Vacation Company

What Makes Spanish Moss Spanish?

December 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A strand of Spanish Moss

Excellent question.  Tillandsia usneoides, or Spanish Moss as is commonly known, is the gauzy-looking veil that drapes from the branches of southern Live Oaks, Cypress, and even some pines.  Often, at The Vacation Company, we are asked about several wildlife curiousities, the first being “do alligators really roam the golf courses free?” And the second one being, “so just what is Spanish Moss, anyway?”  The following is my attempt to address this odd, yet nostalgic plant ubiquitous to this region.

The only references to it being ‘Spanish’ were in the form of legends.  I found three different tales on the Internet alone.  Two had to do with a Spaniard who dies in a Live Oak tree because of his undying forbidden love of a young Native American woman.  For some reason or other, his beard continues growing until it spreads and populates the other trees, showing that his love truly lived on even after he was gone.  The third tale was about Cherokees who attacked a Spanish couple planning to develop a plantation in Charleston in the 1700′s.  As a warning to any other Europeans to not continue invading their land, the Cherokees cut off the long hair of the wife and threw it into the trees, where it shriveled into gray strands and spread as a way of warning other settlers.

 

Spanish Moss on Live Oaks at Honey Horn Plantation
on Hilton Head Island, SC

 

     The air-plant is not really in the family of moss, as it sounds, but is considered a flowering plant (although the flowers are miniscule) that spreads by seeds and by birds who use it to build nests.  While not exactly a parasite, it does depend on the nutrients of its host trees for certain minerals – like calcium and magnesium -while also needing sun and moisture; which is why it grows well in humid regions like the southeastern United States all the way down to Argentina.  Trees generally don’t benefit from being covered in Spanish Moss, as it makes it hard for the tree to breathe and bend in the wind.

 

Through the years, this plant has supplied both function and art to civilization.  It has been used for pillow stuffing, upholstery filling, and more recently in arts and crafts (Note: it does provide a home for critters like snakes and beetles, so it would be wise to select carefully).  Aesthetically, the romantic and haunting characteristics of Spanish Moss dripping over a swamp, or hanging cobweb-like in a humid forest have also come to represent the genre southern gothic, in novels and movies.

Personally, I can’t imagine looking across a Hilton Head Island marsh sunset, or bike riding through the Forest Preserve without seeing it waving slowly in the breeze.  It has come to signify home for me, lace curtains decorating the scenery as I drive towards the island from any point north.

This ends this week’s science topic.  There will be a pop-quiz on Facebook.

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Congratulations to Justin Oldt – Winner, HiltonHeadsUp Picture Poll & Truffles Cafe Gift Card!

August 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Justin Oldt’s photo of mile marker 33

Last week’s picture poll winner is Justin Oldt, who not only knew that the picture of my dog Sam was taken at mile marker 33 in Sea Pines, but also had a picture of it himself taken before mine.  Justin wins a gift card at Truffles Cafe for being the first to answer correctly. 

Do you have an interesting angle on a familiar Hilton Head scene?  We at The Vacation Company would love to see it and if it’s really unique, I’ll post it here and on our Facebook and Twitter accounts for the next picture poll contest.  And if it’s an interesting Hilton Head video, we’ll add it to our YouTube account as well.

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So Busy This Vacation Season! We Had to Hire a Local to Help Us Out.

July 8, 2011 By 1 Comment
Fred Sneggert, Vacation Company valet, here to help

         With so much going on this year on Hilton Head Island, we’ve had to pull in some local help for busy Saturday check-ins.  This is Fred Sneggert, the Snowy Egret, who graciously helped us out last week by valet parking a few cars at one of our many oceanfront villa rental buildings.  Fred’s lived here for quite some time, and doesn’t mind pitching in when the going gets hot.  He retired down here some years ago after a stellar career as a bellhop in Charleston.  We’re so glad he lives next door to this gorgeous condo complex near the south end.  Do you know where it is?  If you do, take the poll to the right of this blog post.  If you’re not sure, but think a hint would help, click here to see another picture of the same complex from a different angle on our Facebook page.

