Little Blue
40" x 28" Framed Canvas Print
$495.00
LITTLE BLUE
A Story of Climate Change
“Little Blue,” a seaside cottage on a barrier island off of South Carolina is a cottage that can tell a tale.
Found on Hunting Island, a South Carolina State Park, “Little Blue” along with other seaside cottages were given 100 year leases for their families to enjoy throughout the years.
Built in 2003, Little Blue replaced a much older cottage for the Steinmeyer family and brought much joy.
As with many barrier islands, they bear the brunt of shifting currents and now climate change. Life at “Little Blue” was short lived. Each year Hunting Island loses over 15 feet of beach sand creating what is now known as “The Bone Yard.” Yanking the dirt beneath the feet of huge trees, their skeletons lay to waste on the sand.
Even with 35 foot deep pilings, the ground beneath “Little Blue” disappeared and 2009 was the last year the Steinmeyers were able to reach the cottage. With ladders, they removed their last belongings and left “Little Blue” to the sea.
Hurricane Matthew battered the island in 2016 and “Little Blue” suffered as a result. In February 2017, “Little Blue” was torn down and is no more.
The day I visited “Little Blue” the sunrise was quiet and muted in pastel blue. Very little was done with this image other than a slow exposure to blur the water. This is how it was when I saw “Little Blue.” It was just a month prior to Hurricane Matthew and little did I know what was to be its fate.
