At HHI Right Now!!

[Patty3]

How long was the car ride to Savannah? I thought I read somewhere that you can take a boat there from HHI, is that true?

 

[WolfpackFan]

How long was the car ride to Savannah? I thought I read somewhere that you can take a boat there from HHI, is that true?

It takes about an hour to drive to Savannah. They are doing alot of road construction on 278 between Bluffton and HHI right now and that is really slowing things down. I don't know about a boat to Savannah.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I love to hear your food reports. Oh-and is there still an ice cream place close to the resort (I forgot the name)?

Sorry haven't seen an ice cream shop close by, but there has to be one I'm sure. I know there is one at Coligny.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Okay folks here we go - continuation of trip report for Tuesday. After resting up we finally drove over to the Shrimp Boil being held at the Beach House. There was a fairly good sized crowd. When you go in, you go to Signals and they check your name off the list, you pay and they give you a wrist band. They have adequate tables setup with lenin table clothes all around the pool for each family group. They had a nice buffet setup that included shrimp, corn on cob, potatoes and smoked sausage all steamed together. Other items - barbeque pork loin, caesar salad, green beans, chicken fingers, mac and cheese and cheese cake for dessert. For drinks they had iced tea and lemonade plus you could purchase beer in Signals. The shrimp were huge and were delicious. They had melted butter and seafood cocktail sauce to go with them and had buckets on the tables to put the shrimp shells after you peel them off. B'lou (without Shadow) was there and played and sang while you ate. The cost was $23/adult. Sorry I didn't catch the cost for children. We will definitely do this again next time we come back. Our big mistake was eating such a huge lunch at Mrs. Wilkes and then having the shrimp boil also. We just couldn't do the buffet adequate justice.

After eating, we walked down to the beach and tried to walk off some of what we ate, but it was high tide and the walking wasn't real easy. After leaving the Beach House, we drove down to Barnes and Noble and looked around there some and now are back at our unit watching the Carolina women play Tennessee in basketball. DW is a huge UNC fan while I'm a huge N.C. State fan, but I will pull for UNC when playing out of conference.

Our final day at HHI is tommorrow and hopefully it will be warm enough that we can spend most of it out on the beach. I'll post again tommorrow night.

PS - I meant to tell you all about something neat that happened Sunday evening. You may or may not know there is a live webcam on top of the Marriott that is near the Beach House. Well that live webcam only has about a 5 second delay. I saw the camera as we were walking along the beach, it is clearly visible on top of the Marriott. I called DD26 who was at home and she was able to watch on the web us waving at her over the webcam. Here is the web addess of the webcam if you ever wish to try it yourself - http://12.111.152.135/popup.html. It's really kind of cool doing this.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

Im sorry to hear tomorrow is your final day, I have been loving your live reports!! Thanks for posting!!!

 

[VMS]

Thaks for your updates -- keep them coming.

The ice cream shop is called Brusters I believe -- I hope it is still there. It is just a short bike ride away. I think we may even have our frequent buyer card from last year. It was excellent ice cream.

 

[TCPluto]

Wolfpackfan,

I thinkwe sat next to your at dinner last night.

Here's the best looking of our threesome, taken with B'Lou yesterday afternoon.

 

[Patty3]

I have really been enjoying your trip report, thank you. I am sorry that today is your final day. Looking forward to reading your final report.

 

[reesecup]

I have enjoyed this soooo much!! Maybe I can return the favor when we are there in a few weeks.

Did you find out any information on Paula Dean's place? That's where I would like to go if we go into Savannah. But didn't know how much of a headache it would be. The place you guys went sounds wonderful as well. Is it a little like Daniel Boone's Inn (or the old Shatley Springs) in the mountains here in NC? If you've been to either of those.

We have eaten at San Miguels (sp) both times we've visited. We really liked it but have heard different reviews on it here on the boards. Glad you liked it.

And the shrimp boil sounds like a must do. Haven't done that yet so we are looking forward to it.

Thanks also for the webcam info. We like doing the one at Salty Dog as well where you can pull up the time you were there.

Sorry this is your last day, but make it a fantastic one . Eat. Eat. Eat.

