I write this entry from the porch under the shade of a Palmetto. A slight breeze and a sunny, 80 degrees make the morning perfect. It takes a day or so to get ourselves situated in these longer stay environments. There’s unpacking the car, buying the groceries, setting up the electronic umbilical cords we seem to be hooked on, and getting acquainted with the local stuff.
Unpacking and groceries are pretty self-explanatory, the tales are in the electronic and local categories. To stay connected in the latest world changing climate of news is a challenge when there is also a desire to be away from it all. The cabin we are in made no representations as to the availability of TV reception, so we were prepared for the worst. However, a former visitor rigged up a temporary “rabbit ears” in the window and we soon had marginal reception on a couple of TV channels. Trying to see between the dots for any period of time proved frustrating enough such that I succumbed and bought a TV tuner for the laptop hoping the ability to moved the antenna around would help. Voila! A quick install and search for stations garnered us 13 channels with 8 in HD. Even digital has invaded paradise.
There are many stories to tell on the local scene already. First off, we stopped at the Gay Fish Co., which is a scene right out of the Forest Gump movie with the fishing boats tied up at the pier, for Shrimp. They had jumbos at $6.50/lb. so we immediately began our stay with a Peel-em-and-eat-em dinner. We will do this again, I’m sure. There is also a famous Frogmore stew we will probably try in the near future after some more research on the ingredients.
At low tide, the beach must be 100 yards wide or more of smooth sand. Perfect for walking or riding a bike. We have gone about a mile both ways in two daily journeys. The beach is littered with dead and fallen trees courtesy of the recent hurricanes and beach erosion. Hunting Island is unique in that it is owned by the State of South Carolina with our cabin, and others, being on leased land. The beach is eroding at a rapid rate and houses are falling into the sea with their owners pleading for assistance from the State to do something. The State is not moving very quickly to help, so it may not be long and the private homes will be gone. Right now the effect is a lack of people passing by on the beach.
We sit on the deck and watch the passing scene with interest. Apparently we are in the midst of the Monarch Butterfly migration south. They pass by in 2′s 3′s, 6′s flapping madly all during the day. The full moon came up last night like a huge lightbulb on the water and a scene from a movie. This morning the fishing boats are off shore working and about 10 dolphins swam by jumping and blowing at the edge of the surf.
We are continually amused by the Pelican Air Force and their antics diving for food. How such an ungainly looking bird can crash into the water, scoop up something, and then fly away is a marvel. Our lives seem to be getting in tune with the tides in what is shaping up to be a memorable stay.
