The other side of the water
The Atlantic Ocean was a big part of my life while growing up. You see, my dad was a commercial fisherman who fished off the coast of New Jersey. My brothers still do.
I can remember driving down to the inlet in the back seat of my parents old Buick to survey the ocean. My dad could tell just by looking whether or not he and his crew should go out. When they did go, weather permitting, they could be gone for many days.
You would think with my dad out to sea we would get a break, but no. Then it was my mother’s turn to drive down and observe the sea. We’d pull up in the car, she’d quietly look out over the ocean and say, “I better get home and start peeling potatoes, because he’s coming home.”
And she was usually right.
I live on the other side of the water now and through my window, beyond the sound there is an opening. On one side of the opening is the Norwegian coastline, on the other an island. And through that opening is the North Sea. I’ve seen this view thousands of times and yet it always looks different…
Don’t be fooled by the beauty, it’s usually quite cold and windy out there.
Posted on October 5, 2012, in Family stuff and tagged Atlantic Ocean, fishing, New Jersey, North Sea, Norway, photos. Bookmark the permalink. 31 Comments.
cold and windy… but what a beautiful view! i was so lucky to get to visit and see that view! many thanks to the myklebust family for their kindness to me over the years! miss you my friend! looking forward to seeing you on this side of the pond! xoxo
Thank you! For traveling all the way across the pond to visit me… xxoo
Beautiful post Maggie
Thanks Dallas!
I live in Vancouver Canada on the Pacific Coast. The smell, the sounds of seagulls and fog horns, the wet wind….I must live by an ocean. I love stopping by…
Sounds just like my corner of the world… Thanks for stopping by
they are all gorgeous but that last one, with the sailboats, WOW!!! it’s breathtaking!!
That was a beautiful night…
Cold and windy aside- it is breathtaking Maggie! Totally in envy right now.
Thanks Stephanie
Lovely post & awesome images. Gazing into them I was thinking, I am a country kid from a country family so holidays to the sea were special. Looking at water ways of any kind but especially walking on the beach centres my being.
Its funny how people from the country feel that way about the shore, and we from the shore love to stroll and relax in the country
Cold & windy is easier to live with when you have gorgeous views on the nice days: Thanks for sharing your lovely photos!
Thank you for stopping by as usual. I really appreciate it. Have a great day!
With a background like this you were always destined to become a writer…
I guess you could call it inspiring
Gorgeous, just gorgeous!! I appreciate the honest attachment to reality…about not being deceived, and while San Francisco is not quite as cold, most likely, it gives me an idea of the discrepancy between what the eye sees and the body must surely feel. Did I mention that this is just gorgeous?
Very true!
There are so many days it can only be enjoyed through the window.
How very beautiful, Maggie! Wind and cold seem pittance to pay for such beauty. Thank you for sharing. ~ Lily
Thats exactly how I survive here, Lily!
It still is very beautiful and peaceful looking – and probably is when you’re gazing out the window from the warmth of your kitchen.
Thank heaven for the warmth of my kitchen!
Beautiful photographs and lovely memories. Your parents sound like really intuitive people.
Ha! When it came to the Sea, yes. When it came to everything else, not so much…
Every story you share makes me know you a bit better….AND makes me want to RE-READ your awesome book! Thanks for sharing the photos…. they make me homesick for a place I’ve never known….
What a lovely comment. You are truly an angel.
The photos are beautiful Maggie. And you are right about one thing, that same view looks different ( yet spectacular) every time.
I’m always amazed how that same view can look so different, every single day.
I’m just across the water and down a bit Maggie, on the north east coast of England, so i know about cold too, sadly. Wonderful shots though. Nearest I’ve been is the dunes of Denmark many years ago, but i liked what I saw.
Visiting courtesy of Crazytraintotinkytown. Congrats on the book.
Thats right…the weather in the UK unfortunately isn’t much better than here.
I’ve strolled along the dunes of Denmark also, its much different than Norway. Its more flat.
Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it!
Stunning photos, and really interesting storytelling, Maggie.