Hilton Heads Up!
Dad, there’s an alligator!
While those of us who live on the island are used to seeing creatures (who have been around for about 200 million years) sun themselves on the banks of lagoons, alligators are a definite cause for fascination among visitors. There is an unconfirmed rumor that Verizon and AT&T make hundreds of thousands of dollars in cell phone charges every weekend when visitors arrive on the island, snap a ‘gator with their cell phone camera, and send it to all their family and friends.
A note of caution. The alligators are real. They’re shy, but can get nasty if they feel threatened. Take pictures from afar, or follow our suggestion, below.
Hilton Head Island is not only the perfect place for vacations, it’s also the perfect spot for alligators. Their habitat consists of wetlands, lagoons and marshes. And there’s plenty of food (fish, insects, snails, worms, an occasional bird and small mammals). What more could they ask?
One of the best ways to learn about and see alligators in their natural habitat is the Alligator Boat Tour, an eco tour offered by Sea Pines Resort. This is a gem within a gem. The tour takes pace in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, which we wrote about, on the preserve’s lakes. You get to go out in a safari-like boat (not quite the African Queen) and the guide fills you in on all the flora and fauna – and alligator lore – of the Lowcountry, and the preserve’s ecosystem in particular.
You don’t have to be a resort guest to take the tour, but the schedule varies, so call ahead (843-842-1979 ). Or we can help you schedule one. This one is good for kids of all ages. The perfect family outing.
The guides are very knowledgeable and the sights are extraordinary. We can promise that you’ll be totally amazed. And Verizon and AT&T will be very pleased you decided to go.
Labels: boats, hilton head, nature, sea pines, tips, tours
41st Verizon Heritage
The Verizon
Heritage is celebrating its 41th year at Harbour Town Golf Links, April 13 - 19. If you haven’t booked a Heritage home or villa – do it NOW. Yes, this is one of the busiest times on the island but it’s also one of the greatest. Since it promises to be another sellout (135,000+ fans), call for tickets or go
on line.
Defending champion
Boo Weekley has now joined
Davis Love III and the late
Payne Stewart as the only players in Verizon Heritage history to successfully defend their titles. And he is definitely not your typical cool and collected Tour professional. He got his nickname from the cartoon hero Yogi Bear’s sidekick, “Boo Boo Bear.” An avid hunter and fisherman, his sponsors include the outdoors apparel company Mossy Oak, which specializes in camouflage outfits, Big Buck Sports and Bass Pro Shops.
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The purse this year has been raised to $5.7 million, with the winner walking away with a check for over $1 million and 25,000 FedEx Cup points. The purse for the first Heritage, which was held on Thanksgiving weekend, was a little smaller. In 1969, Arnold Palmer ended a 14-month victory drought and banked $20,000.
As tournament director Steve Wilmot likes to remind everyone, the Verizon Heritage is a charitable event. In 2008 the
Heritage Classic Foundation distributed almost $1.8 million to charities, the arts, colleges via scholarships, and medical centers.
Remember, email or call us with any questions.
Labels: events, golf, Heritage, hilton head, sea pines
Free Stuff!
On Hilton Head Island, there are, quite literally, hundreds of choices for family fun. But for the uninformed, it seems like you have to pull out your wallet for anything you choose. Well, we’re here to tell you about the free stuff!
Obviously, our
beach is free. But what about when the sun goes down and the kids still need to drain off some energy. Here are four excellent choices for family fun that won’t cost you a penny.
Monday through Friday,
Coligny Plaza offers a different show every night. There is even a free
family movie on Saturdays at 11 a.m. That’s right – free! You can catch Elvis, enjoy a show about the Sea Island’s Gullah culture, get in a little magic, and enjoy a local Reggae band. Of course, there are over 60 shops and restaurants who would be very happy if you decided to stop in and visit, but there is absolutely no admission price for the entertainment. The kids (and you) will love it.
Now entering his 19th season at Shelter Cove Harbor,
Shannon Tanner does an exceptional job entertaining young and old(er) folks with a fantastic range of songs (mostly his own), stories and humor to the beautiful backdrop of the large harbor. He does two shows, Monday through Friday, one starting at 6:30 p.m., the other starting at 8 p.m.
Of course, there’s
Harbourfest on Tuesdays at Shelter Cove, too. Free fireworks over the water, all sorts of crafts, art works, you name it – and no admission!
Maybe you’ve seen one of his movies. Or maybe you’ve heard about
Hilton Head Heroes, the children’s charitable organization he and his wife, Lindy founded. Or maybe you’ve seen him under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town, rocking the socks off his jam packed audience for 30 years!
