Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Fabulous Seafood

As you know (from looking at us--ha ha;  of course,  I'm speaking for me, not for George), George and I do love to eat.  We love fresh seafood ---and we cannot get much of it in Tennessee... Red Lobster just doesn't do it for us!!!! ha ... SO--that's one major reason we love to go to the beach.  We eat fresh seafood EVERY NIGHT we are there...  We both love the huge fresh SCALLOPS  (Yum) and I (not George) love OYSTERS.  We also love many other seafoods:  shrimp,  crab, clams, flounder,  etc....

One of our favorite restaurants at Calabash,  North Carolina,  on the inlet (where shrimp boats and deep sea fishing boats go in and out) is the DOCKSIDE RESTAURANT...  Click HERE to see map of area. You can see Myrtle Beach (on the left --Grand Strand),  then Little River,  then Calabash,  then Sunset Beach and then Ocean Isle where we stayed.  If you look at the word Calabash on the map --and drop down toward the water inlet,  Dockside Restaurant is located there.

Anyhow,  if you want the best seafood in the entire world including hush puppies to die for,  be sure and visit the Dockside Restaurant if you are ever in that area.

Here are some pictures we took one of the nights we were there.  Above is the water inlet where the restaurant is.  We walked out on the dock to see the fishing and other boats.  Below are more pictures.




Here is one of the shrimp boats...  Can you imagine how fresh our dinners were --with that restaurant RIGHT there where the seafood is brought in????? Wow!!!




George says that he will take this boat.... Hmmmm--that would be nice!!!!





The seagulls caught the attention of the 'birder' in the family (Ha).  Each of them had a special post which they sat on, and squawked at us while we were roaming around that dock!!!!




The 'birder' in the family couldn't decide whether she liked the boats best or the birds.... ha




I love this close-up I got of one of the cute little Seagulls,  perched up there above my head!




George stands next to his huge live oak tree --next to the restaurant.   Sorry we didn't get any pictures of the restaurant itself this time.  We have in past years,  but didn't take any this year.

Like I've said,  if you ever get to the Myrtle Beach area,  a drive to Calabash for some DOCKSIDE seafood must be on your agenda.  YUM!!!!

Have a wonderful day.  This post has made me hungry --just thinking about that seafood!!!! ha

Hugs,

57 comments:

diane b said...

It was great to see where you were on the map. The water is a lovely blue and you all look warm and summery. The seafood feast sounds delicious and fresh. next time take a pic of the meals.

From the Kitchen said...

Your post is making me hungry as well. We had lots of good seafood in New England. Here, our "catch" is from Costo who, according to our food scientist son, is the most selective store in buying seafood (as well as all of their meats). If I can't get seafood fresh from the boats, I'd rather purchase it frozen.

Best,
Bonnie

Ruth Hiebert said...

Fascinating pictures.I can tell you get excited about the seafood.I,personally am not a seafood fan,for the most part,but I do enjoy the scenes from this area.The Seagull against that blue sky is gorgeous.

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Particularly great photos today, Betsy! I can't pass up one of the sea birds, although I've got tons of photos of them. They are the most cooperative birds for photographing. I live on the coast and see them even in the McDonald's parking lot! Like Bonnie, though, most of our seafood comes from Costco!

Tabor said...

Nothing better than fresh seafood and with all the rains, prior oil spills, etc. it is becoming rarer everyday!

mamahasspoken said...

Your pictures are great, love the boats and birds. However, I hate sea food as in if it spent any part of it's life in the water, I don't/won't eat it.

Catherine said...

You and your George always find the most fun places to visit with lots of things to do and see! Good for you two! Always having fun!

xo Catherine

Janice K said...

Whenever we have been near a seacoast, I have looked forward to fresh shrimp. They defnitely taste better...maybe it's because they are fresh.

penny said...

Hi Betsy, I love your header photo. I remember this place from your post last year. Its a beautiful place to enjoy a meal.
These are wonderful dockside photos, especially of you and your sweetheart.

be well, be happy
Pam

RoeH said...

I'm not much of a seafood lover until I get somewhere by the ocean and then I kind of like it. I never liked clam chowder until I had some on a wharf in San Francisco. I just need to go back there and get some more.

Tracy said...

