Back in the summer, we made plans for our yearly fall trip to the beach. In years past, we’ve alternated between the Florida pan-handle area of Cape San Blas and with Hilton Head, SC. We chose Cape San Blas again because it’s very secluded and very pet-friendly.
But those plans changed. The aftermath of Hurricane Michael left Cape San Blas unable to host travelers. We took a raincheck for next fall and we will definitely be back to the Cape, Apalachicola, and St. George Island. That area of “old Florida” is very dear to us and we know it will be back and thriving next year.
We had decided to just skip the beach this year since we didn’t ask for a refund and that budgeted vacation money is still with our travel agency. But, the more we thought, the more we realized we needed to get away for a few days and we both love the beach in the Fall. This was going to be Atlas’ first trip with us. His name is literally based off our travels and the worn and torn atlas that Stephen uses to plan our trips. We needed to get our new travel partner to the beach!
Also, this was a great chance to run one of my favorite races. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Savanah race is unbelievable. More on that later.
Hilton Head Island has some fantastic deals that began Nov 1st and we pulled into Caligny Circle mid-afternoon. We introduced Atlas to the beach and he wasn’t a fan at first. He’s a very sheltered dog and has has little exposure to other animals and people. There was a LOT of people on the public beach for a warm November afternoon. He had to be on leash and he wanted to explore.
Today, on the more private beach area access from our condo, he was able to be off leash and he LOVED it! He ran and played and chased birds and loved on all the people that stopped to admire him. He is such a cuddler and he loves people.
Thursday, after we explored the public beach and got settled into our condo, we were too tired and Atlas was too out of his element for us to go out to dinner. We decided to hit up the best Kroger I have ever seen. I remember this one from our first trip here and I knew they had several fresh food hot bars.
Got the necessities for 4 days in Hilton Head. Plus some post-race libations.
Alabama plays LSU this weekend. Every time we have traveled on LSU weekend, we have won. So…I’m not jinxing anything. I got the items to make jalapeno poppers (bacon-wrapped, sausage-stuffed) and my fantastic beefy nachos. Breakfast items, coffee, and some snack foods rounded out our trip to the best Kroger ever.
We have a routine while traveling. Especially during the 3-4 weeks out west each summer, we choose to cook breakfast at the condo/campfire. We usually eat a late big breakfast, then decide to eat out for late lunch or early dinner. While we budget for vacations and we are doing well financially, neither of us want to spend money on breakfast when I love to cook and can make breakfast easily and quickly.
IF I have a breakfast place I want to try, we switch things up a bit. Being on the beach, we both wanted seafood so breakfast is at the condo the next 3 days. 
Tomorrow is race day and beach lounging. I can’t wait!!