A June Day In January-A Charleston Beach On A Third Thursday

Breech Inlet and the Boathouse Restaurant

It was third Thursday, January. The morning was Charleston sunny and warm. The past few days have been June like in weather, but things can change quickly. A life lesson I have learned these past couple of months, and it is especially true when it comes to the weather. So, my plan for the day was to make the journey to my favorite beach area on the Isle of Palms called Breech Inlet, a swift moving stretch of water separating the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island. I enjoy watching the kite surfers navigate the calmer waters in the Bath on a breezy day. I have over the years indulged in the practice of releasing bottles containing messages with an email address included into the outgoing currents to see where the salty waters would carry them. Thus far no responses have been received.

I will spare you the total sum of mundane moments of this third Thursday, beginning with the traditional practices associated with my morning routine of preparation for launching me into the outer spaces of the day. I was unaware of an approaching cold front, until a quick visit to a friends house informed me of the expected change due to arrive later in the day. For lunch, I stopped at Coastal Coffee Roasters in Summerville and had roasted turkey topped with swiss cheese piled on a croissant for lunch with a side of friendly coffee house chat. Always great seeing my close friends at CCR.

Isle of Palms

The beach at Breech Inlet was fairly empty, three other people and two dogs, not including the occasional walkers. There was a nice breeze, but the ocean waters were strangely calm. The waves gently rolled onto the beach. The words of a 1977 song came to me while contemplating over pleasant thoughts and imaginations as I gazed out over the blue waters. "Come sail away, come sail away, come sail away with me" was the title that played in my mind and these words.


"I look to the sea,
Reflections in the waves spark my memory,
Some happy, some sad,
I think of childhood friends and the dreams we had,
We lived happily forever, so the story goes,
But somehow we missed out on the pot of gold
But we'll try best that we can to carry on."

Isle of Palms

 

The words "carry on" struck an emotional string as I reflected on a recent, life-altering event resulting in a renewed conviction. We must take every opportunity that is presented to us each day to share something good with those we have the occasion to reach. I took pictures and wrote messages in the sand. I unfolded my sports chair at the water's edge and tossed the bottle with the message into the strong outgoing tide. I watched it disappear into the distant surf, carrying with it the hope of achieving the desired purpose. The colorful kites of three surfers soared in the balmy breezes across the inlet in the surf of Sullivan's Island. But the skies were beginning to darken out beyond Charleston. The predicted cold front was approaching. It was time to go.

Vacation house on Isle of Palms

It was Third Thursday, and that meant party time in Summerville. By the time I arrived downtown for the festivities, the air had cooled considerably and the rains were descending. It seems as though a pattern has set in these past couple of months. This was the second month in a row it had rained on Third Thursday.

I started the night at Accent on Wine where friends were already sipping on wine and slurping specialty beers at the bar. I sat next to a woman who was smartly dressed in black and red, killing some time before a late day business appointment. She was a very out-going person who shared some humorous stories from her college days and revealed being a newlywed. That is just the way it is when you visit Accent on Wine. Conversations come as easy as Sunday morning. Every Tuesday is wine tasting night with a twist, so come on over and share in the fun.

Next stop was Marigolds, a locally popular, family owned boutique selling one of a kind antiques and exclusive home decor located on the end of Short Central. My daughter, who lives in Ohio, was interested in purchasing a vintage travel poster she had seen on her last visit. It was a poster of Paris. Getting it to Ohio was the challenge, and arrangements were considered. Despite the earlier rain, the owners said they had a good night. Everyone who visited the store bought something.

I ended the days activities where it began, at Coastal Coffee Roasters. It was open mic night. If you can sing, if you can play, and you have the oysters to do it, the mic is yours, not including yours truly. My singing career recently took a hit when that unexpected event altered my voice box. I won't be hitting those high notes for awhile. It's not karaoke, you should have some talent of a sort to participate.

It was a good day, but any day spent on the beach, especially in January, is a good day. I hope you enjoy the pictures.