Page 34 - August 2019

THE SANDS

A Hidden Gem

story by ROBIN TODD photos by PAUL NURNBERG

I n a sleepy small town where time for fiddler crabs,
stands still, residents can be found
shark teeth and
kayakers among the
gathering for live street music over
shared cheese plates and coolers
here come and go,
toted on golf carts. On summer nights dolphins. The tides
you will also find people gathered at however, the spirit
the town's hidden gem referred to by of this community stands still, and is truly much alive. An old railroad ran right up
locals as, “The Sands.” Where Battery something you will not find anywhere else. to this port and now has become part of
Creek flows into the Beaufort River, is A beach was formed here in 1958 our beloved Spanish moss trail, allowing
Sands Beach. This beach is perhaps the from the dredging of sand onto the shore a safe place for pedestrian traffic to make
only beach where you can drive up and by States port authority, and according to their way through town.
park directly on Sands
the beach to enjoy beach also
the views. A rare hosts a
find that has over boardwalk
time become a and tower in
gathering place which you can
for generations stroll along
of local families and climb to
and hosts flocks steal views of
of tourists who one of the most
come to celebrate breathtaking
their loved ones sunrises you
graduating from our very own Paris Island locals, our precious Sands is the second will ever see. Local fishermen and boaters
Marine Boot camp, The Sands beach is a deepest natural deepest harbor in the flock to this particular spot daily to utilize
rare find. world. This allowed for the passage of the easily accessible dock as well as fish
On any given day you will find ships into the port, a business which has right from the boards. When standing on
local fisherman, sunbathers, smiling since slowed in Port Royal, however, the this beach you can often hear the sound
children covered in pluff mud digging history of this particular port remains very of cadence being carried across the water
by the marines at Paris Island, it is a place
where so many lives collide becoming
one and reminding us just how important
it is to stay in community with one another
sharing common bonds. The Sands also
plays host for the town to come together
here on this beach to celebrate events and
also is the host of a long standing Fourth
of July celebration.
One can spend a lot time researching
the history of this hidden gem and
find data on the dredging that formed
the beach and the history of the ports
commerce and contribution to local
economy, however the real magic is felt
in speaking to long time residents and
the heartfelt stories they have to tell of
growing up in a place full of shark tooth
hunts, changing landscape and of course
Pluff Mud.