Visitor Orientation Information

We’re looking forward to having you and your guests on Dewees Island from _________ to _________, 2010.  Do you know when you’ll be arriving?  We’d like to meet you on the ferry to give you the visitors orientation tour.  Alternatively, we can have someone give you the orientation the next morning.

The orientation information below will help you get the most out of your time on the island.

1. CHECK IN TIME:  Check in time is 4 p.m.
2. DIRECTIONS TO THE FERRY.  The Dewees Island ferry leaves from the Dewees Marina at 46 41st Street, Isle of Palms, SC.  Click here for a map showing the directions from the Charleston International Airport.  You can easily edit the Google map to get directions from other locations.  The ferry leaves PROMPTLY on the hour.  You will want to arrive at least 15 minutes early to get your belongings loaded onto a hand cart and park your car. Dogs should be on a leash in the parking lot, on the ferry, and on Dewees at the ferry landing/causeway area.
3. PARKING:  When you pull into the Dewees Marina (between the Fire Station and the Isle of Palms Marina), you can pull up to the unloading area, put your things in one or two of the rolling hand carts and then go park your car in the parking lot.
4. GROCERIES:  You can get your groceries at any of the local markets.  One of the closest big stores is the Piggly Wiggly grocery store just off the Isle of Palms Connector.  It’s about 10 minutes from the Dewees Marina.  The address is 1981 Riveria Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.  The store offers a “Click n Shop” service that lets you shop online and pick up your completed order.  See PigglyWiggly.com for details.  Mount Pleasant has many other fine grocery stores, including a Whole Foods.  There is also a Red and White Market on the left after you get to the Isle of Palms, and a marina convenience store at the IOP marina, just past the Dewees Marina.  We recommend that you get your groceries on the way to the island so you don’t incur extra ferry charges.
5. LUGGAGE:  You can use one or two of the green or red rolling hand carts at the Dewees Marina to load your groceries and other belongings onto the ferry.  Only 5 hand carts can go onto the ferry.   If you arrive at a crowded time, your luggage may need to wait for the next boat, or you can choose to hand carry your luggage onto the ferry.
6. FERRY PASSES:  Ferry passes for all the people listed on your rental reservation guest list will be waiting for you on the Dewees Ferry.  Board the ferry. When asked for your passes, say, “we’re renting Lot __ from Simplistate.”  The ferry mate will give you your ferry passes and then scan them.  Please keep them with you.  You will need them each time you ride the ferry.  At the end of your trip, please return the ferry passes to the ferry mate.  If someone in your party is arriving later, leave their card in the envelope with the ferry mate.  If you need to add people to your guest list, please contact Reggie Fairchild at Reggie@simplistate.com or 843-259-1717.  You are not expected to tip the ferry staff.  Ferry rides are $10/round trip/person.  Your credit card will be charged in arrears for ferry trips.
7. FERRY HOURS:  The Dewees ferry starts running at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday.  On Sunday it starts at 8 a.m.  The last run to the island at is 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.  On Friday and Saturday, it runs until 12 midnight.  The ferry goes over to the island on the hour.  To save money and fuel, the ferry does not run if there are no riders.
8. GETTING OFF THE ISLAND:  Ferry runs off the island are “on demand” on the half hour.  Be sure to call the ferry at 843-568-3990 before the hour if you want to come off on the next half hour.  For example, if you want to go off the island at 10:30 a.m., call the ferry BEFORE 10 a.m. and say, “I’d like to be picked up on the 10:30 ferry.”  If you call at 10:05, then you may have to wait until the 11:30 ferry.  If the ferry is already coming over for the 10:30 for someone at another house, then, of course, you can catch a ride, too.
9. [COOL TIP: If the weather is nice, sitting upstairs on the ferry can be a fantastic opportunity to relax, see birds, and frequently to see a dolphin. After your card is scanned by the mate, feel free to go upstairs.  Children should be accompanied by an adult.]
10. HOUSE KEY:  The house key will be in an envelope with your name on it.  The envelope will be on the ferry in the Simplistate folder.  Please return the house key to the mate when you leave the island.
11. GOLF CARTS: When the ferry arrives at Dewees, the mate will take your hand cart off the ferry.  You then roll it to the top, past the covered dock and out towards the golf carts.  Leave the hand cart at the golf cart loading and unloading area.  Go get the golf cart for Lot __.  The golf carts are all individually owned.  Please only drive the carts for Lot __.  They are labeled on the front and driver side.  BE SURE to plug the golf carts in overnight, every night.  When plugged in correctly, the meter on the charger will move to the right and show how many amps are being used.  If the meter doesn’t move, try plugging in the cart again.  It can be a little tricky when you first learn to plug in the carts.  You must have a valid drivers license to drive a golf cart on the island.
12. ADDRESS OF THE HOUSE:  VRBO Listing #_______ is known as Lot __ on the Island.  If you need to tell someone how to get to the house, you say, “I’m staying at Lot __.”  Everyone will know what that means.  Lot __ is just across the road from ____________________.  The road it’s on is called _________________.
13. GETTING TO THE HOUSE:  See directions for Lot __.
14. MAPS: A map of the island is available on the ferry.  Additional maps are also attached to this email.
15. HOUSE PHONE NUMBER: The rental house phone number is 843-886-4609.
16. SHEETS: The house comes with sheets.
17. TOWELS: The house comes with towels.  Beach towels are NOT provided.  Please bring your own beach towels.
18. VISITORS GUIDE: An excellent Visitors Guide is available for purchase online.  You can preview the whole book online for a great description of everything you need to know.  You can also buy copies at the Nature Center in the Landings Building.
19. VISITOR ORIENTATION: A free visitor orientation is included with your rental.  Someone from Simplistate will be happy to meet you for the ferry ride and a brief tour of the house and island.  Please schedule the orientation tour with Reggie Fairchild.
20. FISHING:  Anyone fishing on Dewees is required to have to a South Carolina Saltwater Recreational Fishing License.  This includes anyone recreationally harvesting fish, oysters, clams, shrimp, and crab.  For additional details, please see SC DNR’s website.  Fishing licenses can be purchased online or by telephone, 1-866-714-3611, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; or by visiting fishing gear stores.  Fishing gear and bait can be purchased at Haddrells Point Tackle, Charleston Angler, or the Isle of Palms Marina Store.
21. Some brief (2-4 minute) VIDEOS ABOUT DEWEES:
    • Introduction:     http://www.vimeo.com/3673403
    • Transportation:   http://www.vimeo.com/3642444
    • Garbage and Recycling   :http://www.vimeo.com/3561112
    • Dewees Island:  On the Beach http://www.vimeo.com/3567339
    • Crabbing on Dewees:  http://www.vimeo.com/3634192
    • Fishing on Dewees: http://www.vimeo.com/3623071
    • Shorebirds  http://www.vimeo.com/3643683
    • Dolphins  http://www.vimeo.com/3893832
    • New Nature Center:  http://www.vimeo.com/4854336
22. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR PROBLEMS:  We want your stay on Dewees Island to be great.  If you have any issues or suggestions, please call or email Reggie Fairchild at Reggie@simplistate.com or 843-259-1717.  Two backup numbers are Judy at 843-259-1713 and Seth at 843-278-2020.
23. WEATHER EMERGENCIES:  In the event of a hurricane warning, the island will be under a mandatory evacuation order, and you will need to vacate the island.  We can’t offer a refund in the event of a hurricane.  We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect your investment in your vacation.  You can learn more at www.insuremytrip.com.
24. EMERGENCY:  Call 911

