwalk at Shem Creek. There aren't as many shrimp boats as there used to be but they are still picturesque. I love it. You can always catch folks fishing, shrimping, kayaking and paddling. Vickery's is one of my favorite spots for sunset dining.

One of my goals for last year was to cut my tv cable and I think I have it figured out. I lined up antenna's to both tv's and figured out an Amazon Firestick on one and Chromecast on the other. I am still learning it all but it should save me a tidy monthly sum. I was watching so little regular television during the unbearable election coverage that I really don't miss it. Netflix does lead to hours of binge watching though!

I am enjoying this bonus day off. Happy New Year to you all.

Sunset at Shem Creek

Shem Creek, SC 

There is nothing like a walk on the board walk at Shem Creek at sunset to remind me why we all love Charleston. Sometimes it takes friends visiting to make us do these outings we should be doing all the time. The restaurants were packed and lively. We ate outside at Water's Edge and timed it perfectly to walk along the boardwalk. Glorious!

What is everyone doing this weekend? I've had a busy week and haven't had a thought other than crashing and sleeping in.

 

Golden marsh

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Decisions, decisions. Do I like it better lush and green or golden in the sunlight? It is always a pleasure to walk the boardwark at Shem Creek.

Last day for a great deal on Charleston Magazine subscriptions. $14.95 for a year. Go get 'em! Cyber Monday was extended to Cyber Tuesday.

jjj

Dinner with a view

View from Shem Creek boardwalk, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

I am on a Salmon Caesar Salad kick and just like my Thai Curry streak last year, I've been eating it in every restaurant that offers it on the menu and some that will put it together for me. Nice having a craving that consists of healthy food! One thing that nudged Vickery's Bar & Grill salad to the top of the list is the waterfront views that come with it. Last night was a perfect lowcountry summer evening. It was warm but the humidity level was low enough to make for a pleasant outside dining experience.

I anticipate an exciting afternoon on my property today as I have tree trimmers coming to prune my trees and remove a large dying tree on my neighbors property. Woohoo! Hope all goes well.

Sunset on Shem Creek

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

It was such a beautiful day I wanted to extend it by enjoying a sunset over the water and with as much waterfront as we have in the lowcountry there aren't too many restaurants that offer that. My friend Mike zipped us over the bridge in his Miata convertable which has to be the most fun way to cross the river. I stuck my camera out to get a shot.

I intended to eat at Vickery's Bar & Grill on Shem Creek (Caesar Salmon Salad....mmmmmm), which is the best place to watch the sunset over the marsh but apparently we weren't the only ones who know that. Since there was a long wait we grabbed a table inside at the bar and missed the direct view but the food was delicious and the company most enjoyable.

Bird's eye view

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

 

I don't think this is the first sea gull to perch on that pole.

Holy cow, kids, I just got a Jury Summons from the Coroner's Office for a Coroner's Inquest to determine a cause of death. I didn't know such a thing existed. Has anyone else done this?

Plastic Pelican Pete

Pelican Pete at Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Made entirely from commonly discarded plastic items, Pelican Pete mans the entrance to the Shem Creek boardwalk.

From the tires at the base of the sculpture, to his bottle-capped beak, Pete the Pelican is covered by marine trash to raise awareness of the ever-growing problem of marine debris and how it affects local waterways and sea life.

Pete provides a glimpse of the trash that pervades coastal waterways. Trash that gets into the ocean eventually ends up ashore or trapped in ocean currents in a huge whirlpool created by converging currents. These current convergences, or gyres, are places where garbage and wildlife both gather. Mixed with the seaweed are fragments of plastic which can entangle and hurt wildlife. When the plastic degrades and becomes brittle, it breaks down into smaller particles that are ingested by wildlife.

The top six items listed on the International Coastal Cleanup’s 2011 Marine Debris report include cigarettes, plastic beverage bottles, plastic bags, caps, food wrappers and plastic dinnerware.

