Hilton Head Island, Once Again

We first visited Hilton Head Island in 1980. We were awed by what the HHI had to offer: 12 miles of beach that you can ride a bicycle on the entire length; great gathering places like Harbor Towne, Coligny Plaza, Shelter Cove, South Beach, Main Street, and many others; amazing restaurants, night life; dozens of miles of bicycle paths; upscale or laid back housing. It's a terrific place. We bought a time share 25 years ago, then sold it and bought a condo. Sold it to buy another condo. Sold it and bought a house. Finally sold that house and bought a mountain place near Asheville NC. But we still love HHI. This is our second visit this year. See this blog, and this one. We have also commented on how much we love the Hilton Head Harbor Rv Resort & Marina. We couldn't get a waterfront spot this time but no matter it was still great.

If any of you are planning to visit Hilton Head, give a call. We will probably meet you there!

Hilton Head Harbor RV Park & Marina. A view from one of the waterfront spots.

Our daughter, Stacey, and her beau, Scott an the Marina

Oooohhh!

Hilton Head Harbor RV Park & Marina. From the pool area.

The Lighthouse at Harbor Towne. It was almost dark.

We expected to see Greg Russell, who has been singing under this Live Oak tree for35 years.
Turns out he sings every night except Saturday when we were there.
But what a treat it was to hear Stepping Stones. the lead singers are brother & sister. She is 16 and they have been singing together for 5 years! Incredible music, classic rock, most of which was before their birth.

An old cemetery near the campground

Stacey, Scott, Annabelle

We had dinner at The Crazy Crab, overlooking the marsh. This was the view from our table.
iPhone panoramic shot.

Debbie at our table

Sunset at Hilton Head Harbor RV Park & Marina.

Diva sits pretty at our spot. Our flamingoes enjoyed the grass.

Next stop Myrtle Beach, another of South Carolina's fabulous beach resorts. We haven't been there in 30 years since we love Hilton Head so much and Myrtle beach was 5 hours from us.

Ciao, Frank

Upper Peninsula of Michigan / Indian Lake State Park

We left Mackinaw City a day earlier than planned. It was beautiful and we loved Mackinac Island but it was wet and cold and we got tired of the midges swarming around us everywhere we went. So off we went to the "UP" on our way to Sheboygan Wisconsin to see Steve, Jenny, and the boys.
We didn't have a detailed plan other than to drive a few hours and stop at a state park. Wow, did we ever luck out. Indian lake State Park is just outside of Manistique Michigan. Ministique is on Lake Superior. Indian Lake is about 5 miles inland from Lake Superior. The campground had dozens of available sites so we picked one right on the lake. We did a 3-4 mile hike along the lake and the surrounding forest.

Diva looks out on Indian Lake

Our view 

Debbie and Rosie enjoying the peaceful scene.

One of the few state park campgrounds I've seen with specifically designated handicap campsites.

Disappointed! A few minutes before this shot it looked like we would have a glorious sunset.
There was no wind and the lake was like glass. The sun was in clear view.
Then as it got further down  on the horizon several clouds formed that blocked any further view of the sunset.
To make matters worse several motor boats came racing back to the marina, trying to avoid darkness, and the wakes of these boats ruined the perfect glass surface. Oh, well, sigh, it was still great being here.

Hilton Head Island and a 1957 Airstream

We spent last night in a Cracker Barrel parking lot near Brunswick GA. The rear parking lot was nearly empty. This is our second time staying at CB and both times it was pleasant. We patronized them each time so it was win win.

Today we got to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, a place we have been coming to for over 30 years. We will be only spending 2 nights here but it is so nice to be here any time we can. We have never camped here before so we didn't know what to expect. Hilton Head Harbor Rv Resort & Marina is one of the best private campgrounds we have ever stayed at. Our site (#62) is right on the water. It is a large site, paved & level, yet they have maintained most of the original trees. There is a 100 year + old Live Oak tree just behind our camper. We did not see a bad site anywhere.

Our site witha great view of the water and marina.

But the best surprise was running into Fred Reese and his beautiful 1957 22 ft Airstream. Fred bought this Airstream in 1959. He and his wife travelled with it together until she passed away in 1975. He never remarried and has mostly lived in this trailer since. He has been on his spot here since 1991.

Fred is from Green Bay, Wisconsin but now lives in Hilton Head most of the time. He returns to Green Bay almost every fall. He was a dance instructor and still seems to be very graceful.

Fred recently buffed the finish.

When the rear tire panel was destroyed he made a new one out of wood,
painted in silver to match and etched in  the Airstream logo.

The front end has 13 panels riveted together.

The lower window here once housed an air-conditioner. He replace that with one
on the roof and devised and new window for the space.

Home sweet home

Fred is revising the inside. He is replacing the floor and refinishing the cabinets.

Who says a 22 ft Airstream is small? Fred has room for this bull's head.
Fred told me that once you get accustomed to the size, an Airstream is a nice place to live.

I rarely get into the picture but I had Debbie snap this one.

The view from 10 feet from the back of our trailer.

Arcata Sunset

For most of the week in Arcata we did not really know that there was a sun on this coast. But by Friday Sept 21, 2012, the sun had come out and it was warm and glorious. On Saturday I got permission to give Diva a bath and she looked sooooo good. 

We were having dinner in Diva Saturday night and I could see the sun setting. There were just enough clouds to make the sunset perfect. We found out where a beach was, about 2 miles away, and drove to it. After 2 wrong turns and about 25 minutes we got to the beach just as all of the sunset worshipers were leaving! All gone. We noted the time and decided to come back early on Sunday and we did. No clouds this time so the sunset was not as spectacular but at least we were there.

On the beach looking away from the ocean.

In spite of this nice warm picture it was quite cold and windy.

Rosie, in a blur, had an awesome time chasing her soccer ball on the beach.
She didn't quite understand why there was sand in her mouth but it didn't deter her.