Escape: A Hilton Head Getaway

Between aggressive dogs, Clint’s bouts of gout, wrist issues for me, and lots of home improvement projects, the house that chaos built has been even more hectic than usual lately. Last week we packed our bags and escaped all of it for a few days to one of our happy places: Hilton Head Island. It was just a long weekend, but it was full of sun, sand, seafood, and relaxing, and it was exactly what we needed. Is it too soon to go back?

One of our first stops as soon as we reach Hilton Head is always Pool Bar Jim’s, a little poolside daiquiri bar right on the beach at the Seacrest Oceanfront Resort. Not only is Jim a local legend, there are so many great drink options, he wrote a several hundred page spiral bound cocktail book you can peruse to make your decision. Just ask for “the book” and they will know exactly what you mean! (From experience, they are all good).

This trip, I tried the Cancun Colada, a spinoff of the classic made with tequila, Midori, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut. It did not disappoint. Clint, ever a traditionalist, went with a tried-and-true pina colada.

We are such creatures of habit. We always eat our first night’s dinner at Hudson’s Seafood on the Docks. Their hushpuppies are so light and airy, you could eat a hundred (and vacation calories do not count).

A picture outside Hudson’s post-dinner is also a tradition. We have a collection from all the years’ past—I feel like I could make a flip book and watch us age…but I won’t!

Hello, lighthouse. This was our spectacular view from the condo where we stayed. It was the perfect place to get comfortable and have a nightcap.

Speaking of cocktails, we made adult Capri Suns and took them to the beach. The weather was absolutely perfect and we barely moved from our beach chairs for the entire weekend.

Sunshine and sips and vitamin sea.

We finally dragged ourselves off the beach and headed to Ela’s On the Water for an amazing dinner. We started with a half dozen beausoleil oysters, some of our favorites. Clint moved on to lobster, while I had crab cakes. It was a feast.

Back for one last beach day. As you can see, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

There was, however, a piece of driftwood that was apparently too tempting to resist as a prop for a photo.

The sea air restored his strength and vitality.

Once a lifeguard, always a lifeguard. His watch never ends. Don’t you feel safer?

I have not talked about food for at least three minutes and this is allegedly a vacation post. These are the blackened shrimp nachos. They are the stuff dreams are made of, and I would know, because I do dream about them in between Hilton Head visits until I can get them again.

The Inn at Harbour Town is a beautiful place for a drink before or after dinner, and a nice quiet respite when the crowds are lively elsewhere.

We stopped by on our final evening and savored the last of our trip.

We came home to two rowdy little dogs, a pyramid of Amazon deliveries, an empty pantry and even emptier refrigerator, and very full laundry baskets, but it was well worth it for the time away. In true Stancil style, we ate, drank, and were quite merry Thursday through Sunday and even managed not to get sunburned. We devoured seafood, books, and gossip magazines, enjoyed each other’s company, and dug our toes in the sand with deep breaths of salty air and happy hearts grateful to be there. Hilton Head, thanks for the memories. We can’t see you again soon enough!