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
Just Call Me "Harley"
You may or may not realize that Hilton Head Island is more than just beach and golf. (The Chamber says “shopping” is our visitors next favorite thing,) What stops traffic in Sea Pines Resort is a recent acquisition at Lawton Stables. His name is Harley, like the motorcycle. But Harley is much, much bigger. Harley is 18 “hands.” That would be six feet, because Harley is a Clydesdale!
No, he never pulled the Budweiser “mother ship” around in parades, but he’s as gorgeous and strong – and gentle – as Bud’s famous hitch of six. He is now used on carriage rides through Sea Pines 600+ acre Forrest Preserve. This seems quite appropriate since Clydesdales were bred in Scotland, and golf originated in Scotland, and golf on Hilton Head Island is ... well, it just makes sense.
Harley joined the other four-legged creatures at Lawton Stables this past spring. Lawton Stables features all sorts of equine related activities, including a riding academy, a summer riding camp and the popular rides through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. But it also includes an animal farm, replete with goats, sheep, donkeys, llamas and pigs! Visitors are welcome – and it’s free!
Lawton Stables comes as a surprise to many visitors. Kids can learn to ride, starting with ponies and very experienced teachers. They can learn horse-related barn activities as a member of the Saddle Club. It’s a rather extraordinary experience and one you don’t want to miss
At least plan on a visit. And come by and say hello to Harley!
Labels: hilton head, horses, tips
Hilton Head Island Beaches - Check the Tide!
Even if you’ve vacationed on Hilton Head Island before, here’s a reminder we know will be helpful. Yes (we proudly admit), we have a great beach. Twelve miles of it. But what many people don’t realize is that we also experience a significant tide change. From low tide to high tide averages between 6 and 8 feet. From low water mark (low tide) to high water mark (high tide, takes a little over 6 hours.
What does that mean to you? At low tide, our beaches are wider than a football field (or seem so). At high tide, you get to meet your neighbors, because the beach “shrinks,” depending on where you’re located, as much as 70% to 80%. So everyone moves “back” or “up” to the high water mark.
The changing tides are part of the fun. For beach combing, you want to be on the beach when the tide is going out, leaving a variety of treasures as it retreats. For one of the best sites to check the local tides, click here.
The changing tide in the Lowcountry runs the lives of people who make their living on the water, from shrimpers and fishermen, to kayak and jet ski operators. A passage in a tidal creek that, at high tide, might be six (or more) feet deep, will only be six inches deep (or less) at low tide. If you’re planning to be on the water instead of watching it from the beach, always call ahead. Local knowledge is a good thing!
Labels: beaches, hilton head, tips
Sea Shack: Fresh Sea Food on a Budget
At Hilton Heads Up, we like to share some Hilton Head Island “secrets” that most visitors don’t know about. However, thanks to Rachael Ray’s “$40 A Day” program a few years ago on the Food Network, the “secret” about
TheSea Shack is out. Once only frequented by locals, there are now lines. But the price is definitely right. Figure $10 to $12 for dinner. (Ergo, the lines.)
But the food is worth it. Fried and broiled fresh seafood. The special is always the catch of the day (and they mean it). Local commercial fishermen (and fisherwomen) know they always have a market at Sea Shack. (Hint: they eat there.)
The place is anything but elegant (Does the phrase “paper plates” tell you something?) and you have to know what you want before you get to the counter.
But the food, the hush puppies ... awesome, and generous portions.
It is family fare. Specials for the kids. Even the fried fish is light, tender. Yes, there are off days, but very, very few. Just remember, local islanders still eat there, but they go for lunch: no lines. Oh, yes. It’s hard to find.
Click here for a map. Your GPS isn’t that good. But the food. Did we mention, it is THAT GOOD.
Bon appétit – on a budget.
Labels: dining, hilton head, restaurants, tips
The Island's Baked Goods
We have a theory. When vacationing on Hilton Head Island, there are three things you should not concern yourselves with: calories, cholesterol, and sugar. If you avoid thinking about those three items, we firmly believe you will have a delightful time on our island.
If you haven’t been paying attention to that stuff prior to your vacation, it’s too late, so you might as well enjoy our heavenly delights and work it all off at the gym when you get home. If you HAVE been a goody-two-shoes about that stuff (and if you did, in fact, knock two sizes off your waist or lower your dress size), this is why you did it!
