Beautiful Savannah and Hilton Head

Savannah Waterfront
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11/22-29/2008

We drove from Charleston to Hardeeville, SC in the motorhome this morning. It was very cold – below freezing. Hardeeville is about halfway between Hilton Head and Savannah so a good spot to locate. The RV park here is very nice with wooded sites. This should be a good home base for the next week.

The Food in Savannah cant be beat!

On Sunday we took a drive around the area to get the lay of the land. Visited Bluffton and Beaufort and stopped to take a look at the Hilton Head Sun City development (the crown jewel of Del Webb’s developments). We also drove on to Hilton Head Island and did a little shopping. We have been to Hilton Head several times and find it a great place to play golf.

Judi on River Street, Savannah
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Monday we played golf at Pintail Creek GC which is located near our RV site. It is an old course and not in great condition but we had a good time and it was very reasonable.

Tuesday we drove to Savannah and were very surprised to find that it is only about 15 minutes from where we are staying. We entered the city on the Highway 17 bridge which drops you off right in Historic Savannah. We headed for the Visitor Center to pick up some maps and park. The Visitor Center is located inside the old railroad station which also houses a museum. Savannah is one of the most beautiful cities we’ve seen and it is so well preserved. It was established in 1733 by founder James Oglethorpe. Oglethorpe was responsible for what has become Savannah’s claim to fame – her city squares, the park like havens that make her so wonderful for strolling and relaxing. The city is graced with huge live oaks draped with Spanish moss and loads of historic homes and buildings. Savannah grew up to be a bustling port famed for cotton export. The Battle of Savannah was fought here during the Revolutionary War. During the Civil War she was the prize at the end of the Union Army’s devastating “March to the Sea”. General Sherman who occupied Savannah presented her as a Christmas gift to President Abraham Lincoln instead of burning her down. The book and movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” was written and filmed here in Savannah and is a big local favorite. Johnny Mercer, the world famous songwriter is a native here and his Grandfather’s house was filmed in the movie. Colonial Park Cemetery is located in the center of old Savannah and is more like a park than a burial ground. River Street which runs right along the Savannah River is paved with cobblestones and the entire riverfront is full of more historic buildings and loads of restaurants and shops. Mike and I had a wonderful lunch at Lady & Sons restaurant (Paula Dean’s place). They serve off the menu or you can have the buffet. We opted for the buffet and it was delicious - especially the collard greens and gooey butter cake. After lunch we waddled around the historic district and waterfront and then visited the museum at the Visitor Center – it was a great day!

Christ's Church
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Wednesday we drove into Savannah again and had lunch at the Boar’s Head Inn – a place we visited on our previous trip and enjoyed very much. We wandered on River Street and then headed to our Niece Terri’s for the evening. Sally and Larry, Diane and Tim and daughters were also there. Had a wonderful dinner prepared by Glen and Terri who are both wonderful cooks.

Happy Thanksgiving! It was beautiful today and Mike joined the other boys for a golf game early in the day. I woke up feeling punk today so stayed in bed. Mike enjoyed a wonderful turkey dinner with the family and they sent home a plate for me.