“Sunrise offered a very beautiful spectacle; the water was quite unruffled, but the motion communicated by the tides was so great that, although there was not a breath of air stirring, the sea heaved slowly with a grand and majestic motion.”~ George Grey
Early Mornings
It wouldn’t be a true trip if I didn’t get up early and see the sunrise, at least once. There is a sense of accomplishment and peace being up and at it before almost everyone else. Since I had done it the day before, it seemed I was going to continue to live on little to no sleep. Because it was such a whirl wind weekend with so much to see, do and experience, it was quite alright with me! Just feed me all the coffee!
I woke up at 4:30 to get ready and then my partner in sunrise crime and I made the twenty minute drive to Folly Island. As a fan of women’s fiction, it is a place I had read about hundreds of times in books. I was finally, FINALLY seeing it come to life, and boy was everything I read spot on about this magical mermaid oasis.
Folly Island
Known as the “edge of America” Folly Island is a barrier island located just eleven miles from Charleston. It is a small coastal town that is home to the well known Folly Beach. Stretching the whole of the island, despite its’ calm waters, is a famed surfing locale on the East Coast and the perfect place to cool off during those hot Southern months.
Most of the restaurants and shops are found on Center Street, just blocks away from the pier. Because of the smallness of the island it is the ideal place to walk or bike as everything is centrally located…pun intended.
Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve
As a lover of any and all lighthouses, at the top of my list was Morris Light, even if I could only view it from afar. If you are looking for the perfect marriage, sunrises and lighthouses are the epitome of matrimony bliss.
Seeing a lighthouse in dawn’s early light, not only makes for fantastic pictures, but there is also a tranquility and strength witnessed for anyone who is crazy enough to get up that early.
It was a cold morning, and while I have gotten wise in my old age, I decided to throw wisdom to the elements and channel my inner fashionista, because hello photo-ops.
The Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve is located at the Northeastern terminus of Folly Island and offers views of Morris Island Light. There is a small parking lot, which at that time of the morning was difficult to see. It is about a half mile walk on a paved road to the beach.
Pre-dawn was just beginning, and it truly was an adventure as we walked along the darkened road with the wind whipping as we went. Despite reading reviews, I was unsure what to expect, but what I found was stunning.
Morris Island Light
The pavement gave way to a sandy boardwalk and as we walked over a small hill we saw the first glimpses of Morris Island Light.
A colonial era lighthouse, Morris Light is located just off the South Carolina coast on Morris Island. The island use to be much bigger, housing not just the lighthouse, but also Fort Wagner, which played a pivotal role in the Civil War. But due to changing currents, and hurricanes erosion has taken place, and the sea has claimed all the buildings but the lighthouse.
In 2010 Save The Light worked to stabilize the lighthouse, hoping to continue to preserve it by placing a concrete barrier around it to ward off erosion.
The rich history and the fact that it has held up against the wrath of Mother Nature makes it one of my favorite lighthouses.
Sunrise
While the beach runs the whole of Folly Island, surrounded by driftwood, sand dunes, and a jetty, the inlet had a private almost sacred feel to it. We were the only ones to brave the cold that early, and as we waited to greet the sun, their was a calm solitude that took over in such a historical spot.
It was the perfect way to start our first full day in Charleston. It was also not just a top five sunrise, but also one of my favorite beaches I have been too.
The Lost Dog
Famished from our picture taking and sunrise appreciating, we drove the short distance to the Lost Dog for some sustenance. I had written about their delicious foamy cappuccinos, but their food was equally scrumptious. I ordered the Rancheros which is one of my favorite breakfast dishes. To top it off, they didn’t just have hot sauce, but sriracha also. They spoke my language and I was fat and happy afterwards!
Folly Beach Pier
After breakfast we went back to Folly Beach, this time going to the pier which stands as a sort of gateway to the beach.
It is a destination in of itself, being the second largest along the East Coast with seating, bathrooms, and even a gift shop.
Not only is it a well known place to fish, but they even hold fishing competitions, and have been known to catch a shark every now and then.
Another cool aspect to the pier, is that it is two stories.
If you didn’t care for the views of the first story, you can climb the stairs for another more dizzying, but equally, if not more so, stunning ocean scenery. It was so cool to be so high up gazing out at the ocean.
After we took in the views and snapped some pictures.
We made our way down to the beach itself, exploring underneath the pier.
