Why Not Just Queue Up Another Disney Trip? Link to New TR 6/24 p136!

[MEK]

We have egrets everywhere in Louisiana. They are also called cow birds because you can see them perched on the backs of cows in the pastures. I guess it's a lazy birds easy place to catch bugs.

You're probably right. It's just so cool how calm they are. I can't imagine any other bird sitting in the same spot hour after after, day after day, with kids coming up and poking it. They certainly are an interesting bird.

There's also an island in South Louisiana (near where they make Tabasco sauce) that is a Egret sanctuary. The egrets are everywhere. Here's a youtube video of the birds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCDULDDYv_0

Thank you for posting this video. Now that really is something to see! WOW - How fascinating that they all congregate on that one island. Very, very cool!

I love the VA beach pics and looks like you had great weather!

We had fabulous weather - both at VA Beach and at HHI. I really lucked out in the weather department. I hope my luck holds for December.

The HHI villa looks nice as well and on your Disney trip being 1 month and 6 days away!!!

.

The HHI villa was very nice - a cross between POR Alligator Bayou and VWL. Just wait until you see the sitting room in the main building. It is really, really cute.

I actually can't believe my Disney trip is so close. I'm pretty excited about that!!!!!

Edit: I just realised you have posted another update as well!! I have to agree in that the sunset pictures look stunning! Your dinner sounds great as well.

The sunsets at HHI was beautiful. I was actually able to catch 3 more sunsets. All were lovely. I almost caught sunrise on our last day. Notice I say almost! I'll fill you in on that when we get there.

The sunset pictures are just amazing!
I'm with everybody else, HHI will certainly be visited in the future.

Glad you like the sunset shots. I have more to post from some other nights. One night I watched the sun set over the intercoastal. That may have been my favorite. As far as HHI, I can't think of a better non park Disney themed trip. It was a wonderful destination.

Too cool about the egret. I love being able to get close to wild animals, it just makes me feel one with nature.

That bird really fascinated me. I was amazed that it sat there so calmly. Really an amazing sight.

T
The how far away signs are so cute!

It was pretty neat to know I was only 300 miles from Disney. To me, that is very close considering I live almost 1000 miles away.

What a gorgeous setting....love the sunset pictures and the pool and marina look beautiful. You must have been loving it with your uber awesome camera skills!!

I took close to a 1000 pictures and way too many sunset pictures. I just couldn't stop. I'm addicted!

We saw an egret on our walk to HS last month....he was just hanging out looking fake like they do It was funny because this summer Brielle got bit by a mosquito through her pants so she said it must have been a long nozzled mosquito....and that is what she called the egret....a long nozzled bird because of her long beak!! The way we amuse ourselves

A long nozzled mosquito and a long nozzled bird. Brielle is just too cute. You must have had a great vacation with her. She is a very pretty girl. I'm sure she had a ton of fun in the world.

I would imagine you would be a bit of a crabcake snob seeing your home locale....I know I would be!! Sounds like a fun dinner though and the bread and drinks looked good too

You would think that, wouldn't you? As long as there is obvious crab meat and good seasoning, I'm satisfied. Ellen actually turned me on to the best crab cake I ever had. It was in the Outer Banks. WOWsa! I am actually more of crab snob. I love a good, meaty, firm, steamed crab with a nice cold beer. Oh Yeah!

What a bummer about the vodka I remember that happening to your chocolate wine. I think I would have cried! I just dropped a bottle the other day but thankfully it was empty

Tracy

I felt like crying when I dropped the wine because I knew I wasn't going back to WVA anytime soon. When I dropped the vodka it wasn't as devastating since I got that at the liquor store right around the corner. I know I can replace that bottle.

I'm really enjoying this tour of Hilton Head MEK. Thanks!

I'm glad you are enjoyed HHI and the resort. I promise there will be a lot more to this tour, so stay tuned.

HHI look sgreat - it may need to be a destination of mine soon. Looks peaceful and relaxing but with plenty to do.

I really could have kept myself busy with resort activities all day long, but it was just too relaxing chillin' by the pool. It was the perfect combo of relaxation, outdoor activities, and disney. I highly recommend it.

Sorry to hear about the alcohol. I hope you didn't spend too long mourning it loss.

It was a really tragedy, that's for sure. But the morning was short lived.

The drinks at dinner look yummy.

