Hilton Head Life

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture, seen circling through Savannah National Wildlife Preserve. There were two vultures together, but just getting one in a photo was difficult enough.

Green Anole

Spotted this non-stressed Green Anole on my back porch. While a Green Anole does often change colors to Brown, this has more to do with levels of stress then a camoflage attempt. Brown Anoles are stressed Anoles.

Pinckney Island Nature Preserve

Biked through the Pinckney Island Nature Preserve over the weekend, a wildlife refuge right off US278 bridge to Hilton Head Island. Took some great photos along the way. Breathtaking views everywhere and scenic trails wind along 4,000 plus acres.

Common Moorhen

Photo of this bird, the Common Moorhen, was taken in the Pinkney Island Nature Preserve March 2006. Swims, dives and moves around like a duck but actually part of the "Rail" bird family. Does not have webbed feet. Has very bright red spot up to it's eyes over a pointed beak.

Best Way to Blow $1,000 on Hilton Head

I'm new to Hilton Head and I'm looking for cool and fun places to see on the Island. How can an outsider, and a new resident, figure out where to go? I look no further than Stephen Paul Hempley. 

Just who is Mr. Hempley?

Mr. Hempley worked as a waiter at "The Wreck" in Sea Pines. His career there spanned 4 days. He was fired on Day 5 for not showing up for his shift. But Mr. Hempley had a reason for not showing up.

Allegedly, on Feb 14, 2006, Mr. Hempley, while working as a waiter, stole Roger Couch's credit card information during a dinner on Valentine's Day. Then, using Mr. Couch's stolen credit card information, Hempley went on a 10 restaurant and bar spree spending almost $1,000 over three days.

Mr. Hempley's spree was documented courtesy of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office:

DAY 1 - February 14, 2006
6:36 PM	Asian Fusion	$64.83
11:30 PM	Callahan's	$96.50
11:59 PM	Peckerheads	$95.00
Day 1 Total		$256.33
DAY 2 - February 15, 2006
7:45 PM	Domino's Pizza	$46.60
10:09 PM	Earle of Sandwich Pub	$95.00
Day 2 Total		$141.60
DAY 3 - February 16, 2006
4:44 PM	Tiki Hut	$55.00
4:55 PM	Jump And Phils	$140.00
6:00 PM	New York City Pizza	$36.75
7:21 PM	Wild Wing Cafe	$150.00
8:30 PM	Thee Diamond Club	$220.00
Day 3 Total		$601.75
Hempley's 3 Day Spree Total		$999.68

Towards the end of the month, March 2006, I've decided to retrace Mr. Hempley's footsteps. I will post my results towards the end of March, along with my dollars spent (I have my work cut out for me) while I travel in Mr. Hempley's shoes.

Pearlz Restaurant

I've driven past Pearlz Restaurant a number of times during my trips to Kroeger's in Bluffton.  On Friday night I decided to visit for dinner.

Pearlz describes itself on it's web site as: "Bluffton's premier, casually elegant restaurant featuring upscale decor and exquisite, modern American cuisine!". OK! You don't have to shout!

Upon arrival, a friendly hostess seated us in a very tall booth. Normally, I would be grateful for this - I like my privacy - however the restaurant wasn't very busy, had interesting decor and an actual real, live piano player -- things I would like to enjoy. The booth was so tall and private, I couldn't see anything except to the right, from which where we entered. It was almost like being seated in a black hole -- except for an kind, attentive waitress that brings you food and drink.

Did Pearlz live up to it's own, loud, self-description? Yes, Pearlz service was "premier". And the wine was "exquisite". Sure, the food was "casually elegant". And me? I was casually impressed. I think the whole experience would have been nicer had we sat at the empty bar, enjoyed the great piano player in person and took in our surroundings.

4/10/06 UPDATE: Pearlz has since gone out of business.

PODS Moving Service

PODS portable POD

After much debate on how to get all my stuff from Massachusetts to South Carolina, I finally settled on a Pod from PODS. Pod stands for "Portable on Demand Storage". The PODS service is simple. PODS delivers what looks like the back of a truck to your driveway. You pack it full of your stuff, lock it and they pick it up and move it to your new destination. Then you unlock it and get to unpack it. When you're done unpacking your Pod, they come and haul it away.

