This year, it had been quite bad for several weeks leading up to Christmas. There were record amounts of rain throughout December. Then, there were torrents of rain earlier in the day Christmas morning. When we arrived at the beach around 2 pm, it was only misting, but it was high tide and there was hardly any beach to walk on. The sky was dramatically dark, the waves were churning and the wind was ripping. It was a short walk. We finally retreated to the road to return to the car. We met a man on holiday from Richmond Virginia. He was very nice and pleasant, but clearly needed to get out of the house and talk to someone besides his own family members.
Santa heard me and brought a new camera -- so hopefully I won't find myself out with a camera that won't cooperate as I have so often in this last year.
2008 -- This was our nicest Christmas Day on the beach so far. It was warm enough for shorts and we took full advantage. We brought walking shoes, snacks, a kite, books, and beach chairs for naps. We walked and walked -- from almost the pier, all the way to the point across from Morris Island and the lighthouse. We never did get the hang of the kite, but we came close and had fun trying. Maybe we need a easier kite?We were hardly alone on the beach today. Lots of walkers -- a smattering of surfers and lots of dogs romping off the leash..
2007 -- Another blustery, not too nice day at the beach. Dad died in April this year and Mom spent Christmas with us in Charleston. She wisely decided not to join us for the traditional walk on the beach -- and believe me, we didn't stay long either! The binoculars were one of Duncan's Christmas presents -- he was trying to try them out, but the wind was awfully stiff.The day after Christmas, Debbie, Wilson, Adam, Jeffrey, Laurie and Brandon all came for a few days. It's hard to see why Charleston is so popular when it's damp, cold, and gray -- but they gave us the benefit of the doubt. Laurie gave Debbie and Wilson a night at a downtown B&B which for some reason they were not able to use for more than a year. But in March of 2009, they came for their night at the Inn and then extended their stay through a house-swap with us. We went to their house in Black Mountain and they spent some days here. I love presents that last.
2006 -- We were newlyweds! The forecast was for Rain Rain Rain on Christmas Day, so we took our walk a day early this year. The beach turned out to be pretty nice on Christmas Eve.We took a long walk and as long as the wind was at our back, we did great. But on the way back, we were walking into the wind and it took about twice as long. We had been to Raleigh before Christmas and the peanuts and Thirteen Moons were Duncan's Christmas gifts from Mom and Dad.This was the year he gave me my first digital camera -- which was wonderful because I was missing Greensboro friends so much and I found I could send a picture in an e-mail and people almost always responded right away. Duncan has proved himself to have a knack for the right gift at the right time.
2005 -- This was the year before the digital camera -- so I have no picture! Duncan had moved to Charleston in August -- and I was still living in Greensboro, so, of course we spent Christmas in Charleston. We went to the candlelight service at Circular Church on Christmas Eve and spent the night at the Ansonborough Inn downtown. -- In the morning, we took a walk downtown and then decided to go over to the beach. A tradition was born.
My memory is that it was another blustery, overcast day at the beach -- and all terribly romantic. Duncan thought it was hilarious that the young woman working the desk at the Inn was wearing flip flops on a sort of raw, December day. We were just beginning to get to know Charleston.Today, we might not take any notice of flip flops in any season or any setting.