They were very yummy and enjoyed by all! But, Probably not as good as those Poly mai tais.

Wow! Your sunset pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I think I could get used to that view.

Thanks! I know I certainly got used to that view and I got to see some really beautiful sunsets!

It looks like a beautiful area. My wife and I were looking for a weekend getaway for just the 2 of us...I can get a room at HHI for $104/night in January. Should we book it?

Awesome rate. That sure is tempting!!!! I don't know how cold it gets there in January, but I bet it can also be really nice. I am sure you would love it there. I bet it would be really fun to stay in the main lodge. Wait till you see those pictures. I think that's were most of the studios are. Tons of great restaurants there. And I wonder if they have all the same outdoor activities year round.

 

[MEK]

Absolutely stunning pictures, particularly of the sunset. Someday...when I have a lot more time and a much older child, I will learn how to take really great photographs and hopefully I might be able to approach your level of photographic proficiency. And isn't it nice to find a place to eat that's just right at the right time?

Awww - thanks you are too kind. I definitely think its hard to be into photography when you have small kids. But just wait - it really is a fun hobby. Of course, storing all these photos is not so much fun. I am constantly on the verge of my hard drive crashing. I need to move around and backup more stuff tonight. I have as many soccer pictures as I have Disney pictures.

Yep! Half way through. I'm very happy about that....but that Canteloupe is REALLY freaking me out. Last weeks mango looked a lot less harmful.

Yup - I would have to agree that a cantaloupe is a heck of a lot bigger than a mango. Sheesh - what's next????? There's a new fruit or vegetable every week, isn't there? When you get to water melon is it time to deliver?

The resort looks great and as always your pictures are the best

Thanks Dawn! I did take way too many pictures this trip, but you can probably see why I couldn't resist.

So excited for Caitlin's wedding!!!!! I've been bad about being on FB every day, but checking out her progress is one of the more interesting things I get to read about on FB!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

MEK, I'm just like you before a trip. I can't sleep a wink. The night before our Disney trip I didn't get to sleep until 2am, but had to get up at 4:30am.

Love the pictures of HH. I would love to paint that first sunset picture. It's great!

I think that I would have dipped a finger in that vodka for a taste! I did bring back from Gatlinburg a jar of cherries that are soaking in 100 proof alcohol! They are very tasty!

 

[MEK]

MEK, I'm just like you before a trip. I can't sleep a wink. The night before our Disney trip I didn't get to sleep until 2am, but had to get up at 4:30am.

Yikes! That sounds exactly like me! Good thing we can go on adrenaline, right????

Love the pictures of HH. I would love to paint that first sunset picture. It's great!

Thanks! I really lucked out by timing those sunset pictures just right. Total luck, because the sun was almost completely down by the time we got off the pier. It sure did set fast!

I think that I would have dipped a finger in that vodka for a taste!

Oh Doris - I love the way you think!!!!!! If there hadn't been so much glass on the ground, I think I might have done just that.

I did bring back from Gatlinburg a jar of cherries that are soaking in 100 proof alcohol! They are very tasty!

I bet! That sounds yummy for more than one reason! I bet you would be drunk after one sundae!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

ALCOHOL ABUSE!!! You know as well as I do that will not stand in circle

I'm very intrigued by lemonade vodka!!!

Your pics are AMAZING!!! That egret is beautiful!!! You really made me laugh with the Remy reference!!! Did Tracy tell you about Remy's maitre'd???? If not you have to ask her!!

I love that you guys watched desperate housewives!! I told you I watched it after dinner with my girlfriends, right?! It's much better with friends, and alcohol!!!!

 

[MEK]

ALCOHOL ABUSE!!! You know as well as I do that will not stand in circle

I'm very intrigued by lemonade vodka!!!

I think breaking my bottle WAS alcohol abuse. You are SO RIGHT!!!!!! I am also intrigued by the lemonade vodka. I'll let you know how it tastes if I ever get another bottle.

Your pics are AMAZING!!! That egret is beautiful!!! You really made me laugh with the Remy reference!!! Did Tracy tell you about Remy's maitre'd???? If not you have to ask her!!

I thought you'd like that one.

Tracy did text me a picture of Remy's maitre'd. I was not at all surprised my his choice of clothing.

I love that you guys watched desperate housewives!! I told you I watched it after dinner with my girlfriends, right?! It's much better with friends, and alcohol!!!!

