Edisto Beach State Park: First Trip of 2021!
Restlessness got the best of me and I just couldn't wait any longer. I browsed my notes from the past year to look for a short trip to break the monotony. Ah, a beach campground we missed on our last trip up the coast. The park includes a nature preserve and an undeveloped beach area. Granted, it's January and the temps will only reach the low 50's but you know, a beach is beautiful any time of the year.
I conferred with Jim to test his response. He was ready too, so reservations were made! Three days at Edisto Beach in South Carolina. The park does not look particularly full from the reservation page, so we feel a little better about COVID distancing. I plan a menu and shopping list while Jim makes a quick "to do" list for the RV.
There are times when getting out in nature is the very best thing you can do for your physical and mental health. After a year of COVID sequestering, we are more than ready for a respite. We will take every precaution. After all, we didn't live this long being reckless. We will wear gloves when we gas up the rig and use the credit card pad. We have hand sanitizer in the RV in the driver's door, the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, and outside in the service bay. We'll wear masks, of course, and we will keep our distance from others.
We're not social butterflies. We don't walk the campground looking for a scrabble game or a fishing buddy. For most trips, we spend time at our campsite reading, watching wildlife, and playing the uke. The most outgoing activity might be hiking or kayaking. As an added precaution though, we'll prep all our meals and do our grocery shopping before we leave home. That way we are not shopping in an area outside our "bubble."
This is when RV travel really shines. It is pretty easy to sequester in the RV for meals, showers, and sleeping. The only stops will be for diesel. Sounds safe enough. Upon arrival, our interaction with the park personnel is blessedly brief and all wear masks, of course.
There are two campgrounds at Edisto Beach State Park: one in the woods and the other next to the beach. The site we reserved is in the beach campground next to dunes. We can hear the surf from our RV - even on the inside. The campground is spacious with a lot of very tall Palmetto Palms. The wind rustling through them is a lovely sound.
Although none of these beachside sites have a view of the beach, they are all just steps from the beach access - a walkway through the dunes. The bathhouse is conveniently located in the center of the campground and the trash dumpster is close to the entrance. Unfortunately, the dump station is about a mile up the road, and across from the main entrance to the State Park. There is only one station, so it is a good idea to plan on visiting when it might be less busy (like the middle of the day) rather than in the morning or end of the day.
The campground is close to "town" - a supermarket, gas station, and a combination restaurant and beach store are all just outside the campground entrance. One of our campground neighbors mentioned that they come here frequently and it is booked almost every weekend. That seems to be true for most beach and lakeside campgrounds. The best time to reserve a site is during the week.
A quick walk over the dunes and we stand on a narrow beach strewn with shells. Although the beach is narrow, it is very long. A good, long walk is easy on the firm sand near the water. Further from the walk-over entrance, the beach seems to spread out a bit offering a wider expanse for beach umbrellas and tents (in warmer weather!).
Each day, we walk to the water's edge and watch as the water runs up the beach and recedes. It is mesmerizing. The sound is calming and, though the breeze makes it feel colder than the temperature readings, a walk down the beach is a welcome activity. The wind makes our eyes tear, so we're happy to turn around and head in the other direction, with the wind at our backs.
As I gazed down the beach, to my delight, there is a driftwood branch standing upright in the sand and decorated with shells and seagull feathers! The shells clack together and the feathers, held onto the branches with string, dance in the breeze. This afternoon, the sky is low with clouds, but there is a hint of pale yellow and orange breaking through. The sun is setting. I can feel misty rain starting to fall as we head back to our snug and warm RV.
The next morning finds us sorting out a water pressure issue. Bob, one of our RV neighbors, kindly offered his spare regulator (I know we have another, but it is probably at home!). We are grateful for his generosity. I've never met an RVer who wasn't willing to help out. It does the job and we are back in business.
After a year of COVID sheltering, we are having to regain our "travel mind". We prepped the RV, but we didn't inventory like we usually do after a winter of "not traveling". But then again, it's still winter! There are some things we forgot to pack or check before we left. I think we were so anxious to get on the road that we rushed through our checklists. We will need to do a proper inventory when we get home and get the RV ready for more last-minute trips.
On departure day, the sun finally breaks through the dark clouds. The beach is awash in sunshine. Figures, the day we are leaving the sun is bright and strong. It's going to be a beautiful day here. I walk down the beach to the water's edge. The sun sparkles on the surface of the water and a squadron of pelicans flies low to the water. The breeze is cool and still pretty stiff but I know the sun will warm the air over the next few hours. I take a few photos, stare for a few moments at the sea, and then turn back to camp. Jim is in the driver's seat waiting for my return and with the click of my seat belt, we are on our way home.