Gregg Russell is about as much of a Hilton Head Island tradition as Harbour Town’s lighthouse. If you’re vacationing in Sea Pines Resort, his nightly concerts are free. Be prepared to join in the show! (If your vacation home is outside of Sea Pines, you will have to pay the $5 gate fee – but Gregg is really worth it.)
It’s all definitely (free) family fun.
Labels: beaches, entertainment, hilton head, sea pines, theaters
Take a Bike Path and "Go Green"
We’ve written about new and improved bike paths on Hilton Head Island before, but a recent comment by a first-time visitor got us to thinking of the bigger picture. This visitor was staying in Sea Pines, was a jogger and cyclist, and had just returned from a 15-month tour in Iraq. This vacation was his wife’s treat.
He told us he usually ran about five miles a day but was so inspired by the beauty of the paths (“leisure trails”) in Sea Pines, he added another two miles his first day. Then he discovered the pathways outside Sea Pines and did a loop down Cordillo Parkway. He couldn’t believe all the runners he saw – to say nothing of the bikes.
His family also discovered they were, at most, a 10-minute bike ride from just about every place they wanted to go. Except for one night out, at a mid-island restaurant, their minivan remained unused for their entire stay!
Sea Pines has 15 miles of leisure trails. Palmetto Dunes has about 14 miles, including all of Shelter Cove. Shipyard has 12 miles. Of course, all of the Forest Beach area is linked by beautiful paths. In fact, now the entire island – inside and outside the gates – is connected by a pathway system. Click here for the town’s map.
No matter where you’re staying on the island, we see two very real benefits you’ll enjoy by choosing pathways, whether its by foot or bicycle. You do have time to “stop and smell the roses.” Paths allow you to alter your pace. You don’t have to hop in the car. You can walk or ride (or run). That’s good for body and soul. You’ll also see the island up close, like the alligators and turtles, the herons and osprey nests.
The second reason? You’ll be burning up calories – not gasoline!
Go for a walk. Go for a run. Go for a (bike) ride. Do your part for the environment. Pathways are very “green.”
Labels: bike, sea pines, tips
One of Hilton Head Island's Greatest “Secrets”
There are many hidden gems on Hilton Head Island that visitors rarely “discover” unless it’s by accident. One immediately comes to mind. At first we didn’t want to share this because we like the quiet (REALLY quiet) and the lack of people. If you’d like to get a hint of what the island looked like before development began you must visit the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. It’s sort of like having a National Park in your back yard, especially if you’re a guest of Sea Pines. Even if you’re not it’s definitely worth the $5 gate fee.
The Forest Preserve is 600 plus acres of forest, wetlands, walking trails and one of the most spectacular wildflower field you’ll ever see. Officially called the Wildflower Meadows, they’ll be in bloom starting in a week or two, then go on for several weeks well into the summer. There’s an old bench at the end of the meadows. It sits on an old dike and the meadows stretch out before it. Check out this Google map link to get an idea of this uncommon place.
There are four lakes, great for freshwater fishing (You’ll have to be a guest and get a permit. We can help you there.) either from the shore or a rowboat (they’re for rent to guests). Kayaking is great too. You’ll see all sorts of wading birds and one of the largest rookeries in the state.
In the center of the Preserve, facing Lake Joe, is Fish Island, a great place for picnics (there’s a covered shelter) and Cub Scouts (and other kids) use it as a camping area. There are also restrooms there and a water fountain.
Of the two entrances use the one at the school and you’re 5 minutes away from a 4,000 year-old Indian shell ring. Check out the link above for the Preserve and download the PDF map.
Click here for a great story about someone “discovering” the Forest Preserve, written in 2004. You’ll understand.
Down side: The alligators are real. Do not mess with them. The bugs are real. Spray generously (depending on the time of year). Spray often. Sea Pines’ Lawton Stables offers trail rides through the Preserve. (Click here for a cute story about Lawton Stables.) Trail rides means horses. Some of the walking trails are shared by the horses. Our advice: watch your step.
We’ll have more “secrets” to share soon.
Labels: hilton head, sea pines, tips
New Golf Course in Sea Pines
Yes there’s a new golf course in
Sea Pines Resort. Actually the old Sea Marsh 18, one of the island first courses, was completely leveled. Renowned architect Pete Dye brought forth
Heron Point. It is definitely a “thinking golfer’s course” (no, that is not an oxymoron). Mounding along the fairway help keep the ball in play – or with a bad bounce, you get to meet new Sea Pines friends in their back year (OB).
Dye shows why he’s considered one of the most innovative architects in the game with his hidden bunkers and other ways he “protects” the green. For a local sometimes golfer’s opinion, see what columnist David Lauderdale had to say –
click here.
Labels: golf, hilton head, sea pines
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