Oh, and by the way...your wife has awesome taste!!! Coming from another Tarheel fan!!

Enjoy your day!!!

 

[WolfpackFan]

Wolfpackfan,

I thinkwe sat next to your at dinner last night.

Here's the best looking of our threesome, taken with B'Lou yesterday afternoon.

Wow, hi neighbor. I was wearing a red N.C. State cap and DW had a UNC sweatshirt on. We were sitting at a table for two just outside the door to Signals.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Did you find out any information on Paula Dean's place? That's where I would like to go if we go into Savannah. But didn't know how much of a headache it would be. The place you guys went sounds wonderful as well. Is it a little like Daniel Boone's Inn (or the old Shatley Springs) in the mountains here in NC? If you've been to either of those.

We've eaten at Daniel Boone Inn many, many times as both our kids went to ASU. Mrs. Wilkes is very similar, except there is alot more variety and you are eating at a table with strangers. All the tables are large tables and they just fill the table up with who is next in line (they don't break up groups though). That might turn some folks off, but really it was no big deal. If you are like us, you've already talked alot with the folks in front and behind you while waiting in line and it really is like eating with new friends. We met several nice couples who were staying at one of the Marriott timeshares here on HHI. One way I would describe Mrs. Wilkes is it's a Daniel Boone Inn with an attitude. This place doesn't worry about real polite service, etc. It's all about getting in and eating the food. There are no options, you basically eat and drink what they have and when finished you clear your own plate from the table. And if it looks like you are lingering and talking, the ladies will start clearing the dishes right in front of you trying to nudge you out the door so the next group can come in. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the service is bad - it's just all business. Get in, eat the food and get out. But the food is absolutely delicious. Things we learned, go early (like be in line at 11:00) AND do not eat breakfast. We plan to go next June when we come back for our next stay.

One final thing about Mrs. Wilkes - the veggies were all absolutely delicious and I'm thinking these are probably frozen are canned veggies. I can't imagine how good it would be when fresh veggies are available.

 

[TCPluto]

Wow, hi neighbor. I was wearing a red N.C. State cap and DW had a UNC sweatshirt on. We were sitting at a table for two just outside the door to Signals.

Yep, that was you! We were to your right, the next table over.

 

[gracelrm]

Did you find out any information on Paula Dean's place? That's where I would like to go if we go into Savannah. But didn't know how much of a headache it would be.

Reesecup: I was at HH a few weeks ago and we went to Paula Dean's place the day we went to Savannah. Here's what I found out. You don't get reservations, but you go by and pick up a pager. We tried to eat lunch there, but at 12:30, there was no availability for lunch. If you are able to get your name on the list, then you come back at the time they tell you to return. I'm not sure when you can go for lunch, but I know they start distributing pagers for supper at 3:30 p.m. We did a Old Town Trolley tour and when we drove by at 2:30, there were already people lined up to get a pager at 3:30. The first supper seating was at 5:00. I believe maybe 5:00; 6:30; and 8:00, but I'm not real sure about that. They ask you to return 10 minutes prior to your designated time and then they start calling names and taking you inside. We managed to get the first seating at 5:00, but were on the third floor. So you waited out front for your name to be called and then you went inside where you waited to be seated. I felt a little like a cow being herded throughout the process, but the food we had was delicious and I would do it again.
HTH

 

[jimmytammy]

OK, Im trying to lose weight here yall! And now my mouth is watering. Somebody get me some fried chicken, please!!

 

[stacy6552]

Weather???? What's the temp like? Warm enough to swim and not be miserable when you get back out? Warm enough for sun bathing?

 

[WolfpackFan]

Okay, final HHI update. Yesterday, we didn't do much. Took a walk around the resort and marina in the morning and then sat out on the deck and read some. After lunch (leftovers from San Miguel), we went out to the Beach House. Sat out on the beach for a while, but it was still cool and overcast. Plus, the "noseeums" were terrible. DW had jeans and long sleeves on, so didn't bother her to much but they were about to eat me alive and those little buggers sure hurt when they bite. I saw more of them this trip than anytime before. I don't know if it was the time of year or what, but make sure you take some insect repellent with you. I sure wish we had. After going back to resort, we rode out and did something I have't done in probably 20 years - played putt-putt. It was sure alot of fun. Played at that place just down from the DVC resort. Here we were two 55-60 yo's out with all the younger folks and had a blast.

