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There are some people who say the good things in life never last; those people have never been to Edisto.

This thought struck me today when I decided to get out of the house and go down to the beach. Instead of hitting up the normal beach access closest to my house, I got in the car and drove – with the windows down – to Point Street. I pulled my car to the side of the road, parked, and headed for the water.

Instantly this feeling of déjà vu came over me and as I paid more attention to my surroundings I realized I drove right up to the house I used to stay in 25 years ago. Right next to the house, there’s soft white sand that cuts a swath through the sea oats, sand spurs, and scrub brush blossomed over with wild flowers. It’s this path that has always stayed in my mind because it is among the first paths I ever walked that took me straight to the beach.

As a child, that path seemed to go on forever. I remember holding onto my mom’s hand as my bare feet bounced as quickly as hot grease on a skillet over the sun-baked sand (nobody could ever keep shoes on me as a kid). I remember being distracted by the wildflowers that lined the path and wanting to pick them, but I never did seeing as they were always protected from little fingers by threatening sand spurs. Plus, nothing could ever fully distract me from the ultimate goal: getting into the surf.

It was enough back then to just go up to my thighs and splash around with my sister. I never went in too deep where my oldest siblings played – that was just too scary. I didn’t learn to love the scary part until I was older and then it was almost impossible to get me out of the breakers. Now, however, I seem to have reverted to my thought process that the “deep end” is scary because I only like to wade in the surf and look out over the beach and seemingly endless Atlantic.

When I stood in the water today, I kept looking back at the house and remembering showing the sharks’ teeth that I found to my grandparents, flying a kite with my uncle, being chased with bugs by my brother, getting beach balls stuck in the palm tree with my sister, making sand castles on the beach with my mom, and trusting my dad to take me in the deep end during low tide just as long as he never let me go.

Like many of the old cottages from back when Edisto was dotted with simple beach homes (a far cry from some of the almost palatial homes that have popped up over the years) the house has been updated, but it is still very much the same. The memories I have seem imprinted all around it so intensely that just looking at the house is like watching a home video of my past while still standing in my present.

Many things have changed here at the beach since those days 25 years ago, but nothing can ever change the true spirit of Edisto that lives inside all of us who call this place home.

Over the weekend some of Edisto’s smallest residents were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the town’s Bay Creek Park. Unfortunately, those residents were eaten.

The Edisto Shrimp Fest kicked off at 11 on Saturday at Bay Creek Park. This event marked the grand opening of the park (which has been around and used for more than a year already) next to the marina. From 11 to 5, residents and vacationers alike came out and enjoyed some Lowcountry boil and hot dogs. In addition, the band Fat Alice played.

Here’s a look back at how the park came about.

It wasn’t long ago that the area used for the park was occupied by the seafood market known as Bell Buoy’s. This ramshackle market with its sun-worn wooden look was a landmark on Edisto. It was owned by the Bell family and had some of the best fresh seafood caught right off the shore. Mrs. Bell used to make casseroles and desserts that were so legendarily good that they were often purchased a long side of a couple pounds of shrimp and snow crab.

For the lucky few who knew about it, there was also a jewelry store on the top floor of the market. Visitors could schedule an appointment to go upstairs and see what treasures Mrs. Bell had to offer.

It was a tradition for many families to make a stop at Bell Buoy’s every time they came to the island and the scenic seafood shack provided a great backdrop for countless photo ops.

But about five years ago, the family sold the property to the city. The house and market on the land was torn down and there was nothing on the property for a long time. A lot of drama ensued with some locals being upset over the fact that the city paid millions for the land and subsequent park. But after a while, the drama blew over and the park was finished and ready for business.

Now, it’s hard to even remember the old fish market that used to be on the land. The park offers wide open spaces, a dock for visitors to look out over Big Bay Creek or drop a line in to catch some fish and crab, and there is a structure where vendors can come every Wednesday to sell arts, crafts, and foods indigenous to the lowcountry.

While there are generations of Edisto-lovers who will always remember the area as being the former site of Bell Buoy’s, the park provides a new generation of locals and visitors with a place to go and begin their own traditions.

Did you participate in Shrimp Fest? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

There’s a place just off the coast of Edisto Beach where the world stands still. There are no homes, no roads – nothing exists except nature as Mother Earth intended. This place is Otter Island.

The island is protected by the Department of Natural Resources and is a part of the St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area so the nearly 2,000 acres will always be a place that remains untouched by the hustle and bustle of the world.

Otter Island provides one of the few locations where marine life and other animals indigenous to the lowcountry can go to live their lives without interference from humans. For that reason, the island maintains one of the most active nesting areas for Loggerhead turtles. It’s also home to the bald eagle and several other rare birds. Furry woodland creatures like deer and raccoons also call Otter Island home.

