Isle of Palms Magazine Summer 2017

30 www.IsleOfPalmsMagazine.com | www.ILoveIOP.com | www.IOPmag.com .......................................................................................... BEST FRIEND MEMORIES As told by Dot Champion When did you start vacationing in Isle Of Palms? We first discovered Isle of Palms five years ago when our large group of friends, who summer in Highlands, North Carolina, needed a really large house for our annual early spring gathering. We had gone other places and had to have two or three small houses. I went online and found a great rental company – East Island Rentals. Tammy has helped us continue to secure the greatest house ever, “Sunbeam,” with 10 bedrooms, 10 full private baths and two half baths – also, a television in each very comfortable bedroom. What do you do while on vacation? Our usual group is 12 to 14 ladies, and we play bridge, and hand and foot, and we read, shop, chatter, laugh our heads off and share our hearts. Our motto now is “What Happens in IOP Stays in IOP.” It always ends up with at least one good reason for that motto!! What time of year do you visit and why? We try to go in the off season, in mid-March, so as not to miss our time later on in Highlands! And it is a bit less money at that time. Sunbeam is a spectacular property, with huge open spaces, lovely updated furnishings and every amenity possible to make our stay truly memorable. The views are simply stunning, with a picture perfect beach, although some years are a bit chilly in March. What are some memorable moments that you have created while on the island? We usually stay four nights and the ladies come from Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina to catch up, rest, eat and just enjoy our longtime friendships. Each one brings lots of goodies and beverages of choice! We cook in some and eat out often. We love Boathouse and Acme for yummy seafood, Coda del Pesce for gourmet offerings and Obstinate Daughter for unique lunch or dinner. What made you choose IOP over so many other locations to relax? There are so many wonderful dining spots on the island that we never venture back into Charleston once we are settled in. However, we do love to meet on the day of arrival in town at Magnolias. You must try their buttermilk fried chicken, succotash and Southern style collard greens! It sets the tone for our visit! What keeps you coming back? We have all agreed that there is no reason whatsoever to go anywhere else, so we book our gorgeous place far ahead each year. Isle Of Palms is especially wonderful because of easy access to great shopping and day trips. With Mount Pleasant just over the bridge, the shopaholics in our group are happy. Which places on the island do you find to be the most enjoyable/beautiful? Each visit, we truly hate to leave and threaten to stretch out our time to five nights or more, so that could possibly be an option soon. Do you have any other comments or things to say about the island or your time here? Most everyone in our group is well-traveled, and we all agree wholeheartedly that Isle of Palms is indeed a very special place which has gotten under our skin and in our hearts for many years to come! .......................................................................................... THIGPEN FAMILY MEMORIES As told by Tim Thigpen [ Island Memories ]