Live From Hilton Head Island!!!

[gopherit]

We wanted to do the Pirates of Calibougue but I forgot to sign us up yesterday and at 8 am this morning it was all full with 8 families on the waiting list. The PoC is a treasure hunt run by B'Lou. Your family (all decked out in pirate gear) must follow clues around the resort to find the treasure! It is a must for next year....

Once again I would like to remind everyone to bring bug spray AND afterbite stuff. The bugs are wicked.

The bikes have NO hand brakes. I find this quite distrurbing and I am tottally freaked out every time I ride them! LOL I plan on locating a rental company that offers hand breaks for next year.

We havent, and wont attempt riding to the beach this trip. The girls barely made it back from the harbour ice cream trip, so the beach house is out. They might make it there, but they would never make it back, and quite frankly I dont want to hear them gripe about it. LOL


That's the report from Hilton Head this evening!

Is the Pirates of the Calibogue only offered on certain day ofthe week (Wed?)

Wonder if those new t-shirts that are bug repellent (LLBean) would work down there -- of course, you would still have the REST of your exposed self to worry about, lol... Is there a particular repellent you think works best? WHat about on the kids? We use some of the cutter and "off" brands out on the soccer fields in the fall when the biters are bad... THe "Skin SO Soft" just doesn't seem too work for us, either as the regular lotion or as the intentionally bug-repellent spray. Maybe bugs have grown immune to it -- I recall a study by Consumer Reports wherein they showed the lotion itself didn't really have "repellent powers" per se... it was the year after that Avon marketed the "bug Repellent Skin So Soft" stuff with extra repellent additives thrown in.

As for bikes -- what did you end up getting? We are hoping to get two kid bikes for the boys (10 and 9, pretty good riders) two adult bikes, and have one of the adult bikes fitted with the "tag-along" someone on these boards mentioned for dd (5).

And as for bike brakes -- you may be stuck. Hand brakes require a braking cable, which is a metal cable inside a plastic sheath... which, for bikes left outside in the salt air and sandy conditions, won't last long before they are locked tight with rust and such! I know my brother was forever replacing his brakes cables every year after a trip to the beach (that, and his wheel bearings -- rust and salty-sandy-crud-o-rama.) Maybe technology has advanced to create a "seasiders cable" (or even just slather the metal cable with a heavy layer of protective lubricant or grease...) The coaster-brakes are no doubt easier for bike rental places to maintain, I'd say.... but you're right, it does take getting used to... the phrase "Easy as riding a bike" never applied to the brake system I guess!

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSzeb04242US' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_9_5.gif' alt='Bike Riding' border=0></a>

THanks so much for your reports! BTW -- during what hours of the day does the lodge have cookies and lemonade?

I am starting to get a bit concerned here -- sounds like there is TOO MUCH TO DO at HHI! I was hoping for a relaxing week at the beach (a REAL beach, too -- I'm from S.C. originally and those tar-ball laden boardwalk-busy rocky churny narrow strips of shoreline my DH affectionately calls a "beach" up north are just NOT the same by my definition! ) But with every post I read, there's ONE MORE THING that sounds so cool I wanna try it... WDW is starting to sound easy by comparison, haha! Guess I'll have to do at HHI what I do at WDW -- tell everybody to pick 3 THINGS... then we will try our darnedest to get those done, any thing else we do is "gravy" and whatever we DON'T do is just another reason to GO BACK!!

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSzeb04242US' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/28/28_1_15.gif' alt='Children Playing' border=0></a><a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSzeb04242US' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/28/28_1_16.gif' alt='Sandy Beach' border=0></a>

 

[ErinC]

Laurabearz, Really enjoying reading the daily reports. HH has always kinda scared me away because I'm not a lay around the beach for a week kinda girl. But with all the stuff you guys are doing, I might be able to make an enjoyable vacation after all! I'm with Gopherit, I didn't realize there would be so much to do! I kinda thought we would venture to Charleston and Savannah to help fill time. Both places I wanted to visit also. Have you ever gone to either of these during your trips to HH? I would love to take DD9 to the Juliette Low house since she is big into Girl Scouts. I thought that maybe our weekends could be spent in either Charleston or Savannah, and save us those weekend points at HH. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I just remembered-I think his name was Garry Moore. Connie (a CM there) told me the story when I was on the HH tour with her.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I would love to take DD9 to the Juliette Low house since she is big into Girl Scouts.

We went to the Juliette Gordon Low house back in December and it a fascinating tour. Our DD25 is a former girl scout so it meant more to her of course, but I love old houses and enjoyed the tour myself. What is so great about this house is that it has all of the old possessions of the Gordon family and arranged like they were when the house was occupied. If I remember correctly it was Juliette's mother who used to slide down the banisters in the house. I would definitely go on this tour again. I really like Savannah, it is a really neat city.

