By Jay Elliott
Trish and I have been visiting Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island since 1973 and living here since 2005. This has given us an opportunity to enjoy much of what Hilton Head’s oldest plantation has to offer.
Each morning God paints a new masterpiece as the sun majestically rises on the beach. After living here almost 10 years, I still have to take a picture of it almost every morning.
The famed Harbour Town lighthouse watches boats come & go.
We begin each day there with our dog and “her” group of friends. We all knew the dog’s names before we did the humans. We are a close knit group who show up year round to watch our dog’s frolic in the ocean and roll and chase in the sand. Send me more information about Sea Pines!
A Life of Photo Ops
One simply cannot live at Sea Pines without a camera. The wildlife is breath taking. We enjoy spotting the mother loggerhead’s tracks up to where she lays her eggs. And at hatching time, we have been fortunate enough to witness this amazing event. The nests and eggs are counted each morning and carefully protected by the faithful workers who begin at pre-dawn each day.
A perfect line-up–beach lounges set up and ready for the day.
The different kinds of birds are numerous. Roosting across from our home are more than 100 snowy egrets and herons. The owls can be heard just down the street. There are eagles and hawks, wood ducks and Egyptian geese.The list just goes on…Send me more information about Sea Pines!
A Garden, Stables & More
We have a large garden plot at Heritage Farm. It is a source of an abundance of delicious organic food, friendships, and hours of pleasure. Often it is difficult to get the harvest home before eating it!
Just behind the garden is the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, a hidden treasure. There are two lakes for fishing and paths for horseback riding. It is a wonderful place to hike, picnic and view the vast array of wildlife. In the springtime there is a meadow of wildflowers you don’t want to miss.
Fairways and beaches stretch out for both people and wildlife.
Just across the road is Lawton Stables. There are dozens of beautiful horses grazing in the pastures awaiting trail rides, competitions held at the stables and many an excited visitor, young and old alike, with a handful of carrots to share. There is also a petting zoo on the premises that delights the grandchildren. Send me more information about Sea Pines!
World-Class Golf
Of course, one cannot think of Sea Pines without thinking “world-class golf.” Within the gates there are four championship courses. Sea Pines Country Club has one of the best maintained golf courses on the island. The new Heron Point course designed by Pete Dye is challenging and fun. Davis Love is redesigning the Ocean Course in the fall.
Hilton Head Island’s top layouts keeps golfers challenged.
And of course, the Harbor Town Golf Course is the home of the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament, which brings much excitement each spring. Send me more information about Sea Pines!
Sea Pines Country Club
Sea Pines Country Club not only has wonderful golf, but also offers great tennis. In addition to its adult programs, there are youth tennis camps in the summer. We have a soon-to-be-improved fitness area, and indoor and outdoor pools with locker rooms for all activities.
The food and staff are top notch and we have enjoyed many fun evenings at the club’s events. “Tenderloin and Trivia” has become an amazingly popular draw with over 300 people playing twice a month. (No cell phones allowed for this one.)
Beaches & More
The new Beach Club has quickly become the place to gather.
Those of us who call Sea Pines our home have our own property owners’ Tower Beach down near South Beach. It also has a wonderful shelter with bar where parties can be enjoyed and storage facilities for owners’ beach gear. Large swings beckon one to stop, sit, and just look out over the wooden beach walk down to the water.
Just a little further down the road is South Beach. The tourist shops and restaurant area resemble a New England village. There is always some sort of entertainment going on and two or three talking parrots mesmerizing the onlookers. Send me more information about Sea Pines!
Hilton Head Island’s Harbour Town
Harbour Town is such a draw for visitors of Hilton Head Island. The harbor is filled with enviable massive yachts and sailboats. The lighthouse overlooks the harbor with its familiar red and white stripes.
And each summer children and adults gather under the famous live oak tree looking out over the beautiful harbor to sing along with the iconic, Gregg Russell. This is a beloved tradition for anyone who visits.
People visit year after year to this very spot in hopes of getting chosen to come up and sing along with Gregg. There’s music for the kids as well as oldies for the adults that has everyone singing, laughing and going home with a smile on their face. The best part is it doesn’t cost a dime to participate.
Nothing’s better than dining with a view of the ocean.
There are great restaurants and delicious ice cream cones for dessert. It also is home to a very popular playground with a tree house. There are many wonderful shops to peruse. Excursions including the “Bubble Gum Cruise” and “The Pirate Cruise” leave from the pier in Harbour Town. One can easily check out opportunities for a variety of boating activities at the kiosks at the harbor. Send me more information about Sea Pines!
Tennis, Biking, Art & Eateries
The Stan Smith Tennis Center is located just outside Harbour Town for tennis enthusiasts to have lessons, clinics or enjoy a social game. The residents are also enjoying our new beach club and two completely new clubhouses: the Plantation Club and the Harbor Town Golf Links Clubhouse. They are all beautifully done with first-class accommodations.
If you don’t have a bike, there are many places to rent them and take off to explore on the 20 miles of bike paths within Sea Pines. It’s great to see whole families sharing time together and evident that some of them haven’t been on a bike for a very long time.
Shops, eateries and boutiques entertain when not at the beach.
Sea Pines has an art gallery called the Red Piano that frequently holds art shows in the CSA building. Once each year they are held at the Sea pines Country Club. We have so many talented artists in this area and always look forward to these events.
Sea Pines Center is home to some unique stores and various types of eateries. The center hosts outdoor evening concerts and dancing which are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Everyone loves the farmer’s market held here on Tuesday’s.
The Ties That Bind
One of the best parts about living in Sea Pines is that most of its residents are not from here originally. We all bring our interests and experiences and share them with one another.
A person’s previous profession is really not important. We all just find ourselves blessed with the beauty around us and the many opportunities to develop new friends and share the fun and relaxation that surrounds us. Send me more information about Sea Pines!
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