Tybee Time, August 2008

I didn't know that I would be going to Tybee Island this year. But I received an invitation, and I accepted. Tybee is an old friend, one you visit when you can.

My Aunt J had just returned from a week long stay in Tybee Island. (Her daughter-in-law's family has owned a condo on the beach since the early 80's, they share it among family.) Not long after her return, she suffered a stroke. It was a mild stroke, but left her a bit befuddled, stressed, and forgetful. Her daughter-in-law agreed a trip back to Tybee Island for a week more for additional rest and relaxation might be good for her. She in turn invited me, Courage, and Krumm to join her. We couldn't resist. So, on short notice, we tossed things in bags and loaded up the car.

The evening we arrived it was raining cats (see Reverend Mommy's blog for explanation) and it seemed a bit dreary. The next day it drizzled, but me and Aunt J walked on the beach just the same, getting caught in a downpour and loving every minute of it! On the third day, the sun was out in all her glory! We spent five days just lazily exploring the island. We walked for miles on the beaches and nature trails. We drove all along the little neighborhoods tucked away off the main strip. We scanned the souvenir shops for something unique, but didn't find it.

We saw all kinds of neat things on this trip...the beach littered with dead and dieing starfish. Pelicans and gulls diving for fish. HUGE spiders draped between trees and shrubs on the paths. A house with 15 cats in residence on a front porch. Concrete turtles dressed up in different costumes and adornments...similar to the bulldogs in Athens. On one boring and non-descript trail, the only excitement was a small snake slithering across our path, which of course sent me into hysterics. We dedicated one morning to Fort Pulaski and the trails and shore of the little island the fort is located on; Cockspur Island.

On the last evening of our stay, we drove in to Savannah for an evening stroll on River Street, to see the street performers and surf the shops there. We had dinner at One-Eyed Lizzie's (YUUUUUUMMMM FOOD-I highly recommend!!!!) and we went on a Ghost Talk-Ghost Walk. There was an underground blast a little north of us, which made a lot of the city lose electricity, so the ghost tour was interesting indeed!

I hate the fact that my Aunt had a stroke, but something good comes from all things. She and I had never been able to vacation together, beyond a weekend in the mountains with our 'Mountain Girls' Group', due to our schedules or family obligations. Since I am currently not working and she was dismissed from work for awhile, we could go on this little trip and have fun and relax. Her short term memory made some moments challenging (after discussing a drive out to a nature trail one morning, she went into the bedroom and emerged wearing her bathing suit and flip flops-all ready for the beach!) . She studied the road map for hours and plotted a 'new' route to go home by. She took us on a 9 hour road trip, where as it usually only takes 4.5 hours to get home. See, God is with us all the time. He was with me, giving me yet another test in patience.

Years back, when you visited Tybee Island, you were met with signs all over - in restaurants, shops, etc., that you're on 'Tybee Time'. Meaning, things are slower and more laid back on Tybee, so slow down.

Gone now, are the 'Tybee Time' signs. The new sign you see everyplace is a square block and within it a tie, a bee, and a little spot of land with a palm tree on it. Tie + Bee + Island. Hmmmm. I kind of like the old 'Tybee Time' signs better.

Flashback...to Summer 1980

Ahhhh, the waves lapping at my feet, the breeze on my face, and the sun in my eyes! It was the summer of 1980, and I was 19 years old and had been married for one year. This was my first vacation as an 'adult', as we didn't have a real honeymoon - other than spending the night at the Day's Inn in Suwanee, GA. So, with very little money and not much else we drove during the night (to stay cool) to Tybee Island, GA. My young husband's family had always vacationed on Tybee Island and they always stayed at the Royal Palm Motel, so we were following tradition. We pulled up in our Firebird and checked in. We only stayed two nights the best I can remember. I am sure we ate at the only fast-food place on the Island, Arby's, and probably the Sugar Shack, but my memory fails me. I am pretty sure we didn't eat at any sit-down, leave-a-tip kind of place. I can't remember much at all from that trip, other than dropping ice cubes down our shirts to keep us awake while driving, One thing is for sure though...I fell head over heels for Tybee Island.

At that time, Tybee was still a sleepy, quiet, little coastal town with not much more than a few cheap motels, cheesy souvenir shops, and an ice cream stand. I learned that summer what sand spurs were and that not all beaches have white sand. I guess I grew up a little that summer. I had always only been on vacation as a little girl, either to Panama City Beach, FL, with my dad or to Jacksonville, FL, with my aunt and uncle. But now I was 'all grown up' and me and my husband were on vacation, such as it was. We were young and poor. But look at me! Smiling in my Daisy Dukes!