When I begin to describe Tybee for the first time to someone who’s never been here, one of the first questions asked is, “Can you drive there or do you have to take a boat or ferry?” Then I go on to explain the two bridges with a six mile causeway that connects us to the next island over (Wilmington Island).
Tybee is a real island, completely surrounded by water. The Atlantic Ocean is on the east side, the Savannah River to the north of us,and the Back River is on the south side while the tidal marsh, Bull River and Lazaretto Creek separate us from the next island over.
In Virginia we had to arrange our schedules and traveling times around traffic. Morning and evening rush hours, and other times that made no sense at all. There were times that we would not even attempt to go anywhere for anything. The local news station gave traffic reports every ten minutes. Here, the traffic report on the radio takes about twenty seconds and even then you have to search hard to find one.
Before moving here. I never gave one thought to the changing tides. In northern and rural Virginia, I was completely unaffected by it, so in my day to day world it didn’t exist.
Living here, that has all changed. In coastal life, we plan our days by the tides. Usually it is just has to do with recreation. Kayaking, boating, beach going or surfing … how good of a time you have will be determined based whether the tide is coming or going. Without the water to get you where you need to go, you can be stuck in the mud in a kayak waiting for hours for the tide to come in. Or the reverse is true, too much water and you can can be waiting for dry land to get you where you need to be. The turning of the tides occur every twelve hours and fifty minutes.
Another factor comes into play with the tides is the cycle of the moon. When the moon is full, high tides are REALLY high tides. Bringing waters that can cover roads and cause a few minor problems.
Last week was one of those weeks. Not just a full moon, but a super moon. There were several times during the week that our island was accessible only by boat or helicopter. We have heard of the main road being closed due to flooding a couple times since we have lived here, but it’s usually in just a couple of areas and for a small amount of time. However last this week, it has been closed several times and for several hours at a time. Completely cutting off our access to the mainland. Some people began to freak out, others just kick back and enjoy the ultimate island life as they shrug and say, “what else ya gonna do?”
But either way it’s all part of island life and having to slow down and take each day as it comes, including the ebb and flow of the tides and life.