Thursday, April 7, 2016

Bidding Adieu To Folly Beach, Aloha To Bristow, VA And The Bissells

Being Silly
6:55
6:56
6:59
I was up at 6:40, to heavy winds and threatening skies, as we could have severe thunderstorms in the area.  So it was a vastly different morning sky, not much of a sunrise to speak of but I got my last free cup of coffee at Bert's, with gratitude to the friendly residents of Folly, some call it Jolly, Beach.  We have another eight hour drive north on #95 (ugh) to Bristow, VA, but we are looking forward to seeing Jill, Drew, Hayden and Halle.  In fact, now, at 7:15, we can hear the rain pouring on our roof, giving my car a good washing.

Driftwood At Folly Beach County Park
Endless Sand And Surf
We decided to go to the Folly Beach County Park around 10:00, when it opens on the west end of the island.  There's a gate fee of eight dollars and there were only one or two other cars when we arrived. Like yesterday's east end, this is a vast beach with sand dunes, and we look across the Folly River towards Kiawah Island.  We walked around the tip and went as far as we could go before encountering the wetlands, a stream pouring out into the bay. We were disappointed because we hoped to walk father in that direction, back around the south end of the island.  So, we walked back towards the Folly Beach Pier to get in a good hour and a half walk.  Our plan was to spend a few hours beaching it but the wind was so strong that it would not have been much fun.

Perfect Landing
A Very Interesting House On Folly Beach
So we drove home to the cottage, gathered a few things and went down to Folly Beach, hoping the wind had lessened.  It had but not by much so that the crowd was down to a few hardy souls, willing to soldier it out despite the cool air and winds.  I went home around 1:00, for lunch and a nap, then returned round 2:15 for another hour.  Evie had had enough by then, so we both left the beach earlier than usual.  I had an appointment with Firestone on St. James Island, about 10 miles away at 4:00, to get a new tire.  I was surprised at how busy the roads were but then it was 4:00, time for most people to head home.  I was out of Firestone forty five minutes later, a few bucks short but at least we will be safer on our way home.  When I got back, Evie was cleaned up and had started getting things ready for a quick get away, alas, tomorrow morning.  I showered relaxed and did some reading until 6:00 when we walked down to the Wednesday Outdoor Market, with music and food trucks, about a 10 minute walk from our cottage.

The Market was your typical fare, mostly homemade stuff, earrings, necklaces, photographs of the beach, some paintings, and three or four food stands or trucks.  It seemed like something out 60's, lots of tie dye, hippies, surfers, and of course, families from the town.  It had a nice vibe to it, like a gathering of friends.  We browsed for a half hour, then walked down to Rita's, again, for our final meal in Folly Beach.  Both bartenders recognized us, remembered we got to know their friends, Jacob and Brian.  We both ordered the shrimp and grits, their specialty, and Evie had it the first night we were in Folly Beach.  The grits are creamy, the sauce over the shrimp is delish, with bacon.  A good way to end our stay in Folly Beach.  We were both tired by 8:30 and decided to forego the final beer at the Surf Club.  I think the wind and sun took it out of us.  It felt good to just kick back and relax and watch some junk TV for the first time since we left the lake.

Local Family Dentist Office
Surfer Dude Landscaping
Having spent five days on Folly Beach confirms the American love affair with dogs. Everyone who is local seems to have a dog and many of the visitors bring their dogs as well.  Even the Folly Beach Hotel, right on the beach, welcomes dogs.  And if we are sitting on the beach, invariably there are dogs resting with families around us, others walking by with their dogs on leashes. Folly Beach even has specific seasons and times for dog walking as the sign below suggests.  And as I always say, I love 'other' people's dogs (just so they don't bark).  It almost made me want a dog....not quite.
Dogs Rule
Finally, we kept our vow to keep a news/politics free week, avoiding  TV and Sirius Radio.  We feel good.  That will change, no doubt, as we head home, listening to the pundits on CNN, FOX, and MSNBC gossip, which is what it mostly is, about Trump and Cruz, Hillary and Bernie.  Back to reality!

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