August 17-20, 2023
The Skinny
Thursday, August 17
Off to stay with Gigi Wallace on Sullivan's Island
Dinner at Red Drum around corner from her house
Friday, August 18
Shem Creek walk in morning with Gigi's dog
On to Johns Island? for funeral service at Bishop's Glasden
After funeral on to Kiawah Island - The Sanctuary
Rented bikes and biked south on beach; returned on bike paths
Dinner: Atlantic Room @ Ocean. Course
Saturday, August 19
Golf - Turtle Point 910am (Nicklaus course)
Lunch over at Cougar Point
Poolside relaxation
Freshfields exploration
Dinner at Tomasso's Turtle Point
Sunday, August 20
Golf Cougar Point in the morning
Quick dip in pool
I-95 for trip home!
The Meat on the Bones
Thursday, 8/17/23
In celebration of my Aunt Betty Stafford’s 96 wonderful years, we set off for the SC Low Country and Charleston to celebrate her life on earth to be held at the gorgeous Bishop Gladsen “Chapel” on Friday. We stayed with good friend Gigi Wallace and her pup Ollie at her pad near Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant. We walked to dinner round the corner at Red drum which was quite good.
Friday, 8/18/23
A nice jaunt around the Shem Creek area before going back over the spectacular Ravenell Bridge and then over to James Island for the joyful funeral. Then, on the other side of life, we traveled south to Kiawah Island about 40 minutes across Johns Island to celebrate a birthday.
Having never been to Kiawah, our pre-conceived expectations were pretty much incorrect, mostly in that the island is quite large, roughly 10 miles in length, had numerous homes, “private” subdivisions, some tasteful high rise condo building, all mostly on the interior and plenty for rent. There is also a public beach state park, parks and playgrounds and its own shopping village.
The famed Sanctuary Hotel, while large and a central part of the island, is really only a part of the overall make-up of the community. Stately in feel and a big draw for visitors, it’s a good route to go for the first time and/or for a lux or special event visit. What really stood out was the outstanding service. I felt like there was a staff member for every guest and their more than cheerful and pleasant attitude was noticeable, appreciated and refreshing.
Staying here gives you access to the 5 top notch golf courses including the PGA and Ryder Cup Ocean Course which is spectacularly gorgeous as well as all the different restaurants and amenities which otherwise are private to members. Reminiscent of other grand hotel resorts such as the Homestead or the Cloister, it could be described as elegant, but with VERY definite low country casual and emphasis on being family oriented. Featuring a top spa, family and adult pools, a major tennis center, and of course golf everywhere, it perches right on the classic SC large, wide and flat 10 mile beach. There are also 3 restaurants on location including a 5 star steak house, coffee shop, ice cream shop and then access to 7 other restaurants around the island with shuttles running continuously. (Be sure to note the mural paintings inside.) The hotel clientele was all over the map literally in age, geography and purpose. All walks of life here for sure.
But what people talk about the most is the biking as the entire island is covered with bike trails and the beach is the perfect natural bike trail with access points along the way if 10 miles isn’t your thing (check the wind direction!)
Freshfields is the purpose built shopping village as you enter the island that is fun to cruise around with excellent shops, plus necessities of supermarket, general/hardware store and numerous causal restaurants. A fun way to spend an afternoon.
There are lots of other activity options with river and marsh tours, nature tours (check out the porpoise strand type feedings on the Kiawah River), kayaking and fishing in the marsh, etc. etc.
With that primer, here’s how we spent our short stay:
Upon arrival, we rented two bikes and rode south on the beach for about 3 miles getting off at the State Park and biking back on the trails. Dinner was at the Atlantic Room at the Ocean Course which is absolutely gorgeous at the tip of the north end 7 miles away. A bit of a fun mad house, esp around sunset, we opted for indoors given the heat, but our views were excellent and the food mirrored that sentiment. Highly recommend at least a visit in general, and/or a meal in the Ryder Cup bar, bar restaurant or the Atlantic Room restaurant.
Saturday, 8/19
9:10 am tee time at the Jack Nicklaus designed Turtle Point Golf course. No where near as hard as the Ocean Course and no way as expensive with no caddy required, it is tight with some challenging smaller greens, but does feature 3 ocean holes.
Heat was pulsing on the course so afternoon after lunch at Cougar Point Player’s Pub porch took us to poolside. Regrouped, we went to Freshfields to check it out and then onto dinner at Tomasso’s Italian restaurant at Turtle Point. It was good, not great. Maybe depends on what you order….
Sunday, 8/20 Happy 59!
When in Kiawah, do as the Kiawis do and play golf. So off to Cougar Point to play. A quick dip and then time to take it back up I-95. We will return!
And home we go….
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