Fripp Island: We love it. Don’t come.

The beach at Fripp Island

The beach at Fripp Island

They say that your favorite beach is always the beach you went to as a child. For me, that was the Gulf of Mexico. Specifically, Gulf Shores, Alabama.

But I think I might be converted.

This weekend, Alan and I joined our friend Susan Brown and her sweet family at Fripp Island, South Carolina, located 20 miles east of historic Beaufort.

Now, I’m willing to tell you all how great it is. But I don’t want a bunch of you coming down there. Because we love it just the way it is — sparsely populated. (Ha! Just kidding!)

Truthfully, I know a lot of Knoxvillians go to Fripp regularly. Susan has been talking about it for as long as I’ve known her. But it took actually experiencing it to make me understand and identify with what author Pat Conroy says about his home, which is Fripp.


“Though I have traveled all over the world, it is the smell of the tides and marshes of Fripp Island that identifies and shapes me,” wrote Conroy in the introduction to “Fripp Island: A History.” “Its seeds and grasses grow along the margins of my books. Its soft mosses hang like laundry from my high-strung prose. I’ve made a career out of praising the sea islands that form the archipelago that makes Beaufort County the loveliest spot on earth to me.”

According to the 2000 census, the year-round population of Fripp Island is 887, although the population triples during the summer season. It contains apporoximately 6.5 square miles, but much of that is marsh land. Only 2 square miles are above sea level.

Now, some insights from the weekend:

The wildlife is a delight (most of it). We arrived a few weeks after an elderly golfer lost his arm to a 10-foot alligator while retrieving his errant golf ball. Everyone was still talking about it. Needless to say, we cut a wide swath when we encountered one of the ancient reptiles while traipsing around the island.

Gator on the golf course. Sign says, "Alligators may live here."

Gator on the golf course. Sign says, "Alligators may live here."

 The deer are everywhere and are being controlled through a sterilization program. You can tell which ones have been neutered by the red tags on their ears.

Deer are everywhere. This one passed us on the street.

Deer are everywhere. This one passed us on the street.

 Other wildlife we encountered: numerous species of land and sea birds, dozens of dolphin, and a (thankfully!) dead snake in the middle of the road.

Stunning sunset with dolphin in foreground

Stunning sunset with dolphin in foreground

 Development and commercial activity are strictly controlled. Therefore I found it amusing to note that unlike in Knoxville where there are very few visual controls, the people of Fripp take pride in their water towers, painting them like golf balls and emblazoning them with the island’s name.

Unlike South Knoxville, beautiful Fripp Island loves its water towers

Unlike South Knoxville, beautiful Fripp Island loves its water towers

 One of the golf courses, Ocean Creek, was designed by professional golfer Davis Love III. (The men of our party didn’t play that one.)

Ninth hole of Ocean Point Golf Course

Ninth hole of Ocean Point Golf Course

 For non-golfers, primary island activities include sight-seeing rides on golf carts, wildlife viewing, reading, long walks on the beach, sunsets and, of course, naps. We can’t wait to go back!

A view of one of the pools

A view of one of the pools

A view of some of the lovely homes

A view of some of the lovely homes

The Fire Department puts out a fake fireman. Sometimes his arm is raised in a wave, but not this weekend.

The Fire Department puts out a fake fireman. Sometimes his arm is raised in a wave, but not this weekend.

This weekend was Halloween. Apparently this witch wasn't used to flying through palm trees.

This weekend was Halloween. Apparently this witch wasn't used to flying through palm trees.

 

From right, Susan Brown's aunt our our hostess Nancy Batson, Susan's mother Sylvia Brown, Susan, and Marcella Taylor, a family friend.

From right, Susan Brown's aunt and our hostess Nancy Batson, Susan's mother Sylvia Brown, Susan, and Marcella Taylor, a family friend.

 

Bogey, the Batsons' adorable dog, was a big part of the weekend.

Bogey, the Batsons' adorable dog, was a big part of the weekend.

A visit to Saltus restaurant in Beaufort was special. I had lobster.

A visit to Saltus restaurant in Beaufort was special. I had lobster. From left: Susan, Nancy Batson, Alan, Tommy Batson, Susan's brother Stephen Brown

Hahaha! This sign was on the door of the only little convenience store on the island. Loved!

Hahaha! This sign was on the door of the only little convenience store on the island. Loved!

 

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7 Responses to Fripp Island: We love it. Don’t come.

  1. Margerine Bacon, on November 3rd, 2009 at 11:04 am said:

    Mmhumm! I still long for a skrimp burger from the shrimp shack.

  2. Teresa Scott, on November 3rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm said:

    Thanks, Cynthia. Loved it. I might have put that on my list of places to visit.

  3. maggie erickson, on November 3rd, 2009 at 1:06 pm said:

    We own at golf cottage(16 Davis Love) and we completely redid inside and would love to sale(very motivated) or rent and I can be reached at 865-803-7641.
    Love it there but my husband died and my grand children are too far away to enjoy so I hope to find a new owner for it over the next year. Call me!!

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on November 3rd, 2009 at 1:15 pm said:

    Maggie: Don’t tempt me!

  5. Tonya Peterson;, on November 3rd, 2009 at 3:50 pm said:

    I agree with all that was said above, most of all Nancy Batson she is the best of the best.

  6. Dawn Nichols, on November 5th, 2009 at 8:14 pm said:

    Hello, I am Susan’s cousin, Terry’s, wife Dawn. Nancy and Sylvia are his mom’s sisters. I absolutely LOVE Fripp and look forward to going each year with our family. We have made some of the best memories down there. Terry and his family grew up going to Fripp and since I married into the family 15 years ago I have had the privilege of taking our children to keep the tradition going. What a wonderful place to visit!!

  7. Cynthia Moxley, on November 6th, 2009 at 9:03 am said:

    Dawn: I appreciate your wonderful family sharing Fripp with us. We had so much fun, all packed into a long weekend! Tonya: I agree about Nancy!

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