The Legacy Continues
Memories from Kiawah’s third generation
By Frances Boyd
T
he feeling of the warm boardwalk under your feet and the very thin layer of wet
sand that’s glued to the damp wood; ever since I was little, this feeling has been
forever imbedded in my mind. Spending every summer in Kiawah since I was
very young, I came to love the small island as if it were my home. I have the
feeling of pure joy the second we park the car in the Sandcastle parking lot. You can just hear
the ocean and feel the cool sea breeze on your skin and hear the rich sound of the cicadas
high in the dancing palms.
We always gather our things from the car in one trip and haul them along the boardwalk.
For the first ten or so feet you can’t see the ocean. It takes reaching the highest point of the
boardwalk when you can see the panoramic view of the Atlantic and the shrimp boats being
swarmed by hungry gulls. It’s at that point that you can hear children laughing and see
parents smiling with drinks in their hand. Some of the most beautiful sights that I promise
you could never forget are the sunsets created by the hands of God. Arrays of golden yellows
and vivid oranges and reds and, if you’re lucky, a hint of purple; all of which reflect from the
calm ocean making the entire beach light up.
My fondest memories of Kiawah are impacted by these moments. Kiawah is a place where
my family goes to get away from the stress of life and the chilly North. It is also a place where
I get to see the people I refer to as heroes and my best friends—my grandparents. Kiawah is
more than a vacation spot; Kiawah is a place that feels like home.
Haley Redmond, Pittsburgh, PA; age 20
66
Photo by Larry Corio