the island

Our family is long-time gulf coast beachgoers. In the early days, it was Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In the recent years, we visited about every beach on the renowned-30A highway.

After this trip, nothing compares to Kiawah.

We got to enjoy many of our favorite beach-going activities in this new destination. We went on bike rides, we ate donuts, we played games, and read on the beach.

But. The. Landscape.

I’m convinced there’s no more beautiful combination than spanish moss and palm leaves. I can’t fully articulate the way the shade of fully-mature trees brings me comfort, but this area worked to find the words to express that joy each day we were there. Even the marsh and the mosquitos became romantic to me.

While the Gulf is well-known for its soft, white sands, the Atlantic has the opposite. Yet, it offered so many new experiences. I rode a bike directly on the beach for the first time. We traced out squares on the sand and created a new version of four-square with pro kadima paddles. We watched in awe each afternoon as the tide caused the coastline to stretch three times the size it was that morning.

Part of the magic of this island was due in part to experiencing the beach with Addison for the very first time.

We consumed so many snacks in the sand, laughed while the waves leapt into our laps, and watched as her sense of wonder multiplied.

I will cherish this trip to Kiawah more than any other destination for those reasons alone.