The Mystery of the Indian Shell Ring in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve

The very first visitors arrived on Hilton Head Island 4,000 years ago. These early Indians migrated to the coastal islands of the Southeastern Coast and returned again and again. The evidence of these early visitors lies deep in the heart of Sea Pines Plantation in the Forest Preserve.

Sea Pines Forest Preserve Map

The Sea Pines Forest Preserve has a long and colorful history. Starting in 1700, it flourished as an agricultural area producing rice, indigo and cotton. But even before settlers came to Hilton Head Island, the Nomadic Indians visited the area to hunt small game and harvest seafood. During their visits to the island, a shell ring was constructed most likely as a tribal or ceremonial plaza. This perfect circle of oysters, clams, whelk, and other shells and bones from animals, is estimated to have taken over 300 years to build. That’s an impressive return-trip rate to our Island. The shells were carried a short distance from the tidal salt marsh that once flowed through the center of Sea Pines. The structure was constructed by placing shells in a ring formation, then filling in the gaps with more shells and lastly, packing the ring with crushed shell and soil. There are no signs that anyone lived around the ring, only that is was most likely a gathering place for the passing visitors. Similar rings and Indian mounds are found throughout the Southeast, seemingly providing an encampment for the Nomadic Indians.

 Finding a shell ring in the middle of a forest may seem strange to visitors but there is a reason to its placement. Nearly 40 centuries ago, the current freshwater swamp in the heart of the forest preserve was once part of a tidal inlet that ran from Folly Creek to South Beach in Sea Pines. The inlet was an easily navigable route for the Indians to find refuge while hunting and fishing in the area.

Exploring Hilton Head Island’s nature preserves and history is a must while visiting the Island. Visiting the Sea Pines Forest Preserve and the Indian Shell Ring is easy. Pay a small entrance fee to Sea Pines Plantation and begin your adventure. Once in the gate of the community, about a mile on the left is a sign for the Forest Preserve. Park here and begin your scenic walk across boardwalks, through woodlands and past beautiful lakes. About 20 minutes into your walk, signs will lead to a shallow basin enclosed by a low shell wall. You've arrived at the Indian Shell Ring.

No one knows why the ring was abandoned over 3,500 years ago. Scientists attribute the disappearance of the inhabitants to climate change and a rising sea level that left seafood populations scarce.  The Shell Ring is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered an Island treasure. Visit the Shell Ring in Sea Pines Forest Preserve and formulate your own story. Hilton Head Island is full of mysteries, history and nature waiting to be discovered.

HiltonHeadIslander.com, a division of Performance Development Corporation (PDC), features information about Hilton Head Island, South Carolina from vacation rentals to real estate featuring details on events, hotels, restaurants, golf, activities, shopping & spas. Created for visitors and locals alike, HiltonHeadIslander.com is the source for all things Hilton Head Island.

He's the Iconic Voice Under the LIberty Oak in Harbour Town

Gregg Russell has been performing for Hilton Head Island residents and visitors at the Harbour Town Yacht Basin for over 30 years.  It’s that time of year again! Gregg Russell will be entertaining crowds of all ages starting March 31, 2014. It’s fun for the whole family with games, interviews, sing-a-longs, and of course, great entertainment. Come to Harbour Town for dinner and stay for the concert under the old oak tree. 

Gregg’s Spring and Summer schedule is as follows:

Spring – Concerts start at 7:30 pm

March 31- April 4

April 7 – 11

April 14 – 16

Summer – Concerts start at 8:00 pm

May 23 – 25

May 28 – 30

June 1- August 22 (every night except Saturdays)

August 28 – 31

Don’t forget Gregg’s Bubble Gum Club

The Bubble Gum Cruise leaves the Harbour Town Yacht Basin on its very one Vagabond.

Spring dates include April 4^th and 11^th.

Summer dates begin June 5^th and run every Thursday and Friday morning until August 22^nd.

The Vagabond leaves the Harbour Town dock at 9:30 am and returns at 11:00 am. The cost is $20 per person (kids three and under are free). Tickets go on sale at 8:30 am on the day of each cruise. Drinks and snacks are available on the boat. The only thing you may need is sunscreen. 