 

[cgcw]

I just remembered-I think his name was Garry Moore. Connie (a CM there) told me the story when I was on the HH tour with her.

I didn't know this. We've always thought Little Toot was cute. It didn't take long to find this --

http://littletoot.net/history.html

The History of Little Toot


A New England boat builder (Bob Rich) built little Toot in 1959 in Bass Harbour Maine. The Tug Boat worked in a boat yard Until 1960 when TV host Mr. Garry Moore, I Got A Secret fame, moved Little Toot to Long Island Sound, New York.
In the 60's Little Toot went to college at Cornell University with Mr. Moore's son, Garry Morfit Jr. Little Toot graced the Hudson River for a time with a side trip through the Erie Canal. In the 70's Little Toot was sailing to the State of Ohio on the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers trying to get as close to Columbus, Ohio as she could.

In the 1980's, Little Toot went to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and remained there until moved to Pittsburgh, PA in 1994 by Mr. Jay Jones. That year the little boat was re-powered with a 4-cylinder Westerbeke diesel engine along with a complete overhaul of the boat. Mr. Peter Maddock of Maine-ly-Boats located in Hilton Head Island, SC did this work.

Little Toot docks at the Fox Chapel Marina, Fox Chapel, PA in the summer months and in Hilton Head Island at Shelter Cove Marina during the spring, winter and sometimes fall months.
Little Toot has a delightful history including pushing out The Queen Mary II in New York Harbor, featured in the 1992 Mid Atlantic Waterway Guide with the Donald Trump's "Trump Princess", and repositioning the Requiem Submarine at the Pittsburgh Science Center was just a few of Little Toot's latest accomplishments to name a few. Little Toot gained a playmate in 1999 that adds even more to her charm. A 27 foot party barge (The Molly B) is now being pushed by Little Toot on the three rivers of Pittsburgh and through out the Inland Waters of Hilton Head Island South Carolina. The barge now allows for up to 24 passengers to enjoy Little Toot’s towing abilities and party atmosphere.

Little Toot employs the latest in navigation technology and on board ship systems. Complete GPS systems and wireless technology is used though out the Tugboat and Party Barge.

Little Toot is a wonderful little tugboat that charms both young and old alike. If you would like a ride on Little Toot and the barge, Call Mr. Jay Jones at 412 298-9800 or send e-mail to captaintoot@littletoot.net and you will be assured first class seating. And be sure to visit Little Toot’s web site www.littletoot.net and sign the guest register.





Laurabearz, it sounds like you have having a wonderful time. We can't wait for our turn.

 

[ErinC]

We went to the Juliette Gordon Low house back in December and it a fascinating tour. Our DD25 is a former girl scout so it meant more to her of course, but I love old houses and enjoyed the tour myself. What is so great about this house is that it has all of the old possessions of the Gordon family and arranged like they were when the house was occupied. If I remember correctly it was Juliette's mother who used to slide down the banisters in the house. I would definitely go on this tour again. I really like Savannah, it is a really neat city.

Thanks for the info Wolfpackfan. I'm glad even the adults enjoyed it. I was worried that if I didn't get DD9 there soon, it wouldn't be special anymore. But it sounds like something the whole family could enjoy sometime in the future! I'll have to add it to my "list"!

 

[Laurabearz]

Thanks cgcw for the Little Toot webiste... I was logging on to post info and you beat me to it!

Arewethereyet... there are a couple of activities that you have to wait until the day before to sign up for... UnBirthday Parties, Pirates of Calibough, toddler times... I think that is it... the rest you can sign up for as soon as you arrive. I do strongly suggest previewing the activites list your first day there and book a couple of MUST DO's...

Gyokaku hint... the smallest shirt they offer is an adults small. You can bring your own, smaller shirt from home. Just wash it and dry it without fabric softener. With the smaller shirts, you will have to angle the fish print on the shirt (they normally place it across the chest) or run the fish up and down to fit, but even our 6 yo swims in the adult small shirt.

There is a lot to do here... and there is nothing to do here. We book a couple of activites that we really want to do, then work the ocean and or hotel pool in between.

We had breakfast at STACKS this morning before heading to the beach... be advised if you order the kids grilled cheese you may get the adult grill cheese which contains both american and SWISS cheese. DD6 was NOT happy... lol

Temps are up there today... close to 100. Ocean was cool (perfect) and lovely. Sand was HOT HOT HOT. Good times. We spent almost 2 hours at the beach before heading up to the pool house. Water was wonderful, we swam (and DH and I had a couple of Bahama Mama's you) befoe the pool was shut down for an hour... needed to be shocked (not coz of our kids! Woo hoo) So we headed back to the resort pool (taking a Bahama mama to go... yum yum)

Boy fell asleep on the ride back, but a diaper change and a dip in the pool woke him up again, and he is still up! Maybe, just maybe we can keep him up until 730, then he will be zonked for the night!

