Hilton Head Life

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 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.

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!

Crescent Pointe Golf Course

There are two "Pointe" golf courses located in Bluffton, SC: Crescent Pointe and Eagle's Pointe. The extra "e" on the "Pointe" confuses me.  Why didn't they just name the clubs "Crescent Point" and "Eagle's Point"? 

The word "Pointe" defined: "In ballet, dancing that is performed on the tips of the toes."  My golf game will never apply to that!

Anyway, in September 2005, I had the pleasure of playing at the Crescent Pointe Golf Course. This Arnold Palmer designed signature golf course is one of the finest Public Golf Courses in the Hilton Head/Bluffton area. The course is challenging and well maintained -- and you can tell each hole was crafted with care.

The course, located right on US278 on your way to Hilton Head, flows around a development of houses, marshland and manmade lagoons. Luckily, we had the earliest tee time that day and played the course wide open.

All golf carts are equipped with GPS navigation and the staff both friendly and attentive. We warmed up at a good sized driving range for a few dollars more.

Many of the holes were designed around challenging natural obstacles, like a row of trees that juts out into the Par 5 third hole. The picturesque Par 3 ninth hole goes 200 yards over a scenic tidal marsh, which is now home to several of my Callaway golf balls.

Fees were in total around $100 per person for carts, driving range time, 18 holes and some extra new balls. For the quality of this course, this was a good deal. Look in the Hilton Head Golf brochures and you may find a coupon to play both Crescent Pointe and Eagle's Pointe for one, lower price.

I'll be back to Crescent Pointe. But I have to practice and buy more balls first.

Phone: 843-706-2600

Route 17 to Savannah at Night

Living in Boston, you get used to the roads lined with sidewalks and street lights. Take a trip down Rt 17 on your way to Savannah from Hilton Head at night and you're in for the polar opposite. Pitch black, just two lanes and lots of trees. It can be a bit intimidating, particularly when you are trying not to miss the few lefts and rights you need to take off of Rt.46 and Rt. 170 to actually make in to Savannah.  Oh yeah, it can get foggy -- and maybe some deer too...

I couldn't help but wonder where I was going to end up if I missed a turn. For now, I'll stick to Rt. 17 during the daylight hours only. A trip to or from Savannah at dark will be on well lit I95 even if it does take longer.

By the way I'd take the darkness and trees over those unnatural street lights any day.

Hargray

Two weeks ago, I had the cable, phone and Internet installed by local Hilton Head provider Hargray. My big concern was the connection speed and reliability of the Internet connection. So far, so good. It's been a steady, high speed connection with no downtime. This is a big relief as I do most of my work on the Internet.

Phone service seems satisfactory, however, Hargray offers a weird local call service which includes Bluffton calls but not Hilton Head. Seems I can't call Hilton Head without it being considered long distance. Interesting, considering my address is Hilton Head. My Sprint PCS service works flawlessly here, so I'm wondering if I need a land line phone anyway.....maybe VoIP would be better?

Lastly, cable TV service seems OK, but no HD! I'm currently looking at Satellite Direct TV as an option for TV service instead.

Will they Ban Smoking Here?

It would sure be nice if they banned smoking here in Hilton Head/Beaufort County.  It's easy for me to rant about this as: 1) I'm a non-smoker and 2) I enjoy eating at the bar.  My lungs have likely already been irrevocably damaged from too many visits to crowded, smokey Boston last call dives for years.

But sure enough, my first night on the HHI I decided to dine at the reliable Outback Steakhouse on 278. Just as my Queensland Chicken and Shrimp shows up some dude sits down (two seats away) and lights up. Do you mind? At least it wasn't a cigar.

Of course as the weather warms up here in Hilton Head, this will be less of an problem. Hopefully I'll be dining out at more at outdoor establishments where stinky smoke drifting over my dinner will not be an issue.

One Hot Mama's

Popped into One Hot Mama's in Bluffton Saturday for drinks and to take in the local scene. From the outside the bar looks like it might be filled with a biker gang (maybe is was the Harley Davidsons parked outside).  However, this is not the case.

First off, when I approached the bar (I was alone) there were a number of people hanging around outside. A woman outside said to me "Hi, how are you doing?" as I walked by.  Being from Boston, I was completely unprepared for this type of pleasantness. I muttered out a puzzled "good" as I walked by. 

In Boston, when strangers talk to you either there is something wrong with them (mentally), they want something from you (money for drugs) or they're starting trouble with you (hello Testosterone filled Southie).  I have to get this thinking out of my head.

Inside was plenty of tables and a medium sized square bar with great seating to view the band and people watch.  The music, by Zach Deputy, was excellent.  They played a funky acoustical set with both fast and slow songs. Zach's original songs are truly contagious, and the songs he does cover he easily turns into his own.

The atmosphere inside the bar was a great mix. Several bikers. Attractive females. Clicky Blufftonians. A few drunk rednecks. It was fantastic!

I did not partake in any of the food offerings at One Hot Mama's. However, their Captain & Cokes sure hit the spot....I will be back.