HiltonHeadIslander.com, a division of Performance Development Corporation (PDC), features information about Hilton Head Island, South Carolina from vacation rentals to real estate featuring details on events, hotels, restaurants, golf, activities, shopping & spas. Created for visitors and locals alike, HiltonHeadIslander.com is the source for all things Hilton Head Island.

The Beaches of Hilton Head Island

Thousands of visitors come to Hilton Head Island each summer for its pristine beaches, high-class small town atmosphere, and resort vacationing.  Summer is a fabulous time for a beach vacation on Hilton Head Island and with over twelve miles of sparkling sand beaches, there so many areas to enjoy the sun and surf.  All of Hilton Head’s beaches are public, from the ocean to the high water mark, although access to the beach is often private.

Public beach access points are Alder Lane, Coligny Beach, Fish Haul Park, Driessen Beach Park, Burkes Beach, Folly Field Beach Park, and the Islanders Beach Park.  Wheelchair access is available at Alder Lane Beach Park, Driessen Beach Park, Folly Field Beach Park and Islanders Beach Park. With so many great options, it may be hard to choose where to set up your umbrella and lay your towel.

For those that are vacationing in the Forest Beach area, the closest public beach is Alder Lane Beach. Located just off South Forest Beach Drive, Alder Lane beach provides meter parking, handicap access, restrooms, outdoor showers and seasonal life guards.  The beaches here are wide and usually full of families enjoying the sand and surf.  Also located in the Forest Beach area is Coligny Beach.  Along with parking, showers, restrooms, handicap access, and seasonal life guards, Coligny beach also has WI-FI and seasonal Beach Rentals.  Located at the end of Pope Avenue, just off Coligny Circle, Coligny Beach is within walking distance to shops and restaurants.

Mid-Island beaches include Driessen Beach Park, Folly Field Beach Park and Islanders Beach Park. All three of these public beaches are located off William Hilton Parkway around the Folly Field area.  They all provide metered parking, handicap access, a boardwalk, restrooms, and seasonal life guards.  Driessen Beach Park and The Islanders Beach Park include grills, picnic pavilions, and playgrounds.  These areas provide the perfect space to take a break from the sun to have lunch or just let the kids play on the shaded playgrounds.

Mitchelleville Beach Park and Fish Haul Park are located off Beach City Road on the northern end of Hilton Head Island.  These beaches are great for shelling or just taking in the natural beauty of Hilton Head.  These less crowded strands of beach are surrounded by woods, tidal creeks, marshes and mudflats.  Located on the Port Royal Sound, these mud flats are excellent feeding and resting habitats for many shorebirds.

Hilton Head Island has done a wonderful job of protecting its beautiful shoreline. While visiting, there are a few rules to abide by in order to keep our beaches in their natural state.

• Pets are not permitted on the beach during the hours of 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., from the Friday before Memorial Day until the Monday of Labor Day weekend.  From April to May, pets must be leashed between 10 A.M and 5 P.M. and from October to March, leashes are not required at any time.  Local law requires owners to clean up after their pets.
• Fishing and casting are prohibited in designated swimming areas.
• Liquor, beer or wine, glassware, horses, sleeping on the beach after midnight, and the operation, launch or landing of motorized watercraft are prohibited on Hilton Head Island’s beaches. 

HiltonHeadIslander.com, a division of Performance Development Corporation (PDC), features information about Hilton Head Island, South Carolina from vacation rentals to real estate featuring details on events, hotels, restaurants, golf, activities, shopping & spas. Created for visitors and locals alike, HiltonHeadIslander.com is the source for all things Hilton Head Island.

Day Trip From Hilton Head to Daufuskie Island

Hilton Head Island is full of activities for the vacationer but if you would like to experience something a little different, take a day trip to Daufuskie Island. Daufuskie is full of history and culture just waiting to be explored.  Daufuskie was originally occupied by native Indians prior to the arrival of European explorers in the 16^th century. Plantations covered the island prior to the Civil War when they were occupied by Union Soldiers. Freed slaves then occupied the island and grew cotton which has left a legacy of rich Gullah history. Remaining virtually untouched,  Daufuskie Island offers a glimpse of what other sea islands were like before technology and urban growth.

