Home from another wonderful HH trip-comments, ???

[Simba's Mom]

As usual, another great trip to HH. News-I found out Christopher's leaving soon for a new job at a California Zoo. Only bad thing-that toilet paper! Seriously, after a few days we went out to buy soft, 2-ply paper. We left the remainder-I hope housekeeping takes note and management changes. It really sends a "cheap" message at an otherwise gorgeous resort. On a positive note, we finally got to do Chef Gordon's Private Affair. Everyone who's raved about his crab cakes-you're right! What questions does anyone have? I'd be happy to answer them.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Simba's Mom - I had to laugh at your tag, did the Tag God's give you that or did you give that to yourself!! I am having issues with my cat, he will only drink from running water, he is constantly in your face when you brush your teeth or wash dishes, and he even comes in the shower when the water runs!!! Sorry to go on, but I found the tag to be perfect!!!!!

 

[Laurabearz]

Glad you had a great trip! Thanks for the reminder on the toliet paper!

 

[cgcw]

Glad you had a great trip.

We've yet to try Coastal Discovery Museum. Can you share any information about it. (I read on another thread you tried it).

We'll miss Christopher. Awesome opprotunity for him.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The Coastal Discovery Museum was free. There's a Chamber of Commerce on the first floor, with a nice back outside deck for a picnic. There's a historical room on the second floor, and on the third floor is a spotting scope for viewing the marsh, and a room with information on the birds and wildlife of HH-stuffed birds/push the button and hear the songs, pictures of dolphins, etc.

No, I didn't do the tag myself-that was a much-appreciated present from the tag fairy. I'd posted about my cat doing this, we'd never had another cat do this (drink from the faucet). Actually, I was geniunely concerned about whether it was "normal". We'd found him abandoned at a few days old, fed him with a bottle, so he definitely did not have a "normal" start to life, and I was afraid this start scarred him as not normal for life (honestly!) When he developed this habit, of drinking from the faucet, then I was sure he wasn't "right". I've since learned how many others have cats who do this-when we went to HH, we left a water bowl for Tigger in every sink, since he's so used to getting his water there!

 

[Disneyaholic]

I just want to know if you "discovered" the Island Packet while you were there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

What I discovered was that the Island Packet was in Big Murgie's Den every day. So every day I would spend a good half hour in Big Murgie's Den reading the newspaper, usually it would be in the afternoon, so I'd have an excuse to go there for lemonade and cookies. It became a daily tradition.

 

[KarenB]

I could time it just right so I was at Big Murgie's Den when the warm cookies were served! I am So envious you had Chef Gordon serve you the Private Affair. How was the "atmosphere" of it being at the beach house. How many people were with you for it?

Did you eat anywhere else? We tried The Old Oyster Factory over President's Weekend and it was fantastic. Of course, we couldn't go without a trip to Guissipes (sp?) either!!

Glad you had a great time and I hope you had good weather. We really lucked out in Febraury.

Ah...I can't wait to plan the next trip!
Karen

 

[Simba's Mom]

Unfortunately, even though I went to Big Murgie's Den every day, I only timed it right to get the cookies one day. Chef Gordon's was great-the only ones were DH and myself, and since he just returned from almost 2 weeks in Asia and Australia where he got very sick, this time together and restfulness was much needed! Besides Chef Gordon, we had dinner at Captain's Seafood and at Hofsbrau. Two new ones we tried and will definitely return to were our lunches at Cafe Europa (great lunches and very reasonable) and Hudson's. Oh, yes-and we always go to It's Greek to Me.

 

[dis-happy]

Oh YUM!!! I love It's Greek to Me!!!!!

What did you eat with Chef Gordon?

Can you tell how much I like to eat and live vicariously through someone else's meal?

 

[Macnjac87]

Simba's Mom-
Glad you had a great time. How was your Private Affair with Chef Gordon? We had set up one with him for our trip next month but later received an email saying he would be unavailable for that time. I'm so bummed. It seems from some other posters that he won't be around for the next few months. Did he mention anything?