We did have a good time watching smut TV. My GF's are funny because they know all the characters. I rarely watch regular TV. I am usually subjected to Denny TV which is all educational stuff. Yeah - I know I could go in another room, but I have this one little spot that I like for using the computer and I rarely stray. The only good thing about Denny TV is I occasionally learn something interesting, although not necessarily useful.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

We did have a good time watching smut TV. My GF's are funny because they know all the characters. I rarely watch regular TV. I am usually subjected to Denny TV which is all educational stuff. Yeah - I know I could go in another room, but I have this one little spot that I like for using the computer and I rarely stray. The only good thing about Denny TV is I occasionally learn something interesting, although not necessarily useful.

This is me exactly!! The something happened to me!! They knew the whole story about everyone and everything! But I, like you, rarely watch TV and it's ALWAYS what John wants to watch! Either educational, sports, or something like Pawn Stars!

BTW, I meant in our circle of friends This is why I shouldn't multitask with Dis!!!

 

[LilAnn]

Wow, those photos of HHI are absolutely stunning! I totally think I have to add that to my "must visit" list. I have always talked about possibly doing a Myrtle Beach trip, but I may just need to change that to a HHI trip instead. So peaceful and just gorgeous.

Um, I have never tried the chocolate wine, but I have been hearing about how good it is for ages. Maybe I will bring it as an adult beverage for Thanksgiving.....

lemonade vodka....kinda like southern comfort lemonade? or a flavored vodka?

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Alright, someone else needs to carry the alcohol for you! I would have been so peeved at myself for dropping a new bottle of vodka.

I am loving your pictures of the resort. I really want to go there some day.

What a pretty bird!

Okay, I have to ask, were you just watching the Housewives show are are you a regular like me? I have no idea why but I am so addicted to those shows. I have three of them I like to watch.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I think that I should watch tv with Denny! I love PBS & History Channel, alos Pawn Stars! Don't watch any of those reality shows, but I do like my sit coms, especially Wed night, Modern Family, The Middle & Suburbatory.

I watch DesperateHousewives a couple of times, it was ok, but Bob didn't like it.

The one show that really had me hooked was Lost, I never missed an episode!

 

[MEK]

Wow, those photos of HHI are absolutely stunning! I totally think I have to add that to my "must visit" list. I have always talked about possibly doing a Myrtle Beach trip, but I may just need to change that to a HHI trip instead. So peaceful and just gorgeous.

I have never been to Myrtle Beach, but I expect that are very much opposite, except for the beach part. HHI is much less touristy, much more upscale, and just lovely. I suspect it gets pretty crowded in the summer, but, then again, so does Myrtle Beach. I bet if you could wait until September it would be less crowded with better rates.

Um, I have never tried the chocolate wine, but I have been hearing about how good it is for ages. Maybe I will bring it as an adult beverage for Thanksgiving.....

The chocolate wine we got was from the Cheats Fork Winery in WVA and it was delish. It did not look at all like chocolate. I definitely endorse it.

lemonade vodka....kinda like southern comfort lemonade? or a flavored vodka?

It was actually a flavored vodka. And I wILL eventually buy another bottle that I won't break.

Alright, someone else needs to carry the alcohol for you! I would have been so peeved at myself for dropping a new bottle of vodka.

Good Idea! I definitely need to turn that responsibility over to someone less accident prone.

I am loving your pictures of the resort. I really want to go there some day.

What a pretty bird!

Beautiful place and I have many more pictures to prove it! that was definitely the collest bird I have ever seen.

Okay, I have to ask, were you just watching the Housewives show are are you a regular like me? I have no idea why but I am so addicted to those shows. I have three of them I like to watch.

Actually, its my GF's who watch all the time. Not me. I don't even know when its usually on or any of that stuff. There are really only two shows I watch on a regular basis (American Idol and What Not to Wear). And AI is only part of the year and WNTW are reruns I watch during my lunch at work.

I probably could get to addicted to some TV shows if my husband wasn't always watching every TV in the house. Seriously, he has a TV control thing.

I think that I should watch tv with Denny! I love PBS & History Channel, alos Pawn Stars! Don't watch any of those reality shows, but I do like my sit coms, especially Wed night, Modern Family, The Middle & Suburbatory.

I watch DesperateHousewives a couple of times, it was ok, but Bob didn't like it.