It’s surrounded by white sand beaches and brackish marshland. It’s densely covered in a maritime forest and scrub brush. The natural landscape does have some trails carved out either from deer or other visitors, but for the most part it is just raw untouched nature.

For all the natural beauty the island has to offer, it’s not all just for the animals to enjoy. Visiting the island is doable by watercraft. Motorized watercraft can anchor right off the shore of the island to spend the day exploring the island, fishing, crabbing, or swimming. Kayakers can also paddle out to the island from the Edisto marina or any boat landing.

Once on the island, visitors will find everything from sharks’ teeth to sand dollars to seashells to old artillery shells. If you want to fully explore the island, bring closed toed shoes to avoid sand spurs and insect repellant in the summer months.

It’s also a unique position to look over the water back towards Edisto Island and view the dolphins that make the waters of the area their home as they feed, play, and swim in the area.

Camping on Otter Island is also permitted and really gives visitors a sense of living on a deserted island. The only sounds at night are the calls of the marsh birds, gentle waves lapping at the shore, and rustle of the palm fronds. Campers can build a campfire and relax on the beach under the starry sky. However, because Otter Island is protected, permits for camping must be obtained and are given out only from November to April. Contact McKenzie Field Station at (843) 844-8822 for permits.

So the next time you’re in the area, take a trip out to Otter Island to experience the untouched elements that make up the lowcountry.

The season of summer vacation has come to an end and now it’s time to get ready to enjoy the off-season.

Just because the calendar says it’s September doesn’t mean the weather on Edisto has given any indication that fall is on the horizon. It’s still hot and humid with temperatures in the 80s and 90s on a daily basis. The ocean temperature is as refreshing as ever and the beach is even more inviting now that there is hardly anyone here.

It’s the perfect time to consider spending more than a week or two in the area and to opt for a long term rental.

Extended stays on Edisto give visitors a chance to really live life like a native Edistonian. Vacationers often say that their weeklong vacations here are almost exhausting because they feel the need to soak up every ounce of sun available either by swimming, golfing, boating, fishing, or doing whatever else they feel like on vacation, but they don’t really ever take the time to just do absolutely nothing for fear of wasting precious Edisto time. But if you stay here for a month or longer, you’ll find that there is plenty of time to do nothing more than sit back and relax.

Finding a place to stay that accepts long-term rentals all depends on where you want to be during your getaway. Keep in mind that the cooler temperatures of fall allow for windows and porch doors to be open so the sound of the surf can be heard from virtually any house on Edisto Beach even if you’re not right on the water.

If you want to stay on the water, consider staying in Crowfield. This is an older beach cottage on St. Helena Sound with views of both Otter and Pine Island. The sand down in this area, known as the sound, is softer and whiter than the sand on the Atlantic portion of the beach. It’s also experienced less erosion so there is more room for long leisurely walks.

This house has five bedrooms and sleeps 10 comfortably. It’s also got four bathrooms, cable TV, a screened deck, and sun porch. The fireplace at Crowfield gives visitors a chance to experience what it’s like to hear the surf pounding outside while listening to the crackle of an indoor fire.

If you want to have beach views without staying on the beach, considering staying in Belvedere. This is a two-story home on Palmetto Blvd. with views of the beach from its upper and lower decks. It has an open floor plan and features bedrooms on both levels, which makes it perfect for families with grown children or for anyone who plans on having guests from time to time and wants a little privacy.

Beach walk homes are also available and vary in size from cozy beach cottages with only two bedrooms to larger homes with five bedrooms. A beach walk home is always less than a ten minute walk from the beach, so visitors never have to worry about sacrificing a beach vacation while staying in a home nestled in the abundant oak trees all throughout the town.

One beach walk home available for long term rentals is the aptly-named home, Serenity. This house is on Jungle Road and has its own private lagoon. It offers marsh views, fishing and crabbing in the lagoon, and is just one block away from the Atlantic portion of the beach. A house like this almost guarantees you’ll spend more time enjoying the outdoors from a rocking chair than sitting indoors.

Homes are also available for long term rentals in the Wyndham resort. One of the Oristo cabins is available for a steal and if visitors purchase an amenities pass they have direct access to the on-site gym, pool, miniature golf course, 18-hole golf course, and so much more. Grover’s restaurant is located within the resort and provides a variety of different meals from buffalo wings to fresh tuna to steaks. The cabins make for the perfect cozy getaway for couples and are also perfect for anyone looking to spend some alone time on Edisto.

Search for more vacation rentals on Edisto Beach by clicking here.

Labor Day is a bittersweet holiday; it means fall is officially on its way and summer is just about over. But this weekend, summer is still in full effect.

