"LIVE" from HH

[RobDoc]

We arrived at HH yesterday at 3:00pm and our studio was ready. We were in 3014 (under the GV someone posted about recently). Our family and 4 grandkids arrive today and we moved into a GV ourselves this morning. Our oldest DGD turns 4 at HH this week, so I had called to ask about having her name put on the Resort information channel.

Upon arrival in our room, we were pleasantly surprised to find that Mickey had left a card and balloons in anticipation of her arrival.

We had a nice dinner at Scott's, across the bridge from the resort and had a quiet evening afterwards. It rained hard overnight and there are a few areas at the resort with standing water, but the pumps had cleared that by mid-morning.

I went to the desk at 7:45am to check into our GV and it had not been occupied last night so we got in immediately (well, almost immediately- the reservation computer had to wait until 8:00am to print the keys). We got all moved quickly. The balloons had deflated overnight, so I asked if I could purchase more this afternoon and was told I could not. HOWEVER, a new bouquet of balloons arrived about 2PM- much to our surprise and appreciation.

I did speak with the family staying in 3022 - the GV reported last week and they were quite pleased with the condition of the room- perhaps the room got extra attention since last weekend.

Our GV, in building 19, is perfect. We have an interior island view- heavily wooded area (there is only 1GV with a marsh view- building 18) with easy parking in front of our room.

There is a magic show this evening, campfires last night, Sunday and Wednesday, Unbirthday party, Toddler Tales, Shadow's Tales and many other great activities for little ones. There will be 2 fireworks displays this week- one to celebrate the 4th and the regular one on Tuesday evening.

I ran into Chef Gordon this morning at the mercantile and it was great to see him again. He is bery busy now- both with duties at the resort and in his personal life and is unable to continue the Private Affair dinner program. He does still host some other cooking programs.

Weather is very warm, no bugs noticed thus far, the ocean temp was 86 today. We're going to try the Star Spangled Bar-B-QUe on the 4th and take the 4 grandkids to as many programs as possible. I have a shark fishing trip planned with my 2 son-in-laws on Tuesday (one caught a 50" redfish last year) and we look forward to another good time again.

Wishing everyone on the DIS a Happy 4th of July!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Things sound perfect, enjoy a wonderful vacation, and 4th of July. What a nice birthday surprise your DGD will have.

Bobbi

 

[cgcw]

eI went to the desk at 7:45am to check into our GV and it had not been occupied last night so we got in immediately (well, almost immediately- the reservation computer had to wait until 8:00am to print the keys).

Does that mean you can't technically check in until 8 a.m.? I was thinking about that for our upcoming trip in a couple of weeks. We are actually arriving in HH on Saturday night and plan to check in at the resort Sunday a.m. On the off chance that my family gets up really early ( ), I'd hate to be there too early.

Nice touch with the balloons. Even nicer that they redelivered a new set. Happy Birthday to your DGD.


Have a wonderful stay.

 

[MJTinNH]

Have a great vacation with your family. Sounds like you have a fun itinerary planned for your trip!

Happy Birthday to your DGD!

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Keep having a great vacation!!!! Thanks for taking the time to report!!!

Ms. Sparrow aka Allison

 

[Laurabearz]

The first time I stayed at HHI was in that GV. I loved the view.... so peaceful.

I WANNA GO BACK!!!!

 

[JudithM]

Glad to read you & your family are having a wonderful 4th of July/birthday celebration at HHI! Enjoy!

 

[RayJay]

I have a shark fishing trip planned with my 2 son-in-laws on Tuesday

Please catch a bunch so they stop eating people, to many stories of shark attacks lately, glad your having fun.

RayJay

 

[OneMoreTry]

I wish we'd toured a GV when we were there. Are they hard to book at 7 months? I'd like to take the inlaws and WOW them. In late May.

Looking forward to hearing more from your trip.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Enjoy your trip to HH Doc ! Sounds like you and the grandkids have alot of fun things lined up Happy 4th !

 

[deerh]

Doc, Enjoy your stay at HHI. We were supposed to be there this week, but I had surgery, and could not go, so I rented my points/ressie. Hope you have a great time, and drink one for me!!!!!!!!

Can't even drink, I am on pain medication!! BUMMER!!!

DeerH

 

[BCV23]

Enjoy your vacation, Doc!

 

[SC Minnie]

We were there!!!! We arrived on Friday 7/1 and checked out Sunday 7/3. It was just a quick getaway weekend for DH and I. We also stayed in cottage 19-- 1914 to be exact.

 

[rsschneck]

Have fun!!!!!

 

[jekjones1558]

Hey, Doc! How'd the fishing trip come out?

 

[RobDoc]

We were there!!!! We arrived on Friday 7/1 and checked out Sunday 7/3. It was just a quick getaway weekend for DH and I. We also stayed in cottage 19-- 1914 to be exact.

You were right below our GV. We are in 1922! Hopefully we weren't too noisy!

Shark fishing was great- we caught nurse sharks, bonnethead, reef sharks, hammerhead, black tip and even a Spanish Mackerel - which we were allowed to keep- they even cleaned it for us and Gordon helped us with a little olive oil- it gave us enough for 6 nice sized pieces and was delicious!!

