This 'n That

Not much going on here recently. Friends that come in to camp are now leaving for home, meaning that they will travel back to Canada, OH, NY, PA, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, WV and TN. So many of us have been "beach friends" for so many years and every year there are those who don't arrive due to health or other circumstances.  Of course we make new friends, but sure do miss the ones from the past. Actually it is a difficult time - saying "Good bye" and hoping to meet again next year. 

The newer friends are learning how to dry out the sand dollars, starfish, sea urchins and other finds and they are eager to learn the tricks we older beachcombers have been doing throughout the past years. They are hungry to know the names of the shells and other odd sea gifts they find on the beach. We old timers are now becoming the 'great educators' in this area of learning. 

A couple of years ago, I bought little plastic ziplock bags and inserted one of each shell and odd specimens that I had collected right here from this campground's beach. I then took garden spikes and wrote on them the name of the shells and other items for quick and accurate identification purpose. 
The large handled bag containing the collection has been to local schools and exhibits and now rests in a young collector's possession. She has promised to help others who are interested in identification and collecting as I have done for so many years. It is a hobby that has been very rewarding for me and now is being passed on. For the opportunity to share this knowledge I am feeling very fulfilled.

So....I will most likely not give away my shark's teeth collection or my fossils but all other collected items have been distributed and a happy former SC beach lady am I.