RENTER CHECK OUT INSTRUCTIONS

We hope you had a great time.  If there’s anything that Simplistate, LLC or the owners could have done to make your stay more enjoyable, please let us know.

1. PLAN AHEAD:  It will take a little longer than you think to pack, straighten up the house, take out the trash and so forth.  Leave yourself a little extra time so you can have a relaxing departure.  The ferry leaves on the half hour (example: 9:30 or 10:30 a.m.)
2. CALL THE FERRY:  Ferry runs off the island are “on demand” on the half hour.  Be sure to call the ferry at 843-568-3990 before the hour if you want to come off on the next half hour.  For example, if you want to go off the island at 10:30 a.m., call the ferry BEFORE 10 a.m. and say, “I’d like to be picked up on the 10:30 ferry.”  If you call at 10:05, then you may have to wait until the 11:30 ferry.  If the ferry is already coming over for the 10:30 for someone at another house, then, of course, you can catch a ride, too.
3. CHECK OUT TIME:  Check out is at 10:30 a.m. on the Dewees Ferry
4. THE HOUSE:  Please leave the house in the same condition or better than when you arrived.  Things should be put back away.  The dishes should be clean.  Please put the TV remotes back on top of the TV.  The linens and towels will be changed.  So there’s no need to wash them.
5. LOCKING THE HOUSE:  In order to lock the front door, you must pull up on the door handle while turning the key.
6. TRASH AND RECYCLING:  Please take your trash and recycling to the Public Works area (next to the helicopter landing field on some maps of the island).  Public Works is on Old House Lane.  Deposit waste in the appropriate bins.  Plastic bottles and metal cans go in one recycling bin.  Paper, with no food on it, goes in another.  Trash goes in the big dumpsters.  Compost goes in the green Solar Cones.  Everything is labeled at Public Works.
7. THE GOLF CARTS:  Two golf carts, including the white trailer, should be left fully charged at the ferry landing.
8. THE KEY.  Please hand the house key to the ferry mate.  Ask them to put it back in the Simplistate, LLC folder.  Replacements cost $10.
9. FERRY PASSES:  Please return your ferry passes to the ferry mate when you leave the island.  Replacements cost $10/card.
10. QUESTIONS:  If you have any questions, please call Reggie at 843-259-1717 or Judy at 843-259-1713 or Seth at 843-278-2020.

Thank you for staying with us.  Have a safe trip home.

Reggie
–