Sullivan's Island: Edgar Allen Poe and lifesavers

It’s just one big party at our house, from November to the end of January! Starting with Halloween, a birthday, Thanksgiving and the holidays, and ending with another couple of birthdays and a name-day, today we are celebrating the birthday of the homme au foyer himself! Although it’s not quite the adventure of last year in Costa Rica, I hope you will all join me in wishing Roberts a happy birthday and all the best in the coming year – and while you’re at it remind him I’m waiting on the present from that party-kick-off birthday in November…

So a few final notes on Sullivan’s Island, the destination on our Charleston trip that included a stop at Patriots Point and Fort Moultrie.  We ended our visit to the Fort with the boys earning Junior Ranger badges, a fantastic program that encourages exploration and curiosity during visits to our National Parks. Luckily Roberts snapped a picture; we’ll pretend Lauris isn’t barefoot while being sworn in…

A few blocks east of the Fort is the Sullivan’s Island Life Saving Station, the boathouse and quarters built in 1895 when coastal shipping was the primary means of transportation. The eight men and two rowboats housed there were tasked with protecting the lives of those involved in maritime trade. In 1915 the US Coast Guard took over the Life-Saving Service, and the complex remained in use until 1973. The beach was actually much closer to the boathouse than it is today, the shores of the coastal barrier island constantly shifting with the waves. In addition there is also the signal tower (1938), the buildings together forming an “L” shape around the bunker/sighting station. Today the structures are part of the US Coast Guard Historic District, incoporated into Fort Sumter National Monument. 

Then we hit the beach.  Many of the SC beaches are pretty similar – smooth, soft sand with currents and tides that keep parents on their toes. This one was no different, the best part about the low tide being the tide pools that kept the kids in the water without the waves and jellyfish of the ocean. 

Two blocks from the beach is Poe’s Tavern, named after Edgar Allen Poe and famous for its burgers and drinks. The author was stationed at Fort Moultrie under the pseudonym Edgar Allan Perry for thirteen months beginning November 18,1827, and it was this time on the island that was the inspiration for “The Gold Bug”, a story about a mystical beetle that led to buried treasure. The restaurant is worth the visit, if for the décor alone – what better way to spend some time in the bathroom than reading Edgar Allen Poe? A great spot to catch up with friends, a casual and laid-back beach atmosphere and mouthwatering food – the trio a winning combination.

  

When I went to photograph the interior of Poe’s I was wondering how my camera battery was already dead, but later upon reviewing my pictures it became clear; there were no fewer than 120 selfies taken by a certain 5yo with ketchup on his cheek. Robert, as my birthday present to you, here they are in no particular order…. On second thought, maybe I’ll stick to the best 4+1!