Beaufort by Bike
On the backstreets of downtown Beaufort it’s warm enough to ride my bike without wearing a jacket, and traffic is hushed enough to hear the songs of birds. My bike glides up and down the neighborhood streets with little effort from me, almost as if it was being pushed by the breeze.
I crane my head up to see the stately houses as I ride; pink, mint green, and some in standard white with black shutters. There are cobble stoned courtyards, ivy covered fences and gates, hibiscus lined verandas, and trees. A gentle breeze blows the Spanish moss hanging from the limbs of the gigantic sprawling live oaks and carries a sweet scent that smells something like rose mixed with orange.
I’m not the only one enjoying the charm of the neighborhood. A horse and buggy full or tourists, waving as they pass, trots by.
I can’t help but smile at the sight of people outside, not working at their jobs or in front of the TV. I pass a man sitting in a rocking chair on his porch doing what I guess is a crossword puzzle. One woman is on her hands and knees digging in her flower garden, another is watering a hanging basket of ferns on her sky-blue colored porch. A boy on a tricycle peddles by with what I assume is his nanny walking next to him.
The sound of a military jet startles me out of my peace. I stop and get off my bike to take a picture of a small tree in bloom. It’s pink.
March 7th, 2006 11:48 am
A tulip magnolia – one of my favorites.
March 7th, 2006 12:03 pm
Chris was born in Beaufort on March 27th.
I can still see the showy pink blossoms of the azalea’s, that were in full bloom and EVERYWHERE, as we drove from the hospital to our Craven Street home – with my new babe in arms. I was in awe of both.
Look for a Craven Street next time you’re out on the bike.
March 7th, 2006 12:08 pm
i love this ‘virtual’ vacation…it could be just want i need!! hehe
March 7th, 2006 3:52 pm
What a lovely ride! I can almost smell the flowers.
March 7th, 2006 7:10 pm
Sounds like a marvelous March day.
March 7th, 2006 7:49 pm
Mhmmm. Sounds like a lovely place to stroll.
March 7th, 2006 9:22 pm
You’re in a beautiful place right now. Thanks for sharing your joy at the beauty with us.
I think I need to plan a quaint, quiet family vacation for the summer.
March 8th, 2006 12:08 am
This sounds wonderful… a tree with pink blooms. 🙂
March 8th, 2006 1:17 am
Ah, the tulip magnolia. This was always the first to bloom in Mississippi, before the dogwood, wisteria and azaleas. The bloom was gone before Pilgrimage, the first week in April. Sounds like a restful place and just the relaxation you needed. Have a great time.
March 8th, 2006 5:00 am
Thanks for taking me along, wonderful bike ride!