Visitors won’t find the hustle and bustle of city life. In fact Daufusie has very few paved roads and not a single traffic light. Instead the visitor will find unspoiled beauty of the lowcountry, quiet beaches, and natural woodlands filled with pines and live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. Included in the natural flora and fauna of Daufuskie Island, you’ll find loggerhead turtle nests, herds of deer, the rare black fox squirrel, alligators sunning on banks, bald eagles soaring the sky, and pods of dolphins frolicking along the shore. Exploring this beautiful island, you’ll find treasures including arrowheads and pottery from Indian settlements, relics from revolutionary and civil war battles, and remains of china from large plantation homes that once occupied the island. Daufuskie is also home to some of the few remaining tabby ruins in Beaufort County. Serving as plantation slave quarters, these homes were constructed of a mixture of crushed oyster shells, lime, sand, and water. Few know that Jimmy Buffet’s 1988 song, “The Price of Tides” laments the urbanization of the island and the loss of the Gullah culture. And Pat Conroy’s book, The Water is Wide, was set on Daufuskie island where Mr. Conroy recounts his experiences of teaching on the island in the 1960’s.

Daufuskie is home to approximately 250 full time residents and 400 part time residents. Haig Point and Melrose include private residences and rental cottages but the rest of the island remains undeveloped with a few homes scattered throughout the island.

Daufuskie is accessible by passenger ferry or private boat with travel times ranging from 15-45 minutes.  Ferry boats to Daufuskie Island leave from Hilton Head Marina at various times. Once you arrive on the island, golf carts are available for rent. Be sure to rent your cart for at least two hours giving you plenty of time to explore. You’ll be provided with a detailed map of the area including landmarks you won’t want to miss. Once you’ve finished your exploration, the island offers two restaurants, the Old Daufuskie Crab Company at Freeport Marina and Marshside Mamas at the county dock. 

Shrimp or Crab...Which Lowcountry favorite do you prefer?

Also referred to as Frogmore Stew, this one-pot wonder is enjoyed by many throughout the south. The traditional Lowcountry Boil is a simple dish consisting of shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes. It’s easily served up on newspaper, which provides for quick clean up, and usually paired with melted butter and cocktail sauce. Lowcountry Boil is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.  The recipe is pretty basic but feel free to add in onions or blue crabs to make it your own.

Lowcountry Boil

4 pounds small red potatoes
5 quarts water
1 (3-ounce) bag of crab boil seasoning
4 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
2 pounds kielbasa or hot smoked link sausage cut into 1½-inch pieces
6 ears of corn, halved
4 pounds large fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined optional
Cocktail sauce

Add potatoes to large pot, then add 5 quarts water and seasonings. Cover pot and heat to a rolling boil; cook 5 minutes. Add sausage and corn, and return to a boil. Cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Add shrimp to stockpot; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Drain. Serve with cocktail sauce. Serves 12.

(Adapted from Southern Living, August 2002 and Real Simple, August 2001)

Found to be plentiful throughout the inland waters of the Lowcountry, blue crabs are another favorite a favorite in the south. Simple to prepare and similar to that of Lowcountry Boil, crabs are best enjoyed around a newspaper topped table with friends. No extras or frills needed here, just melted butter and your cracking skills. Enjoy!

Paula’s Savannah-Style Blue Crabs

3 heaping tablespoons crab seasoning, such as Old Bay                                                                         1 tablespoon white vinegar   
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 dry bay leaves
2 lemons, split in half
1 bunch fresh parsley, roughly chopped
6 blue crabs
Melted butter, for serving

Bring a large stockpot of water to a boil. Add the crab seasoning, vinegar, peppercorns, bay leaves, lemons, garlic and parsley to the pot. Add the crabs and boil until they are red, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the crabs using a spider, and then let the crabs cool to the touch. Crack the crabs over newspaper and pick out all their sweet meat. Serve with melted butter.

(Recipe from Paula Deen from the Food Newtork show, Paula’s Best Dishes, episode: Feeling Crabby.)

HiltonHeadIslander.com, a division of Performance Development Corporation (PDC), features information about Hilton Head Island, South Carolina from vacation rentals to real estate featuring details on events, hotels, restaurants, golf, activities, shopping & spas. Created for visitors and locals alike, HiltonHeadIslander.com is the source for all things Hilton Head Island.