Think about what summer on Edisto means to you. You might be thinking of floating over waves in a tube, tearing through Big Bay Creek on a boat, kicking back on the porch drinking an ice cold beer, and then heading out to listen to some good tunes with friends and family. If that’s your idea of summer then you’re in luck because this weekend Edisto is the place to be.

To begin with, the second annual Fish and Shag Fest starts Friday at Big Bay Creek right next to the marina. It lasts for two days and promises fun for the whole family. Admission is $2 and free for anyone 10 and under.

On both Friday and Saturday, DJ Pat Patterson will be blasting the tunes from 3-7 pm. On Friday from 8 to 11 pm, the Camden, SC based band Second Nature will play a mix of everything from Big Band hits to beach music to top 40 hits.

The festival continues Saturday at 10 am. There will be a food drive for the Edisto Food Pantry, arts and crafts for purchase, sponsor and vendor booths, children’s activities, and food and drinks. Music will be playing from 3-7 and then the Catalinas take the stage from 7 to 10.

The Catalinas is a Myrtle Beach based band that has been around in some fashion since 1957. They’ve opened for The Monkees, the Four Tops, and The Tempations in the past. The Catalinas will be playing when the shag competition begins at 8 pm on Saturday. This competition is open to both amateurs and seasoned professionals.

The Fish and Shag Fest is just one of the many things Edisto has to offer over Labor Day Weekend so whether you’ve already made plans to be here or want to be here, plan a trip – it’ll be well worth your while.

Hurricane Irene still poses a major threat for the Northeast coast, but her effects on Edisto amounted to strong winds, intense currents, and a storm surge that rushed over Palmetto Boulevard and down the side streets.

Irene remained more than 250 miles off the coast of South Carolina, but managed to create rain bands and strong winds. The power went off intermittently on the island due to the winds, but luckily did not stay off for long.

It wasn’t until high tide rolled in just after six pm that the storm surge started to creep up higher and higher until it pooled around the pilings of many front row homes and spilled into the roadways. Throughout the day, the waves were much larger than usual and hammered away at the coast.

While many people already left Edisto or cancelled vacation plans, the people who did remain came out to witness the floods. Some people took their hurricane parties outside and stood in knee-deep puddles while drinking a beer, others kayaked down Palmetto Blvd.

Saturday should be windy and partly cloudy with temperatures in the mid-90s. High tide will occur around five in the morning and the lingering storm surge will most likely cause additional flooding of Palmetto Blvd.

Rip currents will still be prevalent and everyone is urged to take precautions before entering the water. Rip currents have the ability to pull swimmers out to sea quickly. If you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore and wait until the suction ends before trying to swim back to the beach.

Also note that the waves will continue to be larger than normal due to the strong winds, so use extreme caution before attempting to swim.

Seas are reported as high as 10-15 feet so small watercraft are urged to stay in port until Sunday.

Remember that hurricane season lasts into November, so always be prepared.

With all the news about Hurricane Irene and predictions about where the storm will go, one thing is for certain for people living in coastal towns within the hurricane watch zones: the storm surge is something to be prepared for.

According to the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center, a storm surge poses the greatest risk to life and property. The National Weather Service predicts that much of the South Carolina coast is at a high-risk for a storm surge Friday and Saturday.

So what is a storm surge?

Astronomical tides cause the ocean waters to rise and recede. Edisto Beach residents and locals might notice that from time to time that high tide seems more intense and as though the ocean is going to spill onto Palmetto Boulevard. Sometimes it actually does. Other times, it seems as though low tide is particularly low and sometimes docked boats wind up a little muddy. Both of these occurrences are normal and expected.

But a storm surge occurs when a storm causes the water to rise above its normal levels and causes varying degrees of flooding. Storm surges are created by the strong winds created by a hurricane that push the water toward the shore.

In addition to the surge, the normal ocean currents become dangerously strong and erode beaches. Edisto’s beach is already a victim of heavy erosion due to normal ocean currents, but every strong storm makes it worse. This erosion does have the capacity to affect the foundations, beach walls, decks, and stairways of homes.

Marinas and docked boats often are damaged due to a storm surge. Keep in mind that the creeks also rise during a storm surge, so beach front residents are not the only ones affected.

Remember to never attempt to drive on a flooded roadway. In addition, some people try to get in the ocean to ride the waves created by the storm, but this is extremely dangerous as the currents and waves can be very strong.

The Atlantic Ocean is the best and worst part of Edisto Beach. It’s the best for obvious reasons and the worst because from time to time it likes to cook up a hurricane that can cause everything from a heavy rain to massive destruction. Thankfully, Edisto’s been spared time and time again from any major storm.

But Hurricane Irene could be different. Current projections show that Irene will most likely not make a direct landfall on Edisto Beach, but the high winds, torrential downpours, flooding, lightning, and storm surge could cause damage. The storm is scheduled to make landfall Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.

