Nobody Dresses Up

I don't know if it's just me, but I have this thing about not dressing to impress. Or pretentiousness. On Tybee, the everyday dress code is simple, and casual.
And sometimes it's stained and old, but covering what we need to cover.

I've lived in places that celebrate function over fashion, such as Edmonds, WA. Those of us who lived in Edmonds, used to look at people in Bellevue, WA and think, "You poor souls who need to dress up to go to the mall." It's sort of like that on Tybee. We look at the people on Hilton Head, and say, "Thank God we are not a GOLF or fashion destination!"

So, if you come to Tybee and wear a starched button down shirt and any shoes but flip flops...you'll be outing yourself as a new visitor to the Island. Here, both heeled and poor alike wear old shirts, old shorts, old beach cover ups. And sandals. We just don't dress to impress.

If you are reading this post, and you're one of the people who have scheduled me to speak at some event...like the Woman's Forum at Georgia Southern ...http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/womensforumcontact.html don't worry, I'll dress up. It's OFF ISLAND - and I can look professional...OFF ISLAND.

The Quiet Mornings

I am sitting on our back deck. And it's so quiet. Even though our home is only one street off Butler. And even though it's the last Sunday in July, at the height of Tourist Season, and even though it's a balmy 83 degree's outside at 8:13 this morning. There is no one around making noise. No cars. No loud music. Just the sweet morning birds. And a soft ocean breeze. I'm beginning to understand people I've met who work on the Island, and tell me they work two jobs just to live here. I have two jobs, and my husband works overtime. You make sacrifices to keep what you love. It's just so peaceful when you're home...here...on the back deck with the breeze and the birds and the quiet. You come to Tybee Island, you'll understand.

The Doves of Tybee

OK, the number 1 thing I love about living on Tybee Island, today is...the doves. Every morning I wake up to a soft, coo, coo, coo. It's not an abrasive sound like one hears from crows, or even a noisy wild flapping of pigeons. There's just something about the sound of doves that is peaceful and gentle and evokes a desire to rest. I read recently that doves are very different from pigeons, even though they are in the same family. Pigeons will thrive in a noisy, chaotic place, like Trafalgar square in London --- doves will not. They will leave, choosing to live only where there is an absense of strife. I think that pretty much says it all about Tybee: the dove's stay.

The Twenty Year Dream

OK, for those of you who don't know, I have found Nirvana. I mean, here on earth. As close to Nirvana as you can get. It's Tybee Island, GA. http://www.tybeeisland.com/ We have lived here for four weeks, and the joy is just exponential -

Here's the top 3 reasons I love Tybee Island. I mean, the top 3 today...check back tomorrow for more reasons.

1. Bike Riding...Tybee is a small Island, only 2.5 miles long. It has one main road, Butler Ave, on and off the Island. So the key to biking is to stay off that main road and use the back residential streets. Huge green tree's line the streets and shelter colorful beach homes. Other bikers are everywhere, When a family passes us on their bikes, the parents and I seem to exchange a glance that say's "I know, is this heaven or what!?"

OK, I have to give you a website, of one of the houses for rent here. Check out the greenery around this house - so you can know I'm not exaggerating. http://www.bigmagnoliaplace.com/

There is a bike shop on Butler Ave, one block from the Pier which offers free pick up and delivery for anyone who wants to rent a bike or even if you didn't rent a bike from them, if they pass you on the street, or you call and you're having any kind of trouble, their van will offer free transportation. And they rent all kinds of bikes. http://www.tybeevisit.com/outdoors-services.php (Scroll down to bike shop link)


2. The ambiance of the Island. My husband described Tybee Island, last night, as a cross between Manhatton Beach, CA, and Lake Wobegon. There's something about this Island that is more of a funky old-Lake-town destination - there's no Golf here. But, like Manhatton Beach, CA... there are bars with live music and shopping and 50 or so restaurants nestled between the beach and the residential community that makes Manhatton Beach, what it is. Some Upper East Coast friends visited the Island last year and described it as: THE HAMPTONS IN THE FIFTIES --residential, and low key. We love it.

One of the odd things about this Island (coming from the West Coast) is the absence of the masses of perfect bodies. Over 50% of Bathing Beauties here could be described as seriously overweight, or moderately packing about 50 extra pounds -- but they don't care. There's something refreshing about people who are going to get a tan on their bellies no matter what.

3. Mornings on the Pier. I'm a writer. That's what I do. http://www.marshamarks.com/ I'm currently working on a book about moving to Tybee Island, called THE TWENTY YEAR DREAM - A Memoir of Joy lost and found again. So, as a writer - I'm looking for places to write, outside my home. And as a starving artist, who spent all her money on buying a small place on this Island, I need places to write that are GRATIS --- but also, inspiring. I like to be able to look out at the Ocean. The Pier is perfect. http://tybeeisland.com/tybee-island-pier-pavilion.shtml It's covered, and sheltered, with an unobstructed view of miles of Ocean. The perfect place to write from 7:30AM to 9:30AM. Got to go to my other job now - see you on the Pier.