HHI Trip Report, July 27- Aug 2, 2008

[podsnel]

Sounds and looks like it was a fun trip.

I can't wait for our HHI trip next year for July 4th

Have a GREAT time!!!

Those sunset pics were incredible Ellen. You've got me in tears picturing you taking the newbies down with your moves... The boys are all adorable and look like they're having an awesome vacation.

Thank-you, I was pretty psyched when I got out there and saw the kayaks heading out! Yea, me + macarana in the front corner= for all involved! Good thing I can laugh at myself!

Tuesday night is one of my favorate nights at HHIR, with the SST BBQ and the Pool Party. It sounds like you had fun as well! I can't wait to read more!

We all had a GREAT time, the activities had something for everyone. They did limit the amount of "food" contests you could do, each person could sign up for 1, so everyone could have a chance, which I thought was a nice thing (although DS11 wanted to do all 3!).

...but we were at Marriott's Surfwatch on one of my FIL's weeks (traded a studio for a 2-Bedroom during II Flexchange - pretty good deal).

Anyway, we had a great time as well. We played our round of golf at the Country Club of Hilton Head which was in Hilton Head Plantation (on island). There was a coupon in the little Golf book that they have all around the island and my FIL and I played for $49 each, which I thought was really good. The course was great, you may want to give it a try next time.

We were at Shelter Cove on Tuesday night for the fireworks. Saw a little bit of Shannon Tanner and then ate at San Miguels. Lots of fun. Spent Tuesday day in Savannah to make our lunch pilgrimage to Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House (AWESOME! Now I know why it is Tripadvisor's #1 place to eat in Savannah, but get there early so you don't have too long of a wait in line). We saw all of the lighting and thunder from Savannah, but somehow managed to miss the rain, though HHI looked soaked by the time we got back at 5pm.

The other thing that we did that was really fun was a day at Daufuskie Island. We took Calibogue Cruises over there and rented a golf cart for the whole day. The whole island is mostly uninhabited and crisscrossed with dirt roads. The beach there was really, really pristine and hardly a soul out there.

I agree with you, HHI is great!

Love the report, keep it coming!

Great info on the golf- I will look for the book next time we go- $49 is a HUGE bargain!!! What time did you play? I tried to talk DH into calling Last Minute Tee Times Weds night for Thurs morning to see what they had available, but we were out to dinner and he was fine with going to Fazio again for 9 holes with me & DS11.

Shannon Tanner!! THAT'S the name of the performer my DSil & DBil enjoyed so much on Tuesday night they went back on Thurs night with some of the kids. Savannah sounds like a great day trip- I am sure it is in our future- what did you eat at Mrs. Wilkes?

Just curious- did your boat captain tell you where the name Daufuskie came from? Ours said it was named by Spanish sailors for being "the first key"- and we kind of wondered if he was pulling our leg when he said it!

Great pictures and report! The kids are all so cute.

Thanks, we think our boys are cute, too!!

Your reports have been great! We love HHI resort and added points there in 2002, just to get 11 month window for summer months. We have been to HHI resort for the past 3 summers (and a few stopovers from trips to wdw from boston during the year), but did not go this summer...but we already made our reservations for June 2009 and we are living through your report.....Our ds is 17 and I remember all the fun he has had at the activities at HHI throught the year, not just summer...Looks like your kids also found the fun.

Connears

I'm glad to help, Connears- I enjoyed a tremendous amount of your advice when I was planning the trip on here!

 

[karajeboo]

Isn't HHI awesome! I try to explain to people that it's not like a normal beach vacation - it's a unique experience that only HIlton Head can offer. The whole mood down there is so different, laid back island style. Love it! Great report!

 

[Camster0307]

Hi Ellen - I'm FINALLY here!

The story about your cousins helping you out bought a tear to my eye! I truly know what it means to have someone like that in you life - I'm glad you guys do!

Your pictures are beautiful! It's funny to see the "Year of a Million Dreams" signs throughout; I keep forgetting it's Disney property!

So cool you got to me another Diser - and so nice of her to be determined to find you!

 

[podsnel]

Ok- Wednesday morning, we woke up and had eggs on our balcony (and I did NOT let DH redeem himself by taking some I'm-wearing-Mickey-PJ's-and-eating-eggs photo of me! )-

We were all going to do the Dolphin trip at 11:00, so in the meantime, I thought it would be fun to go for a bike ride with DSil. I have to confess, the main reason I soooo desperately wanted to rent the bikes was to go for a ride ON the beach- when I read about doing that on the DIS, I knew it was going to be so cool!! Well, fortunately, today's bike rides went much better than yesterday's! We both thought it was just a fabulous and unique experience, and Mariana thought it was her favorite thing on the trip! Here are some pics from the ride:

All too quickly, we had to get back for our boat rides-

 

[Camster0307]

Ellen - You're too atheletic on this vacation: kayaking, now biking.