YUM!!! Seafood...I could literally live on it and can't wait to go to the ocean this weekend and get some of my favs...which actually is all of it!
Love your photos...

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I've never really developed a taste for seafood myself...maybe because it's just not a staple in Indiana. Your photos are lovely, though. That's an unusual looking oak tree. The black-headed gull is very pretty, too.

Chatty Crone said...

I love your pictures - you must have a great camera.

I didn't think seagulls were that pretty, but they are.

Now I'm glad you love seafood - so does my hubby - but I just can't get over the smell, a little too fishy smelling for me and turns my stomach a bit.

I can eat schrimp and mild fish though.

Looks like a great trip!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Great photos Betsy.
Can you believe that I grew up in Florida and never like seafood until I was almost 40???? I am making up for lost time though...

Fred Alton said...

Betsy, I LOVE eating at the Dockside in Calabash. Anything in the way of seafood, but my fav is the Red Snapper or Grouper, especially the way they fry it. What a wonderful time you and George must have there!

Anonymous said...

You've made me hungry! What pretty weather you had during your visit. I really love that big, old tree. Have a great day, Betsy.

MadSnapper said...

George's boat would not get you close to waterfalls, way to big. i was raised with the familiar sight of shrimp boats in Savannah and that is why they have good seafood there. our favorite restaurant ever is in Daytona beach, Aunt Catfish, and they don't have just catfish.

Pedaling said...

Have you been to Holden Beach in NC?
We are going there next month.
I hope they have hush-puppies to die for, too.

Out on the prairie said...

In am with you loving to eat all from the sea. Most we get here has been frozen and some fish changes in flavor.When I trout fish I eat it for all my meals, fresh really makes the difference with this one.

KathyA said...

JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THAT OUT OF ALL THE RESTAURANTS IN THIS COUNTRY WE LOVE THE SAME ONE!!!!!! :) And their hush puppies are wonderful!!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Great photos, Betsy! You and George look like you're having so much fun! And you've made me hungry for seafood. Ha! You are right...Red Lobster can't compare to real fresh seafood, but when you are in the middle of the country like I am, you do what ya gotta do. I'll be sure to jot down the Dockside in my notebook of future places to go. Have a great day!

Shug said...

Now, this is exactly what I'm talking about....LOVE,LOVE,LOVE seafood! My favorite is lobster, but will take shrimp and crablegs any day..
This certainly looks like it was a wonderful trip for the two of you...

Have a happy day.
shug

Lady Di Tn said...

Beautiful photos and I like the one of the gull looking down at you. If I ever get near the area, I will remember to eat there as it sounds like you have checked it out for us. Peace

Rose said...

Roger would enjoy the seafood...I am not a seafood girl.

I love that photo of the seagulls each on their on post, and I love that tree!

Anonymous said...

I love that seagull - I'm sure it winked at me!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the helpful map link.
Boats, seabirds and fresh fish - my kind of trip, too.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I've never had Scallops or Oysters... I've had Shark & Shrimp & I love Shark, but not real fond of Shrimp... but I LOVE PUSH-HUPPIES!!! =)

Something I'd really like to do is go out on a fishing boat in the ocean & watch them catch all those fish in the nets... I think that would be really neat to experience... but it would have to be calm weather & seas, cuz I get sick easily... I get sick at times sitting in the backseat of a car! =0

Looks like George chose a NIIICE one, indeed! =)

You really got a great shot of the seagull & I love love love that blue blue sky!!! =)

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Love that wonderful gull shot...but you sure made me want some oysters...Tn. does not have good seafood...wonder if I could find some oysters somewhere for lunch????
Have a beautiful day!!!

Anonymous said...

Shucks...

This is a good post.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Well I do not care for seafood but do love the oak tree and seagulls! Of course you and Georges pix too!

happyone said...

I like sea food too and live in Maryland, famous for the best crab cakes!!
Love the seagull closeup picture!

Arkansas Patti said...

The only seafood I like can no longer be bought in a restaurant. Turtle steaks and Jew fish steaks. Neither taste the least bit fishy.
Perhaps the different sized stumps the birds were on designated their pecking order in the flock.
Love boats, water and even the smell. Great shots.

Betty Manousos said...

Oh Betsy,
so glad you had such a great time!
the sea food sounds delicious and tempting...and

those photos are so lovely- all of them, especially the seagull/seagulls
ones.

have a great day!

hugs!
betty xx

Becca's Dirt said...

