St. Simons Island, GA to Hilton Head, SC

Saturday, May 24, 2008 We got up early and left the dock at 7:15 AM. The weather prediction was for the winds to build in the late afternoon to 20-25 with rain possible. The temperature was in the 70s when we left St. Simons Island. Seas were 2-3 with winds variable 5-10, butbuiltto 10-15 for a time then became calm as we approached Hilton Head Island. Never did experience high afternoon winds as predicted. It was a great day to travel. As we were approaching Hilton Head the water was filled with Jellyfish. The dock master said that it is the time of the year for them and this type does not sting. We arrived at Harbour Town Yacht Basin, Hilton Head at 12:30 PM after traveling 100 miles.

Debbie washing the salt off "Island Hopper"

Harbour Town Yacht Basin Marina Harbour Town yacht Basin is South Carolina's premier yachting resort. The famous lighthouse

is visible from the Intracoastal Waterway. For almost four decades, Harbour Town has been a celebrated landmark for sailors cruising the Intracoastal. It is more than a marina, offering all the pampering services of a fine hotel. You can play golf at Harbour Town Golf Links or Tennis at the Racquet Club. There are five miles of sandy beaches. The slips are just steps away from scores of fine restaurants, shops and lounges. Harbour Town is like no other yachting destination in the world. Hilton Head Island Hilton Head is a bustling year-round resort, named after 17th century explorer William Hilton, and is the best known of South Carolina's sea islands. As the largest barrier island on the Atlantic Coast, it is amply endowed by nature and history and offers something something nearly year-round for everyone, including a choice of excellent marina resorts. English Navy Captain William Hilton "discovered" Hilton Head Island, first spotting this remarkable piece of real estate in 1663. While the island wouldn't take on a reputation as a first-rate resort destination until a development boom in the 1950s, it was used extensively before that, mostly for growing crops such as Sea Island cotton, sugar and indigo. Despite its relatively recent development, Hilton Head does boast a number of historic sites, including two Civil War forts and Baynard Ruins, which once3 was a prosperous plantation. Today, this boot-shaped island is an incorporated town of about 42 square miles, with 2 miles of ocean beach and approximately 30,000 residents. While it is a fully modern resort island, Hilton Head's strict zoning laws - limiting signage and building materials used - help preserve its distinctly charming feel. Even the island Wal-Mart is tastefully hidden behind lush foliage and a discreet sign. Thousands of acres of Hilton Head Island remain today as untouched forest and marshland, with abundant wildlife, making Hilton Head a natures lover's dream. Access to the wildlife sanctuaries is carefully controlled, but you can go exploring on winding nature paths and catwalks and then view one of the lookout stations. Our friends from Cincinnati, Pauletta and Joe Crowley came to the boat around 2:30 PM. We put together plans for the evening. We ate dinner with Pauletta and Joe, their son Joey and his wife Karyn, and their two children Joe Joe and Joslyn, along with their daughetr Colleen and her husband Colin. We had dinner at a great owner chef restaurant called Stripes.

The Crowley Family

(Front) Joe holding Joey, Grandma Pauletta holding Joslyn, Coleen and Colin

(Back) Karyn and Papa Joe

After dinner we went to Harbour Town under the old oak tree and listed to a singer, Greg Russell. It was a wonderful and relaxing evening with friends.