Fred worked hard July 2.  Thanks Fred!

     If you give up, but still want to stay in a villa in Palmetto Dunes – Barrington, Captain’s Walk, Villamare, Windsor – or in Shipyard, Forest Beach – Shorewood, SeaCrest – or in Sea Pines – Land’s End, Beachside Tennis, Turtle Lane, South Beach Villas – or more, and stay in a villa with a view to the Atlantic, call an Angel 800-845-7018.
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Mooning in the Morning in Sea PInes

March 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

       Living on Hilton Head is truly a gift when any astronomical events occur, because the night sky is clear and stargazing is unhindered by smog and streetlights.  And with all the excitement recently about the moon being so big and full this past weekend, I made a point of looking for it every night and checking it out from various angles.  It was a beautiful sight, and for those of you who have been living under a bucket in a cave for the past few weeks, the news media tells us that the moon has not been this close to the earth in over eighteen years.

Moon sets over marsh in the a.m.

      I have to say, I enjoy the morning moon setting over the marsh as the sun rises across the golf course, almost as much as I like the evening moon.  Today, I was finally able to get a couple of shots of that lovely sight while walking my dog, Sam.

     Are you a moongazer? Let us know your favorite place to watch the night sky on Hilton Head.  And if you have any photos, send them to me, along with the location and date that you took them, and I’ll post them in our facebook album.

     And remember, if you want to get an uninterrupted view of the night sky, call an Angel for rates on some of the best star-gazing Hilton Head vacation rentals on the island! 855.845.7018

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AWESOME ISLAND VIEWS!

June 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Marsh View at Sea Pines Club Course 18th Green

If you’ve rented a property with the Vacation Company of Hilton Head, you have probably enjoyed a great view of one of the island’s many natural scenes; quiet lagoon or marsh, lush golf course, ocean, or the site of a wooded bike path offering tranquility and shade to joggers, cyclists, and dog walkers. You’ve walked or biked to Harbourtown for a dazzling sunset, played the Ocean Course for it’s myriad scenic angles and gator sightings, or wandered over to Jurassic Park (aka the Sea Pines Forest Preserve) to soak up the undisturbed and occasionally mutant-sized flora and fauna. How many other glorious views can you ask for?

Countless, is the answer. But to suggest a couple of favorites, I would begin with the drive over the bridges, including the Cross Island Parkway. In thirty-five years, I have not tired of these breathtaking rides that offer panoramic, moving shots of Lowcountry landscape reminiscent of a National Geographic documentary complete with pelicans dive-bombing the ocean, shrimp boats plowing through the water, marsh grasses blowing, and a vibrantly painted sky that changes daily according to the weather.

Bored? Take a drive.

My other favorite island view is the marsh sunset from the Sea Pines Country Club clubhouse. This one is spectacular and exciting because each one is vastly different from the one before it. Some evenings, the sky is brilliant orange with purple daggers flying out front and others, it is like a watercolor painting, pastel shades melting into each other. This one, I snapped Friday, 6/11/10 just after walking our dog Sam, up past the 18th green.

Do you have a personal favorite shot of a Hilton Head view? If so, send it in, and we’ll post it. Make sure you give us the name of the location and the date and time it was shot and with what kind of camera was used. Send your photos to carmen@vacationcompany.com.

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Hilton Head Island in Bloom!

April 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Granted, everyone thinks of the beautiful azaleas at The Masters this time of year. We, of course, think of The Masters as simply a warm up for The Verizon Heritage.

Hilton Head Island “blooms” from April through June, with spring flowers peaking from the end of April to mid-May. There is no better place to see the “bloom” of wild flowers than in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. The 600-acre preserve is also a testament and tribute to what has made our island special in the eyes of Mother Nature.

OUR azaleas are out right now (just like in Augusta), but – and we mean no offense to our neighbors in Georgia – the Lowcountry flora almost gets carried away when spring rolls around. Ligustrum, Indian Hawthorne, roses, red tips, angel trumpets and, a little later, witches’ fingers and wax myrtles, take over the scene.

