Short trip to Hilton Head

Last week I took a short trip to visit Hilton Head Island.  Hilton Head is only about two hours by car south of Charleston off of I95.  It is the largest barrier island on the southern Atlantic seacoast.  It is also a relatively ritzy development dreamland very similar to Charleston's Kiawah and Seabrook Islands.  We had a great time in one of the few remaining 70s era beach houses on what's known as Hilton Head's "gold coast".  The beach is really beautiful and very empty.  We biked all over the island and had drinks and seafood at an outdoor spot called The Salty Dog.  Our favorite lunch spot turned out to be in Bluffton at the May River Grill, we went back the next day only to find them closed, they only do dinner on Saturday.  The dish to have at the May River is the oysters, they are fantastic and the tres leches dessert is divine.  The Sage Room was our favorite dinner spot where I loved the asian menu especially the pea pods and the bar b que tofu.  After lunch in Bluffton we did some antiquing and found a samuri sword which became the focus of the party game "watermelon decapitation".  The best find of the whole weekend was the Bluffton Oyster Company this seafood market is perched on the water with shrimp boats tied up out front.  They have been in business for 100 years and still hand pick crab and sell the lump meat by the pound fresh.  It is really a must see and taste.  My take on Hilton Head Island is a perfect getaway for a few days with fun friends.  The island is sleepy and relaxing compared to Charleston, Sc.