Hilton Head Life

Reilley's Pub

Being a transplanted Bostonian now residing in Hilton Head, I was very happy to visit a drinking establishment that welcomed Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics fans.

Most other bars seem to have NASCAR piped in 24/7. Not here. If the Red Sox are playing, you'll see it on the big screen.

Reilley's Pub, located at the Sea Pines circle, is not only the ideal place to catch all the BoSox games, but they also happen to have excellent food and drink.

And unlike Boston, where you only get a few months to enjoy the outdoor weather, Reilly's features a huge outdoor patio bar with lots of fresh air and live entertainment.

If I don't look at the window at the palm trees it's just like having few beers at my favorite Irish Pub after a Celtics game on Canal Street.

Thank you Reilley's!

Jet Ski Rentals in Hilton Head

If you've never been on Jet Ski before, the place to do it is in Hilton Head. I rented a Jet Ski at the Palmetto Bay Marina last week and it was an absolutely thrilling experience.

They take you out in a small group (about 7 or so) and you get to bomb around on your jet ski in in the Calibogue Sound for around one hour or so.

The best time to go is at high tide. During high tide, the guide will likely take you around Bull Island (on the May River) since the water levels are so high. There you will see dolphins, waterfowl and scenic, undisturbed shorelines.

You will also see some of the homes of the rich and famous along the Calibogue Sound and Daufuskie Island.

Tip: Rent your own Jet Ski. Although 2 people fit on 1 jet ski, hanging on the back of one of those isn't the way to go.

Palmetto Bay Marina, Phone: (843) 785-2345. Costs - $90.

Palmetto Bugs!

Living in paradise does have drawbacks -- you just don't get these behemoth bugs up North. Truly massive cockroaches with the disarming local name of 'Palmetto Bug'.

I saw my first Palmetto Bug in June and it was a truly hideous experience. Scurrying along the baseboard, at a remarkable pace, I didn't know how to kill the thing. I could actually hear this intruder running accross the tiles from the other room!

Apparently Palmetto Bugs are built like a mini-tank -- just swatting at them merely bothers them.

A quick trip to the local Target and I loaded up on all things labeled "Roach Killer". The good news is that these bugs die quickly once sprayed with this stuff, and a broom and dustpan cleans them up nicely.

Oh yeah, if meeting one of these beasts isn't bad enough, they also fly! That's right, they have wings! And get this: Palmetto Bugs really suck at flying so once they get in the air they fly unpredictably - (ie. right at you!).