Fresh Seafood

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

I wonder what these ladies had for dinner last night? I bet it was something freshly caught. They looked so beautiful fishing in the creek with the green marsh and bridge behind them that I asked the woman in the pink hat if she minded me taking a few pictures. I need to remember to carry a card with the web site address so I can give it to people.

It's the end of the weekend and this time I don't care....woohoo....I am off for a week and a day. No work day schedule for me. I am heading to Chicago to meet my daughter tomorrow afternoon. She is there for a national conference and I'll roam the city while she finishes her workshops and then we will finish the week exploring together.

Trot for Tots

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

I read that the new boardwalk along Shem Creek opened this week. That should make a sweet walk some weekend morning. I've been thinking of Vickery's Salmon Caesar salad since the day I went kayaking on Shem Creek and had brunch there. Mmmmm.

Speaking of Mt. Pleasant, the 2nd annual Trot for Tots 5K Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29th at the Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital. There is a kiddie costume contest, face painting etc. and prizes will be awarded. The event helps fund car seats for babies who might not get them otherwise. Registration link here. There is free parking on campus and live Music will be provided by Steel Petals. I missed it last year but the photos made it look like a fun event.

Don't let me forget that I am to be at work before 7 a.m. tomorrow to take a picture of a gaggle of anesthesiologists in the OR. I am very motivated to cooperate with the people who control pain.

Up the Creek

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

I thought I was staying one step ahead of the rain storm but it had already poured in town and I had to dodge flooded streets. I need some gadget to elevate my car above the water....zoom, zoom, zoom.

These are a few more shots from the weekend along Shem Creek when the skies were a little brighter.

Hang on kids, we are already half way through the week!

Walking on Water

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Isn't this just freaky? It looks like they are walking on water. This paddle boarding amazes me and I got to see it close up when I was kayaking on Shem Creek this weekend. It doesn't look very relaxing since I like to lay back and put my paddle up and enjoy the scenery but they say they can sit down if they want to. I have no idea who these folks are but they look like they were having a good time.

I've been in meetings all day at Trident Technical College and not only got home early but had leftover Thai green curry in the frig waiting for me. Happy day!

Shem Creek kayak trip

Shem Creek, S.C.

Last Sunday morning I logged on to Facebook as usual in the morning and happened to answer a trivia question that won me a half-a-day kayak trip from Coastal Expeditions. I sweet talked them into giving me two and my friend Leah and I went out this morning. Too fun! I used to canoe but am new to kayaking and Leah had never done it at all but we did just fine.

We picked up our sit-on-top ocean kayaks at the Coastal Expedition office at Shem Creek and went out through one of the most picturesque creeks in Charleston passing shrimp boats and paddle boarders. We went over to crab island and did the best we could with our point and shoot cameras. There were so many squawking birds and dolphin sightings we were in our glory. We left the harbor and explored some of the marshy creeks before heading back. We ended our morning with a scrumptious brunch at the bar at Vickery's. Love their grilled salmon caesar salad and a mimosa didn't hurt. Yum.

Thanks Leah and Coastal Expeditions! I'll never drive over Shem Creek without thinking about this delightful morning again. I think I'll sleep well tonight. Zzzzz...

More photos here: Shem Creek & Coastal Expeditions.

Shem Creek Photo Op

Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

It feels so deliciously wicked sneaking a day of midweek. I could get used to this indeed. I am amazed to see other people not stuck in their offices in the middle of the day. Who are these people moving freely and happily about town while I am hard at work?

After we walked the swamp walk at Magnolia Plantation this morning checking in on the egret rookery, we went to Shem Creek to see if we could hook my visiting nephew Jesse up with a fishing charter. We will figure something out but it seems tricky arranging for one person to go on a fishing trip. Most are designed for groups of three or four chartering a whole boat. Meanwhile Shem Creek is always a treat and a picturesque stop.