Enter Hilton Head Island’s “bakeries.” Coligny Bakery (at Coliginy Plaza on the south end) is totally decadent – and fresh. Everything is flaky, sweet and/or sinful, in the best sense of the word. It’s small (outside dining is fun), but there is always room. Harbour Town Bakery and Café has a delicious assortment of homemade muffins and pastries, and you get to sit outside here, too.
A few minutes from the entrance to Palmetto Dunes is
Ronnie’s Bakery. Donuts. Rolls. Sticky stuff. This is not Dunkin Donuts. This is the REAL item. This is a very local hangout. Expect very friendly service.
Mid-island, at Pineland Station, is the French Bakery and Courtyard Cafe. The crusty baguettes are a must. It is definitely a wonderful find. It’s also a local hangout. Come to think of it, if you haven’t visited Hilton Head Island in a while, Pineland Station is quite a find, too.
Finally, what is probably ... no ... it is in fact, a Hilton Head Island icon: Signe’s
Heaven Bound Bakery and Café. It’s on the south end of the island, and if you get there early enough, as you pull into the parking lot at 93 Arrow Road, you’ll smell the truly heavenly aroma of fresh breads and pastries baking. Signe’s has been featured in Southern Living Magazine, the New York Times, and was featured on the Food Network with Rachael Ray. There are islanders whose week would not be complete without a morning visit to Signe’s. For a “heaven bound bakery” it is very “sinful.” Enjoy it.
Labels: dining, hilton head, restaurants, tips
Why is Sea Water Salty?
Why is
sea water salty? Why are there tides? What is a “
mudflat?” What are those holes and tubes in the beach?
One of the greatest wonders of Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry is our nature, the ecology of the place, something we have long protected. And few have captured it better than environmental scientist Todd Ballentine and his ever popular book,
Tideland Treasures: The Naturalist's Guide to the Beaches and Salt Marshes of Hilton Head Island and the Southeastern Coast. While the long title is a mouthful, the book (originally published in 1983 and in its “umteenth” printing) is simply a complete delight. If you’re planning on a visit to Hilton Head Island (or are already here), get a copy now, right away, no excuses. You’ll think we are the coolest people in the world when you get it.
The book is based on Ballentine’s “column” (really a beautifully illustrated comic strip style) in
The Island Packet called “On Earth” that the newspaper published in the 1970s and 80s when Ballentine and his family were island residents. Tideland Treasures takes the reader from the sea to the beach to the marsh, the plants and animals to a discussion about conservation. It is written in terms the layman can easily understand.
For those of us who have been living on the island for some time, we remember Ballantine opening up a whole new world for us with “On Earth.” We learned, for example, that shrimp had a set of “feet” for eating, another for walking, and still another for swimming!
The book is definitely user-friendly, for parents and kids. No buttons to push, no batteries needed. It will add any entirely new dimension to your island vacation.
Labels: beaches, books, hilton head, nature, tips
Breakfast everyone?
When you’re on vacation, what do you think is the most important meal of the day? Dinner at Hudson’s? While we love Hudson’s (and about three dozen other seafood eateries), a good breakfast, to us, is essential to a successful vacation. Ergo, the best breakfast place is:
No question: Skillets. Sure, they have a great lunch and dinner – and live entertainment at night – but we’re talking rib-sticking, honest-to-goodness-serious BREAKFAST. Yes, Hilton Head has other fine choices but, you’re what, 30 yards from the beach, you can have your eggs any way you like them. HUGE pancakes. Fresh juice. REAL grits and hash browns. (Map.)
O.K. Another “no question:” Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café. True to their name, they open the doors at 6 A.M. That’s the time they start their Early Bird Special (6 - 8 A.M.). For $5 you can get a couple of eggs, meat, grits or hash browns and toast. (Map.)
Another sure thing, and VERY local, is Signe’s. We will accept your thanks after you’ve experienced this island tradition. Everything you eat there is hand and home made. There is nothing on the menu we wouldn’t recommend. The actual name of the establishment is “Signe's Heaven Bound Bakery & Café. You want to meet locals, meet at Signe’s. It’s one of those places where you want to say, “I’ll take one of everything.” (Map.)
O.K. Finally. Local, local, local. Plantation Café and Deli will get you into a great breakfast mood. Everything is more or less custom.
How to choose? Our recommendation: All of the above. Hog out. Believe us, you’ll need the energy. If children are involved in your Hilton Head Island vacation, do not be ashamed to ask for seconds.
Dear, do you mind passing the syrup?