Using PODS came down to the fact that I really didn't have that much stuff and I was frustrated with the high price quotes from long distance movers. One quote was higher than all my stuff was worth! Plus, after googling some of the nightmare experiences some people have had with movers -- PODS seemed a good choice. My Pod made it from Massachusetts to South Carolina without a hitch. Here is my review of the PODS moving service.

No Crazy Moving Day
You get to avoid a rushed, panic filled moving day -- which are never, ever fun. My Pod sat in my driveway for ten days while I packed it at my pace. I'd spend a few hours packing each day until the Pod was full. At our destination (South Carolina) the Pod sat, locked in our driveway until we unpacked it. So, no crazy moving day there either. I'd unpack a few boxes here, a chair there, until it was empty.

New Respect for Movers
You have to move all your stuff (heavy and light) into this Pod, and arranging it is like some unkind reality version of Tetris. PODS claims that their larger Pod holds a 1,500 square foot home. I didn't find this to be the case. Maybe if you are a Tetris World Champion. However, this does have a upside -- with space at a premium, I found myself getting rid of a lot of stuff I just don't need, most of which would have otherwise been packed up and moved, only to sit and gather dust after a 1,000 mile journey South.

Fill Everything
Pack everything full. This means if you pack a dresser, you'll want fill all the drawers up with stuff too while it's in the Pod, which maximizes space. I also hung lighter items (bikes, lounge chairs) from the top of the Pod using bungee cords. S-Hooks were provided in the Pod.

PODS was on Time
PODS did a excellent job communicating. Not once did I have to call and ask if and when the Pod would be delivered. It was the other way around. Not only did PODS e-mail me each night before a delivery but the driver personally called me both times in route. PODS was on time and on schedule during the whole process. Great job.

Handle with Care
The Pod is never tilted. PODS uses a device called the Podzilla to lift and move your Pod evenly. This way the contents of your Pod wont fall all over the place. It worked -- nothing was broken during the move. Also, The Pod that PODS delivered me was brand new and never used --I was lucky there.

Sealed Tight
Heavy rain hit after I had packed the Pod and I suddenly I feared the worst: would my Pod leak onto my furniture? Fortunately, the next day after I opened it up, nothing got wet, or even damp.

Extra Costs
I spent $30 on bungee cords, $85 on a dozen moving blankets and $5 on a padlock. These items are a must. Also, I already had a furniture dolly from a previous move. You'll need one of these for moving heavy items from your front door to the pod. Tips: I gave the PODS drivers between $10 to $20.

If you don't mind moving heavy and light items and packing and unpacking yourself, PODS is an excellent moving choice. But be warned -- the Pod might be a bit smaller than you expect and getting everything in there can be a challenge.

Alligator

Hidden in the tall marsh grass, basking in the sun, was my first Alligator sighting in Hilton Head. Looked like he was just warming up from spending a winter hibernating.

I thought I spotted my first Alligator about a week ago near a lagoon by my house. I even cautiously creeped up on it to snap a photo. But, after several days driving by and noticing it hadn't budged an inch, I realized I'd been duped by a steel lawn ornament!

Skillets Cafe in Coligny Plaza

Skillets Cafe

Visited "Skillets" for lunch today after wandering around in Coligny Plaza. We originally were going to try "Frosty Frogs" for a bite, but after sitting at the bar we both decided that the music was just too loud. Talking over Lynard Skynard during lunch is a downer, unless we're on a bender. We'll save Frosty Frogs for later.

Skillets offered a peaceful and quiet meal at a bar table (by request) with quick and friendly service. Corny smooth jazz didn't compete with the conversation. The lunch food was fine (steak and cheese sandwich) and fairly priced. My only complaint was that the bar table was so wobbly that when I cut into my sandwich I thought the table was going to tip over.

Weather Hard to Beat

After a three weeks in Boston, I'm back in Hilton Head. When I left Boston, it was balmy 22 degrees and windy. Despite the 22 degree mark, weather.com gave me a dose of reality with it's handy "feels like" temperature: 2 degrees. It was painful to be outside.

My first few days here in Hilton Head have felt like a vacation. It's nice to live here. The temperature here today: 74 degrees, sunny, with a gentle breeze. Weather.com's "feels like" temp is also 74 degrees. Now that's more like it!