The thing about moochdocking is you get a glimpse into different lives, places you wouldn’t otherwise see. I suppose you could say that about van life in general.
December in Hilton Head requires patience as traffic is surprisingly heavy on an island of 40,000 residents with, I am told two and a half million visitors. The numbers remind me of Key West.
Hilton Head is a sandy island filled with vast live oaks throwing shade everywhere.
Neon is banned and paying a visit to a grocery store has the feel of participating in a fairy tale reenactment down in the woods…
It is charming, low country swamps, winding tidal rivers and mansions masked by greenery. In the middle of all this we landed and spent a few days. I had a visitor’s pass to the largest gated community on the island and I was keenly aware of the privilege. A place of rare beauty.
The thought that goes through my head is that a million bucks goes a lot further here than it does in Key West. Complete buildings and basic facilities like parking and functioning utilities. No compromise construction.
Walking Rusty is a solitary business here as the population seems weighted toward the older age groups. I could see Rapunzel-like figures sitting in windows looking out like urban house cats forbidden to take the fresh air. Perhaps they were elderly enough that walking may be a past art for them.
Hilton Head has a history of occupation by planters and slaves going back to the 18th century. The biggest disruption to the genteel side of life, for slave owners, was the arrival of the unpleasantness between the states. The Union took over Hilton Head to use it as a base to blockade Savannah. They built, as soldiers are wont to, a fort and they put half a dozen canon in to control the waterways.
There was one other couple wandering Fort Mitchell when I was there but they exuded no visible signs of personality so I tried to refrain from irritating them. We took our chances with alligators and stepped off the path to give the other couple room.
I found the history explained on site and bring it here for you to study:
But we had places to go…
…and construction to see. They are building more homes where the old Fort Pub used to serve excellent food.
“Respect for History is the Soul of Citizenship,” that and I guess paying taxes!
I sat at Von’s bench and had a splendid view indeed of Skull Creek.
We walked the pier “at our own risk” and were rewarded with views down the creek. No one was harmed in this risky expedition.
Back at Webb’s place we watched Argentina run rings around Croatia.
I thought Argentina’s national anthem was rather mild and inconclusive but three goals concluded that in high style for them.
With the sun out I could see myself under the live oaks. Narcissist…
The man responsible for getting me through the gate:
And his boat:
See you Webb, in a few years I hope. Thank you for everything.
