Sue's NY Eve at Hilton Head - Day 1 of 5
Sue/WDW1972
Who: Sue (51), DVC member
SB (52), Sexy Boyfriend
Plan: Work Gainesville, Drive to Hilton Head, Dinner with Dottie &
Joe
Actual: I worked until 10 and rode in with some co-workers in order
to leave the car with SB. He packed everything up and was in my work
parking lot before 10. The drive was easy but dull – no bad weather,
no accidents but it’s not particularly scenic. With a brief stop at a
Church’s Fried Chicken in Brunswick, GA we pulled into the resort
between 2:15 and 2:30.
To my shock and horror the studio was not ready. This is the first
time since using online check in that my room was not ready when I
arrived. We had already loaded everything on a bell service cart and
it was sitting outside the front door. They did take it inside and
put it in a storeroom so we didn’t have to put it back in the car.
We walked over to the Mercantile with a little grumbling from SB on
why we have to walk all that way. It’s not really far, but he likes
to complain about walking and I like to tell him to just suck it up
and walk, lol! Dottie was working so we chatted with her a bit and
firmed up plans for tonight.
When we went back outside we talked about bicycles. At one point in
the car SB was saying he’d ride one but now he was saying it was too
cold. It will only get colder (much colder) the next few days so we
decided to not waste the money on his. I’ll go ride around a bit by
myself while he’s watching football or a movie. We walked back to the
main building and then drove to Fresh Market (just down the street a
couple miles).
We needed to find something to bring over to Dottie & Joe’s tonight
for before dinner, and ended up with a cheese ball & crackers. It was
slim pickings over there – and it was mobbed! We picked up a few
things for the room, too. While in Fresh Market we got the call that
the room was ready, but neither of us listened long enough to hear
what room number we have.
We returned to the resort and went upstairs to get our stuff and find
out the room number. Turns out we’re in the building next to the
lodge (but still connected to the lodge). I’ve never stayed in that
building before and think I prefer the main one. This building only
has 2 guest room floors and we’re on the top one, so that’s good. The
view of the marsh is mostly obstructed by trees, and that’s not so
good. The studio is in good shape and everything appears to be as it
should. They have replaced the television set with a flat panel, but
since it’s in the same piece of furniture they could only get the
small 19” size. The room is very dark, too. The only lighting is the
2 lightbulbs over the bed and a floor lamp in the far corner of the
room. There’s one over the little table, but I think that one will
stay very dim.
Despite the few shortcomings, overall I like the studio and we’ll be
fine here for 4 nights. The door to the connecting 1 bedroom villa is
right across from the foot of our bed, so I’m hoping we don’t have a
noisy family over there. The resort is FULL of kids everywhere and
feels much busier than I remember years ago. Back then it was barely
half full – now it’s sold out. That’s the drawback to having so many
dvc members out there.
I took some photos of the studio before unpacking stuff and then left
SB online while watching tv (movie about the Jackson family) to go get
my bike. First I picked up a couple of movies he was interested in
and then I went downstairs to rent the bike. Rentals are $16 for a 24-
hour period or $25 for the length of stay. I don’t expect to ride a
lot, but it’s worth $25 for the flexibility to ride a little here &
there whatever day I want. A basket and bike lock is included – I
believe helmets are too if you want one (I don’t).
I rode around the resort a bit and then locked my bike up in the bike
rack in the parking garage. I made one last pass through the lobby to
check for cookies and there were a few small chocolate chip cookies
there. The cranberry walnut ones came out and disappeared at 3pm, so
they brought these out later. I took 1 for each of us and went
upstairs to the studio.
The chocolate chip cookies were ok – nowhere near as good as the
cranberry walnut. SB had made a sandwich while I was gone, and later
we snacked on some bruschetta on French bread crisps. The setting sun
looked pretty but I was too lazy to go outside.
Around 7:30 we started getting ready and at 7:45 we were out the
door. Dottie had given me some vague directions to their place but
evenings on Hilton Head are pitch black. We had no clue where they
lived, and after backtracking it was dumb luck that we saw a car
coming out of nowhere and thought maybe that was a community back
there. I of course had forgotten which number was the gate security
code, so Dottie had to open it for us. Then we parked in the wrong
place and had to move. Finally we were good to go.
Their villa is really cute, and comes with a great view of the marsh
and the Disney resort. They have 2 adorable dogs – 1 of whom acts
like a cat and is extremely friendly/affectionate. She immediately
settled into SB’s lap. We had a very nice evening visiting with old
friends. Joe made his famous crabcakes and a chicken breast for me
and everything was excellent. Later Dottie made a grand marnier
soufflé, which we enjoyed with champagne.
Just before 11:30 we drove back to the resort for the 11:30 party/ball
drop. Dottie & Joe’s son Harry was the emcee for the event. SB
grabbed a table by the pool and the 4 of us hung out there for the
most part. The resort provided tiaras, noise makers, leis and more
noise makers. It was a family crowd and everyone had a nice time. At
midnight the ball dropped – unfortunately it was barely visible in the
dark. Perhaps they should have an illuminated ball or at least shine
a spotlight on it.
Harry came by to say Happy New Year, and then went back to work.
Close to 12:30 we said goodnight to Dottie & Joe and walked back to
our studio. We’ll see them again at breakfast Saturday morning.
Harry played baseball for years, so he & SB can talk baseball. SB & I
got online for a bit before calling it a night. The nice thing about
being here is there’s no reason to have to get up by any certain time
(although I cannot sleep past 8 because it’d be wasting the day in my
opinion). I can’t remember when I was up so late, lol!
Tomorrow they’re calling for 50% chance of rain, so we’ll have to play
it by ear. We want to walk on the beach and I’d like to ride the bike
during the inevitable friggin’ football game. It rained tonight a few
times, but we were always either indoors or under an umbrella table.
Tomorrow we probably won’t be so lucky!
Sue/WDW1972