 

[Simba's Mom]

For the Private Affair, we had crab cakes for the appetizer and vanilla flan with caramel sauce for dessert. For a main course, we left it up to Chef Gordon, so I'm not sure. I mean, I know we had fillet, summer squash, and rice but I don't know the flavorings, so I can't tell you the "fancy names". It was beautiful, and everything was yummy, but I think next time I'll ask for all seafood. It's just that with the lovely view of the ocean, I somehow felt I should be eating seafood. DH likes red wine, so I told Chef Gordon to serve something that goes with red wine. I think next time I'll just go ahead and be totally "uncultured" and ask for seafood (which I think is supposed to go with white wine) and red wine to drink.
Although I kind of hoped for some "inside info", we didn't get any info on future plans at the resort. Oh, but Chef Gordon did mention that he'll most likely be back at the Food and Wine Festival this year (date to be determined).

 

[lisareniff]

...and since he just returned from almost 2 weeks in Asia and Australia where he got very sick, this time together and restfulness was much needed!

So, did that mean ....(gulp).... no golf for DH??

 

[Simba's Mom]

Oh, Heavens-as he would say, he was sick, not Dead! He found the Robert Trent Jones course at Palmetto Dunes was his favorite on the Island-so far! But next year he wants to try Hilton Head Plantation's course and the Arthur Hills at Palmetto Hall.

 

[buckler]

I could time it just right so I was at Big Murgie's Den when the warm cookies were served!

OK, more details are desperately needed!!! Exactly WHEN do the cookies come out?!?! Where do I find them, what kind are they and is there a charge? I have a cookie monster for a husband and 2 cookie monster daughters. We will be at HHI for 3 days in early April.

 

[VMS]

Crab cake raver here! Thanks for your report. We will be back to HH in 3 weeks and my kids have a calendar counting down the days. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that our A Private Affair is not cancelled -- that would be a major bummer for us. Did you participate in any of the activities offered?

 

[mrsR123]

Simba's Mom: could you please talk about the weather a bit more? I'm considering the end of March '06 and would like to know what is typical.

ANy others with info, please chime in !

TIA

 

[Simba's Mom]

Cookies-as you come in the front door of the lodge, with the check-in desk on your right, they're on the little table on your left. No charge-just cookies in a little basket. Previously they had 2 kinds-cranberry nut, and chocolate chip. And even though I love chocolate chip, I found myself looking for those cranberry. This year, I was disappaointed they only had chocolate chip. They usually put them out about 1:30-2:00, it seemed, along with a container of lemonade. And they're free! Yes, a Disney freebie!
For activities, I did bird watcher's heaven, 3 hr. tour of Hilton Head (why do I always feel like humming the theme to "Gulligan's Isle" when I say that?), and the visit with Shadow, whatever was offered when DH golfed! Last year I went to Pinckney and did the Dolphin Cruise.
Weather-oh, boy, talk about unpredictable! This is the third year in a row we've gone about this time, and as Chef Gordon said one night "the weather's been all over the place". One day it was beautiful-not a cloud, lots of people at the pool. Two days later it was in the 40's. That's colder than their typical January weather. Last year I don't think it got above 55, but I heard that the week before we went it was in the 80's. Two years ago, we had 70's all week, no rain, gorgeous weather. I heard that the day we left it got cold, started raining, and rained for a week. DH said at supper tonight that he wants to go the same week next year and we have no idea what to expect for weather.

 

[Popovich]

Not to go off on a tangent, but how is the weather in HH at this time of year? We're planning to take a trip to HH because of all the wonderful posts I've read over the years but I don't know when to plan it. I'd love for the kids to be able to swim and spend time at the beach. When would you recommend??

Thanks for the input.

Gailyn

 

[mrsR123]

Thanks Simba's Mom! We've been to the Gulf for three years and it's always a gamble. I appreciate the input. I suppose even in the 40's it would be somewhere different!