Monday, September 23, 2013

A Week at Edisto Island--Just the Two of Us : )



July 30, 2013

I began an internet search for a place to get away for a week last Thursday.  I was looking for any week before Roland needed to begin classes the middle of August.  It looked like there was a place on Fripp Island available starting on Saturday, in just two day!  So Roland made arrangements at work to be gone starting on Saturday for a week.  Saturday morning I was finally able to talk with a person concerning the unit on Fripp Island and it was not available!  On the phone now,  we were able to find a 3-bedroom beach house on Edisto Island.  They gave us a last-minute deal on it since we weren’t looking for a 3-bedroom, that was all that was available.  For the owners,  at least the rental wouldn’t need to sit empty.   We’d been to Edisto before so off we went!

We left in such a rush and confusion that I forgot my swimsuit, walking shorts, toothbrush, soap, and hairbrush.  I realized I had forgotten some of these items when we were on the interstate near UT, but didn’t want to go back and increase the time of confusion.  So we stopped along the way at a Walmart.  Because it is late July, the suits were on clearance and the selection was very limited.  I thought I might buy my first tankini because it appeared that was all they had left.  But there wasn’t a bottom that would fit and in the end, I found one 1-piece suit.  It was my size!  It wasn’t something I usually would purchase because it was looked like it was a suit right out of the 1950s.  However, when I tried it on, it looked pretty good, and I’m enjoying it.

We arrived Saturday evening around 8 pm, and headed out with flashlight in hand to walk on the beach.  As we walked, the sound of the water hitting the beach and the gentle breeze was like a balm of peace and calm upon us.  We saw a sand crab and two little girls on the beach and wanted to see it, too.  It had just dug its way down into the sand, so Roland dug it out and held it by its pinchers for the girls.  They were so delighted!  Roland had made their day!  

 Our beach house’s name is “Among the Reids”.  It is on the marsh side of the island, yet only two and a half blocks away from the beach.  In our back yard is a dock and boat slip.  The pictures below show the view in our backyard.





  Roland found some crab nets in the garage and is looking forward to crabbing off our very own dock later in the week.  There’s a big screened in porch that extends along the back of the house with a hammock, rocking chairs, and picnic tables.  And the view is beautiful with the marsh and palmetto trees.  The floor plan is open and spacious, especially for just the two of us.  We’ve put our clothes in one bedroom and use it as a dressing room, and sleep in another.  Upon our arrival, we see that there are few other things we’ve forgotten.  Namely, sheets for our bed and bath, kitchen and hand towels.  Fortunately, we were able to rent sheets and brought four beach towels.  As I was using my t-shirt to dry my hands after washing them, I decided I had brought an abundance of t-shirts, so I hung them up to use as hand towels.  I’d buy more towels, but I really don’t need any more at home!

Our first morning, Roland awoke and wanted to go out shark tooth hunting.  And for some odd reason, I didn’t want to walk on the beach, but on the bike path.  I had a lovely walk, until the path took off out of the shade.  That was when I turned around and headed back to our home.  But while in the shade, I loved seeing the marsh and the trees laden with Spanish moss.  The quiet, with the sound of only the cicadas and birds, was so lovely.  It was on this walk that I saw an unusual small bright, multi-colored bird.  I didn’t know what it was until I saw a bird identification chart.  It was a painted bunting.  My, son, Brian, who is an avid bird watcher, told me that he’s only seen one painted bunting in his life. 
We stopped at Piggly Wiggly, the only grocery here at Edisto and picked up a few things, but still our food is somewhat limited.  But sometimes, simple is better.  I’m sure later in the week we’ll do some thing about more variety.

The beach house has a small dvd library and we watched a comedy, mystery thriller BBC film, called Scoop.  It’s really quite witty and has some really funny lines in it.  It stars Woody Allen, Hugh Jackman, and Scarlett Johansson.  I want to remember to recommend it to anyone who needs a reason to laugh. 
On Monday, we took off for Hunting Island and Fripp Island.  One of my friends, Jennifer, from Weight Watchers recently returned from there and it isn’t too far from Edisto.  Actually, as the crow flies or the dolphin swims, it would be 15 miles.  But it’s a two-hour drive.   We drove out to Fripp Island, and as I thought, it was private.  So we went back to Hunting Island.  By this time I was anxious to get out and play!  The beach was real nice.  It had a gentle slope.  The tide wasn’t coming in while we were there, so no waves to be caught, but we could see there was great potential at the right time.  Because of erosion on there are areas where there are trees that have come down.  Roland, ever the adventure seeker, wanted to take off and climb through and around those downed trees.  I agreed and off we went.  It turns out that we weren’t quite as adventurous as I first thought.  Shortly after we had begun, four young girls, no older than 10 or 11, passed us running and climbing over the trees.  I imagine to them they were simply nature’s jungle gym!  Well, Roland and I haven’t had the chance to play on jungle gyms for a while, so we just weren’t quite as agile.  We made our way through the trees, and hiked some distance until we reached beach where people were able to play in the sand and water.  While at Hunting Island, we also enjoyed a Marsh Walk, the pier, and nature center.




July 31, 2013

Yesterday morning, Roland slept in and I enjoyed a morning walk on the beach on my own. I walked to Edisto State Park beach before deciding the sun was getting high and it was time to turn around. My walk was a slice of heaven!  Below are beach view pictures.  So much of the time we had to beach to ourselves!
How restful.