Officials with Charleston County, which includes Edisto Island, and the Emergency Management Department placed the county under OPCON 4, signaling an increased need to prepare for the storm. This level means that conditions could lead to a partial or full activation of the Charleston County Emergency Operations Center. When determining the severity of the OPCON levels, the severity increases as the numbers go down. For instance, if the county were under an OPCON 1, it would mean a full-on disaster was in effect and evacuations become necessary.

As of now, Edisto Beach is under a hurricane watch, and anyone in the area is encouraged to make a plan and prepare for the storm. Homeowners should consider boarding windows and bringing in anything from outdoor decks and porches. It’s also necessary to have bottled water, canned and boxed food, important documents, medication, and mementos or other priceless items.

Also, find out what your friends, family, and neighbors plan to do. It’s always good to remain in touch with friends and family in case of an emergency.

If officials decide to implement a voluntary or mandatory evacuation, Edisto’s evacuation procedure means locals and vacationers must leave via Highway 174 and US 17 South to SC 64 towards Walterboro. This doesn’t mean that everyone has to leave, that will always be a choice (though highly discouraged in the event of a mandatory evacuation), but it is highly recommended that anyone in an evacuation area leaves the area. In addition, this evacuation route is to prevent major traffic congestion, Many people consider evacuating via Charleston-area highways, but that leads to massive delays.

To keep up to date on information about any weather alerts that pose a threat to Edisto register your phone number at reachsc.com. Visit EdistoBeach.com for updates about Hurricane Irene that affect Edisto.

The worst part about summer is the fact that it has to end.

Now that it is August and boiling outside every day, it is hard to think that summer is on its way out, but it’s true. However, that doesn’t mean the good times need to end, especially if you’re lucky enough to still be enjoying Edisto Beach.

Now’s the time when the crowds are thinned out and beach enthusiasts take pleasure in squeezing out every last drop of good times that they can. The weather’s still as close to tropical as it gets and water is warm and beckoning. There’s still a good solid month of pure summer left here on Edisto.

While it is technically the late high season, as the rental agencies say, it’s one of the best times of the year to visit.

Many kids are back in school, the rental home rates are less expensive, there’s virtually no wait at any restaurant, and there’s plenty of room to sprawl out on the beach without being bothered by anything other than a seagull flying over head.

It’s also a perfect time to take advantage of all the things Edisto has to offer like kayaking, off-shore fishing, eco-tours, turtle walks, and so much more. As always, the best of Edisto is always here and that’s simply relaxing in a hammock feeling the breeze off the Atlantic.

Seafood lovers enjoy this time of year as well because it is when the oysters, crab, and shrimp are at their juiciest, so a visit to Flower’s Seafood Company is definitely a must during your visit.

Now that the sun goes down just a hair earlier than in peak season, if you find yourself wanting to get out of beach house after dinner, hit up one of the many restaurant/bars in town.

Local musicians visit Edisto’s bars and provide live entertainment often this time of year because the nightlife never dies at the beach. Once the sun goes down, every vacationer should make it a point to visit Whaley’s, the Dockside, Coot’s, the Thirsty Fish, or Grover’s for a cold drink and some good times. Many of the bars offer things like karaoke, pool tables, trivia, wet t-shirt nights, and other fun things to do. And remember that like Vegas, what happens in Edisto stays in Edisto – or lives on in Facebook posts made by your friends.

It’s also worth noting that if you drink a little too much, nothing helps soak up a hangover better than a nice southern breakfast in the morning. The Seacow is the reigning champ as far as favorite breakfast eateries go, but the ladies at the Piggly Wiggly serve up some excellent sausage gravy on biscuits, bacon, eggs, and grits.

So as you can see, high season is over, but there’s still tons of good times waiting to be had here on Edisto Beach.

When most people think of Edisto, they think of the sun drenched beach and how afternoons slip away during long naps spent on a hammock. The days usually end after a big dinner feast full of the luscious local vegetables, freshly caught seafood, and a side of creamy grits or potatoes. But imagine being here on Edisto and knowing all that goodness exists but being unable to afford it. That is a sad reality for many people living on the island.

Luckily, generous locals and vacationers can help fill the growling stomachs of less fortunate people by donating unopened and non-perishable items to the snow cone stand in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot. Items can be delivered during the snow cone stand’s open hours from 1-9 Monday-Saturday and 4-9 Sunday.

Some of the items that are the most needed include:

• Canned meats
• Canned vegetables
• Cereal
• Pasta
• Boxed macaroni dinners
• Canned fruits
• Powdered Milk
• Powdered Drinks

More than 50 families count on the contributions made by the community so that they can feed themselves and their families. Consider making their lives a little easier by picking up a few extra cans of food the next time you do your grocery shopping.