On (very) Distant Shores
May 24, 2010
As I mentioned in this month’s Beaches article, people in Charleston tend to pick a favorite beach and stick with it. Usually the choice is extremely subjective. Sometimes it doesn’t make complete sense. And sometimes, as in my case, the choice is made for you.
According to Google maps, the Isle of Palms beach is 35 minutes from our place; Folly Beach is 45 minutes away; and Kiawah is a full hour drive. So which is “our” beach? Kiawah, of course.
When I arrived in Charleston from Ohio, my future wife had long since picked her favorite. Kiawah was the beach closest to where she grew up, and that weird, subjective choice has stuck, despite the distance. Honestly, though, I don’t really mind. The way I see it, it's 9.5 hours closer to the beach than was my house in Cincinnati. And, it’s a nice drive. Bohicket Road is completely lined with old-growth trees; you barely see the sun for the last half of the trip. What I DO mind is the vague anxiety I feel as we head out. I wonder sometimes if the beach will even be, you know, OPEN when we get there? I USED to think I was being irrational…
Last July 3rd (my B-day!) was a Friday, I believe. We decided to take the day off and head out. I had a 45-minute conference call scheduled for 9am, and then we would hit the road. Of course, the client called about a half hour late, and then blathered for over an hour. Finally, we blasted off. An hour later – and a crucial hour off schedule - we rounded the bend on Beachwalker Drive to see a line of cars 20 deep. The parking lot was full and, in effect, the beach was closed.
But this past Saturday, everything worked out. Even with the threat of rain, I felt the urge. And I knew next weekend (Memorial Day) would be complete madness. So we made the long drive. I am glad to report that I did not get burned for once. It did not rain until we got home. And despite landing flat on my ass when a crappy old lawn chair imploded beneath me, it was a relaxing time. I even got to see my favorite Kiawah sight: half-naked women HANDI-PUG!!
See all Charleston Blog Posts
