Hunting Island Beach, SC
The Carolina lowland makes the ocean’s horizon look closer. At high tide, its brim looks as if it is tipping towards me. There is no land mass, no boats or lighthouses in the distance to give it perspective. Sea foam – the tumbleweed of coastal living – flutters by and crosses my path as I walk. At dusk wind-swept pieces of it seem especially animated, like sandpipers.
The palm trees look placed. Too perfect. Too straight. Occasionally, a brave one will stand alone near the shoreline, ignoring what I see as warning signs: remnants of fellow fallen trees, strewn like dinosaur bones along the dunes.
As I turn the bend, the beach stretches out, wide, empty, and white. What world it this? I feel a disorientated sense of delight. The only thing that keeps the scene from looking like a desert is the ocean, which could be a mirage, for all I know.
Post Note: The answer to yesterday’s question is the title of the above. It’s just outside Beaufort, South Carolina, where much of Forrest Gump was filmed. Thanks everyone for playing along!
March 6th, 2006 10:05 am
I’ve never been on the island, but I love Beaufort. I think it’s a beautiful town and used to visit a lot. Have a wonderful time and enjoy the sea, maybe you’ll come back to the mountains and find Spring!!
March 6th, 2006 10:05 am
Have a great time!
March 6th, 2006 10:22 am
Of all Places…. I should have guess that… I was born there!!! Or mom should have-she actually lived there!
Darn – I wan’t to win – Lets play again.
I live for FL tomorrow – will you be anywhere near Disney so we can visit?
March 6th, 2006 10:25 am
Few typing errors:
I was born in Beaufort (which I never could spell until I learned it was just like Beautiful)
I Leave for Fl – not Live for Fl (although I’ve been living for Fl for about a week now)
March 6th, 2006 10:46 am
I love palm trees. Your pictures are wonderful! I posted about a movie you might enjoy.
March 6th, 2006 11:41 am
Thought for sure that was Savannah, but when your pictures loaded, the top one said South Carolina so, should have known. I didn’t know Forrest was born there, always thought it was Alabama.
March 6th, 2006 12:11 pm
I’m at the Beauford city library and just did a little google search. The character Forest Gump WAS FROM ALABAMA, the fictional town of Greenbow, but the movie was filmed in Beauford. So was the Big Chill.
I’ve forgotten my moveable type password and can’t change the front page from here.
March 6th, 2006 1:24 pm
I wanna go! It looks so peaceful. Have a great time…
March 6th, 2006 2:20 pm
Beautiful Beaufort. I was there 38 years ago, as Chrissie has written on comments above. I would like to see it with fresh eyes today…anyway, I’ll be seeing it through you.
March 6th, 2006 8:29 pm
Wow, I never knew S. Carolina could look like that! Looks like a good place to facilitate relaxation.
March 6th, 2006 9:07 pm
I’ve not been to Huntington Island Beach, but I have been to many of the surrounding areas. Beaufort, Hilton Head, Charleston, Kiawah and Savannah. Beautiful area.
I wanted to comment on your son’s enviable talent a few posts back. I was reading at work, and got sidetracked and never mentioned it. It must be wonderful to have an artist in the family.
March 7th, 2006 3:01 am
Well, I was way off…This is certainly a beautiful BEAUTIFUL place! It sounds so peaceful and a great place to drop all one’s worry’s and woes…
March 7th, 2006 8:29 am
i hope you are having a wonderful time!!! (i am sure that you are!)
March 8th, 2006 12:07 am
Oh my goodness.. I am so envious. I have only dreamed of seeing such a place.