I love seafood too. Shrimp are my favorite. Can't get any fresher than right off that big shrimp boat.

Janie said...

Funny how the seagulls each stake out a post, almost as if having one to yourself is a status symbol.
Nice to eat at a restaurant right next to where the seafood arrives!

amelia said...

It's funny how many people love seafood of all kinds. I cannot eat it at all, I just keep thinking about the way they are caught and killed but that's probably why I'm vegetarian!!!
I don't mind killing beans and things like that (hahaha) but cannot contemplate eating any kind of dead flesh!
Love the seagulls, I've never seen any with black heads before. They are much prettier than ours!!

imac said...

Fresh crab and lemon is my fav.

Unknown said...

You are making me so homesick and you are absolutely right about seafood straight off the boat! We're heading home for 2 weeks in just 25 days and I have no doubt I'll be taking Benadryl to counteract the iodine poisoning I always get from eating all the shellfish I can get my hands on!

P.S. Tell George the definition of a boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood or fiberglass that you pour money into.

Big Dude said...

I just love how you guys are spending your retirement. I agree with you on Tennessee and I rarely order Italian or seafood at a restaurant as I've been spoiled somewhere along the line. I'm looking forward to what we can create with the 2 coolers of seafood we brought back from Maine.

Unknown said...

I love fresh seafood, and only saltwater seafood. Now you've made me hungry! Love the seagull photo.

Diane AZ said...

Hi Betsy, That place looks gorgeous; I love the blue color of the water. Really cute how the seagulls sit their own posts. And, what a great picture of George in front of the huge live oak tree. Sounds like you two had a wonderful time!

Karin said...

Good thing we just ate or else I'd be drooling on my laptop. I am allergic to shrimp, but enjoy scallops, Alaskan King Crab, salmon and other fish - the fresher the better! Loved the seagull!

I Am Woody said...

I wish I ate seafood. Me + stomach virus + fish place along Bostong harbor = Woody can't eat things that swim:(

Ann said...

Well you certainly made me hungry for seafood. I'll pass on the oysters though, those and clams I just can't do.
That looks like a really beautiful spot too.

Neal said...

I love seafood also. However, oysters don't appeal to me at all. I can eat them if they are fried so they aren't slimy inside but that is it.

Connie said...

That's a really neat closeup of the seagull, Betsy. Sounds like you had a wonderful (and delicious) time. :D

Unknown said...

I so LOVE shrimp! I was hoping to see a heaping plate of them! Love the sea gull pic! His/Her beak is so red! AWESOME!

Lynda said...

I love the pictures - - - quite different from what we usually see on your post. It looked like a fun time for the two of you.

Shelley said...

Now you having me craving scallops Betsy! A little lemon, olive oil, garlic and sea salt - then grilled...yum!! Looks like another fabulous trip! And I know Greg would like that same boat that George did!
Big Hugs,
Shelley

LV said...

Enjoyed another outing with you two. This area is a perfect vacation spot. I really like all your shots, but the Seagulls on top of the post is great.

Carletta said...

I'm not a seafood fan (I know that makes me a little odd) but your photos make me yearn for the beach. It's been so long since I've visited one.
That little gull's red beak sure pops against the blue. He posed beautifully for you!

Diane said...

Great post Betsy. That picture of the seagull is phenomenal! Diane

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I could eat seafood every day of the year, Betsy! I love shrimp, lobster, clams oysters...oh boy, now I'm hungry!! :)

carolina nana said...

You are so right about Dockside,we eat there every year when we go to the beach also. And I have some pictures of us beside those large boats just like your pics. Hope you have a blessed tomorrow
Marilyn

~mel said...

Tell George if he's going to get himself a boat to pick one up for me too while he's at it:) I'd have to pass on the seafood though, I'm allergic to shellfish. Slim always said I was a cheap date because he knew I wouldn't be ordering the lobster.

Christmas-etc... said...

Oh my... these pictures so bring back my Florida days... So glad you had such a beautiful time!
Ann

SquirrelQueen said...

One of my favorite things about going to the coast is the fresh seafood. I love shrimp and halibut. Unfortunately the folks here on the West coast don't understand Hush Puppies.