The Beach Vacation 2008

Pull up a chair and take a load off for a while if you are interested in seeing the Faire Garden travelogue, 2008 version. This post is not about gardens or flowers, in fact there are no flower pictures at all. But the beach along the Atlantic seaboard in Edisto Island, South Carolina is a fine one, and there will be something for everyone in this picture show. Be warned, however, there are thirty one photos to be viewed. This story is heavy on the snapshots, short on the narrative.

~~~

Let us begin with the above portrait of cockatiel Bird Daniels, rhymes with Tennessee whiskey Jack Daniels, one member of the large menagerie of the Chickenpoet line of the Faire Garden clan. A social bird, leaving him alone in their house seemed unwise and unhealthy for him. He traveled in style in a small carrier and was housed in a smaller cage than customary during his stay with us at the beach, but he was happy to sit on top of the cage with his stuffed toy turkey girlfriend and join in the conversations.
Here is our rental house, sleeping thirteen when all were present. Beach towels hanging on the porch railings are mandatory decor.

The view from the upper porch gave a peaceful zen view of ocean and marsh. The sun is just rising in the left of this shot. Being an early riser is a good way to enjoy the beauty of the morning mist before the heat of the sun burns away the haze. The drive takes seven and one half hours from our house in Tennessee to this destination. Unpacking the cars and stocking the fridge and pantry take time and energy on the day of arrival, leaving one too weary to begin the photographic journey until the following morning.The shrimp boats were present every day, fishing close to the shore, it appears from this picture. Shrimp dishes were on the menu of every restaurant, locally caught. Yum.

The back of the house faced the marsh, with rivers that rose with the tide. We were lucky to have this covered dock with a swing just a few steps from the back door. The sun is just peeking up and casting fascinating shadows at low tide.

A row of similar docks to ours lined the view. Pelicans were plentiful, this one is sitting on the dock post waiting to begin his day of flying and fishing.

Fishing was a big pastime for our clan also. The Financier spent some quality hours fishing. The ramp angle shows with its steep descent that the tide is low. It will rise as the water fills the marsh to the level of the covered swing area above.

Tiny crabs scramble into mud holes as the water rises. It is guessed that this is a fiddler crab, he measured two to three inches across from leg to leg.

The netted traps snagged many a blue crab.

The fishing yielded spot and croaker from the dock, along with two sting rays. All of the catch was gently released back from whence it came.

In addition to the dock on the marsh and the ocean view, a swimming pool with decking was directly out the back door of the house. During non beach time, the offspring, their offspring and various adults partook of the bath temperature salt water pool. The deepest part was five and one half feet, so there were lots of stand up games of ball in addition to the swimming.

The youngest of the offspring’s offspring showed us that he had no fear of the water, jumping off the side to splash aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents with glee, wearing his spiderman floatation suit and New York Yankees baseball cap.

There were also more quiet pursuits with the traditional set up of the water color artist’s nook on the porch. Several masterpieces were produced by various talented painters.

The beach caravan required car transport to carry the many items necessary for maximum delight. These included, beach chairs, umbrella, boogie boards, fishing gear, coolers, towels,many sunscreens, toys and games. Body surfing was a popular sport practiced there.

The waves gave a good ride on the boards for those patient enough to wait for that perfect curl.

Fishing in the surf was a good way to stay cool and test your skills.

Baby sharks were the number one ocean catch once again. We sometimes wonder if baby sharks being so plentiful means that adult sharks are not far away. No one strays out too far into the depths of the tides. The locals say these waters are shark breeding grounds!

Yet another recreational opportunity here was golf. The adult men played earlier in the day, and the whippersnappers brought their clubs to see how the course measured up later in the afternoon.

There was one course on the island, and it was pleasureable for some to play there. One clan member claims to be giving up golf for good after a poor showing, selling his clubs by phone to friends back home. If that is truly the case remains to be seen. The large live oak tree on one of the holes, dripping with spanish moss, actually a bromeliad tillandsia, makes this a majestic scene.

Back at the house, a new family of hermit crabs joined the Chickenpoet pet society. This is Queen Claw, I think, if that is not correct, CP will set us straight in the comment section.

Good friend Laurie presented us with magnetic poetry words as a birthday gift, garden edition, for the creative among us. The set of words made a perfect beach trip indoor challenge. Oldest offspring of the offspring came up with this lovely thought.

Mrs. Brokenbeat decided to make the words into designs, very nice Ash.

There was another beach nearer to the house that was within walking distance. In the evenings we would trek the sandy road without needing to bring all the extra items.

Once there, we take off in assorted directions, each with a mission known only to themselves.

Brokenbeat found a tiny baby pufferfish.

What a work of nature’s art he is. And the fish too.

Gardoctor spent much time with fishing rod in hand. This was believed to be a mullet. All live creatures were returned to their environs gently.

The youngest among us just wanted to run and run and run and run on the sandy shore.

The shells were many. Sharks teeth and prize specimens were located.

The much sought after rock with a hole in it, for fairy viewing on midsummer night’s eve was scored. While not a true rock geologically, made from mollusk cement, we feel it qualifies for our purposes.

The sun now sets on our weeklong beach extravaganza. We load up the cars and head back to our respective casas, looking forward to the beach adventure of next year.

***
Links to other beach vacation stories:

2009-The Fun Begins

2009-Sea Creatures

2010-Beachcombing

2011-Water, Wind, Earth and Fire

2012-Negative Ions

2012-The Shark Tale

2012-Agave Americana

2013-Garden Dreaming

Frances

This material belongs to Faire Garden and may not be copied or used without permission.

This entry was posted in Musings. Bookmark the permalink.