Vacation Company

Take a Bike Path and "Go Green"

June 23, 2008 By Leave a Comment

We’ve written about new and improved bike paths on Hilton Head Island before, but a recent comment by a first-time visitor got us to thinking of the bigger picture. This visitor was staying in Sea Pines, was a jogger and cyclist, and had just returned from a 15-month tour in Iraq. This vacation was his wife’s treat.

He told us he usually ran about five miles a day but was so inspired by the beauty of the paths (“leisure trails”) in Sea Pines, he added another two miles his first day. Then he discovered the pathways outside Sea Pines and did a loop down Cordillo Parkway. He couldn’t believe all the runners he saw – to say nothing of the bikes.

His family also discovered they were, at most, a 10-minute bike ride from just about every place they wanted to go. Except for one night out, at a mid-island restaurant, their minivan remained unused for their entire stay!

Sea Pines has 15 miles of leisure trails. Palmetto Dunes has about 14 miles, including all of Shelter Cove. Shipyard has 12 miles. Of course, all of the Forest Beach area is linked by beautiful paths. In fact, now the entire island – inside and outside the gates – is connected by a pathway system. Click here for the town’s map.

No matter where you’re staying on the island, we see two very real benefits you’ll enjoy by choosing pathways, whether its by foot or bicycle. You do have time to “stop and smell the roses.” Paths allow you to alter your pace. You don’t have to hop in the car. You can walk or ride (or run). That’s good for body and soul. You’ll also see the island up close, like the alligators and turtles, the herons and osprey nests.

The second reason? You’ll be burning up calories – not gasoline!

Go for a walk. Go for a run. Go for a (bike) ride. Do your part for the environment. Pathways are very “green.”

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Live – On Hilton Head Island!

June 18, 2008 By Leave a Comment

The house lights begin to fade to black. The shuffle of late comers and the rustle of program pages quiets. The moment is at hand. The curtain goes up and the play begins!

There just nothing like live theatre. Unlike the movies or television, when you watch a live performance, you become a part of it. The audience becomes one of the characters. There is a kind of magic up on the stage and, for a few hours, you “suspend disbelief .”

Hilton Head Island has one of the most active theatrical communities, in relation to its size, on the East Coast. The extraordinary Arts Center of Coastal Carolina is simply beautiful There is not a bad seat in the house. The majority of the actors are professionals and the performances are equal to (or better than) virtually any regional theatre. There are not many places you can spend a day at the beach and an evening enjoying a recent Broadway hit (often with some of the same actors and sets).

The Buddy Holly Story is playing through July 27. Yes, you’ll be hearing “Peggy Sue.”

For an even more intimate experience, there is nothing quite like the South Carolina Repertory Theatre. “The Last 5 Years,” a musical by Jason Robert Brown, is playing July 17 through August 3. With a seating capacity of only 75, performances are usually sold out. The selection of plays tends to be a bit cutting edge.

If you want to see some VERY talented young adults perform this summer, get some tickets to the Main Street Youth Theatre and it’s performance of “Beauty and the Beast,” running July 2 through August 10. Whether it’s the salf air, the beach, or Hilton Head, the performances here are outstanding.

We love the local theatre scene. Calling it “impressive” doesn’t come close.

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Best View of the Island

June 10, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Many islanders will tell you that the best view on Hilton Head Island is when you are off Hilton Head Island – in a boat. While we love ocean views and beachfront views, views of the island from the water are often magical. You’re cruising along and, all of a sudden, there’s a pod of dolphins off the port or starboard side, playing, jumping, it seems, just for your amusement – and theirs. Maybe the toughest part about seeing Hilton Head from the water is which boat to choose. The ultimate in luxury is the Spirit of Harbour Town with sunset dinner cruises, fireworks cruises, even a day trip to Savannah. It’s a large yacht, licensed to carry 149 passengers, but the views are outstanding and, on warm days, so is the air conditioning.

If you would like to get up close and personal with the marsh on the back side of the island, Outside Hilton Head has great guided kayak nature tours in Broad Creek, or at company-owned Page Island on the Cooper River, just across from Daufuskie Island. There is something delightful about watching a heron standing stock still in the cordgrass, waiting for the marsh to offer up its breakfast.

Outside Hilton Head also has special fireworks tours at Shelter Cove every Tuesday night in the summer. The luxury yacht, Captain Rudy Thomas out of Broad Creek Marina is another fireworks choice. The Capt. Thomas will also take you on a guided day trip to Savannah, one of America’s oldest cities.

But maybe the best view of Hilton Head Island and the surrounding area is being above the water. You and your family can go parasailing! At South Beach Marina, check in with Island Water Sports. Out of Harbour Town in Sea Pines, contact H2O Sports or Sky Pirate Parasailing at Broad Creek Marina and Palmetto Bay Parasail at Palmetto Bay Marina.

On the water off Hilton Head Island. Nothing better.

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All That Jazz!

