Hammock at the beach - Folly Beach

Folly Beach pier, Folly Beach, SC  

This is better that trying to find to trees the perfect distance apart. He was swinging back and forth and didn't notice me sneaking a shot from behind. I had a lovely walk on Folly Beach this morning. Sadly traffic tends to scare me away during the hot summer when the beach would be so welcoming. It's always a treat to walk on Folly. 

The Edge of America

Folly Beach Pier, Folly Beach, S.C.

Beach traffic scares me away during the summer but this is my kind of beach walking day.  Overcast skies but not cold. If I did a Folly Beach search on this blog I expect most entries would be from November, December and January. I wasn't the only one enjoying the ocean but it was lovely and peaceful.
 

I can't do a Folly Beach entry without something quirky and fun. Pull up a chair!

Folly Beach Questions

Folly Beach, S.C.

I've puzzled over this old photo find on Folly Beach for a long time. What do you think? A shelter blown to shreds? Folly Beach style prayer flags?

Beach Bum recently mentioned a "just the guys" day trip to Charleston and asked about places to eat. Do you have suggestions for them on Folly or in town?

Walk with me - Folly Beach

Christmas on Folly Beach, Folly Beach, SC   

I am happy to see there is still a colorful character side to Folly Beach. Sadly, living here I hesitate to go to the beach in the crowed summer time but in the winter it is a lovely walk.

Art Show on the Edge of America

James Christopher Hill & Kathy Hill, Folly Beach, S.C.

I have frequently featured images of some of my favorite murals - particularly this one on Folly Beach. This evening I drove out to the Edge of America to finally meet the artist James Christopher Hill. What a treat! He had an art show at the Folly Beach Crab Shack.

Check out the vintage Folly Beach print James and wife Kathy are holding above. That is the one I bought. Walking out of the restaurant something looked familiar. The original was painted on the restaurant wall. I walked through my painting, yay!  I had to admit that I already have Mr. Hill's art work on my walls. I had taken some photographs of his murals that I have enlarged and have enjoyed for years. It was good to finally thank him and buy something from him directly.

Now, if I can just get my boss to let him paint a mural on the hospital.....hmmmmm.

Beach walking - Folly Beach

Let's hear it for Folly!, Folly Beach, SC 

As I like to do, I went to Folly Beach the day after the Folly Gras festival chaos and traffic jams. My nephew flew in from Canada late last night so a big bowl of shrimp and grits in the sunshine seemed the perfect lowcountry welcome. We had a great brunch at Rita's, walked the pier and then drove down to park and walk into see the lighthouse. The weather was cooler than yesterday's 80 degrees but couldn't have been more perfect. Welcome Caleb!

James Christopher Hill does Folly Beach

Planet Follywood, Folly Beach, S.C.

Artist James Christopher Hill happened upon my photo albums and realized what y'all have known for years, I am a big fan. I take a couple pictures of his mural on Planet Follywood every time I am at the beach. I once asked one of the British Black Cabs to park in front of it just so I could get a shot. Here is his etsy shop with darker fantasy, horror and science fiction paintings to steampunk designs and images and his gallery web site.

As far as I am concerned I keep going back to my old favorites of his work - the stars on the side of the building on Folly Beach. Thanks for the smiles James Christopher Hill!

Folly Beach Impressionist Art

Mural, Folly Beach, S.C.

Yikes, it has been a busy week. I need to run away. Maybe back to the beach.

Today's image is a mural on Folly Beach. It looks like an impressionist art piece, doesn't it?

The local internet community is a-buzz with the story of an upcoming reality show based in Charleston. Mostly a not very happy buzz but that might just be me.  Ewwww. When will the reality show stage pass? Soon please.

The Quirkyliciousness of Folly Beach

Folly Beach, S.C.

I always seem to end up at Folly Beach to walk the Edge of America on New Year's Day. The beach is exactly the way I like it - empty. I hope everyone had a good New Year's Eve. I went with a group of friends to SNOB on East Bay St. and enjoyed the first dinner seating which got me home well before crazy folks took over the streets. SNOB was great! What a treat. 

Folly Beach Walking

Folly Beach, Christmas

Love the beach but hate the traffic so I tend to do my beach walking in the winter and it always pays off. It was windy yesterday morning but not unpleasant and I had a nice walk. I am always pleased to see that they have managed to keep color and character at the beach!

Lighthouse Hunters - Morris Island

Morris Island Lighthouse, Folly Beach, SC   

I've been checking the lighthouses up and down the coast of South Carolina and Georgia off my list and had neglected to get updated shots of the two in our own backyard, the Morris Island Lighthouse and the one on Sullivan's Island. I took care of that today. Two for one!

We started on on Folly Beach, going to the end of East Atlantic and walking the rest of the way, about 1/4 mile in to the closest beachfront to see the lighthouse. It is a beautiful area with dramatic driftwood and clearly a popular fishing spot. The Save the Light organization is dedicating to preserving and restoring the lighthouse and recently worked to have the light actually lit to celebrate it's 140 anniversary. 

Built in 1767 at the southern entrance to Charleston, the original tower was destroyed during the Civil War. The new tower, built in 1876, stands 161 ft. with 201 steps leading to its top. The beacon was extinguished in 1962. The red and white striped tower is visible from James Island as well as Folly Beach.

Looking across the harbor we could see the Sullivan's Island lighthouse blinking at us and headed there for the afternoon and a luncheon date with a dear friend. A worthwhile day indeed!

No Parking Sign - Folly Beach

No Parking Sign - Folly Beach, S.C.

Apparently one weekend walk on Folly Beach can give me enough photo ammunition to fill a week of blog entries! As the owner of a very narrow drive in downtown Charleston I am always interested in creative "No Parking" signs and this one gets my vote of approval.

I knew the image looked familiar. I tracked back through my photos to find that it is the same image that was on a pirate flag hanging on the wall at the old Buccaneer Restaurant.  Further research claims it to be Blackbeard's flag.

Folly Beach Snowman

Folly Beach, S.C.

Folly Beach snowman/snowwoman. I was pleased to find this whacky little statue still in place.

In other news - can this week please last forever? I love this odd no-man's land of a week between Christmas and New Years. No meetings, very few work emails, no bosses around, sneaking in a little late and slipping out a little early to make up for it and yet getting real stuff done without interruptions. More, more, I want more!

Merry Christmas from Folly Beach

Folly Beach, SC

As close as I live to the beach, I am most likely to be there in the winter when the rest of the country isn't. The crowds driving to the beach on a warm sunny day take much of the appeal away. Luckily we still get bright days in the winter. Someone decorated trees like this last year so I went hunting and sure enough, I found it! Merry Christmas!