The "Lowland"? Oh, You Mean, "Savannah."

     I started a blog to tie-in the idea of mountain biking http://www.dorba.org/ if you happen to be in the area. I'd like to hear of your adventures to these places if you are fortunate enough to get the time to go. Also, I would be honored if you took your time out of your day to read about these experiences

through places I get to explore and describing what we see, do and maybe more importantly, what we eat while we are there. I am not paid by businesses I mention on this Blog. I simply hope you enjoy yourself as much as we did on our trip, and that maybe the things you read here will entice you to check them out on your own.

     Since I have decided to make a career change, I find myself with time to reflect on some previous trips taken and all we experienced while there. We are truly blessed to have had the opportunities to go where we have gone for the simple reason that it might be a place we have heard a lot about, via "Travel Channel" http://www.travelchannel.com/video/head-south-to-savannah-11394 or from friends. 

     I recently started to go through the hundreds of photos I have on this hard drive (to some, that number is very few, so please don't judge my relative inexperience in all-things digital), I then opened the ninety or so pics taken of the beautiful Savannah, Georgia http://savannahvisit.com/getaways on a trip east taken almost three summers ago. Actually, July 2010 was the month we visited....Whatever. 

     Finally, the school year comes to an end, and my Fiance, Dawn, thought we should drive East to visit Savannah since I am a sort of History-buff and I feel like I know little about that part of the country, other than "Grant's March to the Sea" and the related destruction caused during the days of the Civil War. And, that is how we came to drive the two-days and nine-hundred or so miles on a very flat Interstate Highway 20...as simple as that, something spontaneous and fun. 

     Anyone traveling this stretch of interstate east from Dallas will not find much to look at as miles fly by. I think, for the most part, if a person rolled a bowling ball down the middle of the road, they wouldn't hit anything. The drive took us past some beautiful lakes once entering Alabama after the marshland of Louisiana and flatness of farmland--corn, cotton, tobacco, and soy. These massive plots were lined with tall trees and some bush rows which provided for distinct recognition of anonymous farmers' land. Crossing the Mississippi Valley provided a very lush, abundantly green mass of terrain to see. Our first night took us to our hotel right off Interstate 20, located in the southern part of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We were glad we pressed-on for the drive. If you are on a budget as we always are, we prefer staying at http://www.daysinn.com/. The rooms are quiet and clean, and the hotel provides a free light breakfast the next morning before you get started on the day. Any little bit to nosh for free is well-worth it. 

An overhead view of the UA campus (partial).

      I had been curious about what the University of Alabama's main campus looked like since the school's football program has reigned so prominently in the Southeast Conference for so long. So, we decided to take a short tour in the footsteps of some actual students. Mentally, I tried to envision myself as a student walking this beautiful campus of tall oak trees, wonderful classroom buildings of brick and enormous, gleaming white pillars positioned at the front; true Southern Plantation design lives-on as seen in this Antebellum style. Campus tours are offered, but we didn't call ahead for a reservation, but I do not know this to be necessary. Campus guides were leading newly recruited Freshmen around campus and signage could be seen advertising group tours. If you are a fan of old, established brick architecture, the campus is an excellent place to stretch the legs and go for a walk http://www.ua.edu/.

     As we traveled further and further east, the humidity began to increase substantially. Isn't that what Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida are famous for having in the summertime--the unbearable humidity mixed with tropical temperatures? Fair warning. Stay hydrated as well as possible--even if you are in the car. (Your brain is 95% water, and a hydrated brain and body will help you to remain alert). Oddly, this last 8-hour stretch of highway winding through gently rolling hills of Central Georgia felt like the longest. The coast could not arrive fast enough. I kept thinking that each rolling hill we drove over would reveal a line of blue ocean far into the distance. We would have to drive much, much farther to see that happen. To avoid the traffic of Atlanta, we planned to go around the city via the Intrastate providing a well thought-out ease of rush-hour commuters. Instead, we decided to stay on Interstate 20 which led straight through the heart of Atlanta.  http://www.511ga.org/ Luckily, traffic was steady and we were not delayed that long. If at all possible, I might try to stretch the trip out to three-days--that's if a car ride doesn't bother you for that long.