Labels: dining, hilton head, tips
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
Best View of the Island
Many islanders will tell you that the best view on Hilton Head Island is when you are off Hilton Head Island – in a boat. While we love ocean views and beachfront views, views of the island from the water are often magical. You’re cruising along and, all of a sudden, there’s a pod of dolphins off the port or starboard side, playing, jumping, it seems, just for your amusement – and theirs.
Maybe the toughest part about seeing Hilton Head from the water is which boat to choose. The ultimate in luxury is the
Spirit of Harbour Town with sunset dinner cruises, fireworks cruises, even a day trip to Savannah. It’s a large yacht, licensed to carry 149 passengers, but the views are outstanding and, on warm days, so is the air conditioning.
If you would like to get up close and personal with the marsh on the back side of the island,
Outside Hilton Head has great guided kayak nature tours in Broad Creek, or at company-owned Page Island on the Cooper River, just across from
Daufuskie Island. There is something delightful about watching a heron standing stock still in the cordgrass, waiting for the marsh to offer up its breakfast.
Outside Hilton Head also has special fireworks tours at Shelter Cove every Tuesday night in the summer. The luxury yacht, Captain Rudy Thomas out of Broad Creek Marina is another fireworks choice. The
Capt. Thomas will also take you on a guided day trip to Savannah, one of America’s oldest cities.
But maybe the best view of Hilton Head Island and the surrounding area is being above the water. You and your family can go
parasailing! At South Beach Marina, check in with Island Water Sports. Out of Harbour Town in Sea Pines, contact
H2O Sports or Sky Pirate Parasailing at Broad Creek Marina and Palmetto Bay Parasail at Palmetto Bay Marina.
On the water off Hilton Head Island. Nothing better.
Labels: boats, cruises, hilton head, parasailing, sports, tips, tours, water
Going Local: Boathouse II
Probably one of the most often asked question we get is, “What’s a great ‘local’ restaurant?” That’s really a tough one to answer because we are blessed with so many great “local” hangouts. Actually, it isn’t tough – the tough part is keeping the list fairly short.
One of our favorites (we’re all “locals”) is
Boathouse II. It’s open for lunch and dinner (Sunday brunch, too) and it’s on the water, Skull Creek. There is a whole bucketful (of oysters?) reasons to dine there, but it can be a little tough to find. Of course, that makes it all the more interesting.
First directions. It’s on the north end of the island, off Squire Pope Road. Click here for a
location map. You’ll see the big, long boathouse just as you approach the entrance. The parking is a little strange. It lines the boathouse and can be a bit crowded.
During the day it’s spectacular. You’re sitting outside (if you choose) and are watching all the action at
Skull Creek Marina (your neighbor) and Shilling’s Boathouse. Commercial fisherman dock there and supply Boathouse II with very fresh catch. Basically, what the fishermen bring in is on the menu that night.
You MUST try the shrimp and grits. This is definitely Southern and may sound a little strange if the only grits you’ve every tasted (mushy) are from the little brown envelopes brought to you be the Quaker Oats folks. This, however, is the real thing. Stone ground grits to the chef’s precise specifications.
There are a zillion reasons to eat there. Boathouse II has probably the biggest seafood menu on the island. They are waterfront. They have nightly entertainment (LOCAL) that rocks. There’s Marker 13, the outside bar that serves fantastic drinks, and, of course, there’s the view. If there is a full moon, you will not want to leave. Ever. Caution: these “local” hangouts don’t stay secret for long. Depending on the night, expect a line. But not for long.
If you’ve experienced outdoor dining on Hilton Head Island in the summer, you know one big problem: insects. Not to fear at Boathouse II. The
Lowrey Group, an island chain of high-end restaurants, which owns Boathouse II, installed a herbal mist system to keep the pests at bay. It doesn’t kill them. It just suggests to the insects they would probably want to be someplace else.
Reasonable prices. Waterfront. Super entertainment. Great seafood.
Our suggestion: go for it.
Labels: hilton head, restaurants, tips
Summer Golf in the Lowcountry
Hilton Head Island, as you probably know already, is populated with some of the best golf courses in, well, the world! The designer names are even more fabulous than the fanciest New York fashion boutique: Pete Dye, Rees Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Davis Love, Gary Player.
To get the most out of your game, here are some suggestions that might help lower your score.
1. Altitude. You are at sea level, not the Rockies. Your drive will not go as far if you usually play golf at, say 3,000 feet. If you’re used to higher altitudes,
sea level means half a club plus.
