Homeless in Hilton Head

Due to some magical calendar serendipity, I was able to schedule a rendezvous with my friends Liz and Mike at their place in Sea Pines (Hilton Head), SC

They have a beautiful condo with a stunning golf view that offers some highly entertaining golfer-behavior watching at all hours of the day. Their terrace is the perfect place for coffee in the morning before you go play golf, ride your bike or walk on the beach - tough living at its very best if you ask me!

I was scheduled to arrive at 6pm for the visit. I pulled up the gate house to enter their complex and was politely directed back to the main entrance to collect my guest pass. As I u-turned, the guard made some comment about 'vehicles like mine', but I was focused on the directions he'd given me so I figured it would be all sorted once I had my official guest pass (destination voucher) firmly installed on my dashboard.

Having followed the detailed directions carefully, I arrived at the main gate and successfully collected my guest pass. No discussion of 'vehicles like mine' was had at the main gate. Taking a different route to Liz and Mike's house, I arrived at another gate house with guard. I happily waved my guest pass at him and prepared to accelerate. He stopped me cold and explained that I couldn't bring a 'vehicle like mine' on to the grounds. I asked politely “what was meant by 'vehicle like mine'?” He responded chapter and verse: "any conversion van, any vehicle with water & electric hook ups, any RV, any vehicle with a bed, etc." I thanked him, made another U-turn and parked in a nearby grocery store parking lot.

I packed my bag, locked RosieVan and called Liz to come collect me.

We surmised that 'vehicles like mine' are banned to prevent un-authorized people from squatting in the area. It is a pretty swanky place. I wouldn't mind boondocking in the van, hanging out at the beach for a few days. So, the rule makes sense, although it was a surprise to Mike and Liz.

We went to dinner that night at a great farm-to-table restaurant. I thanked them for collecting me from the grocery parking lot, putting me up for the night and buying me dinner. Mike, with his dry humor responded, "no problem, we're always happy to help the homeless".

Headed to next Asheville and then Eastern TN.