Apart from our flora, there is also our fauna. On the banks of the lagoons in Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes and Shipyard, turtles and alligators sun themselves. If you want to photograph them (everybody does), park in a safe area, out of the way of normal traffic. Locals get a little miffed if you’re blocking their driveway.

Note on alligators: they are truly fascinating, but it’s a good idea to have a body of water between you and the ‘gator when you take pictures!

You must also check out the Audubon-Newhall preserve just off Palmetto Bay Road. An amazing, quiet, wonderful spot. Sort of like our own Walden Pond.

Come visit us this spring. It’s the Lowcountry in bloom — big time.

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Why is Sea Water Salty?

July 28, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Why is sea water salty? Why are there tides? What is a “mudflat?” What are those holes and tubes in the beach?

One of the greatest wonders of Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry is our nature, the ecology of the place, something we have long protected. And few have captured it better than environmental scientist Todd Ballentine and his ever popular book, Tideland Treasures: The Naturalist’s Guide to the Beaches and Salt Marshes of Hilton Head Island and the Southeastern Coast. While the long title is a mouthful, the book (originally published in 1983 and in its “umteenth” printing) is simply a complete delight. If you’re planning on a visit to Hilton Head Island (or are already here), get a copy now, right away, no excuses. You’ll think we are the coolest people in the world when you get it.
The book is based on Ballentine’s “column” (really a beautifully illustrated comic strip style) in The Island Packet called “On Earth” that the newspaper published in the 1970s and 80s when Ballentine and his family were island residents. Tideland Treasures takes the reader from the sea to the beach to the marsh, the plants and animals to a discussion about conservation. It is written in terms the layman can easily understand.
For those of us who have been living on the island for some time, we remember Ballantine opening up a whole new world for us with “On Earth.” We learned, for example, that shrimp had a set of “feet” for eating, another for walking, and still another for swimming!
The book is definitely user-friendly, for parents and kids. No buttons to push, no batteries needed. It will add any entirely new dimension to your island vacation.
The book is available at Amazon.com, and on Hilton Head Island at the Coastal Discovery Museum, the Island Bookseller and Barnes & Noble.
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One of Hilton Head Island’s Greatest “Secrets”

March 21, 2008 By Leave a Comment

There are many hidden gems on Hilton Head Island that visitors rarely “discover” unless it’s by accident. One immediately comes to mind. At first we didn’t want to share this because we like the quiet (REALLY quiet) and the lack of people. If you’d like to get a hint of what the island looked like before development began you must visit the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. It’s sort of like having a National Park in your back yard, especially if you’re a guest of Sea Pines. Even if you’re not it’s definitely worth the $5 gate fee.

The Forest Preserve is 600 plus acres of forest, wetlands, walking trails and one of the most spectacular wildflower field you’ll ever see. Officially called the Wildflower Meadows, they’ll be in bloom starting in a week or two, then go on for several weeks well into the summer. There’s an old bench at the end of the meadows. It sits on an old dike and the meadows stretch out before it. Check out this Google map link to get an idea of this uncommon place.

There are four lakes, great for freshwater fishing (You’ll have to be a guest and get a permit. We can help you there.) either from the shore or a rowboat (they’re for rent to guests). Kayaking is great too. You’ll see all sorts of wading birds and one of the largest rookeries in the state.
In the center of the Preserve, facing Lake Joe, is Fish Island, a great place for picnics (there’s a covered shelter) and Cub Scouts (and other kids) use it as a camping area. There are also restrooms there and a water fountain.

Of the two entrances use the one at the school and you’re 5 minutes away from a 4,000 year-old Indian shell ring. Check out the link above for the Preserve and download the PDF map.
Click here for a great story about someone “discovering” the Forest Preserve, written in 2004. You’ll understand.

Down side: The alligators are real. Do not mess with them. The bugs are real. Spray generously (depending on the time of year). Spray often. Sea Pines’ Lawton Stables offers trail rides through the Preserve. (Click here for a cute story about Lawton Stables.) Trail rides means horses. Some of the walking trails are shared by the horses. Our advice: watch your step.

We’ll have more “secrets” to share soon.

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