Low Country

Last week, we were at Hilton Head Island, S.C. It's a beautiful place -- very different from anywhere else. Driving along the highway to get to this barrier island, you cross tidal creeks winding through endless marshes. Once at the ocean, the beach is sugary-soft with gorgeous long grasses. This region is called "low country" because of all the marshes and water found in the area. And if you are a bird lover like me, this region is a superb spot.

We stayed at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort in the main "Live Oak Lodge." Our room was a corner one so we had a balcony that looked out two sides over an inland creek.

Here's a view from our room at low tide:

Here's the same view at high tide:

Here's the Disney Beach House located on the Atlantic Ocean (about a mile from the main hotel), along with some views of the ocean with the beach house at your back.

Here's some shots down on the beach. You can see that it was chilly -- notice all the people with coats on. I was fascinated by the "sea foam" -- we don't get that on Lake Huron. I also found a sand dollar!

We had lunch at this restaurant along one of the many creeks and marshes in the area.

I love how the live oaks with spanish moss hanging from them shade the area. They provide a natural covering from the hot sun and serve to keep the area cool. Most of the roads look like this.

Later, back at the hotel, we strolled around the 'hood.

And, finally, on the morning we left, I caught a bunch of my pelican and anhinga buddies sunbathing during low tide.