For dinner last night, we made a big mistake. We went to Tony Roma's and I have to say this was the only really bad meal we had the whole trip. I ordered a NY Strip steak that was basically tasteless. DW had the Baby Back Ribs and she said they were good. There was something about the place I just didn't like. To start with it was fairly empty when we went in. I don't like to eat places that are largely empty because I feel there must be a reason for that. Plus our server was very strange IMO. Can't put my finger on it, but overall I just didn't enjoy the meal at all. We will NOT be going back there again. After eating, we rode over to Coligny and got ice cream for dessert which was very good.

That brings me to a point. We won't be going back this time of year from now on. The main reason is the weather. It was just too cold and overcast to really enjoy the beach. Plus, I guess I was thinking this would be a very busy time on the island, but it wasn't. The reason we went is my DW is a Teacher Assistant and our school system is on Spring Break. I was imagining it being very crowded, but evidently our school system is the only one on Spring Break this week. At night, the island seemed deserted. The Marina area always was deserted and Coligny last night was a ghost town with most of the stores closed. Not a whole lot to do at night except go back to the resort and watch TV. From now on, we plan on coming the first week of June before the points go up for the Summer.

Let's see now for today. Got up and stopped at the IHOP on the way out of town for breakfast. Typical IHOP, not much to say about it. Then stopped for gas and a final stop at Starbucks for a large coffee before heading out. Then we drove to Charleston. Parked our car and did our own walking tour around all of the beautifull homes and gardens. The azelias and other plants are really pretty. Then walked back to our car and had lunch at TBonz which was very good. After that of course we had to stop at Ben and Jerrys for dessert. Left Charleston and headed north towards Myrtle Beach. We are staying at one of the nicest Hampton Inn's tonight I've ever seen. Right on the ocean. Looks brand new and it was only $98 for the night. After checking in, we took a walk on the beach. Of course the weather is perfect today, now that we left HHI. For tonight, plan to ride over to Broadway on the Beach and eat at Margaritaville (if we can get in, I hear the wait times are terrible). Oh, by the way, as we walked on the beach, I couldn't believe all the jelly fish that have washed ashore. And folks (kids really) are out swimming in the cold water. Hey, what can I say in my younger days, I would have done the same.

Anyway, that's about it for my trip report. Best dining experience this trip - Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House in Savannah. Second best - Salty Dog. Most unusual thing done - playing putt-putt. Second most unusual - having DD watch us on the Marriott webcam. Most enjoyable thing done - driving up to the front gate and hearing the person say "Welcome Home".

I'll be glad to answer any questions.

Oh and BTW - I really do hope the Lady Tarheels when a National Championship this year.

 

[lat]

We love HH and have been going there at the end of the summer for the past 3 years and will be going agian this year with 10 of us!!!

I was not impressed with Paula's restaurant because it just seems that the food is quite fattening with a lot of fried food or things with a lot of butter.

After reading your posts, I think I will try Mrs. Wilkes this summer.

Thanks for the postings. HH is wonderful for a family vacation!!!

 

[WolfpackFan]

Weather???? What's the temp like? Warm enough to swim and not be miserable when you get back out? Warm enough for sun bathing?

It hasn't been, but it looks like the weather is supposed to get alot warmer over next week. People (kids mostly) were swimming in both pools. Nobody was swimming in ocean at HHI. There hasn't been any sun out for sun bathing. But the thing is I think we just hit it during a bad week. Supposedly they had temps in the 80's week before last and it will be upper 70's next week.

 

[gracelrm]

I was at HH on March 16-19 and the bugs were really bad. I wasn't sure they were noseeum's because they seemed really big. I didn't think I was bit by any, just annoyed by them; however the day we left my hairline and one eye brow really started stinging and itching. I wonder now if it was bug bites. I would second the recommendation to take bug spray if anyone is going anytime soon!

 

[coffman6]

We will be there in two weeks, were the bugs bad at the pool, the beach or at the rooms? I know the noseeums like us alot too!! What about jellyfish is there a season there for those?