Location
This spot is just off station 42 on one of my local beaches the Isle of Palms (IOP).
Significance
The spot I chose for my home phenology site holds deep significance to me. This spot is where I would go to escape and just allow myself to calm down and think. I typically frequented the spot late at night, when only the moon illuminated the path littered with cabbage palmetto, southern wax myrtle, white beggarticks, camphorweed, and common reeds until all that remains is some salt grass and a plethora of sand. Aside from the camphorweed and the white beggarticks blooming and dying with the seasons, the plants in this area are evergreen in South Carolina. The plants in this area are reliable and constant, providing me with support when I felt my life was just the opposite. I think thats why I felt so drawn to Salmon Hole, the rushing of water was the closest I could get to the steady waves I would always know was on my shore just a drive away.
However, despite being a reliable place for me, the beach itself is anything but stagnant. The waves that provide me with my feeling of tranquillity are slowly eroding away our beaches. The tide and storms, such as Hurricanes, heavily contribute to this erosion, and beach restoration projects have been in progress since as early as 2007. These restored beaches provide spaces for people like me to enjoy the environment, and also provide areas to absorb storm surge and prevent flooding in the low country.
Comparison
Now, its pretty obvious these areas are very different. While I have seen the foliage change quite drastically in the two months I have spent at Salmon Hole in Burlington, I can always count on the trees and shrubs to be lively all year long in Charleston. Since this spot is directly on the shore line, few plants can properly establish themselves, leaving a majority of the space empty and sandy. However, my phenology site in Burlington is rich in woody shrubs and trees despite the large rock in its center. Despite being very different, I find joy and peace in each spot, and taking the time to explore the foliage I have taken for granted all my life has let me feel a closer bond to the place at home that has helped me so much.
Human and Dog Tracks in Sand
The Waves and Thunderous Wind that Clears my Mind
My Gift
After reading the Honorable Harvest, I considered what gift I could leave this place. That is when I saw a hole leftover from a family whose child must have spent a day building a sandcastle. Despite being in jeans and old shoes that would only fill up more with sand, I bent down to gently scrape the sand back where it was dug up. We have many sea turtles on our beaches, and these holes and can be detrimental to baby turtles trying to make their way to the ocean. As residents, it is our duty to leave no trace and let them live undisturbed. I find the best gift is to leave the beach how I found it. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have taken my fair share of shells, but I also take the time to take any trash and litter I find left behind. Beach Sweeps are a must, and I’m happy to say that I was an active member of the IOP beach sweep crew in high school, and hopefully I can continue when I come back over winter. This place