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!

Happy New Year!

Folly Beach, SC

Happy, happy new year to all of my blog reading friends! 

I hope 2019 treats you kindly. 

Thank you for your friendship and all the delightful comments this year. 

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!

Folly's Past

Folly Beach, Charleston, SC 

A throw back memory of when Folly Beach had more character spots than new rental properties. Who remembers this building very close to the pier?

I am having a hard time reading comments lately so forgive my lack of response. I can see they are there but click to find a blank screen. Don't stop leaving them! I promise to figure it out and get back to them all. 

Teeny, tiny buildings

Headlines at the Edge, Folly Beach, SC   

I like teeny, tiny buildings and I like them more when they are in use. This one is a colorful hair salon called Headline at the Edge (of America), on Center St. on Folly Beach. Cute!

Lucky I had an active day at work because it's been a rainy and dreary evening and foiled any plans for an evening walk. More of the same tomorrow. Stay dry kids!

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.

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. 

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!

Lighthouse hunters - Folly Beach

Folly Beach, SC  

When you don't want to walk the extra quarter mile to see the real Morris Island lighthouse this one right at the entry to the walk might tide you over.

With the current situation of the world at large and the cost of tea in China, I can't bear watching network television anymore so I've been on a steady Netflix binge. Feel free to recommend any shows you have enjoyed or movies I should watch because it doesn't look like this will end anytime soon. Every week or so I turn on the news and make it through about ten minutes before I turn it off again. I plunked my rowing machine in front of the tv and am trying to row away the craziness.

Heart walking Folly Beach style

Folly Beach, SC   

I always find happy surprises at the Edge of America. This was on the walk on the far east end towards the Morris Island lighthouse.

Happy Thanksgiving folks! Picture me blowing kisses to all of you!

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!

Thanksgiving Day

Folly Beach, SC 

A lovely warm Thanksgiving day and we made a quick change and carried all of our table settings outside and enjoyed dinner in the sunshine.  I always want to do this but is is usually just a bit too cool to pull it off.

Good food, friends, family and a walk on the beach. I have much to be thankful for. I hope you have as well.

Breath...

Folly Beach, SC  

Whew....that will teach me to leave my office for meetings. I scrambled to do a week's worth of work in a day so I can head to Columbia in the morning. I had my fingers in a lot of pies today. I do wish they were pecan, cherry and perhaps a chicken pot pie.

I spotted this scene on Folly Beach yesterday afternoon. Then I passed a couple looking for shark's teeth and they had a good haul. I whined that I never was able to spot one so they generously gave me one as a souvenir.

I am off to catch up on some Papal visit footage. The Pope does New York seems to be what is playing this evening.

I might get that hoop!

Folly Beach, SC   

Honey, I'm home! Although I left a couple of scheduled photos to post, I've actually been at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida for the annual national conference of the Association for Volunteer Healthcare Resource Professionals - that would be me.

The Marriott is huge and we were a captive audience. There were at least two or three other conferences going on at the same time - Healthcare Human Resources folks and Journalists. I went to a couple of serious sessions on legal issues surrounding volunteerism, copyright and student volunteers in healthcare. One of the highlights of the event for me was an evening reception and talk by Donna Brazile from CNN. She was a terrific speaker. I tried to get a photo with her but she did lose the top of her head in the shot. Ooops.

My normal tradition when I fly home used to be to walk to the tip of the peninsula and sniff the ocean. Now that I live West Ashley I decided to drive to Folly Beach and take advantage of a midweek afternoon for a walk without the crowds. Empty is exactly the way I like my beaches.

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!

Walking on the Edge of America

Folly Beach, S.C.

I usually avoid the beach at peak season. One of the main reasons is the problem finding a parking spot. I got lucky this morning and spent my entire walk thinking "why don't I do this more often". Folly Beach is such a character spot. Is there anything more fun than watching kids leap and squeal in the waves.

I believe the group of gals below were part of a volleyball team working out. At the moment I walked by they look like they are worshiping the ocean.

I hope everyone has had a good weekend. I need to get to my bed but I've been watching House of Cards and it is so good I keep treating myself to one more episode. Then just one more.

 

 

Mother's Day win!

Folly Beach boat, Folly Rd., S.C.

It is the public bulletin board on the side of the road heading to Folly Beach. The abandoned boat washed up by hurricane Hugo winds has been painted so many times I am sure it is the paint that is holding it together. The boat is fair game and anyone can paint it. Artists need to take a quick picture of their work because another car full of aspiring artists can pull right up behind them and paint right over it.

I kinda hope this lasts through the weekend, don't you?

Interested in painting the boat? Caroline shares some tips in This is My South.

Holy Cow...it looks like these folks have almost every painting ever done on the boat: Folly Boat

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.

New entry to the Sandwich Honor Roll

Wich Doctor, Folly Beach, S.C.

I am enjoying my extra day off so much that I probably need to figure out a way to retire. Harhar. This is sweet. I walked on Folly Beach this morning after doing a few errands along the way. After the beach and boardwalk I found this place to grab a bite.

I have a few favorite sandwiches around town - the Eggplant & Goat cheese at Hominy Grill, the Portobello Mushroom at Five Loaves and the Duck Confit at Caviar & Bananas but this Jerk Caribbean pork with plantains, mango ketchup & grilled scallions formally joined the honor roll today. It was so good I soon had some company at my table.

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!