We just made pizza in the room (came out great) and we are chilling out for a bit before riding bikes around....

Good times.....

 

[Doctor P]

Laura,

By what means are you accessing the internet at HH? Dial up or something else?

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Pirates???

more info please...

DW has tasked me with preparing a list of potential activities we can do as a family. DS is happy as long as he has a car in each hand...should be easy to please.

Laura - thanks for the updates....I am very excited about my upcoming trip.

 

[Laurabearz]

Doctor P... The Hanname in me says you should read this whole thread, as that question has been asked and answered a couple of times, but the Hanname in me also says..... dial up.

Arewethereyet.... The Pirates of Caliboughe is a family treasure hunt. You start off in the Comuninty hall with Pirate B'Lou, and given pirate gear, taught how to act like a pirate, then your given you pirate flag and your first clue.... that clue leads you to anohter clue and so on... all over the resort. It is lots of fun. You can only sign up for it the day before... and in our case the day before was Start Spangled Tueday so I flaked signing up for it. It fills up fast!

 

[bobbiwoz]

What a great trip! I enjoy reading about HH and hope to get there someday.

Bobbi

 

[Doctor P]

LOL, Laura. I had a feeling that was the case, but I was frankly too lazy to look this morning when I posted even though the question had been on my mind. Thanks for patiently answering again, LOL.

 

[Laurabearz]

I cant beleive we leave tomorrow Girls are at the unbirthday party as I type, and DH to the boy to the gas station for diet pepsi (I will need it in the morning! and FYI for you pepsi drinkers... most places carry only coke products) in hopes the boy will pass out on the way back.

I should be packing up, but my heart isnt in it. I am still bobbin in the ocean. Today's beach day was great! Low tide is a great time to head to the ocean, just as the tide turns back in. There are several sand bars and the water between them and the beach is WARM and calm... AKA a very large kiddie pool. Boy loved it. So did DD4. Sand didnt seem as hot today... lol

I gotta try crabbing today also. DD6 has asked about it every day and I have put it off... so sometime before 5 we will have to hit it. I have left over hotdogs (which we ahve heard this trip the crabs really like) so we will see what happens.

Tonight we will spend the whole night in the pool, as well a a couple of hours in the morning. We have a 3 hour drive back to Jacksonville and a 1 night stay at the JAX Clarion hotel before an early flight out on Sunday.

Someone asked and I am not sure I answered... about our bike decision... We opted to rent 2 adult (one with a toddler seat) and 2 kid bikes. We only really tooled around the resort, so the tag a longs were not needed (nor could we have a toddler seat AND a tag along so the point was moot) FYI they were out of tag a longs when we checked in.... at 48% occupancy...

 

[mbw12]

I am loving your reports. I REALLY want to go to this resort now. But without owning there......and I would need to go in July/August.....my mind is making me think of a HH resale................
Bobbi

 

[Laurabearz]

We dont own points at HHI... I called day by day at the 7 month window for the past two mid june trips. Give it a try... you never know!

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Laura or anyone else recently at HHI:

Are there any bagel shops on the island? We have Manhattan and Einstein near our home but wanted to know if we can get some fresh ones while vacationing??

Also - any Krispy Kremes??

thx...

 

[Laurabearz]

Krispey Kreams... yes...

Bagel chains... None pop out at the moment but they have to be there. The bagels at the resort suck.

 

[gracelrm]

There is an Atlanta Bread Company that we went to once while at HH. I can't remember exactly how far it was, but it seems like by car it was fairly close to the resort. They have fresh bagels.

 

[WDWNewbie]

Thank you so much for posting the fabulous trip reports Laurabearz!

I hope you don't have the the 'back to reality' blues that I always get for the first few days after arriving back in the 'real world'!!

That is SO too bad about the Naturalist not working out...I think Simba's Mom and I are both waiting anxiously for some good news in this department.

Did you find you missed not having a Naturalist?

We have actually booked 2 weeks in the fall in HH and the Naturalist is how I was planning to sell my DD's teacher on the idea of her being out of school for two weeks!! Oh well...

Glad you had fun!!

 

[BWVDenise]

Laura,
Did you take all the kids kayaking? I want to try it but don't know about having 3 kids with us (and of course worrying that one of them will tip it over!)
Any advice?
TIA!!!
PS Thanks for all the trip updates!