Hilton Head Alligators

Ever wonder about all those Alligators you see on Hilton Head Island? Our Alligator population likely exceeds 1000 so it’s probable that you will see one of these island residents during your stay. It’s best to watch these native creatures from a distance but if you would like to get up and personal with them, an “Alligator Wine and Cheese Cruise” may be right up your “alligator alley”. Hosted by H20 Sports, you’ll take an early evening cruise through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve.  As you journey through the Forest Preserve (enjoying your wine and cheese), you’ll see the island in a whole new light. Few visitors OR residents take advantage the many activities provided on Hilton Head to experience the island’s natural beauty. This is a great way to pick up a little history and explore Hilton Head’s flora and fauna.

For those who prefer to stay on land, The Coastal Discovery Museum is having a “Meet and Greet Reptiles on Hilton Head Island” on December 30^th 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This informal presentation will be held in the Sea Island Room and no reservations are needed.

The most important thing to remember is “Don’t Feed The Alligators”.

HiltonHeadIslander.com is your guide to all of what our island has to offer.  At HiltonHeadIslander.com, you’ll find accommodations, things to do, local dining spots, Island beach information, local events, articles, weather, and Real Estate information. You’ll know Hilton Head Island front and back before you even cross the bridge. Visit us today at www.HiltonHeadIslander.com. 

Babysitting Options on the Island

You are on Hilton Head Island for a family vacation because, well, you want to spend time with family. However, it is okay if you feel like one night you might want to sneak out with your significant other and enjoy some quiet, romantic, one-on-one time. Maybe enjoy a long dinner at one our fabulous restaurants or catch a movie you've been excited to see. If you are in need of someone to watch your kiddos, here are a few options:

Guardian Angels Sitting Service : This bonded, licensed, and insured company offers babysitting in the Hilton Head Area. You will need to complete an application and then you can get a referral for a babysitter in their network. Call 877-470-4277 for more information.

Hilton Head Nannies: Nannies can come directly to your hotel room or vacation rental and care for infants and children.

The Sandbox: Once a month during the off season and twice a week during the summer months, the Sandbox Interactive Children's Museum hosts Parents Night Out, Kids Night In. Kids ages 3-9 years old enjoy a pizza dinner, drink and dessert, as well as three hours of playing among the fun exhibits and activity areas. Each child will also take home a fun craft. Call 843-842-7645 for more information.

Island Rec Center: Once a month the Island Rec offers a Kids Night Out program. Drop the kids off from 6-10 p.m. and they will be fed pizza for dinner and entertained with activities, movies, games, arts & crafts. Pre-registration is required. Call 843-681-7273 for more information.

So get out there and enjoy a few hours of adult fun. The kids will have plenty to keep them occupied. Cheers!

Visit us at Hilton Head Islander for more information about Hilton Head.

Family Fun on Hilton Head Island

Family Fun on Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is an ideal place to bring the kids for a fun-filled family vacation. Here is the first in a series of blogs that will help you embrace all that the island has to offer:

You are on Hilton Head Island for a week of fun, sun, and family time. You are in luck, there are so many wonderful things to do on Hilton Head Island, you may want to stay for an extra week; or you could just move here. The most obviously place to start your week of fun is the...

...BEACH! We are on an island, so the beach literally surrounds us. The great thing about Hilton Head's beaches is that there are very few waves here. When it's low tide, there are often tidal pools that form along the beach, which are great for the little kids to play in because they are warm and shallow. Another great thing is that the beaches are flat and wide so if the kids run around, you can easily keep an eye on them and you can even ride your bikes on them.

And although you will hear this a lot, people say it for a reason: be sure to bring a lot of sunscreen and apply often because nothing ruins a family vacation like a sunburn on the first day out. A lot of areas of the beach are set up with umbrellas and chairs that you can rent by the week or by the day to give you some respite from the sun. If you prefer to buy your own, almost every grocery store and drug store carries beach chairs, sunscreen, portable cabanas, towels, flip flops, and beach toys. You can get fully equipped in a flash.

Another fun option is the Coligny Water Park. Located on the south end of the island on Coligny Circle, this boardwalk fun stop has a circle with spouting water fountains to keep the kids cool and laughing. There are benches around it for parents to take a load off. You will need it because your kids will not want to leave this area for a while.