The fireworks on the 4th lasted about 30 minutes and we had the bonus of more firworks last night (the regular Tuesday night display). The resort barbeque was well attended and the food was good - lots of family activities before and after the meal. We went over to the marina last night to watch the Shannon Tanner show- great as always. He really gets the kids to participate. Tried our hand a crabbing last evening, but not enough to make a worthwhile meal.

Our room has been wonderful- only problem was a smoke alarm that kept going off in the middle of the night. They came out the next morning and replaced the 2 upstairs alrams- since there was no way to tell which was the offender. We also had one light bulb go out. Otherwise, no maintenance or cleanliness issues.

We're heading back to the beach in a few minutes. The ocean temps have been in the mid 80's and the beach has been pretty busy.

There are several "little" boats here in the marina up for sale. There is one docked on the Disney dock (Miss Barbara). I chatted with the captain yesterday and the owner has just dropped the price by 100K. It's a 68' cruiser- now offered at $790,000. Even Little Toot is now available! Both are a little beyond my range!

The resort is at 100% occupancy this week, but you'd never know it - except when you try to find a parking place.

We're trying to decide when to come back next summer, but everyone has "volunteered" to fo this again - it's been a wonderful family vacation.

 

[TW1]

Doc,

Great reporting. Tell me more about shark fishing if you can. Appropriate ages, time frames, costs, etc. Just some rough details, please.

HHI has been our home for a few years and we, too, love it. DS is getting older and more adventurous and this might be just the thing some day.

Enjoy!

 

[MiaSRN62]

we caught nurse sharks, bonnethead, reef sharks, hammerhead, black tip and even a Spanish Mackerel

Wow ! Didn't know Hammerheads and reef sharks were even in these parts ! How big are these sharks Doc ? I'm assuming on the smaller side since you kept them all ?
The fireworks show and the bbq sounded great ! Is the resort sold out ? I'm assuming this is a very popular time to go.
Glad you're having a good time.

 

[RobDoc]

The Fishing trip may be booked right at the resort. It is offered by Low Country Tours- the same company that offers the Dolphin Cruises. They operate from the Disney dock at the marina- right in front of the resort opposite building 30.

Cost of the fishing trip is $275 (total) for up to three or $25 more for up to 6. They provide all fishing gear and bait. They took frozen bait, but we stopped and netted about 30 live "poagies" (5-6" baitfish) that are abundant near the shore. It lasts 3-4 hours and you'll want to take any refreshments you'll need as none are provided. We also tipped our captain. We had Neal this trip and Kyle last year. The trip would be fine for most ages that will enjoy 3-4 hours in the sun on the water. We were never more than about 400 yards from shore- so motion sickness shouldn't be an issue. We also tipped our captain. I think they have two times each day- 9am and 1pm and the company has several boats. These are comfortable deck boats with a canopy that will seat about 7 comfortably. Two of the area's most famous inhabitants visited us on our return to the dock- Nick and Blackbeard, two well known and recognized dolphin, swam right up the boat. Feeding dolphin is against the law and the local conservation department works hard to enforce that law- but these two were being fed for many years before the law went into effect and they "inspect" boats out of habit. There are over 300 dolphin that are year-round inhabitants of the waters surrounding HH and migratory groups also visit the island in the summer. We've seen pods of dolphin "fishing" in the marsh right behind the resort at high tide. Quite a sight. Also common in the marsh are sea otters and even the occasional manatee.

All of the fishing is catch and release unless the fish caught is of legal size. We were fishing in about 50 feet of water and most of the sharks are in the 3-4 foot size- although some may be a little larger. The Spanish Mackerel was a legal fish and is the only one we kept. Last year we caught a 45" Redfish- too large to keep- and released it, but my SIL had it mounted by a Miami taxidermy co- who uses fiberglass models and hand paints the fish based on the photo we provided of the catch. The Mackerel was about 25" long. I caught a Jacque last year along with the usual assortment of sharks.

The resort has been sold out for several years now, but is readily available both thru resale and also thru DVC directly. June-August is the busiest time at the resort (and at HH in general), but the island is a family destination, so anytime school is out will be a busy time in the area - Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break are all active times.

BTW, a new resort naturalist will be added soon. The resort anticipates that she will start by the end of this month. In the past, the resort has offered some wonderful nature programs and tours and I'm sure those activities will be added to the recreation schedule again soon.

Hilton Head Island is unique because of the building restrictions in place and enforced in the area. No neon, only earthtones for building colors, signage size restrictions, no billboards. etc. The whole area invites a relaxing atmoshpere. We've been coming to HH since the early 1980's and added on at HH a year before the resort opened in 1996. It's a great facility and a wonderful family experience.

 

[TW1]

Thanks Doc!

Glad you saw Blackbeard. I have a photo on my desk of my daughter lunging over the side of Capt. Scott's boat to get a better look at Blackbeard! Almost lost her that trip! Can't wait for our return in 6 weeks.

Enjoy!