Exploring Hilton Head Island, April 7, 2019

Hilton Head Island is the largest island between New Jersey and Florida. It is 12 miles long and 5 miles wide. It was named after an Englishman named Captain William Hilton who sailed into the Port Royal Sound in 1663.

Starting in 1526, colonists tried to settle on the island but were hampered by Native Americans and pirates. By the mid 1700’s plantations began to prosper growing rice, indigo and cotton. During the Civil War, the Union forces used the island to block Confederate ports. After the war, freed slaves called Gullahlived on the island developing their own culture by farming, fishing, and hunting.

In 1956 the bridge to the mainland was finished. Since then the island has been developed as a year round resort. There are about 30 golf courses on the island. Tennis and pickleball courts abound as well as bike trails everywhere. Loggerhead turtles nest on the beaches in the summer. To protect them, artificial light is at a minimum.

Yes, Frank. Pickleball is alive and well here in Palmetto Dunes!

Our condo is in the Palmetto Dunes Resort area. The landscaping is amazing as are the variety of hotels, condos and private houses within this area. Saltwater estuaries that meander throughout the resort.

Linda P and I just had to try out the biking trails and go exploring. Coaster brakes were a bit of a challenge, but fortunately we were successful!

Linda spotted this buy on our ride. He posed patiently.

After our bike ride, all four of us headed for the beach. It was cloudy and about 70. I took a walk along the beach, then headed back to our condo while the others enjoyed the ocean.

Harbour Town was our next adventure. It is an area within the Sea Pines Resort which is a gated community. At the guard stand, I drove into the passholders side. Then when the guard wanted us to roll down the window to give us directions to get on the other side, we couldn’t figure out how to unlock the windows. Well, after all, it is a rental car! We hadn’t needed to roll down the windows until that point. We got turned around, paid our eight dollars for a day pass, and continued on our merry way. Always something….

Linda P., Dori, Janet and Linda H. in front of the Harbour Town Pier.

Iconic lighthouse at Harbour Town. Linda P and I climbed to the top which gave us great views of the marina area. Inside the walls were covered with pictures and information about the development of Sea Pines and the harbor area.

Dori carefully holding on to the railings descending the stairs. You can see the memoriabllia on the walls.

Scene of the marina by the lighthouse. The Liberty Tree is in the center background. There are benches around the tree for summer concerts.

Here we are enjoying the live music in a cafe by the marina. I was busy checking out a brochure about a boat excursion to Savannah.

Driving back to our condo, we made the decision to drive to Savannah. It is about an hour’s drive. Stay tuned for more adventures tomorrow.

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