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.
Springtime at Brays is marked by a blooming landscape, emerging wildlife and warmer weather. With the arrival of longer days, owners and guests can spend the morning on the golf course and the afternoon on the water. Spring at Brays is the perfect time to enjoy the crisp mornings, warmer afternoons and time with family outside.
We chatted with long-time owners, the Skinner 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 here?
“Chip and I first discovered Brays in 2006. He and two of our best friends were looking for a place that our families could come together year after year and enjoy regardless of age. Chip, and actually our own children, grew up surrounded by undeveloped land. It was there that they learned to hunt and fish and enjoy nature. We wanted our grandchildren to experience the same: the dirt roads, the fishing ponds, the beauty of nature and the quiet darkness of a starry night. Brays offered all of that and more. Chip pulled into Brays to look around one morning; three hours later we owned a lot. He’s never done anything that quickly before!”
What is your favorite part of living at Brays?
“You never lack for something to do - even if that something is settling into watching the sunset, or watching the day come alive with the sights and sounds of nature.
Springtime is bursting with new life at Brays. The trees green out and the fields flourish with wildflowers. The cardinals, blue birds, painted buntings, and hummingbirds are everywhere. But the most spectacular thing is to catch a glimpse of new life - the baby foxes and the fawns - I always have my camera with me.
On Mother’s Day last year, I was sitting outside trying to get a photo of the hummingbirds in the butterfly garden. Behind me, I heard the deep call of a doe to her newborn baby. Out of the marsh walked her baby. I got to quietly watch the mother tenderly clean her newborn. It was a sight I will never forget. What a Mother’s Day gift!”
What makes Brays special for you and your family during the springtime?
“Our family loves to be active. As grandparents to 12 grandchildren (ages 2 to 12), we love that TV and electronics are not the draw at Brays. From sunup to sundown, we are usually outside enjoying the day.
I learned to play golf at the Brays Island Golf School and now I am completely hooked, so Chip and I are usually on the golf course year-round. We have enjoyed making new friends and playing in most of the events, but the course itself is a beautiful experience. It’s not uncommon to see a fishing pole on the back of someone’s golf cart. I once had a fox walk out of the woods and pick up my golf ball. He carried it off, only to drop it in a sand trap - that’s a free drop for me!
We also love to ride bikes, but what our grandchildren really enjoy most is the taste of freedom and adventure on their own bikes. As they have gotten older, they’ve been able to head out as a pack to explore the island, like we used to do when we were their age. They usually end up at the pool and the tennis courts for family time.
There are usually kickball games in the big field and target practice with a BB gun on a tin can hanging from the snag tree in the yard. It’s a full day, with full bellies, and full hearts that make for a good night’s sleep.”
Do your family or friends enjoy visiting Brays? What do you do most often when they visit?
“As our family grew from 6 to 22 people in 15 years, we decided to build a bunkhouse. It was the best decision we’ve ever made. The one room upstairs can sleep up to 20 people but the 12 grandchildren have laid claim to that room as their own.
Our friends love to visit Brays, and after visiting, have actually purchased a home or lot. We have hosted several family reunions on the island. We love sharing the Lowcountry life with relatives from the north. Brays never disappoints when sharing its wealth of beauty to all who come.
One of the greatest gifts Brays offers is the wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience of our in-house naturalist. I didn’t think anyone could replace Bruce Lampright when he retired, but Jake brings his own sense of enthusiasm and knowledge to the nature center. The Saturday morning nature walks are always a hit and the time and attention spent with the kids in the Nature Center is priceless.
At the end of the day, the cool nights of springtime always finds us around the firepit telling stories and watching the children play hide and seek in the yard with only the moon and stars as their light. It truly is a special place.”