April 10, 2008 By Leave a Comment

If you like jazz in any or all of its configurations, boy do we have a surprise. In fact first time visitors to the Jazz Corner, tucked away in the Village at Wexford, are truly amazed. The talent is extraordinary and the food is superb. The bar is perfect. The staff couldn’t be friendlier.

Are we getting carried away? Not by a long shot. While during his visit here, the legendary jazz piano great John Bunch said, “I wish there was something like this in New York.”

The Jazz Corner was the brain child of Bob Masteller and Charlie Swift. A businessman, Charlie loved classical music and jazz.

There is not a bad seat in the house, er, restaurant. The intimate room is acoustically perfect. What’s more the live entertainment comes with your meal. There is seldom a cover charge except on weekends when a marquee name or band comes to town, like when Hotlanta comes to play or the Jazz Corner is raising money for the Junior Jazz Foundation (JJF).

The Jazz Corner is in a corner of The Village at Wexford. To get the exact location, visit the Village at Wexford website. It’s just off William Hilton Parkway, one stoplight away from the Sea Pines traffic circle.

Oh, yes- It’s a good idea to make reservations. Call 843-842-8620 or visit the website.

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The Popcorn is Great!

April 1, 2008 By Leave a Comment

It’s definitely one of Hilton Head Island’s hidden treasures. While it’s in the heart of the island’s most popular beach area – Coligny Plaza – the only way you’ll find it (unless you know where you’re going) is by accident. “Hidden” is definitely the right description.

Coligny Theater, with its one screen, is a true gem. It was the island’s first “movie house,” opening in 1972. There were only a few thousand full-time residents on Hilton Head and the tourist population was just beginning to grow. You won’t find the big blockbusters showing there. But you will find a fantastic selection of independent films and foreign films like “Married Life” (Pierce Brosnan), April 25 – May 1, and “The Counterfeiters,” May 9 – 22.

The films are mostly for adults (real adults), but there are specials for children and a real treat is the Second Sunday Film Society, which is definitely a local event – and fun. Where else but Hilton Head Island will you actually find what we used to call an “art theater?”

When it opened the theater was called The Island Theater and had a run of 25 years. For those who have visited the island in the past, you’ll remember it as a hangout for just about everyone in the summer. There were lines stretching around the Earl of Sandwich restaurant if the movie was really popular. Or when it was raining.

Refurbished and open again in 2002 by the owner of Coligny Plaza, it still has some of the “old island” feel. To learn more, visit the theater’s website or call 843-686-3500.

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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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New Golf Course in Sea Pines

March 5, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Yes there’s a new golf course in Sea Pines Resort. Actually the old Sea Marsh 18, one of the island first courses, was completely leveled. Renowned architect Pete Dye brought forth Heron Point. It is definitely a “thinking golfer’s course” (no, that is not an oxymoron). Mounding along the fairway help keep the ball in play – or with a bad bounce, you get to meet new Sea Pines friends in their back year (OB).

Dye shows why he’s considered one of the most innovative architects in the game with his hidden bunkers and other ways he “protects” the green. For a local sometimes golfer’s opinion, see what columnist David Lauderdale had to say – click here.

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Bring Your Bikes!

March 3, 2008 By Leave a Comment

If you haven’t been to our island this year, we think you’ll be in for some surprises when you visit. Everywhere you turn things are looking …. better!

Pope Avenue
If you’ve been a regular island visitor you know Pope Avenue, it’s the main thoroughfare on the south end of the island, leading straight to the Coligny Beach Park, home of the famed Tiki Hut (see below, more good news). If you ever tried to ride a bike along the “paths” on Pope Avenue there was a good chance you could reach out and shake hands with the passenger in the car right next to you.

As of February new pathways opened with a big buffer between you and traffic. And the pathways are definitely done in “Hilton Head style.” They’re much wider and part of them go over wetlands on classy wooden bridges with safety railings capped in copper. Even though you’re ten feet from cars going by, you feel like you’re traveling through the wilds of the Lowcountry. What you won’t see are power lines overhead. They’ve been buried.

By this summer, you’ll also be able (if all goes as scheduled) to take a rest at the new Compass Rose Park. It features terraced plazas, sitting areas highlighted by a sculpture created by local artists, wall features and fountains. One of the original brass Compass Rose symbols that hung from the original Sea Pines gate (now the Ocean Gate) is part of the entrance fountain. This is the town’s first foray into public art. The park and its centerpiece, a statue of Charles Fraser, were designed to pay tribute to Sea Pines and the founder of the island’s first modern planned community.

Tiki Hut
While the fate of the much beloved beach bar is still up in the air (watch here for more news), it opened a few weeks ago to the cheers of many (younger) local residents. It is the first sign of spring on the island. The new owners of the Holiday Inn Oceanfront hotel, where the Tiki Hut is located haven’t announced what will happen to the beachfront landmark. Until then, volleyball anyone?

The island’s 25th St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled for March 16 at 3:30 p.m. Can you make it?

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