The sun was shining, it was 70º and there were people all throughout the streets. As I pulled onto the bridge, I could see the ocean on the horizon inviting me like a long lost friend. Hilton Head Island beaconed and I was coming. This was the first time I had been to a semi open area since Coronavirus started and the change in atmosphere was quite apparent. Groups gathered on the sidewalk, all socially distanced from people they didn’t know and smiles spread across everyones faces. Suddenly, the writing on a sign called to me.
Driessen Beach .05mi
It was as if me randomly choosing to drive down this road was meant to be.
Pulling into the parking lot, I immediately felt like I had returned to a long lost home. I’m sure it was 90% nostalgia over simply sharing the name of the park, but I didn’t care. I stepped through a path of trees onto a bridge and relished in the feeling of seeing the Atlantic Ocean in front of me. A shallow breeze blew through my hair as I stepped off a bridge onto the pristine beach. The warm sand coalesced between my toes inviting me forward. The sound of laughter filled the air as dogs ran about chasing whatever their owner threw and finding other friends to explore with. I felt like I had returned to a world that had been lost even though it had only been a year since the pandemic had started.
Walking along the shore, my mind pondered the history of the beach and wether my family had any association with it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any information on line. With that in mind, I decided to create my own history. As the sound of the waves washing up on shore mixed with the call of gulls, I imagined an ancestor of mine claiming stake to the area and making one of the first settlements in the area. I laughed at the absurdity of it yet still found a warm comfort from the story. Even false connections can feel real showing how much of reality is simply perception.
I couldn’t believe how much being outside and seeing other peoples smiles changed the atmosphere of the world. It is so easy to forget the reality of humans being a social species when we are constantly avoiding each other. Not to say that precautions in todays weird world aren’t warranted, just that it is easy to go overboard when we have emotional reasoning driving us. I was thankful for this reminder about how important the existence of other people are to ones well being. I hope when this is all over, we remember this and continue to cherish each others existence.
Closest Supercharger Hilton Head Island SC 3mi
64 Bradley Beach Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Driessen Beach
64 Bradley Beach Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