If it were me, I'd have my fat butt planted on that beach all day long! But then again, guess that's why I have a fat butt to begin with!

 

[karajeboo]

So how far is it to get to the beach from the resort? There are so few places right on the beach in HHI, which is why you just have to enjoy the whole island life. We rented bikes when we rented a house in Harbor Town. Loved those early morning rides through town, down to the beach, and Harbor Town. The only thing I don't like about that area is that I love to stay right on the beach and hear the waves crashing while I sit out on my balcony, KWIM? I think that's why we haven't tried Disney's HHIR. So I'm anxious to keep reading!

 

[Camster0307]

Oh my lord - you're following me again!

 

[TigerKat]

Ellen - You're too atheletic on this vacation: kayaking, now biking.

If it were me, I'd have my fat butt planted on that beach all day long! But then again, guess that's why I have a fat butt to begin with!

My thoughts exactly......

 

[podsnel]

Hi Ellen - I'm FINALLY here!

The story about your cousins helping you out bought a tear to my eye! I truly know what it means to have someone like that in you life - I'm glad you guys do!

Your pictures are beautiful! It's funny to see the "Year of a Million Dreams" signs throughout; I keep forgetting it's Disney property!

So cool you got to me another Diser - and so nice of her to be determined to find you!

Ellen - You're too atheletic on this vacation: kayaking, now biking.

If it were me, I'd have my fat butt planted on that beach all day long! But then again, guess that's why I have a fat butt to begin with!

Oh my lord - you're following me again!

Hey! She's not following you- you're following HER! She got here first! Stole her right off of your thread, I did!

We're glad we have someone like my cousins, too, and I know you understand .

Yea, you THINK your fat butt would be in a beach chair all day long, but you'd want to do everything, too!! My fat butt enjoyed the exercise TREMENDOUSLY! (Although I'd be happy to sign up for a HHIR Segway tour if it was offered....)

So how far is it to get to the beach from the resort? There are so few places right on the beach in HHI, which is why you just have to enjoy the whole island life. We rented bikes when we rented a house in Harbor Town. Loved those early morning rides through town, down to the beach, and Harbor Town. The only thing I don't like about that area is that I love to stay right on the beach and hear the waves crashing while I sit out on my balcony, KWIM? I think that's why we haven't tried Disney's HHIR. So I'm anxious to keep reading!

I think the whole key to being happy about staying at DHHIR is to think of it as NOT the same beach vacation you've had in the past. The resort has a very camp feel to it- the Broad Creek location is like staying on the bay instead of Ocean front- there are boats and sunsets, and the wildlife is SPECTACULAR and it is all right there- bird after bird, after crab, after dolphin- the beach is 1 1/3 mile away by car, shuttle, or bike. The availability of the beach house is really, really nice. They pipe in beach boys, etc music, there's a second pool, a bar, a cs restaurant...so it's like having the best of both worlds, to me. No, you can't listen to the waves crashing from your balcony, you'll hear ospreys and blue herons calling to their mates instead. And FWIW, those waves on that beach didn't do a ton of crashing anyway, so I didn't miss it a bit (we always stay on the ocean, too, otherwise-I love the surf, too! ). My kids have taken beach vacations all their lives, and they both rated this waayyyy higher in terms of fave vacations. Anyway, DHHIR is probably not right for everyone, but it was really right for our family on this vacation. Hope I've explained it right!

 

[podsnel]

My thoughts exactly......

I promise in the next post I will sit on my butt and do nothing for 2 whole hours!!! Yeesh!!!

 

[karajeboo]

You totally hit the nail on the head with Hilton Head. I really think the whole island is like that - love it! Although, with the wildlife we have in our backyard these days, not sure I'm up for it on vacay too!!!

Love all your pics too! And bike ride on the beach looks so relaxing, well, for doing all the work!

 

[bobbiwoz]

The picture of the dune took my breath away!

I enjoyed reading about your wonderful vacation, and your most wonderful family.

Bobbi

 

[BigEeyore]

Enjoying your TR! We are heading down there next month for a 4 day weekend, and I can't wait!

 

[podsnel]

You totally hit the nail on the head with Hilton Head. I really think the whole island is like that - love it! Although, with the wildlife we have in our backyard these days, not sure I'm up for it on vacay too!!!

Love all your pics too! And bike ride on the beach looks so relaxing, well, for doing all the work!

What wildlife have you got in that yard of yours?

The picture of the dune took my breath away!

I enjoyed reading about your wonderful vacation, and your most wonderful family.

Bobbi

WOW! Thanks, Bobbi!! And thanks for all the great advice before we left!

