The camaraderie and community here at Brays is owed much to the owners and staff that make our sea island so special. This new blog series will highlight the owners who spend time at Brays and how they enjoy our unique lifestyle throughout the year.
Summer at Brays Island is full of sunshine, watersports, leisurely nature strolls, and fresh picks from the garden. With no shortage of activities and no school days, many of our owners and their families take full advantage of the sporting amenities and lessons throughout the season.
We chatted with long-time owners, the Dahlberg family, to hear what makes Brays so special for them this time of year.
How long have you lived at Brays and what brought you there?
We were vacationing near Jacksonville with our children in 2013 then came to visit a friend at Brays on our way home. The entire family instantly fell in love with Brays. The children, who were 12, 10, and 4 at the time, asked us “Why did we go to Disney after the beach last year? Brays is way better.” We came to visit our friend again the following summer and during two Christmas breaks. With three small children staying with a bachelor, we knew we were wearing out our welcome. It was time to either purchase a home/lot or find a new vacation spot. We were first thinking we would purchase a lot, then quickly realized we needed a home and a guest house as we wanted to be able to house our dogs, guns, golf clubs, fishing rods, and friends.
What is your favorite part of living at Brays?
Not only is it stunningly beautiful year-round, but the variety of activities available within the community is amazing. Where else could you play golf, fish for trout, ride horses, and quail hunt in a single day? Come summer, when the hunting season is over, Brays Island and all of its natural beauty comes alive. We begin to spend more time on the water. While half our family enjoys fishing, the rest of us love watching the birds and dolphins at play while on the boat.
What makes Brays special for you and your family during the summer?
While Brays is magical year round, seeing the wildlife in the summer is extra special. A typical morning begins with an early walk in the quail fields. Experiencing the quail fields and all their beauty during off season is one of my favorite activities (also a favorite activity for the dogs). The walk is followed by breakfast which will include fresh berries from the garden. My youngest daughter will then anxiously head to the Equestrian Center for a lesson with Nicole, who was the first to put her on a pony and is now teaching her all of the intricacies of proper balance while jumping fences. Having the golf course available to walk without a tee time or anyone in front or behind you makes for a very relaxing day on the course. The afternoon will either be filled with friendly family competition shooting sporting clays or casting a fly when the tides are right.
Every dinner is a special occasion while at Brays. Our favorite meals are those we prepare with the fresh produce from the garden and our catch of the day. We also enjoy dining at the Brays Island Grill with our neighbors and friends, or making a trip to one of the many dining establishments in Beaufort, Savannah, or Charleston.
Do your family or friends enjoy visiting Brays? What do you do most often when they visit?
Our entire family loves coming to Brays as there is something for everyone whether it be any of the sporting amenities, playing tennis or pickleball, enjoying nature by kayak or walk, relaxing by the pool, tubing in the Pocotaligo, or just reading a book on the porch. It seems that each time we visit, we find a new gem. We love to share our adventures in the Lowcountry with both old friends from home in Texas and new friends here at Brays.