I just saw your ticker! You are taking your nephews? Is the same nephew you took awhile back going? I cant' remember his name but he was such a cutie and had a good time!
Yup - I am taking LJ who I think will be 13 by this summer. He is still a cutie. Along with LJ will be his three younger brothers who will probably 11, 9, and 5. Plus mom and dad are going. It's going to be a crazy trip. We have the treehouse for 5 nights, but then Denny and I will have a studio by ourselves for another 3 nights. Nick will also be there for at least the first 5 nights. It's going to be CRAZY!
I get the "too excited to sleeps" as well. I guess it's the knowing that you have to be up at a certain time and you're afraid to go into a deep sleep and miss the wake up time.
I guess that's it. Its really weird. It started happening to me about 5 or 6 years ago and now I have a bit of a phobia about it. It makes the start of a trip more work, but once I get one good nights sleep, I am back on track again.
Glad to hear that the drive to Hilton Head was an uneventful one. I'd much rather have a boring ride rather than one with road construction, accidents, etc.
Boy - isn't that the truth. 11 hours of an uneventful ride is much better than 6 hrs of bumper to bumper traffic. It really was an OK road and I actually think we may be able to tackle the ride to Florida.
The resort room and grounds are gorgeous! I love the decor and the Mickey & Minnie carved into the bench.
It really is a lovely resort. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I have many, many more pictures to show you!
What an amazing update Mary Ellen!! The room at HHI looks amazing! I so would love to visit there some day!! What a great view and a great room!!!!
Thanks Jen - so glad you liked it. The villa was so big. It's been 18 months since I've been in a 2BR, so I forgot how big they are. It really was a perfect view and location. I seriously think HHI would be a great place for a big DIS meet. I know there is no park, but there's 2 pools, a big, and an island with tons of great places to eat and drink.
I'm really looking forward to seeing more of HH!!!!!
You will definitely see more in my next update.
Thanks for the tour! I definitely want to get there someday.
Oh - you definitely should. Maybe when your kiddos are a couple years older, although I think they are old enough right now.
Ahem. That's not a "boardwalk".
I was wondering when someone was going to point that out!
Hey, I'm from Philly and Delaware, that's all I know! I can't call it a concrete walk, can I?
I like the first one. A little more contrast between the light/dark areas.
Good choice!
Beware the wrath of my turtle!
Seriously - that is one BIG turtle!!!!!
Pots? I thought ours were all plastic.
Back in my beach house days I remember a few bars bringing them in in pots every summer. I always felt so sorry for those palm trees.
That's making great time. We took 301 around DC on a trip to Myrtle Beach as well and thought it was a good way to go. The traffic lights on the Maryland side can get annoying, but once you cross the Potomac it's clear sailing to I-95!
Do you know where the super walmart is in Middletown? My GF, L, lives right near there. It was great starting location for the 301 route. That, and it being Sunday morning, explains our great time. That's even before L, with her lead foot, took over the wheel.
This may surprise you, but I've never had the guts to stop there. I think I'm going to have to one of these days. It's just so over-the-top tacky. Like a train wreck, you can't look away.
That's an excellent analogy.
It's exactly like a train wreck! We actually stopped there on the way back, but I'm gonna make you wait for that.
HHI looks very nice! The theme seems very Wilderness Lodge-y, which of course puts it right up my alley.
It completely reminded me of the Wilderness lodge. I actually think it was the perfect theme for the surrounding area. It's a great vacation spot. I highly recommend for small children. They would love it. But there is also tons to do as an adult!
Alright, we must get ot VA Beach. I have always wanted to go but we end up somewhere else. It looks like lot of fun!
It's really a beautiful beach. I know the hotel prices are high right on the boardwalk, but it does look like a lovely place to vacation. It's very nicely maintained. Very clean.
Hilton Head looks great. I can't wait to read more!
Plenty more coming up soon!
Another mega update, what a treat!
I did work hard to get that one done. Phew!
I loved that Neptune statue, it was just amazing!!!
It really is. I actually think it looks more interesting in the pictures than it did up close. When I was standing right in front of it I don't think I realized how big it really is!
So glad the trip down wasn't as bad as you thought, but what bad luck about not being able to sleep well.
The trip down was WAY better than I thought it would be. I think the anticipation is what did me in and I just couldn't go back to sleep. Hate that! It's a big reason why I never take early morning flights anymore.
As usual, I love the pictures! I guess I also thought it was right on the water, was there problems with mosquitos being so close to the marsh? Love all the details, Disney is just too good at details!
I knew it wasn't right on the water. I do think that bothers some people, but it really didn't bother me. Once I learned more about the island I figured out that Disney was pretty lucky to get the land it did. HHI is really restricted in terms of all types of building and the appearance of everything. It's almost idyllic in its appearance.
No problem with mosquitos because the marsh is a salt water marsh and apparently they do not breed in salt water. At least that's what they told me there.
Disney is wonderful with it's details!
I love seeing all these familiar sites..VA Beach to Salisbury! Although, I am with you. I lived in VA Beach for 1 1/2 years and I hated it compared to any other beach town. There's nothing to do in the winter, like you said, hardly any shops or things to look at while you're going down the boardwalk.
I guess I wouldn't like that too much. Because I know if I want to take a trip to Rehobeth Beach on a beautiful fall or winter day, there will always be something to do. It really is a year round town. But in terms of the size of the beach and the boardwalk, I loved it. I would love to go right after labor day. Probably great rates and wonderful weather.
Aside from that..HHI is GORGEOUS!!! I love the room pictures with all the wood details, it just looks so cozy!! LOVE the porch pictures from outside!
It really was cozy. It's a great theme for that area. It's got a big fishing theme, as you will see in my next several updates.
I think SC is about my limit with driving before I have to take a major break. Once you hit georgia, that's when it becomes a long trip, so I'm glad it wasn't too bad on you and you had the girls to entertain you!
I think I could probably make it to savannah before a break. Maybe Augustine Beach if I was REALLY motivated. There is a part of me that wants to try it this summer, but Denny plays the same type of music over and over and I am not a big music listener 24/7, so that would get on my nerves. Don't get me wrong - I like music, but I need periodic breaks from it or I start to feel overloaded. Denny on the other hand could listen to music in his sleep. I don't think we are compatible car travelers. Plus he likes to do all the driving and he is not good when someone else drives. Girls are much more forgiving of each other's driving. Much less critical.
Can't wait to see more of your trip!!
I just edited a bunch more pics tonight!
Another place I have to put on my bucket list
....I knew what to expect in terms of where the beach house was. I didn't expect the resort to be quite a compact as it was, but I loved it all the same. The view was perfect. 
Even the Denster wanted to know what I was laughing at. 
).
You are not late at all - actually just in time for my non-TR/PTR thing! 