Enjoying your TR! We are heading down there next month for a 4 day weekend, and I can't wait!

You're gonna love it!!!

 

[Laxmom]

I am so loving your trip report!! We love HHI also! So much that we own 2 ts's there; one Marriott on the beach and our HHI DVC for a different HHI experience. I think you have summed it up beautifully. HHI is our favorite place on the planet. When we cross the bridge, it is like our worries and stress can't cross with us. Just an awesome place to be! We will be making our first trip "home" for spring break week and then back to our Marriott for a week in July. It's a bonus year for us with 2 HHI trips!!

Oh, and Go Bucks!!!

 

[karajeboo]

What wildlife have you got in that yard of yours?

Welll.... we spent the last 14 years living in South Carolina (the upstate region - Spartanburg) and in all those years I never saw a single snake. Even though I knew they were there... When we moved to a new home in 2005 we had renters living under the house - green lizards (anoles) that I came to accept. But once we moved to FL last November, we have seen snakes, lizards, frogs, scorpions, deer, armadillos and wild turkeys... and that is just in OUR yard!!!! I'm afraid to venture out into the neighborhood cause I know there are gators, wild monkeys and wild boar! We live near a state forest, so some of the creatures seem to escape... Every day seems to be an adventure...

 

[podsnel]

I jumped into a quick, much needed shower and we were ready for our Dolphin Cruise. My poor DH is so overworked and confused (and so half listening to me all the time because of it!) he thought we were going SWIMMING with the dolphins!! Uh, no dear, we're doing that on the cruise in Cozumel with the nice family from California I met on the Cruise Meets board! ) We had to be in 2 separate boats, so the Ohio clan went in one, and we 4 joined a couple from Maryland. What a beautiful day for a boat ride! Our Captain was Ryan, he'd been living on the island for 26 years, so had lots of insider information for us!

First, we made a right into Broad Creek, travelling where Tyler and I had been the day before-

Here's the rest of the family-

And once again, we saw dolphins. And many egrets, whooping cranes & blue herons. Then we turned, and headed south towards Daufuskie. After we had gone under the causeway, a small yellow boat was coming in. He explained it was Surfer Dave. Surfer Dave is available for fishing, and I will be booking some fishing with Surfer Dave on my next visit to HHI. Why? Surfer Dave has a friend named Nick who always follows his boat, just like a dog. Except, Nick is not a dog, he's a dolphin! And he comes with friends! I guess way back who knows when, Surfer Dave was throwing all the fishing bait and guts overboard at the end of his trips- and Nick caught on. And now Nick ONLY follows Surfer Dave's boat! (Seems Surfer Dave paid some hefty fines for this behavior, but I'm thinking it's maybe a wash because I know who I want to fish with! )

We headed down further, and we saw an Osprey nest-

On the way back in, Surfer Dave was heading back out with you-know-who not far behind. Ryan tapped the side of our boat, and Nick swam up to say hi and check us out-

FYI, the Ohio boat heard about and saw Nick, too. Only when Nick came up to say hi to them, he swam aroun the boat a few times with his eye above water, checking them all out!

It was a great trip, we all enjoyed the dolphins and birds.

 

[karajeboo]

The dolphin cruise looks so fun!!! And I love the story about Nick!

 

[podsnel]

I am so loving your trip report!! We love HHI also! So much that we own 2 ts's there; one Marriott on the beach and our HHI DVC for a different HHI experience. I think you have summed it up beautifully. HHI is our favorite place on the planet. When we cross the bridge, it is like our worries and stress can't cross with us. Just an awesome place to be! We will be making our first trip "home" for spring break week and then back to our Marriott for a week in July. It's a bonus year for us with 2 HHI trips!!

Oh, and Go Bucks!!!

Lucky, lucky you!! I have read that the Marriotts are beautiful. I LOVE that sensation of going over the bridge to an island and losing all your cares! We always say that about an island we love here in NJ, LBI. Aaaahhhh....

Welll.... we spent the last 14 years living in South Carolina (the upstate region - Spartanburg) and in all those years I never saw a single snake. Even though I knew they were there... When we moved to a new home in 2005 we had renters living under the house - green lizards (anoles) that I came to accept. But once we moved to FL last November, we have seen snakes, lizards, frogs, scorpions, deer, armadillos and wild turkeys... and that is just in OUR yard!!!! I'm afraid to venture out into the neighborhood cause I know there are gators, wild monkeys and wild boar! We live near a state forest, so some of the creatures seem to escape... Every day seems to be an adventure...

SCORPIONS??!!! Don't think I could do it, my friend. YIKES!!! Stay safe!

 

[podsnel]

The dolphin cruise looks so fun!!! And I love the story about Nick!

OMG!!! How fast do you read??