The Lowcountry where I live

Mark asked about the name Lowcountry which is the area where I live along the southeastern coast.  The name is both a geographic and social identifier. The geographic area extends from the mid-lands of South Carolina to the coast.  Much of the land is at or near sea level, hence the term "Lowcountry".

If you fly over this coastal area what you will immediately notice are the marshes and dendritic meandering tidal creeks.  The tidal range here is around 5 feet, and when the tide goes out,  the marshes and mud flats are devoid of water.  The dark mud on the tidal flats is sticky and thick and is known as pluff mud.  It's often a revelation to those new to the area when they get out of a boat and sink up to their butt cheeks in pluff mud.  In fact, there is a bumper sticker that says: "Pluff mud: You never forget your first time".

Rolling in the pluff mud

The land is low with cypress bogs, marsh hammock islands, roads canopied by live oaks whose arching limbs are shrouded in silvery clumps of Spanish moss. But it's the omnipresent water—tidal marshes, rivers, estuaries, and the Atlantic Ocean—that really marks the culture of the region and makes it so distinctive.

On the sea islands such as the one where I live, there is a large African-American population.  Many are descendants of slaves who speak the old Gullah dialect which is "an English-based creole language containing many African loanwords and significant influences from African languages in grammar and sentence structure. Properly referred to as "Sea Island Creole" the Gullah language is related to Barbadian Dialect, Jamaican Creole, Bahamian Dialect, and the Krio language of Sierra Leone in West Africa. Gullah storytelling, cuisine, music, folk beliefs, crafts, farming and fishing traditions, all exhibit strong influences from West and Central African cultures." (from Wikipedia).


Among old timers, it is still possible to hear this wonderful language.  Here is a sample of the Lord's prayer in Gullah being spoken and written:

Baskets made by the Gullah out of pine needles and sweetgrass

 For many people in the Lowcountry, shrimping and crabbing are still actively a way of life.  More people have moved here from "off" because it is possible to buy waterfront property on deep water.  Some of the islands have become gated communities and resorts.  I'm glad to live on an island that still has the old ways and hasn't become a resort.

Shrimp boats coming in after a day on the water

Out here, you either stick it out or you find that having to drive 10 miles to get to a grocery store is a pain.  This island has a lot of churches and a couple of country stores.  There are no stop lights, no Wal-Marts, no commercial development.  Farming is still done on the island, with tomatoes being a big crop. The island is also home to the Charleston Tea Plantation and Irving House Vineyards.  Irving House markets Firefly Vodka which is vodka mixed with sweet tea.  And there are a few shrimp and fish docks that process seafood.

More and more people are coming to the Lowcountry because of the laconic life style, the beauty of the marshes and rivers, the architecture, the history, the art, the food and the southern hospitality.  So far, the island where I live is still unspoiled--close enough to town to get to great restaurants and "culture" but far enough away that most people don't want to move here.  That's a good thing.  Mine is a love affair with this place.