Hunting Island to Savannah

September 27, Hunting Island to Savannah

Another clear day at Hunting Island.  By 10 when we left the campsite, all the early morning clouds were gone.  Taking down camp was easy – we did have to give a little thought to what we needed to keep out in a bag for living in a hotel for a couple days.  The drive back to Beaufort was fine – more traffic at 10 AM than in late afternoon when we have been on the road the past couple days.  We turned south on Lady’s Island and headed to Port Royal.  We had visited there on an earlier trip to Hunting Island and recognized the long string of palm trees along the road heading to Parris Island.  An interesting place to visit. 

We however continued on south and turned back to the sea when we hit the parkway to Hilton Head.  We know many folks who love to visit Hilton Head and thought we should see what it had to offer.  Some years ago we had driven there and did not remember anything we particularly liked but thought we should give it another chance.  For starters there is a 4 lane divided highway that soon turns into a 6 lane divided highway…with lots of traffic.  Strike 1 

There must be one of every car dealership in the country if not 2 or 3 along this highway.  Also every chain restaurant and store you have ever heard of – and a Tanger Outlet Mall and then a Tanger Outlet Mall 2.  Never seen that.  We must have passed at least 10 golf courses – there were more we quit counting.  We kept driving and finally reached a street that was near the ocean – resorts built so closely together you could just barely make out the ocean was there.  A few restaurants and some very nice homes but no public access to the ocean for the 5 miles or so we stayed on this road.  It ended where you could pay to access the main Sea Island (not sure I have name right) Resort and Harbor Town where the lighthouse is located.  $8 to drive through more of the same to see the harbor seemed a bit much so we turned around. Strike 2

We thought we would find somewhere to eat lunch and put a sub shop in Waze – was supposed to be close - but we ended up on a bypass headed off the island -  well after nearly an hour and a half driving around and seeing little besides traffic, shopping centers, golf courses, condos, hotels, and resorts – we had had enough. So, when we came to a Chick-Filet we stopped and ate!  We were back in Bluffton and again saw the miles and miles of car sale lots, shopping malls, private resorts, golf courses etc.   I am sure if you knew where to go and how to get there Hilton Head is lovely.  We did not know where to go and there was no visitor center or we missed it.  Sites to see on Trip Advisor were mainly churches or resorts.  Strike 3  Anyway - we gave Hilton Head a try.

Headed on down I-95 and found our hotel in Pooler which is on the interstate about 8 miles inland from Savannah.  A cool room and a little rest was just what we needed!   The #1 restaurant in Pooler was Pie Society – it had really great reviews and sounded quite interesting and different.  A British place that baked all their own pies – savory and sweet to eat in or take home to bake.  Everything baked fresh each day.  Also all sorts of British teas etc to buy.  We have had plenty of seafood so thought we would give it a try.  It was close too and Ben was not wanting to drive too far….  It was sort of like a deli – but with interesting British décor – Monty Python on one wall and Winston Churchill on another! 

You ordered and then took your food to eat at nearby tables.  Ben had Beef and Potato Pie (they were out of Beef and Kidney) and Jane had Chicken and Veggie Pie.  Both were pretty good the filling was full of meat and veggies but the crust was quite heavy.  It was fresh and tasted fine just couldn’t eat all the heavy crust.  Then we got coconut and peach pie to go and took it back to the hotel. It was definitely a change of pace!  Nice to take a good shower and certainly fell asleep quickly.