Preparation - My College Reunion Trip - Grand Ocean Villa - Hilton Head Island, S. Carolina

College Reunion Trip – Hilton Head, South, Carolina

            This trip to my beautiful time-share resort, Grand Ocean Villa and two historic southern towns, Charleston, N. Carolina and Savannah, Georgia – both the backdrops of the Civil War movie Gone with the Wind  – is not the spur-of-the moment type I had back in February with my two senior buddies.  See my blog “Three Retired ladies’ Adventurous and Cultural Immersion trip (1/19/2-15 – 1/22/2015) – Charleston, S. Carolina.”  We all experienced the acute cabin fever syndrome from the long period of frigid temperatures in Maryland, then. 

Mimi, Jen-Jen and Janice at Charles Pinckney Planation - 1/20/15

            So, this reunion is the follow-up and a well-planned excursion for five college roommates/classmates.  We had a pinky-finger-pledge at Cape May, New Jersey on October 19, 2012.  We, five of us and my husband were on the fall leaf-peeping road trip then.  Three years later, just when all of us are promoted to either grandparents or in-laws, we made it again, together. 

            I called the theme of this trip “Live, Laugh and Love.”  Of course, spring cherry-blossom peeping is on our mind.

Preparation:

I sent out two trip notes to give them heads-up. 

Notes from October 5, 2014

Folks:

It’s still early - a Draft version. from 1 - 9.  I know Grand Ocean Resort normally has a lot of fun activities planned for Homeowners.

Points of Interest to think about it - My husband would like to drive all the way in 9 hours.  But, we can discuss about it.

1. We'd love to break up the long drive by stopping/staying somewhere in the middle

2. Outlet malls along I-95 near Smithfield NC - we used to kill a few hours with the kids shopping and get some deals! - Recommends for our way home.

3. Fayetteville - North Carolina (5 hours from DC) - Fayetteville to Hilton Head - 4 hours. - Possible overnight stay here.

4. Wilson, Rocky Mountain and Santee, North Carolina are all small towns along I-95 - motels etc..... Ben and I don’t recommend

5. Historic Charleston is bursting with Southern charm and hospitality. The city feels a bit like it’s suspended in time - a must-see - Movie "Gone with the Wind"remember?  It's happening here! 

6. South of the Border - a rest stop and roadside attraction on I-95.  It is so named because it is just south of the border between N. Carolina and S. Carolina.  The rest area contains restaurants, gas stations, and a motel, as well as a small amusement park, shopping (including, family, adult entertainment at the "Dirty Old Man Shop"), and fireworks. Its mascot is Pedro, a Mexican bandito (bandit) – We will see how it goes. - It does not appeal to me. - I think Hsia-Hwei will enjoy it.

8. Charleston, South Carolina - Historical Town - to Hilton Head is about 2 hours and 30 minutes. - We can arrange separate private tours to visit the city and plantation - include Gone with the Wind Tour

9. Savannah, Georgia - It’s about 45 miles from Hilton Head - something to do during the weeklong stay after you all run out of things to do. – I doubt it, though

******* Trust me!  You will have fun at weeklong stay in our Grand Ocean resort

Highlights

1.  Atlantic Ocean Beaches

2. Harbour Town Marina (restaurants/shops)

3. Coligny Plaza

4. Savannah, GA

5. Charleston, SC

6. Tanger Outlets 1 & 2

7. Adventure Cove Family Fun Center

8. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

9. Legendary Falls Miniature Golf

10. Tennis - Clinic & Fun

11. Dolphin Watch

12. Visit the historic lighthouse and treat yourself to an afternoon of shopping in Harbour Town

Let’s discover beautiful beaches, sand and fun. 

Hilton Head, SC is home to over 20 championship golf courses designed by golf legends.

Miles of beaches, and bicycle and hiking trails – We did that in 1994 with the kids – FUN!  See how young they both were! Eric was 9 and Celeste 16!

Guided Kayak adventures from sunup till sundown – Both my children, Eric and Celeste really loved it!

Eric and Celeste - 1994 - Biking at Grand Ocean, Hilton Head Island  

Family Trip - 1995- Savannah, GA

All and all - just relax and enjoy everything they offer for us. 

Notes on March 15, 2015

Folks:

It looks like spring is finally here - 50 degree for the daytime high and 30+ degree at night  - still chilly - warm coat is still needed - please pack it.

But, look at the Tidal Basin now!  A sheet of ice from the late snow-storm on 3/6/2015.  All the cherry blossoms are still tightly closed up in their buds!  I am a little concerned that you guys will be very  disappointed!

Activities - 4/6/2015 - 4/20/2015 

1. 4/6/2015 - pick you guys up at IAD - 3:40 p.m. (Shinyee) and 5:50 p.m. (Both LJ and Shia-Hwei) - Shinyee, please pack some snack to eat while you are waiting for them.  The traffic can be bad that time of the hour for us.  Ben and I will be there for you all.

Please write Ben and my cell phones  - Dinner (?) let’s talk about it.

2. 4/7/2015 - 4/10/2015 - rest and enjoy my Sport and Health Club 

3. Lovely Blossoms in my neighborhood - can be pretty too

4. Kenwood Cherry Blossom Walk in Bethesda  

5. Black Hill Regional Park in Germantown, Maryland

6. Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, Maryland 

7. Brookside Natural Garden in Wheaton, Maryland

8. White’s Ferry - across the Potomac River - Outlet shopping - Premium Outlet mall

The above places are well-known parks for city folks like us to enjoy

9. The long distance drive within 1 - 3 hour places:

. Baltimore Inner Harbor - 1.5 hours drive

. Annapolis - Naval Academy - 2 hours drive 

. Harper’s Ferry - Hiking place - John Brown - An Abolitionist - his raid on the Ferry in 1859 has the pre-civil war history - 1.5 hours drive

Downtown DC’s Cherry Blossom Festival starts 4/20/2015 - It’s a must see - The following is the prediction:

Bloom Watch 2015 Peak Bloom Predication Dates: April 11 - 14, 2015  Average Peak Bloom Date: April 4 Exactly when the buds will open is not easy to predict and it is extremely difficult to give an accurate forecast much more than 10 days before peak bloom.

4/11/2015 - Leave early 7:30 a.m. - log distance driving (8-9 hours) to Hilton Head Island, S. Carolina

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hhhvi-marriotts-grande-ocean/

All the activities are listed in the link - we will relax in the vila, biking on the beach, natural walk, tennis, golf and more...........for one week.  

. Charleston - Rhett Butler’s hometown/plantation - Civil War site  

. Savannah - Scarlett O’Hara’s mother’s hometown - Civil War site 

We can still visit DC for more Cherry Blossom viewing after we come back from Hilton Head Island.

See you all soon!