sunrise (marsh)

Victoria and Tim met me before the sun had risen, with the skyline above the horizon flaring in peaches and apricots. We crossed the Westin Flats with just enough water not to scrape the oyster beds, and we watched the big bright orange globe rise above the Kingfisher Inn. We wound through the Charlie Cut, staying on the edges out of the incoming tide, and circled home via the mazy marsh creeks as great egrets took flight and mullet jumped. The world may be chaotic and crazy, but for this hour, here in the Murrells Inlet salt marsh, it was calm and contemplative and absolutely wonderful.