Sea View Inn, Pawley's Island

I don't know about you, but I could use a little of this right about now!



Sun, sand, ocean and great food - all in a cozy laid back inn! We love the Sea View Inn on Pawley's Island, SC. Great place for some rest and relaxation.



If you go be sure to visit Brookgreen Gardens - one of my favorite spots in the world.







all images from the Sea View Inn website

Sculpture at Brookgreen Gardens

Dionysus, by Edward Francis McCartans, 1936

Anna Hyatt Huntington was a largely self taught sculpter who grew up in a family of scientists who studied animals. From a young age she was fascinated by and loved to study animals too. She did study sculpture later under Herman MacNeil and Guzton Borglum at the Art Students League of New York.

Anna and Archer Huntington built these gardens around the idea of having a large American figurative sculpture collection at Brookgreen Gardens, especially those pieces that could be situated in an outdoor setting. And of course the collection was built around Anna's own sculpture. Today at Brookgreen there are over 1200 sculptures by 350 artists - from the 19th century to the 21st century. Here are a few photos of some of my favorites.


Diana of the Chase, Anna Hyatt Huntington


Alligator Bender, Nathaniel Choate


Christ Child, Adam Belskie


Riders of the Dawn, Adolph Alexander Weinman


Inspired by Psalm 139


Samuel and the Lion


Reaching Jaguar, Anna Hyatt Huntington




The Vortex


all photos via Whitehaven

Brookgreen Gardens

If you've ever been to Pawley's Island, Litchfield Beach or Myrtle Beach, you've probably heard of Brookgreen Gardens. Archer and Anna Huntington established Brookgreen Gardens on 9200 acres in 1931 as a non profit wildlife and nature sanctuary and sculpture garden. Anna designed the sculpture gardens in the shape of a butterfly.

There are so many beautiful sights for the eyes - from all of the incredible sculpture to the 250 year old oaks in the Live Oak Alley garden. The oaks were planted in the 1700's when there was a thriving rice plantation here.






When standing under these huge oaks you can't help but be struck by their beauty and grandeur. These trees are the great grandparents of the gardens - full of age and wisdom and effortless grace.

Today, we will feature photos of the beautiful grounds and gardens, tomorrow will focus on the inspiring sculpture.






When we came to the beach here as children, my mother would always bring us to Brookgreen Gardens. I remember everything seemed so big - from the oak trees to the scupltures. Of course I take my own children to this magical place - a trip to Pawley's without Brookgreen just wouldn't be the same.




It's interesting how different elements catch your attention on each visit. On this trip the element that caught my eye was "a view." There are so many breathtaking views at Brookgreen. Everywhere I turned there was another "window." Each view leads the eye and the visitor to another lovely part of the gardens.












That's my daughter through the arch. Stay tuned tomorrow, we'll explore the sculpture in the gardens.

all images via Whitehaven