Our April Rhythm on Hilton Head Island

Rather than stare out the window waiting for spring to arrive, we head to Hilton Head Island for a few weeks. April in New Hampshire is technically spring, but the landscape is still mostly brown and dormant. The first signs of green begin to appear, yet it doesn’t really come to life until early May. It’s mostly a waiting game, and we’d rather do our waiting where the weather is warm and the landscape is already alive.

We’ve been making this trip for several years now. What started as a simple escape from mud season has slowly turned into a tradition. Over time we’ve written several blog posts and shared a few videos about these Hilton Head visits, documenting the places we explored and the routines that gradually developed. Search Results: 'hilton head' - Wine&WhiskeyTravels

These days the trip feels less like travel and more like settling into a familiar seasonal rhythm.

This year we settled into one of our favorite spots at the Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort, site 109, which we try to reserve each April. The site gets a nice mix of sun and shade and has a little backyard area that works perfectly for the dog.

After a few days, life here settles into an easy routine. Mornings usually start quietly with coffee outside while the dog watches the world wake up. The bird activity around our site is constant, we often sit and listen while identifying the different calls and watching them move through the trees. The resort is peaceful early in the day, with people walking dogs, heading out for bike rides, or planning their beach trip.

For us, some days we ride the island bike paths just for exercise. Hilton Head has miles of shaded trails winding through the trees. Other days include a beach walk. We like to use Alder Lane beach access, load the Jeep with chairs, towels, and the dog, and spend some time walking along the shoreline. Sometimes we return later with snacks and drinks and let the afternoon wind down by the water.

During our early visits we spent time exploring parks and nature areas around the island for dog walks. These days most of the dog walking happens right along the beach or within the resort, which suits everyone just fine.

Afternoons are relaxed. Sometimes that means the pool. Sometimes it means sitting outside at the site with a book, cooking a meal on the Blackstone, or chatting with neighbors as they wander by.

Occasionally the motorhome kitchen turns into a small baking operation. One morning I made a batch of sourdough bagels and shared a few with friends around the resort.

Even routine chores take on a different feel here. Laundry day, for example, takes about two hours using several machines at once in the resort laundry room. While the washers and dryers run, we often wander over to the pool and relax in the sun, checking back occasionally between cycles. It may be the only place where doing laundry actually feels like part of the vacation.

One of the best parts of returning each year is reconnecting with the friends we have made at the resort. Many people arrive around the same time each spring, and familiar faces begin appearing again along the rows of motorcoaches. Even our dog Bell has an April friend. Max from Virginia returns about the same time each year, and the two quickly resume their annual reunion.

Meals are often shared at someone’s site. A grill gets going, dishes appear from different kitchens, and before long a casual dinner turns into a small gathering.

Each year we also bring a small taste of home with us. Homemade maple syrup from New Hampshire travels south in the motorhome, and we enjoy sharing bottles with friends, especially those from the south who watch our sugaring season from afar and find the whole process fascinating.

We bottle the syrup in bourbon bottles. Here is a side by side of a "real" bourbon along with the bottled syrup. Looks identical! (syrup on right)

This year added something new. Friends from Wolfeboro joined us for their first visit to Hilton Head and stayed for three weeks. Watching them experience the island was enjoyable as they made their own discoveries, including the beaches, thrift shops, and favorite spots around the island. By the end of their stay they seemed to understand exactly why we keep coming back each April.

Evenings at the resort often stretch long after dinner. This year Tom and our Wolfeboro friend brought their acoustic guitars, and music became part of many evenings.

Of course we still make time for a few favorite restaurants. Fishcamp on Broad Creek, Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, and Skull Creek Boathouse remain regular stops for fresh seafood and sunset views along the water.

After several years of returning each April, Hilton Head no longer feels like just a destination but a seasonal chapter in our lives. We have explored the island, found our favorite beaches and restaurants, and made friends who return the same time each year.

Now we simply settle into the rhythm of being here. Before long we will point the motorhome north again, but for a few weeks each spring Hilton Head is our mud season refuge.

Thank you, as always, to those who take the time to read our posts and follow along with our travels and life at home. We appreciate the interest and enjoy sharing these small pieces of our year.