     Finally, we reached the end of the line the GPS determined for us before leaving Dallas/Ft. Worth and arrived at the Marriot Riverfront www.marriott.com/hotels/.../savrf-savannah-marriott-riverfront for our stay. We were given the room from a family member who used frequent-flyer miles for the upgrade. We were very fortunate to have had the experience of staying.

A front view of the pub.

     Speaking again of keeping hydrated; per a local ordinance in Savannah, people are allowed to walk with open containers and the River Street area houses libation establishments who are more than willing to assist you in your attempt to cool down in the form of something slushy, fruit flavored and extremely potent. http://wetwillies.com And you get to keep the cup. You can thank me later. Other places for libations in the immediate area are http://www.therailpub.com, and Warehouse Bar, located down the street from the previously mentioned, at 18 East River Street.

     When I look back at it, I am so disappointed to have not brought our bikes on the trip with us. We didn't have a rack to carry them on and we thought at the time we would be walking everywhere we went considering how the town of Savannah is situated--like a grid going East to West. Thinking of stopping to lock-up our bikes at every turn was too daunting. As it turns out, we walked everywhere, didn't enter any buildings really, except for maybe a restaurant or several (of which, Savannah has plenty) but mostly we walked, snapped photos, and walked...and snapped some more photos. A dying battery warning light appeared frequently in the viewfinder causing more selective snapping, so I rationed. And, the city of Savannah is perfect for biking. Bike lanes span all over the city streets--an easy, hill-less ride.

     Savannah is a place where everything you see with your naked-eye would make an interesting photo. Early to mid-1700's architecture and the constant visual reminders of antiquated beauty; weathered Oak trees twisting, thickly gnarled trunks massive in size hang spreading branches like skinny arms curling around as if to tap on the shoulder of someone ever so slightly. Statues tarnished by years and weather (and pollution) rise prominently in small squares at the end of those narrow streets ending old, sleepy neighborhood boundaries. From overhead, these "blocks" resemble large squares. Tourists stop to read each and every plaque about these men of yesteryear. Installed as tributes to former military greatness and those who contributed generously in donating land in founding the area. Savannah is sure to post historical markings on what seemed like every street. Some continue to walk by and maybe give a glance. I couldn't help but to wonder if these people are simply jaded--maybe live in the area leaving open the possibility that they could've read it a thousand times before.
     
     On the subject of food, one of my favorite subjects, we ate lunch at  before heading out to 
explore the city. Every day, the restaurant has a lunch buffet that is well-worth the $10. charge. Make sure you are hungry when you go. The most delicious fried chicken, green beans, freshly baked rolls--the best macaroni and cheese we have ever tasted. Like I said, BE sure you are hungry when you go. It is a great place to get your stomach full before heading out for a day of site-seeing. 

     Local legend has it the famous swash-buckling "Black Beard" the pirate frequently stayed in the residence, between voyages of plunder and chaos at sea. The original building of the inn has been added-on to over the years in order to create space for large parties of diners at this historical eatery. Stepping in to the building makes the diner feel as though they have been transported back a few hundred-years in time. When we visited, we were greeted by Captain Jack Sparrow's look-alike complete with swarthy accent, shorter than average stature and impeccably drawn eyeliner. A dead-ringer for the character. 

     "Hanging on the walls in the Captain's Room and The Treasure Room are frames containing pages from an early, very rare edition of the book Treasure Island. Savannah is mentioned numerous times in this classic by Robert Louis Stevenson. In fact, some of the action is supposed to have taken place in The Pirates' House! Tis' said that old Captain Flint, who originally buried the fabulous treasure on Treasurer Island, died here in an upstairs room. In the story, his faithful mate, Billy Bones, was at his side when he breathed his last , muttering "Darby, bring aft the rum". Even now, many swear that the ghost of Captain Flint still haunts The Pirates' House on moonless nights."