2. Alligators. Pay attention to “local rules.” If you hit or hit near an alligator, you can take a drop without penalty. It is not worth recovering your Titleist Pro-V (or your pride) if the ‘gator considers the ball his/her new playmate. Take a free drop.
3.
Segway. Amazing new golf experience. This two wheel gyroscope that gets you and your clubs around the course is something like having your own personal caddie – but you don’t have to tip it.
4. Greens. Greens in the Lowcountry tend to get a little hairy in summer. The supper knows that if cut too low, they’ll burn.(Remember, you’re playing in the South, for goodness sake!) From five feet in, go for the hole. Period.
5. Sun. Wear a hat/cap. No matter how dumb you look, WEAR IT. Don’t quibble: Also, sun block: SPF 30 or higher.
6.
GPS. This is so nifty. And so depressing . Some of our courses have Global Positioning Systems (GPS) on their golf carts. You know PRECISELY where to hit your ball. However, GPS can’t do a thing about the large oak tree standing between you and the hole.
7.
Water. Summer golf in the Lowcountry demands you carry two quarts of water with you (or buy that amount from the pretty lady who just sold you a beer) . Alcohol dehydrates. Water hydrates. This is simple stuff.
8. Three foot putt. Good luck.
9. Insect control. Avon Skin-so-soft, Cutter’s .Advanced Sport Insect Repellent with Picaridin.
10. Bring the kids! Courses, like the new
Heron Point in Sea Pines Resort, have six sets of tees. Family golf is encouraged.
Hilton Head Island golf. Nobody does it better.
Labels: golf, hilton head, tips
Beaching it on Hilton Head Island
Even if your vacation home is beachfront (which we STRONGLY suggest), what you tote to the beach and what you do when you get there are critical to your happiness. Depending on your status in life right now (kids [age dependent], no kids) there are various considerations you should make.
1. WEIGHT. If you cannot lift it with one hand (cooler, chair, umbrella, etc.) it’s not worth it. Leave it or rearrange it. Traveling just 50 feet with a cooler that requires both hands, a beach
chair (check this one out) slung over your shoulder and an umbrella wedged under your arm, will not make you a happy beach-goer. Beach carts are all the rage – they should be! Very convenient. Just make sure they have oversized wheels.
2. SUN. There can definitely be too much of a good thing when you’re lazing at the beach. Don’t skimp on sun screen. The higher the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) the better if you have the slightest chance of burning. The good news is that you have hundreds of lotions and sprays to choose from. Douglas Wolk’s article at Slate.com will help you decide which one is best for you – and the kids.
3. BICYCLING. What a great way to enjoy the beach! But do it early in the morning or early evening when there are fewer folks. Here’s a great tip- If there’s a beach breeze (and there usually is), make sure the first part of your ride is INTO the wind. It will make the last part of your ride much easier.
4. SAND. We have beautiful sand. Soft and fluffy at the head of the beach; firm from water’s edge up to fluffy stuff. This tip also has to do with the wind. When you shake your towels or blankets out when you’re ready to leave, look down wind first so the sand on your towel doesn’t end up in your neighbor’s mouth.
Follow this link to read about Hilton Head Island’s beach regulations. And have a great time!
Labels: beaches, hilton head, tips
Best Time to Be Here
We have people always asking the same question: “When is the best time to visit Hilton Head Island?” Our immediate reply with a smile is, “Whenever you can get here!” Admittedly not too helpful.
But bottom line, when it comes to THE BEST time to visit the island, we suggest you choose the months of May or September. (Or both!)
By May we’ve survived another wonderful
Verizon Heritage tournament (and the tens of thousands of people who came to see it), and we’re gearing up for summer. The golf courses are in great shape and the weather is just right. The ocean temperature is still a bit cool (75F), but the beach is perfect. Basically, you’ll be taking part in our “dress rehearsal” for “opening night” – the beginning of our summer season. The air temperatures are usually moderate and quite frankly there are less visitors.
We think September is also a fantastic choice. It’s kind our “sneaky” month. Summer, for most folks is over, the kids are back in school, the weather is warm and so is the ocean. The beach – if you’ve never been to our
beaches in September treat yourself. Maybe it’s the beauty of a September sunrise or sunset. It’s quiet. And like May, we have less visitors.
Both months are also great times to take those side trips to the historic communities of
Savannah,
Beaufort, and our closest neighbor,
Bluffton.
So there’s your answer. But we really do mean it – come whenever you can get here.
Labels: beaches, hilton head, tips, vacation company
The Popcorn is Great!