After lunch, Roland and I went back and played in the water.  Our afternoon  also included lunch at beachside cafĂ©, window shopping at souvenir shops, and a grocery stop at Piggly Wiggly.  When we came out of Piggly Wiggly, we discovered we had a very flat tire.  We filled it up and headed out to JJ’s Auto Repair.  It was now about 6:30 pm and we were concerned that we might not be able to get it fixed and that all the air would seep out once more.  Though JJ had already gone home, someone who lived near his business called him, and JJ returned to fix our tire.  A nail had punctured it.  What a nice, nice guy to return to fix our tire!

This morning (Wednesday), we drove over to Edisto State Park and took a walk on the beach.  Roland found several really nice shark teeth.  And I found an abundance of clam shells.  A couple of them were bigger than the palm of my hand.  I also found a really pretty welt shell.  When I showed it to Roland, it saw that a hermit crab was living in it.  No wonder I felt something tickling my hand as I was carrying it.   Here's the picture we took before leaving him to enjoy his beach life.

  

In the afternoon, we headed out to see the work of the local artists where they gather on Wednesdays to sell their work.  I found a pretty print of a painted bunting to take back to Knoxville to enjoy.  Then it was time to enjoy the waves at the State Park.  We had the best waves there thus far.  Upon our arrival back at our beach house, Roland went to our dock on the marsh with some chicken meat for bait to do a little crabbing.  He caught the biggest one he’s every caught!  However, it only has one claw so that’s less meat.  He still has his net down, so maybe he’ll catch more.  

August 2, 2013

Did Roland catch more?  After a nice, long walk on the beach (3 hours for me, and Roland stayed out for 4), I came home and enjoyed a four hour nap, while Roland went out on our dock and caught a bunch of crabs!  He had a great afternoon and just couldn’t stop when they were biting.  I was really hopeful that I would be able to help him eat them, but found once more that eating seafood that isn’t disguised really takes all the pleasure out of it.  I have a hard time slurping meat out of shells.  It probably took Roland as much time to eat them as to catch them!  




 He was plenty tired by the end of it and ready for bed.  Since I had a four hour nap, I wasn’t ready for bed at 10 pm and relaxed with my Kindle and computer.

Today we woke up and enjoyed our morning walk on the beach.  It looks like Roland’s shark teeth collection will have to be complete with about 80 sharks teeth.  My mission was to collect olive shells this beach trip.  Together we found seven, two of which I found.  But I found lots and lots of clam shells and other shell fragments.  I just get too easily distracted to find one kind of shell!
After our walk we went out for a seafood meal at a “trailer restaurant”.  Roland had scallops and steamed shrimp and I had a crab cake sandwich, deep fried.  Good seafood and my crab cake was place on a real nice roll.  For me, the bread is as important as the content of the sandwich!

We went out to catch some waves for the last time this trip.  They weren’t too good for catching, but good for washing over us and good at disrupting our conversation.

What a fine week!  We’re thinkin’ we should do a beach trip—just the two of us—every year!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

2013 Topsail Island Family Gathering

We did it!  We all gathered in a great ole beach side home, "Sandy Toes" for a week of good times.  The weather cooperated, kids traveling with little ones from Utah and Fargo, and two carloads of supplies (special thanks to Eme and Jason) just begin the list of challenges that we faced, but overcame!  Below you can see what I found to be the best pics on my camera. 


 
   

 Willie, Sierra, and Naomi get their feet wet in the big, beautiful ocean that first day!

Who knows what treasure will be found?!

 Reagan didn't make it out that first day, but as evidence by the grin on her face, she loved her time at "Sandy Toes"!
Reagan with her mom.

 Owen:  looking like he actually may try to create something in the sand. 
 Our beach side residence for the week.  Space for all and the ocean blue just steps away to explore!
 The "2 and under" crowd enjoy the beach with parents and Nana.



Naomi's all geared up the legendary, traditional nightwalk.

 William and beach friend, Corb, on the night walk.
 Brothers--can you believe the enthusiasm in their expressions!?
 Roland, David, and William shinin' their lights!
 Both crab and boy have really nice smiles. : )

 
 Emily and Roland share their traditional shrimp "cleanin' the ream".  Emily took those shrimp and prepared a lovely, buttery shrimp pesto for lunch.  Mmmm!
 Matt with his super cute bag baby. : )
 A little down time watchin' videos for Naomi, Owen and Sierra.
 Bein' a sand crab.
 Dancin' with Nana while their parents play in ocean.  Everyone is happy!
 After the traditional crabbing expedition, sweet crab meat is is enjoyed by those who have the patience to find it!


 Jason and Emily share their beach tent.  So luxurious to have a little shade and cool refreshment after playing hard in the sand and sun!

 Good times!  Can't you just hear the waves hit the shore and feel the sunshine on your shoulders?


 Owen and Nana enjoy a quiet moment.
Now its Paw Paw's turn.

Kirsten's havin' sooooooo much fun!


 I hope to see pics that all of the fam took soon.  I'd especially love to see the Hootenanny.  It was unfortunate that my kitchen items didn't make it to the beach.  But we enjoyed a little jar of Saskatoon jam the Fargo Roberts had sent to me to bring to the beach when we got back to K-town.  If there was any question why we'd sing about Saskatoon berries, the deliciousness of those berries made it clear.  I hope to someday share Saskatoon, or sarvice, or service berries with each of you!