There are a lot of fun swimming pools on the island, but we think that the Barony Beach Club is the best. Located mid island next to the Westin Resort, this pool has an awesome water slide that will keep the kids busy all day. Keep in mind, however that children under 42” will not be allowed on the slide so plan accordingly to prevent tears from your little ones.

Water sports are a fun way to spend the day. With 8 marinas on the Island, you are certainly close enough to one. Try jet skiing, kayaking, motor boating, parasailing, or paddleboarding. Or maybe you'd like to charter a fishing boat, sailboat, or go on a dolphin watching cruise. The possibilities are endless.

So go out there and have some F-U-N!! And on Hilton Head Island, that is not too difficult.

Hilton Head Island’s Christmas 2011

It is the last day of November and the decorations for the coming Holiday are all over Hilton Head Island. For the first time in over 20 years we are going to have to forgo the Dove Street tradition and perhaps find some new ones. If you live on Hilton Head or will be visiting between now and the first of the year here are some places/events and things you might want to see and do

Forgive the quality of the pictures as I never realized how difficult it is to use a point and shoot camera with Christmas lights.

Last year Harbour Town decided to up the ante on their decorations and made it a must see place for a decorated stroll. It is also a place to bring an unwrapped toy, canned good or monetary donation for Deep Well.

While you are in Sea Pines you might also want to drive by South Beach Village (you know, where the Salty Dog is) and check out their Christmas Village and their thousands of twinkling lights and falling snow. And another place that will be interesting is Pineland Station off Hwy 278 where Bluffton artist Richard Coyne has designed a multi-sensory 200 foot winter wonderland with trains, trolley, towns and tunes (they suggest you bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.)

One of my personal favorites is the Fire Station on 278 right next to the First Presbyterian Church near the entrance of Port Royal Plantation. A couple of years ago the Island fire stations were adopted by civic groups and decorated and voted on with this fire house being the most impressive and the only one still decorated to this extent. What is great is you get to drive around the whole station and each year something new seems to be added.

As always there are some personal homes that go out of their way to be in the holiday spirit and in a future blog I will center on those with hopefully more stable images! Enjoy the lights of Hilton Head and let us know places we shouldn’t miss.

On Hilton Head is everbody really from Ohio?

Recently on our Facebook.com/HiltonHeadIslandSC page we posed an interesting question to our over 11,600 fans “Everyone makes jokes that all our visitors are from Ohio so let’s figure out if that is true! Whether you visit or live here, post whhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifere you are from?” And the completely unscientific results came rolling in with – you guessed it – OHIO as the winner.


Of the 186 votes (people mentioned multiple places) here are the numbers
1 OH – 54
2 SC – 13
3 NC – 12
4 GA, KY, TN – 11
5 NY – 8
6 IL, MI, NJ, PA – 5
7 AL, CT, TX, VA – 4
8 FL, IN, MO, WV – 3
9 AR, AZ, CA, IA, MA WI – 2
10 DE, MD, MN, MS, MT, Germany, Costa Rica - 1

What was fun for us was reading the responses and while some just posted their state others were very proud of where they are from and how much they love Hilton Head too! Leave a comment and tell us where you are from too!

Hilton Head Island’s beach matting helps everyone!

Did you ever notice that most of the entrances to the beach on the Island have blue matting that makes it easy to walk on the soft sand before you get to the hard packed sand? Well you can thank Bart Brophy who in 2002 rallied support for a way to get people who use wheelchairs easier access to get down on the beach. As a quadriplegic who found the nonprofit Access Disability Action Center he worked with the town to get the matting installed at most of the public beach access.

The woven polyester material is ridged and has a hard surface that makes it easier for traditional wheelchairs to get all the way to where the harder packed sand begins. The added benefit is also realized by any one on a bike, pushing a stroller or pulling a cart full of beach stuff.

There are also beach wheelchairs that with their big tires make the going easier for anyone pushing someone along the beach. They can be rented during your stay and at some of the resorts they are an available amenity.

The Town of Hilton Head Island lists the following beaches as having the beach matting but it is also at some of the beach entrances inside the gated communities.

Alder Lane Beach Access

Coligny Beach Park
Driessen Beach Park
Folly Field Beach Park
Islanders Beach Park
Mitchelville Beach Park