Friday, May 17, 2019. If it wasn’t for my ever increasing caffeine dependency I probably never would have taken the exit that led me to Daniel Island that day. But hey, I needed my coffee fix and according to my maps app thats where the closest Starbucks was.
If you don’t already know where Daniel Island is you could easily pass right by without even realizing it. Located right off of 526, between the Cooper and Wando Rivers, this picturesque community is tucked away from view on both sides of the highway by thick walls of lush green trees. The only hint of civilization? The bleachers of the tennis stadium that rises up above all of the foliage. (Daniel Island is actually home to a tennis stadium as well as a soccer stadium. Where the Volvo Car Open takes place and where the Charleston Battery play.)
So I followed the cloverleaf exit off of the highway, down and around, past the narrow rows of Palmetto trees that guided my approach into the heart of Daniel Island. At first I was surprised to see buildings. Out of nowhere, all of a sudden there was a car wash, a busy gas station, a wine bar, an apartment complex, and a Starbucks! All on the same corner! And past that – a bank, a grocery store, office buildings…….
I decided I’d grab my coffee then take a little stroll and explore the island.
I was immediately struck by how clean and well manicured everything around me was. And how it evoked a feeling of nostalgia in me. Shops and restaurants lined the streets. The sidewalk was red brick and a creek softly flowed through the center of town. Kids rode their bikes, couples pushed strollers, fit dudes jogged and attractive girls walked their dogs. Music played seemingly out of thin air. I passed several parks and a few ponds along the way and, I swear to you, the fish were so happy they were taking turns leaping up out of the water and diving back in!!
As one local would later tell me, “It’s Pleasantville!” And he was exactly right. I felt like a time traveler walking through the streets of Daniel Island. Like it was 1957 again. A more innocent time, when the whole family ate TV dinners as they all watched Andy Griffith and Leave it to Beaver together in the living room. Back when sock-hops and malt shops blared Chubby Checker tunes!
Then, as if to drive the whole point home, a group of young boys (elementary school age, I would say), passed me on their bikes and screamed out, “Sir! Sir! Do you know who Atticus Finch is?”
As they rode by, I yelled back, “Yeah, To Kill A Mockingbird!”
Then I heard one of them say, “Yes! We got one!!” as they rode on.
You can’t make this stuff up!!
So I continued to walk and take in the environment. I made it to Governors Park, which has plenty of trails (and lots of cool things to discover on those trails) and gorgeous views of the Port of Charleston.
From there I gave myself a tour of the tennis stadium and was overwhelmed by the Wando Bridge as it towered above me!
Eventually, and with no sense of urgency what-so-ever, I made it back to my car. Turns out I’d been aimlessly wandering, stopping and talking to people, for about three hours. The sun would be setting soon. But before I go, a nice family that I’d met at the Refuel station told me I really should check out the Bellinger boat launch at sunset. So I punched it in to my navigation and was there in five minutes. And they were right, the sunset was beautiful!
Daniel Island is a small, quiet community. The main drag is only a few blocks but there’s plenty of activities to choose from while you’re there. Perfect for an afternoon excursion!
So when you come to visit Charleston, be sure to check out Daniel Island. It’s a wonderful…..
……….
…..You know what? Scratch that. On second thought, DO NOT go to Daniel Island. Forget I said anything. This perfect little storybook community is completely unspoiled by the outside world. So let’s keep it that way, okay?
johnparrishtravels 