Magnolia Springs is a town rich in southern charm and tradition. Although there may not be Southern Belles sitting on every veranda sipping mint juleps, there's no doubt in anyone's mind who visits Magnolia Springs that this little town is special.

Everywhere you look is a picture postcard --- waterways weave through town, quaint boathouses grace the shoreline, water birds swoop and along the riverbanks, and majestic canopy of giant oaks trees envelope the town.

And there’s another unique aspect of Magnolia Springs. It's the only town in North America with year-round mail delivery by boat. Residents along the Magnolia and Fish Rivers have mailboxes along the end of their piers where mail has been delivered daily for the past nine years by Highway Contract Route Carrier Mark Lipscomb. Although boat delivery of mail has its share of challenges, including the occasional thunderstorm, Lipscomb enjoys his job.

"It's a unique job. It's a very special job," said Lipscomb. “I’m a fifth generation resident of the Magnolia Springs community and know just about everyone on his route.”

Lipscomb’s day begins at the Magnolia Springs Post Office where he sorts mail for about two hours. He’s on the water about four hours a day.

Lipscomb enjoys time with Mother Nature while delivering to 180 homes along a 31-mile stretch.

"I see alligators all the time when it's warm. Snakes, bobcats, deer, a lot of hawks and the occasional bald eagle, too" he said. "There can be 16 piers in a row, then you go around a curve in the river and it's like it was in the old days."

Dodging the weather --- especially quick-moving thunderstorms --- can be a challenge along the river. Lipscomb will take shelter in a boathouse until the storm blows over.

“My customers take very good care of me. If they are home, I’m invited to come inside and ride out any bad weather. When it’s hot, they’ll meet me on a pier with a glass of cold water.”