The one show that really had me hooked was Lost, I never missed an episode!

I've never even watched Lost. I am so TV deprived. Denny does always have something news worthy or educational on. Last night we watched something about the American soldier who was killed by friendly fire back in 2002 and the coverup. Darn, I already forget his name, but he was a pro football player. His parents still don't know the circumstances of his death. Interesting program.

 

[MEK]

Does my ticker say 7 months until June????? Wow - I better get some ADR planning done.

So friends, I hit a snag in my TR. I accidently deleted my whole iphoto library. I'm a smart one, aren't I? It was surprisingly very easy to do. I was backing up multiple photos and folders and I accidently put it in the trash. I rescued it from the trash and THEN accidently replaced it with an empty iphoto library. Oh Yeah - genius! That's me.

The only good things were (1) The vast majority of my photos were already backed up on an external hard drive, photobucket, or both (2) I never delete my memory cards - just buy new ones (3) my iphoto library really did need a good cleaning. Just not that good.

So - I re-downloaded my HHI photos, but I am still editing for the next up date. They weren't in photobucket yet. I also still have soccer photos that need to be edited. The last game was over a week ago.

If I can edit quick I might have an update tonight. If not, well it will probably be this weekend.

I am going to buy a new mac book soon. Mine is old. I bought it used. The new ones have something called time machine which automatically backs up files so if i delete my whole iphoto library on the new mac, I can get it back.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Oh no, good thing you had it backed up! Good luck getting it all sorted out.

 

[MEK]

This is me exactly!! The something happened to me!! They knew the whole story about everyone and everything! But I, like you, rarely watch TV and it's ALWAYS what John wants to watch! Either educational, sports, or something like Pawn Stars!

BTW, I meant in our circle of friends This is why I shouldn't multitask with Dis!!!

Oops Melissa - I almost didn't see this. I'm glad I'm not the only one who is subject to "husband" TV. I know I could move and go watch TV elsewhere, but I like my new kitchen so I prefer to be there on the computer and its right next to the "big" TV.

Pawn Stars - love that. I also like the one where they buy an unclaimed storage unit and then resell everything. that's cool.

 

[MEK]

Oh no, good thing you had it backed up! Good luck getting it all sorted out.

Thanks! It's really not as horrible as it sounds except I did take some moon, sunset, and butterfly pictures recently that I didn't back up. Now I am going to have to search through all the Disney/soccer memory cards to find them. They were really cool butterfly pics, too.

 

[KatMark]

Thankfully you had them all backed up. But that had to be a scary and frustrating moment. Looking forward to the next update when you get to it.

 

[MEK]

Thankfully you had them all backed up. But that had to be a scary and frustrating moment. Looking forward to the next update when you get to it.

It was a major meltdown moment. Nicholas had just bought Call of Duty on was on XBox live in the basement at the time. I hope my cries of anguish did not reach all the way to his friends on line. It wasn't pretty!

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh my!!! I'm so glad they weren't totally lost. But what a pain to have to upload them all again.

An excellent idea on the new laptop, especially with all the pictures you take.

 

[Poolrat]

It was a major meltdown moment. Nicholas had just bought Call of Duty on was on XBox live in the basement at the time. I hope my cries of anguish did not reach all the way to his friends on line. It wasn't pretty!

Nothing reduces you to the fetal position quicker than that. I hope you can everything back the way it was pretty easily and without further incident.

I usually make sure I have 2 copies of something before I clear my card.

Reminder to self - back up hard drive.

 

[MEK]

Oh my!!! I'm so glad they weren't totally lost. But what a pain to have to upload them all again.

I don't have them all recovered off the memory cards, but I'm definitely getting closer! I just edited a whole bunch of photos that are on their way to photobucket right now.

An excellent idea on the new laptop, especially with all the pictures you take.

I really would like a new mac. They are such great machines, just so expensive. I like the idea that they automatically back up to this time machine thing. I need to read more about that.

Nothing reduces you to the fetal position quicker than that. I hope you can everything back the way it was pretty easily and without further incident.

I usually make sure I have 2 copies of something before I clear my card.

Reminder to self - back up hard drive.

Fetal position - that about sums up how I felt. I have most things backed up, but I still have a few things let on memory cards that I need to find. They weren't backed up yet because I wasn't done editing. All in all, I am in pretty good shape. It could have been a lot worse.