We snapped even more pictures, because really there was so many to take and see! We also walked along the beach doing some beach combing. While we didn’t find any sea glass, both Rhiannon and I found sharks teeth. Which come to find out, wash up often on the beach. It was a perfect morning. All to soon we bid adieu and made our way back to Charleston for our next adventure.
Have you ever been to Folly Beach? Do you like sunrises?
Oh my gosh! So gorgeous! / Anna x
Thank you so much! And thanks for stopping by! <3
Girl YAAAASSSSSS! You are killing em’ with that first picture! I know I always comment on how beautiful your pictures are, and that’s true, but let me just say that your confidence and beautiful smile are beyond inspiring to me. It’s no secret that I struggle in the self-love department from time-to-time, but your infectious personality and love for life is so motivating and encouraging! Thank you for always sharing your adventures with us, they really brighten my day! And no, I’ve never been to Folly Beach, but holy moly I wanna go! xo
Oh my gosh hun this comment legit made my day, if not my week! Thank you so much! You have no idea how much these words mean to me. Seriously I am speechless, but thank you! I to struggle with self-love (and this winter has been hard) but the fact that I can be encouraging and motivating means the world to me. And YOU always brighten my day. Seriously I love reading your comments and your blog posts. YOU are always so inspiring and encouraging and I am in awe of you. Sending you SO much love hun!
P.s. And girl you have GOT to go to Folly, literally it is the perfect medicine when you are feeling down. It was freezing, but I was completely immune because of how stunning it was!
Okay I was immune until I left then I was like I need pats and a blanket! 😉 <3
The views are SO stunning! Good on you for being able to wake up early enough during vacation to catch the sunset; I don’t think I could ever do it myself, but you were able to capture some amazing shots because you were up early!
Also props to you for dressing up for photo ops when it’s early and cold outside. I’d definitely be bundled up!
This is probably one of my favorite places. It is gorgeous! Haha it was the vacation that had little sleep. When I got back home I was ready to sleep for years! lol. Thank you! The pictures and views defitinitely makes up for the early mornings!
Hehe there were times I almost caved, but I stuck it out! Thanks for stopping by sweets! <3
The photos underneath the pier are so pretty!! I miss the sea so much!! xx
Thank you so much hun! Awe I hope you get to go this Summer! 🙂 <3
Photos of the sunrise are always breathtaking, especially on a beach! I love the shot of that lighthouse too! I do commend you for getting up so early to catch that lighthouse, I don’t think I’d be able to get up at 4.30 haha!
They really are! They are probably some of my favorite pictures to take, even if it is WAY to early! Lol. Thanks beauty! Those are my favorite! Hehe thank goodness for coffee! <3
great pictures, that sunrise is absolutely astounding! such beautiful colors 🙌🏻
Thank you so much hun! It was spectacular. Definitely one of my favorite mornings! <3
It looks absolutely gorgeous!! 😍 I’m in love with sunrises and sunsets 😊 xx
It was stunning! So am I! I love everything about them and I LOVE to take pictures of them! <3
Yeah they’re so beautiful 😍 xx
Known to catch a shark?!?! Your pictures always astound me- so amazing! Have a lovely day! X
Hehe yup! There were warnings on the pier. I was a little surprised to see them! Awe thank you so much! That means a lot to me! Awe thank you hun I hope you are having an amazing day as well! ,3
Your photos are just insane girl! and you look so happy, this post made me smile! x
Thank you so much hun! This comment brightened my day! Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed this! It really was one of my favorite days! 🙂 <3
You are so welcome girl! Keep doing what you’re doing ! Xx
What stunning, gorgeous images! You prove that it’s well worth skipping the extra hour or two of sleep every now and then.
Thank you so much! That means a lot to me! Hehe it is! Also caffeine helps too 😉 <3
These pictures are so gorgeous. The lighthouse and sunset, the beach. Just picture perfect💕 x
Isn’t there something just magical about waking up before everyone else on vacation? I love it. Holy moly these pictures are stunning. Oh my lantaaaa, what an incredible time. I feel seriously at PEACE after reading/looking through these. Thank you for sharing, love!
There really is! Not to mention my Type A over achiever self is like yes I have already attacked half the day! :p Lol. Joking aside, I do love the quiet and it lends itself to moments like at Folly. Thank you so much beauty! That means a lot! It really was incredible! You are so welcome. Thank YOU for reading! <3