It’s definitely one of Hilton Head Island’s hidden treasures. While it’s in the heart of the island’s most popular beach area –
Coligny Plaza – the only way you’ll find it (unless you know where you’re going) is by accident. “Hidden” is definitely the right description.
Coligny Theater, with its one screen, is a true gem. It was the island’s first “movie house,” opening in 1972. There were only a few thousand full-time residents on Hilton Head and the tourist population was just beginning to grow. You won’t find the big blockbusters showing there. But you will find a fantastic selection of independent films and foreign films like “
Married Life” (Pierce Brosnan), April 25 - May 1, and “
The Counterfeiters,” May 9 - 22.
The films are mostly for adults (real adults), but there are specials for children and a real treat is the Second Sunday Film Society, which is definitely a local event – and fun. Where else but Hilton Head Island will you actually find what we used to call an “art theater?”
When it opened the theater was called The Island Theater and had a run of 25 years. For those who have visited the island in the past, you’ll remember it as a hangout for just about everyone in the summer. There were lines stretching around the Earl of Sandwich restaurant if the movie was really popular. Or when it was raining.
Refurbished and open again in 2002 by the owner of Coligny Plaza, it still has some of the “old island” feel. To learn more, visit the
theater’s website or call 843-686-3500.
Labels: movies, theaters, 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
Bring Your Bikes!
If you haven’t been to our island this year, we think you’ll be in for some surprises when you visit. Everywhere you turn things are looking .... better!
Pope AvenueIf you’ve been a regular island visitor you know Pope Avenue, it’s the main thoroughfare on the south end of the island, leading straight to the Coligny Beach Park, home of the famed
Tiki Hut (see below, more good news). If you ever tried to ride a bike along the “paths” on Pope Avenue there was a good chance you could reach out and shake hands with the passenger in the car right next to you.
As of February
new pathways opened with a big buffer between you and traffic. And the pathways are definitely done in “Hilton Head style.” They’re much wider and part of them go over wetlands on classy wooden bridges with safety railings capped in copper. Even though you’re ten feet from cars going by, you feel like you’re traveling through the wilds of the Lowcountry. What you won’t see are power lines overhead. They’ve been buried.
By this summer, you’ll also be able (if all goes as scheduled) to take a rest at the new Compass Rose Park. It features terraced plazas, sitting areas highlighted by a sculpture created by local artists, wall features and fountains. One of the original brass Compass Rose symbols that hung from the original Sea Pines gate (now the Ocean Gate) is part of the entrance fountain. This is the town's first foray into public art. The park and its centerpiece, a statue of
Charles Fraser, were designed to pay tribute to Sea Pines and the founder of the island's first modern planned community.
Tiki HutWhile the fate of the much beloved beach bar is still up in the air (watch here for more news), it opened a few weeks ago to the cheers of many (younger) local residents. It is the first sign of spring on the island. The new owners of the Holiday Inn Oceanfront hotel, where the
Tiki Hut is located haven’t announced what will happen to the beachfront landmark. Until then, volleyball anyone?
The island’s 25th
St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled for March 16 at 3:30 p.m. Can you make it?
Labels: bike, hilton head, tiki hut, tips
Free Wireless Internet
In this campaign season, “free wireless internet in every vacation home” may sound like some presidential hopeful’s slogan (“a chicken in ever pot, a car in every garage” –
Herbert Hoover, 1928). But the fact is every vacation home or villa we offer has gone high-speed wireless. And it’s all yours – free.
You’ve probably been to hotels that advertise “internet access available,” then you come to find out it’s “available” for $7.95 a day and it might not even be wireless! (This recently happened to us at a place where we were paying $200 a night for lodging). We hate that nickle and dime stuff. That’s why our internet access is absolutely free.
While we might suggest you leave your laptop or PDAs behind and simply enjoy the sunshine, fairways and beach, we also know it’s tough to be out of “e-touch” in this instant access world. If you’d like to know how to set up a vacation auto response in Windows Mail or Outlook Express,
click here.
However if you need to keep tabs on the office, schoolwork, the stock market or your kids, you’ll stay connected at any Vacation Company property you choose.
One of the more creative uses of the free internet access we’ve heard so far is a golfer putting a video of his swing up on
YouTube so his teaching pro back at the golfer’s club in Ohio could see it and tell him what he was doing wrong. We did not hear how well our guest played the next day.
It’s definitely golf season on Hilton Head Island. Come see us. And bring your Blackberry.
Labels: tips, vacation company, wireless
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