Isle of Palms, SC

As we were driving toward the Mt. Pleasant KOA yesterday we saw a sign pointing toward Isle of Palms, just seven miles away. After checking in we learned that the Isle of Palms is where you go when you want to go to the beach. With 75 degree temperatures and a bright blue sky, today was the day to do just that. As we crossed the connector bridge to the barrier island we met our old friend the Intracoastal Waterway.

Originally named Hunting Island and then Long Island, this seven mile wide by one mile long stretch of paradise is now home to 5,000 permanent residents and ten times that in peak tourist season. Wouldn't one of these colorful villas be a beautiful place to spend a vacation steps away from the beach?

And, what a beach it is. The sparkling Atlantic with its smooth sandy shores is so much more approachable than that other ocean we hung out next to for so long. This inviting scene just calls for a long stroll.

But, first, pictures! We unfolded our paper niece for a requisite shot of the ocean. What's funny about this picture is I'm responding to a woman who was running toward me on the beach yelling "Is that a Flat Stanley?" Why, yes. But, actually, it's a Flat MC. We had a fun chat about our flat traveling friend.

Flat MC and I traded spots with Paul and he took his turn sticking his Keens in the warm water. What a delightful day!

There's something very peaceful about the beach.

We had a great time watching these little guys run up and down the shore in search of food.

And these little guys were having the best time!

This big guy seemed to be enjoying his day, too.

Even Rocky got into the act. Doesn't he look relaxed chilling out under the palms?

Back on the mainland, we took a cruise through Patriot's Point. From here we could see the USS Yorktown and the Ravenel Bridge. They're both very impressive!

From the point we caught a glimpse of Charleston across the Cooper River. We could see from here why its known by some as the "Holy City", but we'll see for ourselves tomorrow.

Besides being our route back to the KOA, Highway 17 north of Charleston is also known as the Sweetgrass Basket Weavers Highway. Sweetgrass basket making is unique to the Gullah people of South Carolina's Lowcountry. The Gullahs are descendants of African slaves who worked the South Carolina plantations, where they made and used the baskets to collect and carry vegetables and store other foods. Today, this highway is lined with keepers of this ancient folk-art tradition, who sit at hand constructed stalls like this one and weave sweetgrass and pine needles into beautiful works of art.