I am a very big fan of Pat Conroy. I got to visit Daufuskie Island in March of 2022. Was at a literary get away in Beaufort, part of the trip was to visit this island and meet the woman behind his story the water is wide. I visited that first house in your piece, she made us lunch. It is a day I will never forget. We also visited the church you have a picture of.
Hi Terrell. I loved this story as I too am a fan of Pat Conroy and love Coastal Carolina (even though I live in FL). As a boat owner who has trekked up to Maine and back via the ICW (intracoastal waterway) I have passed this island several times. The ICW runs right by Daufuskie and Hilton Head Islands and is one of my favorite parts. The area is rich with US history and your story is a small microcosm of it all. Thanks for sharing! I also wanted to mention that there is a Half Marathon (Full & Ultra) every January on Daufuskie. It is a mostly shaded run through the trees along paved paths (mostly) and is flat! I highly recommend it! You can learn more here: https://www.daufuskieislandmarathon.com/
Enjoyed your essay, Terrell. I'm not connected to the South like you are, but Nevada, which I still consider my home. Born and raised there, went to a one room school house much like you show in your photos. No, I don't live there. . . I wish I did, though it has changed according to my brothers. It's still a place where one could not run or even walk to a grocery store.
Spent an hour having a "health check-up" yesterday and finally got out to another section of Eugene. The bulbs and shrubs are all blooming now, the grass is green. Quite a switch from this winter. Temps are in the 50s and 60s. The Eugene Marathon is sold out. . . first time ever. There are still a few places left in the Half and 5K. Running has been non-existent, but I did finish my month of rowing. . . 300000meters, 10000meters a day. We shall see where it takes me! Enjoy your run!! :)
I’ve spent all of my life in central Florida. I wonder sometimes, am I a Southerner? Haha, I don’t know. Florida is its own weird twist of southernness, but maybe every spot of the South feels like its own unique blend?
For so long I think I didn’t want to be associated with Florida. My teenage heart, like many, longed to leave, and find seasons and real cities. Now, especially as I read more Wendell Berry, I feel so much more of a grounded connection to my little spot in Gainesville. It’s so not perfect, but it’s shaped me whether I like it or not! But more so, these days I like it. I like knowing a place, knowing people for over a decade now. I find myself wanting to contribute more to “my place” and make it better (local politics, land development,etc). I’ve also been more interested in the local history. I wouldn’t have seen it coming, but here I am plodding along, STILL in central Florida haha.
Superb article … found work-life balance in late 80s … balanced work with Synagogue youth-group and Odyssey of the Mind. I found I Could communicate with other humans under the age of 18!
I really enjoyed reading this Terrell. Thank you for those beautiful questions too. I'm pondering some like that more and more. Happy Spring (shh...we have snow here. LOL)
I have heard about this island, but didn’t realize they offer a half marathon! You just added a race to my bucket list. 👍🏼 Thank you! (Beautiful pictures, by the way!)
I’m a big fan of Pat Conroy, especially The Prince of Tides and Beach Music, but also The Water is Wide. We used to make an annual trip to Hilton Head on Spring-break, but it’s been about eight years since we’ve gone. Beautiful place. Enjoyed seeing the pictures of Daufuskie Island.
I am a very big fan of Pat Conroy. I got to visit Daufuskie Island in March of 2022. Was at a literary get away in Beaufort, part of the trip was to visit this island and meet the woman behind his story the water is wide. I visited that first house in your piece, she made us lunch. It is a day I will never forget. We also visited the church you have a picture of.
Great article. I love that old oak tree. Sounds like a great place to run a marathon. ❤️
Hi Terrell. I loved this story as I too am a fan of Pat Conroy and love Coastal Carolina (even though I live in FL). As a boat owner who has trekked up to Maine and back via the ICW (intracoastal waterway) I have passed this island several times. The ICW runs right by Daufuskie and Hilton Head Islands and is one of my favorite parts. The area is rich with US history and your story is a small microcosm of it all. Thanks for sharing! I also wanted to mention that there is a Half Marathon (Full & Ultra) every January on Daufuskie. It is a mostly shaded run through the trees along paved paths (mostly) and is flat! I highly recommend it! You can learn more here: https://www.daufuskieislandmarathon.com/
Enjoyed your essay, Terrell. I'm not connected to the South like you are, but Nevada, which I still consider my home. Born and raised there, went to a one room school house much like you show in your photos. No, I don't live there. . . I wish I did, though it has changed according to my brothers. It's still a place where one could not run or even walk to a grocery store.
Spent an hour having a "health check-up" yesterday and finally got out to another section of Eugene. The bulbs and shrubs are all blooming now, the grass is green. Quite a switch from this winter. Temps are in the 50s and 60s. The Eugene Marathon is sold out. . . first time ever. There are still a few places left in the Half and 5K. Running has been non-existent, but I did finish my month of rowing. . . 300000meters, 10000meters a day. We shall see where it takes me! Enjoy your run!! :)
Looking up that book! I’ve never heard of it.
I’ve spent all of my life in central Florida. I wonder sometimes, am I a Southerner? Haha, I don’t know. Florida is its own weird twist of southernness, but maybe every spot of the South feels like its own unique blend?
For so long I think I didn’t want to be associated with Florida. My teenage heart, like many, longed to leave, and find seasons and real cities. Now, especially as I read more Wendell Berry, I feel so much more of a grounded connection to my little spot in Gainesville. It’s so not perfect, but it’s shaped me whether I like it or not! But more so, these days I like it. I like knowing a place, knowing people for over a decade now. I find myself wanting to contribute more to “my place” and make it better (local politics, land development,etc). I’ve also been more interested in the local history. I wouldn’t have seen it coming, but here I am plodding along, STILL in central Florida haha.
Superb article … found work-life balance in late 80s … balanced work with Synagogue youth-group and Odyssey of the Mind. I found I Could communicate with other humans under the age of 18!
I really enjoyed reading this Terrell. Thank you for those beautiful questions too. I'm pondering some like that more and more. Happy Spring (shh...we have snow here. LOL)
My neighbor ran an ultra marathon on Dafuski a couple of weeks ago…100 miles maybe?
Looks beautiful!
There really is something magical about that corner of the world!!
Thank you for the history lesson ❤️
Conrack! My favorite Conroy novel. Thanks for the travelogue.
I have heard about this island, but didn’t realize they offer a half marathon! You just added a race to my bucket list. 👍🏼 Thank you! (Beautiful pictures, by the way!)
I’m a big fan of Pat Conroy, especially The Prince of Tides and Beach Music, but also The Water is Wide. We used to make an annual trip to Hilton Head on Spring-break, but it’s been about eight years since we’ve gone. Beautiful place. Enjoyed seeing the pictures of Daufuskie Island.
Loved the article and the black cat
Now I have to read Pat Conroy. You got me reading Tom Wolfe--which was a howling masterpiece of a book....
Ha man after my own heart. Only thing better than flat is a gentle but continuous down hill 🤣👍