I fell in love with Tybee Island when my first in-laws introduced me and my three sons to that awesome heaven on earth! My boys loved rushing into the ocean, swimming alongside me in the cool blue and then building sand castles. On our first visit, we stayed in the “Baker’s Cabin” which was a couple of streets back from the beach. The sleeping quarters, living room and kitchen sat atop the big garage area where they could park the car and check out the shovels, lawn mowers and lots more. The house didn’t have air conditioning, but a big fan in each room kept us comfortable and we also left the windows open. The front porch stretched from one end of the house to the other and we enjoyed sitting out there after a delicious supper. We ate all of our meals there except one and that would be the evening trip to Williams Seafood, which we always ogled on the way across the bridge entering Tybee Island.

  Years later, I packed enough clothes for a few days, loaded my three sons into the 1965 Chevelle and made my first trip to Tybee without the kind Willards. We stayed at the Ocean Plaza, which at that time was a long row of rooms facing the beach and one little room off by itself. We finally got to stay in that neat single spot before they eventually tore down the concrete block structures and constructed a posh four story Ocean Plaza. We were all so excited when we saw the “Gator” star Burt Reynolds staying in the end room we’d finally gotten to use for our weekend joy. In the movie it looked like the room had burned down but next time we went, it was still standing. Interestingly enough, Burt Reynolds once lived in Savannah!

  I loved playing arcade games with my three frisky sons and then, years later, our daughter came to Tybee with us and fell in love with that amazing beach.  We let her bring a best friend sometimes so she wouldn’t get too bored. All my children enjoyed the local fair with rides, popcorn, and cotton candy.  But, they also loved Williams Seafood, Sting Rays and all the other delicious seafood we dined on at Tybee. One time Norman took over supper and boiled a big pot of shrimp, corn and red potatoes for our meal. 

  We always took a shopping trip for something to take home as a memory and usually found what we wanted at Chu’s. Chu had come to the beach as a young man, from another country and started out selling bananas on the beach, then made enough money to open a convenience store. There were lots of other local stores there too, plus the post office and a medical office for anyone who had an emergency on the beach. I had SO much fun at Tybee, and always came home very relaxed with lots of pictures I’d taken on my little Kodak camera.

  I knew my beach days were probably over after Norman’s stroke but I did take a day trip a couple of summers ago, thanks to my teen grands who took over the Camry and Norman’s wheelchair too. I’m still missing the sound of the ocean, and the sight of the calming sand, sigh. And then, I got a reprieve, thanks to Facebook Messenger. My sweet daughter, Sam, sent me a video of the waves crashing up on the beach, plus I could hear that wonderful noise again! I saw the Gulf Shores, Alabama sand and the condo’s beach chairs. I’m happy that I could savor that joy, and didn’t even leave home! It is neat what our dears can do with their phones. Another PTL for Beverly!