Our vacation came late this year. In fact, it coincided nicely with my birthday and was a complete joy. You are about to see why. We drove down to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina – a barrier island between Charleston, SC and Savannah, Georgia.
“…vicinity to the sea is desirable, because it is easier to do nothing by the sea than anywhere else, and because bathing and basking on the shore cannot be considered an employment but only an apotheosis of loafing.” – E. F. Benson
It was paradise – sunshine glistening on water.
Rocky beach head.
Dunes and sea grass.
Sand castles left behind by dreaming children.
Blue umbrellas hovering over chairs along the shore.
Lots of seashells!
The conch was still inside this shell so I took the picture and my husband hurled it back into the sea.
Rocks were covered in them.
Sand dollars and horseshoe crabs!
And my very first star fish!
But this is just a sampling of the wonderful trip. Part II will feature more of this island paradise.
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Your photos are beautiful! Of course, you know how much I love the beach! Can’t wait to see more pictures from your vacation.
Thanks Dianna. The beach is perfect at this time of year.
Love your photos! My favorite is the sandcastle. 🙂
Doesn’t it take you back? Love the beach.
Do you know mythology of sand dollar? If not do a wiki search
I assume you are referring to the symbols of Christ – at least that is the myth I am familiar with. Now I’m curious to know if there are others. Will search it.
Indeed it seems like you had a great vacation – judging by your pictures. Your photos are gorgeous, so full of life as it is at the sea, with a warm (or not so warm) breezes and the sharp light both from above and reflected in the sea. My favourite picture is the first one.
Thank you so much. I’m learning about photography – mostly from you.
What a gorgeous area! I’ve never been there but it would really be worth a visit.
It is definitely on our list to return to. Stay tuned for more images.
Sunshine, sand AND shells! Very cool. The Oregon Coast, where I usually go, is pretty low on sea shells and pretty high on fog. Still it’s fun to get away.
Is Hilton Head where there is a herd of special island ponies?
No, that is Corolla, NC and Chincoteague, VA. Although, there may have been ponies there at some time. It is the home to one of the rare shell rings left by ancient civilizations and has been protected. There is a walkway around it.
I think I would like the foggy coast too. I have a thing for fog – a real mood setter.
Breathtaking! We spent a week In Avon, NC on the Outer Banks this summer and these photos made me wish I was back there.
The OBX area of NC is special indeed. I love beaches that still resemble beaches as they might have been before we started constructing high rises up and down the shore. Both of these areas have maintained standards. Lovely.
Love that first one, dunes with tall grass, and the grass with the blue umbrellas – sounds and sights so familair
I bet you know a few great beaches around your area.
Galveston beaches aren’t pretty white sands with blue water – the ones south, Padre Island are picture perfect.
We still like the dunes and vegetation here – Molly doesn’t care if it’s not glamor shot pretty as long as there’s room to trot
It always sounds so intriguing, to go to the Outer Banks. Is that the same or similar to the Barrier Reef? I guess it could be considered an item on a bucket list in current terms.
There is a lot of coral on the Great Barrier Reef which our barrier islands don’t have. But they are so important to the ecosystem of the sea life and to the health of the coastline and a ‘barrier’ to coastal erosion. They remind me of how the seashore was before we began to construct mega-hotels up and down the beach.
This looks like a wonderful place. It feels like your own little exotic island.
It did feel a bit like that. Loved it.
Happy belated birthday! Your pictures transported me back a couple years, when we went there for vacation. I’d go again in a heartbeat.
Me too. Let’s head on back Patti.
There’s nothing like a beach holiday – beautiful pictures!
Thank you. It was relaxing.
Wonderful photographs! And so evocative. Sounds like a dreamy, tranquil holiday.
Sometimes you just need the sound of the sea. Good to hear from you.
Thanks Renee. 🙂
Wonderful!
That sandcastle is very clever to have an arrow head – I couldn’t have done that!
I’ve always wanted to visit that area! Thanks for the photo tour, and glad you had a great time! ~ Sheila
Renee, what amazing photos! I love the one with the blue umbrellas. That’s my favorite blue! And I love the ones of the sea shells. But my favorite is the starfish! When I was a kid, we had a starfish on our living room coffee table. How I loved holding it, touching it, running my finger along the inside, wondering what secrets of the sea it held. Thanks for stirring such memories, and for posting these stupendous photos!
Beautiful photos, Renee. I love Hilton Head, it’s a perfect vacation destination.
Because I’m returning from break and saw Part III, thought I’d move back to Part I. Honeymooned in Hilton Head MANY years ago …. then return many years later. Thanks for capturing the peaceful side.