Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Ah, the great outdoors, where humidity renders eyeglasses completely opaque, the no-see-ums attack us, and the summer sun wants nothing less than to roast our skin to an angry red.
Sure, it’s not all bad. But the fact is, there are times where the great outdoors can be a little bit too much. There comes a time when a little air-conditioned comfort is called for, when we yearn for some kind of indoor diversion while we recharge for our next outdoor foray.
SCHOOL PROFILES
A primer on the area’s finest educational institutions.
WOUNDED WILDLIFE FIND NEW HOMES AT LAURA’S LITTLE CRITTER BARN
Growth in greater Bluffton has displaced the area’s wild animals, whose habitats have been upended by landscaping crews, traffic, construction and other human activities. When those animals are injured or need a new home, people call in Laura Sterling, owner of Laura’s Little Critter Barn.
More than 100 squirrels, raccoons, opossums, rabbits and other animals live at the 5-acre farm off of Malphrus Road. The nonprofit rescue, rehab and sanctuary also cares for farm animals and unwanted pets.
HELP SCIENTISTS LEARN ABOUT OUR MOST FASCINATING WILDLIFE
Admit it: You may not always see them, but you always look for them.
Sneaking a quick glance from the Cross Island Parkway and the bridges that connect Hilton Head Island to the mainland, most of us scan the waters below for the tell-tale fins of bottlenose dolphins as they break the surface.
Congratulations to Bogie, winner of our annual Cutest Pet Contest.
Bogie is a 15-month old mini goldendoodle who loves playing with other dogs (of any size, but particularly other doodles), cruising around the island to take in all the sights, and swimming in the tidal pools at the beach.
KeithAge: 4 years old
Gender: Male
Weight: 57 pounds
Breed: Pit Bull
Temperament: Sweet. Fun Loving. High energy. Loves the pool and his ball.
YOUR FAMILY HAS A CUTE NEW PUPPY. NOW WHAT?
If there is some good that has come out of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s that more and more fur babies are finding their forever homes.
Which is great! Dogs are an endless source of amusement, particularly the less bright ones (the author can make that joke, as he owns a lab, a breed the AKC refers to as “hilariously dumb”).
HEAD OUTDOORS IN NATURE ON HHI TO HAVE A GREAT TIME
In the Lowcountry, there’s no limit to the good times you can have without getting sand in your shoes. Whether you’re looking to improve your handicap, spend a little quality time with the family or discover the island’s history, enjoyment awaits. Get out there and find it.
A WHEEL GOOD TIME
Hilton Head Island recently saw its Gold-Level Bike Friendly Community status re-affirmed, with the added bonus of being named the most bike-friendly community in South Carolina. It’s a well-earned title; the island boasts 6 miles of bike lanes, 117 miles of shared-use pathways, 108 miles of paved shared-use paths, 14 miles of planned pathways, and 1 mile of single track stretching across the island. Bikers of all abilities are sure to find the perfect path for their two-wheeled exploration of the island.
LOCAL SCUBA FANS TAKE EXPLORATION TO NEW DEPTHS, URGE BOATER CAUTION
The first time Matt Garbade went scuba diving in the May River, the darkness was unsettling. But coming back up to the surface was even more harrowing.
Garbade is one of a growing number of divers who brave the Lowcountry’s murky waters in search of treasures, and while he’s grown accustomed to exploring the river bed with limited visibility, he still feels uneasy about coming back to the surface because of boaters who don’t always heed the warnings that divers are in the area.
PREP EARLY FOR HURRICANES TO STAY SAFE
Recently, Gov. Henry McMaster warned residents of the Lowcountry and the rest of the state to get ready for an active storm season.
“Here we are, in hurricane season in the middle of a pandemic,” said McMaster, who called the next five months “a heavy hurricane year” because forecasters predict an above average number of hurricanes with greater than normal strength.
