Embracing the Island

Hilton Head, South Carolina fooled us with its endless free historical and natural adventures, low gas prices, and moderately priced groceries.

First Stop: Coastal Discovery Center, free with paid options completely accessible

I guess you never have to worry about us wondering the beaten path when we travel. We dig hard for those empty and sometimes forgotten spaces. When I think about Hilton Head this is what I think of; not the mansions, beaches, or golf courses.

We highly recommend a stop-in at the Coastal Discovery Center. We actually made it over twice during our trip. Please, Please do not let the pricey brochures and media focus for the paid tours and classes keep you away. We started with the free museum and came back with my mobility scooter to explore the farm and gardens. There are also trails, learning centers, and a camellia garden with over 130 specimens. If you are lucky enough to be there on a Tuesday you will find their local farmer's market and if you have the kids with you they have plenty for them to explore including a scavenger hunt, a butterfly enclosure, and a carnivorous plants garden.

For a quick photo recap: 1. pollinator condominium we made these back when I was a teacher and this one was quite elaborate, but you can make a smaller one yourself.

2. Honey Horn Plantation remains of their old cemetery. 3. They are housing one of the biggest roosters we have ever seen in person. That hen next to him is full-grown. 4. That is Bob out on the boardwalk of the salt marsh, which seems to make up most of the waterways on Hilton Head Island. 5. Gullah Bottle Tree, I can't get enough of these. The meaning of these trees is vast and are prevalent in Gullah heritage areas in the US. 6. One of the 100+ camellias.

Second Stop: Audubon Newhall Preserve, free and only accessible with off-road mobility

Ok, Bob didn't want to go...but I think he enjoyed it anyway. It was a great opportunity to collect some bird calls for my Cornell Lab Bird App and once again we were mostly alone. Well except for a wild man that seemed very busy taking care of some plants. Yes, he startled us, but we probably startled him as well. I did have to use the mobility scooter and if you are in a chair that is not off-road ready you may have to skip this walk. The trails were rough and narrowed quite a bit the further deeper we went. As I said, it was a tight trail. We probably wouldn't want to do it in the tick season as all the plants were reaching out and grabbing us.

Third Stop: Fort Mitchel, free and not accessible

While Fort Mitchel itself has left very little to see it was an important fort during the American Civil War and full of natural beauty. U.S. troops surrounded the town of Mitchelville which was housing about 1,000 to 3,000 free slaves to protect them from the Confederate troops.

A couple of things to prepare yourself for when you visit Fort Mitchel. In addition to not being handicap accessible...the fort is located inside of a private neighborhood. Don't back up when you approach the gate, just let them know that you want to see the fort and they will give you a free restricted pass.  You may also run into an alligator as Skull Creek is a happy home for the local reptiles. Skull Creek isn't a little creek, it feels more like a river, and like most of the waterways on and around Hilton Head...it is salty. These alligators don't care about the salt at Hilton Head. About 3000 of them call it home. We also found this groovy pottery shard.

Fourth Stop: Fort Howell and Mitchelville, free and accessible

Fort Howell also didn't leave much to see but some good-sized earthworks that are still intact. Fort Howell was lucky enough to never see any exchange of fire. They are right next to Mitchelville protecting the town during the war. I did steal the two last photos as we didn't spend much time at Mitchelville. When we arrived they were decorating for their annual Christmas drive-through. Both of these locations are free to visit, but if you want a real history lesson about Gullah heritage take the $8 tour and toss a little more in for donations. They really would love the help and spread the word about this living historical site. Just call ahead so the tour guide can come meet you.

Fifth Stop: Amelia White Cemetery and Greens Shell Mound, 

free and partially accessible

Greens Shell Mound is an archeological site that has been reburied. Not much to see, but a nice walk over to the water. Mostly a public playground park with a cemetery in the middle.

But wait there is more...coming your way soon the second half of our Hilton Head visit. Until then just look where we were relaxing and staying toasty and dry for a change.