Judy Grillo
  • Home
  • Writer
    • Services & Clients
    • Rates & Terms
  • Teacher
  • Trainer
  • Reveler
  • Blogger
  • Listener
  • Home
  • Writer
    • Services & Clients
    • Rates & Terms
  • Teacher
  • Trainer
  • Reveler
  • Blogger
  • Listener

Could I Live Here?

10/17/2017

6 Comments

 
If you visited this blog in the spring, you may know that I've already been to the Beaufort, SC area for a few days this year. However, on this visit, I did get to tour the famous Penn School for a few hours where I learned plenty about the Gullah Culture that is fighting to remain intact on St. Helena Island. My greeter was an 88-year old former student who was a wealth of information. For one, historically, it was common for plantation owners to leave during "fever season" (April - November), so the Gullah people lived largely on their own. This factor, along with the isolation of the area, is why their strong African cultural influences remained intact for so many centuries. 

Besides the need for a little more tourist time, I also wanted to check out the town of Beaufort as a possible living spot. During my first few days, it was 85+ degrees with 97% humidity, and I was shaking my head at the thought that it was October and I was melting. This has since decreased significantly, but not without leaving me with the realization that while there is water, water everywhere, there is very little ocean access. The reality is that the one ocean spot, Hunting Island State Park, has been closed on and off for a year due to hurricane damage, and it is the only Atlantic Ocean beach within a 20-mile radius of Beaufort. If I chose to be on the water, this would be a wonderful location, but it's not an option for me as a shore walker, sea floater, lover of the sandy ocean beachfront.

The quite extensive Beaufort historic district is just delightful and well worth a few afternoon walks. Yet, after 4-5 days in Beaufort on foot and by bike, I'm still not sure I know where the "regular people" live. This is a wonderful, scenic area that is not yet overdeveloped, and has an abundance of history, some well-preserved cultural aspects, friendly locals, scenic bike routes, and great food. I want to love it enough to move here, but it just hasn't clicked!   
6 Comments
Barb
10/18/2017 01:24:13 am

Hey Judy.. love reading about Beaufort. So interesting. Lots of stories here of women as educators that we know little about. Although I actually do know about Rachel Mather and Laura Towne. But mosquito spray. Does it work? Love the cemetery shot. Where's the Beaufort post office? Must. Finish. Grading.

Reply
Judy
10/22/2017 05:38:27 pm

BO: Since you asked, I added the one post office I DID bike to! on my last day in the area. The Cutters? It worked on mosquitoes for about an hour; the gnats/no-see-ums, NOT A CHANCE! Luckily that was a 3-day ordeal! j.

Reply
Eileen
10/20/2017 10:14:54 am

Judy: If you are standing at the cemetery wall with the church and headstones in downtown Beaufort that we visited, believe that wall is what remains of the original tabby from the 1800's. Reading blog miss the rich history of SC. Laughed at your deep woods spray as know too well that low country mosquitoes are brutal. Sad about Hunting Island destruction.

Reply
Judy
10/22/2017 05:40:21 pm

Eileen: Yes, that is the church! I visited Port Royal my last day so have added a few photos. That Cutters -- it's the one you left me in Bluffton so it came full circle! j

Reply
Mike Grace link
10/23/2017 02:28:55 pm

Judy,

I spoke with Dylan (30 YO native son of Beaufort) at the local bike shop who bemoaned the influx of money which was driving long time locals away... sigh, but kinda same as it ever was, and what to do?

Except enjoy life on your terms and thanks for your inspiration in that regard - three years in a Coleman tent having sold your house?!

You are a free spirit, in deed. :nod

Reply
Judy
10/23/2017 05:41:26 pm

MG: Yes, I had seen that waterfront rentals in Port Royal are going in en masse so I had to visit one last time. "We love it here, so let's change it!". Living in my tent is the only thing that makes any sense! J.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Author

    Cyclist, writer, teacher, avid reader, bike/ped advocate, nomad, pie lover

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.