Continuing our journey northward, leaving Brunswick behind, it would be a two hour drive to our next destination. We headed north on I-95, then exited onto US-278 to the jewel of Lowcountry, Hilton Head Island, a very popular and renowned vacation destination nestled along the southeastern coast of South Carolina. Evidence of the popularity of this island is reflected in the fact that the population of the 40,000 year-round residents swells to 2.5 million visitors a year. Now that’s popular!

Despite the fact that it was a weekday, traffic was heavy on US-278. Access to the island is via the J. Wilton Graves Bridge, the first fixed-span structure over Skull Creek, built in 1979.

The Lowcountry is defined as the Southern, Easternmost area of the Palmetto State. So why is it known as “lowcountry”? According to this website, “The term “lowcountry” was created to describe the areas located below the Fall Line, which is the geographic region in which the hard rock of the mountains reaches the softer sand of the coastal plain. In fact, a majority of the Lowcountry sits only 270 feet above sea level, while the rest of the state sits much higher at about 350 feet above sea level. So, not only is the region located in the lower portion of the state, but the land is also sunk lower into the water. 

In addition to the geographic attributes of the region, Lowcountry is also steeped in history, with a rich heritage that includes Gullah people, antebellum architecture, and Civil War sites. The Gullah-Geechee people are the descendants of enslaved West and Central Africans who labored in the coastal rice and cotton plantations. Today, the Gullah people still maintain many of their African traditions which are reflected in the food and arts of the Lowcountry.

Besides being known for its Southern charm, stunning natural beauty and rich history, Hilton Head Island offers a myriad of recreational activities that cater to all interests and ages including sugar sand beaches, water activities such as kayaking, soft green golf courses, biking and nature trails and wildlife viewing. Speaking of biking, even though the island is fewer than 5 miles wide and 12 miles long, it has more than 100 miles of bicycle trails.

For those less ambitious, the island also boasts a vibrant shopping scene with its many boutique shops. And for the visiting foodies, numerous gourmet restaurants offer fresh, local seafood as well as legendary Gullah cuisine and classic Southern dishes.

It may be a surprise to first time visitors to learn that although the island is highly developed, there are no billboards, neon signs, roller coasters or water parks on Hilton Head. All of the signs are in natural, neutral colors and must be low and unobtrusive. No building can be higher than the trees.

Our destination for our four night stay would be Hilton Head Motorcoach Resort on site #161. After checking in at the office, we were escorted to our site.

Lovely, large site with lots of privacy, probably a great site for sitting outdoors in warm weather. But not an option for us since we didn’t experience any warm weather during our brief stay.

Located on 50 acres and only 1.25 miles from the beach, this gated resort has 401 improved and meticulously maintained lots to rent or own and a number of amenities including six new pickleball courts, tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, gym and laundry facilities, a pool and hot tub, a beautiful large clubhouse, a dog park and even a dog wash.

A visit to the Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe was the initial order of business on our first morning on Hilton Head where Rob dined on Fried Bologna Eggs Benedict ($15.99), an English muffin open faced, topped with thick cut fried bologna, poached eggs, and a choron sauce (type of Hollandaise but with stronger lemon flavor and the addition of tomato paste and a little fresh thyme) served with tater tots. Not being a big fan of bologna, I instead enjoyed a delicious breakfast of Shrimp & Grits ($16.99). Yummy!

One of our reasons for visiting the island was to continue exploring marinas as potential candidates if our plans this winter to cruise south in the boat becomes a reality. Although there are several marinas on the island, the one we were most favorably impressed with was a marina located on the northwest corner of the island, the 15.5 acre Windmill Harbour.  The marina boasts 258 boat slips, offering many for rent or sale as well as available transient dockage. Because it is very sheltered (it even has a lock), it would be a great place to sit out a storm!

The only drawback was that it is not in close proximity to any town so renting a car or using Uber or Lyft would be a must for a long term stay. But on a more positive note, lunch and dinner are always available at the South Carolina Yacht Club located in the Harbour.

This wasn’t our first hurrah on Hilton Head. Prior to our RV days, we had stayed at the Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort several times, once by ourselves and another time in 2006 with Rob’s parents during a road trip to Disney World. So of course during this visit, we had to drive by it to see if it looked the same. No surprise that it did.

Located within the Sea Pines Resort, which was founded by Charles E. Fraser, is one of Hilton Head’s most popular and iconic destinations, Harbour Town.

Revolving around the large circular Yacht Basin is the iconic red and white lighthouse and a picturesque 100 slip marina, one of the top yachting destinations on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

Featuring more than 20 independently owned and operated boutiques, clothing shops, gift and craft galleries, jewelry stores, independent art galleries, and T-shirt and specialty gift shops in an outdoor plaza, shoppers can easily find some appealing treasures that can’t be found anywhere else on the island. After all that shopping, visitors can rest and relax on the numerous park benches or explore a healthy assortment of restaurants ranging from fresh seafood shacks, local cafes and bakeries, ice cream shops, to fine dining establishments.

The visual centerpiece of Harbour Town, however, is the 90-foot, hexagonal, red-and-white striped tower of the Lighthouse, built in 1969 and featuring a white light which flashes every two and a half seconds after the sun goes down to mark the Inland Waterway and Calibogue Sound, located on the very southern point of South Carolina.

For a small $7 fee (children under 5 are free), visitors (we didn’t) can climb the 114 steps of the privately-owned structure to enjoy expansive views of Hilton Head Island in virtually every direction while learning about the history of the island through photographs from the Civil War era and various artifacts and memorabilia.

Although it was a little chilly and windy, it was fun walking along the Harbour Town Pier, checking out all of the pleasure boats and tour boats.

As we walked along the paved pathway along the Yacht Basin, we passed by a luxury 42 foot yacht, the Mystique, made almost entirely of mahogany and teak. According to a near by sign, crafts such as this were used by wealthy landowners to transport guests from their private yachts to lavish seaside retreats. The Mystique is currently owned by members of the Harbour Town Yacht Club and is used for nightly sunset cruises.

Continuing along the pathway, we stopped to admire the antique autos on display at the Carolina Dreamers Car Club. Very cool!

As we neared the end of the pathway, there was an excellent distant view of the lighthouse.

as well as the 18th hole of the Harbour Town Golf Links, one of the most celebrated courses on the PGA TOUR and is the crowning achievement of famed designer Pete Dye and design consultant Jack Nicklaus.

Having seen all there was to see, it was time to bid farewell to Harbour Town to head back to the coach. We would be departing the following day.

Check out more of our Lowcountry photos here.