“A day on an island can be like a ride on a wild thing. The boundaries grow and recede. The tides yearn. The moon pulls. The very air pushes us around. I can’t help but know that a day here is not that grounded predictable thing I thought (sometimes hoped) it was, but it’s as swervy and alive as we are.”
– Sandy Gingras
If you’ve visited me here throughout the years, you know how much Kevin and I love Tybee Island. It’s just a little jut-up of a thing, right off the coast of Savannah in Georgia. It measures just three miles square, so a lot of people travel by bike everywhere they go. I like that in a place. 🙂
While visiting Tybee this time, I re-read a line in the book ‘How to live on an Island‘ that jumped out at me in a way that it never has before. The line says, “When I go to an island, I know that I’m in that state of grace in which anything can happen“. It resonated with me in such an extra powerful way this time because as I was sitting there- in another precious, little cottage, on our beloved Island- I’m sitting there with our SON, who was also born on an island, a thousand miles away.
Sitting there with him as I read that was like snuggling with proof that “when I go to an island” LITERALLY “anything can happen”! It was such a surreal moment and we will certainly never forget our first trip to Tybee as three!
It looks like a lot of the decor has changed since Kevin and I decorated it in 2010. Here are some photos from the e-zine we put together about the refresh:
There really wasn’t a budget for that project, so we designed “on a dime” and mainly just had fun getting extra creative with hand-me-downs and things the rental company already had in their decor/furnishings arsenal.
The place still looks as charming as ever though, and we can hardly wait to stay there with Steevenson. It’s a 7-hour car ride from our house, but we stopped and stayed in a hotel half way. He’s such a good traveler though (I think he feels like riding in the car is part of the adventure too!) and he’s already said, “I really want to go back to the cottage, mama”.
Like mother like son! 🙂
Happy week!
We have stayed at Tybee Island, and your photos are true of the natural beauty there.
I had to look up the book, we spend a month on an island further south, and so hard to describe how staying on an island touches my soul! Maybe mermaids calling ? So glad Steevenson e joyed your favorite place too! What wonderful memories you will all have.
Oh Layla, This is definitely my kind of place! Thanks for sharing!!!!!!
I loved seeing your vacation pictures, Layla, and I particularly love Steevenson as a Gecko. 💚 He is about the cutest thing going! Glad you had fun. I absolutely loved the way you decorated the second cottage as it was so fresh and cute and colorful. Your words about being in a state of grace on an island, where anything can happen, moved me to tears. That island baby is such a miracle boy for you and for your readers. Thanks for sharing! ❤️
Wow, they really did change the décor. The difference is startling. I’m sorry but it’s very uninspiring. Your design of the cottage was beautiful. I guess after 8 years of wear and tear, it had to be done.
Don’t stay at the motels!!!
Dear Layla, I love following you here at the blog! After all this time, and having been through the entire adoption process with you I can not begin to tell you how happy it makes me to see you, Kevin and Sonny enjoy as a family.
I liked better your version of the Mermaid Cottage, though…
Greetings from down here, in Buenos Aires, Argentina!
I love Tybee Island it’s the most relaxing place I know and I just love fishing for shark on the peer.
My cousin and I just spent a week on Tybee island over St Patricks day..we had a condo on the ocean..what beauty…we had the best time ever..hoping to go back one day..restaurants are the best…
I love seeing you guys having great experiences with Steevenson. The sunsets are gorgeous. I actually like the new look of the Screened Inn cottage. Like taking a trip back in time and living in the era it was made. 8 years is a long time to keep a decor and being a rental probably needed a fresh approach.
Oh, I don’t think our makeover lasted very long, Ria. Someone bought the place shortly after we were there (it was on the market when we refreshed it, so- yay!) and this current look is actually the one that’s been in place for almost a decade. 😉
Hello Layla,
I read you post about Tybee back in 2010, I looked it up on the internet and I immediately loved it. I was living in Idaho then and I dreamed of visiting sometime. I now live in South Carolina and I finally made it to Tybee this weekend. I really enjoyed riding bikes around the island with my kids and watching the sunset on the beach. It is so relaxing… I live close to the ocean in SC, but I haven’t found a place as charming as Tybee in this area. I will continue visiting Tybee Island…Hope to meet you there some day 🙂
Elvia
Makes my heart warm and cozy when I read your blog (about your family). God’s plan is glorious for us, we just don’t always understand the plan. Blessings to you on Mother’s Day (I’m catching up on bloggers)!