http://www.gastateparks.org/info/skidaway/
We got a leisurely start to the day today leaving Oak Plantation just before Noon.
Savannah is 
only 110 miles from here so we weren’t in a rush. Ron’s been driving a little slower then usual (around 60). Has been helping with the fuel mileage as the gas prices continue to rise. Two years ago fuel was 1/3 of our total expenses. Last year slightly more but this trip fuel is 51% of our expenses. Lucky for us we have been able to secure great campsites for low rates.Arrived at Skidaway a great state campground offering water, electric and cable for
$20.00 a night. We took advantage of the many walking trails and great weather. We walked for over 4 miles through the park the first evening
we were here. 
On the 16th we headed into Savannah http://www.savannahvisit.com/tour.asp and took the on-off trolley tour around the city. We walked the city and viewed the many beautiful
monuments, fountains, mansions and homes. We toured the Lowe House birthplace of Juliette Lowe founder of the Girl Scouts of America. The 
home is nicely appointed with period furniture that we actually loved. She was a talented artist, sculpture and developed skills in iron-work making the gate to her garden. She spent many years overseeing the Girl Scouts of America and died at age 66 of breast cancer.We walked the waterfront with its unique stores and cobble stone street.
It was incredibly hot and I was soaked with sweat but that didn’t stop my man from pushing forward to see every little nook and cranny. We missed a sculpture at the end of the 
pier so had to backtrack and have our photo taken with “Savannah’s Waving Girl.” 
Depending on which tour guide you listen to she spent her days and nights waving at all the ships that sailed by because #1 she was a little odd or #2 she was waiting for her sailor to return to marry her. She lived with her brother who was the lighthouse keeper for 33 years and continued her waving quest for the entire time. Some dedication!!! 
We stopped into the Cathedral of Saint John’s 
and were once again inspired by another beautiful church. When we came out the sky opened up with the rain that had been predicted. It was 4 PM so we thought we would hop on the trolley back to the visitor center. We had some very interesting tour guides but the last was by far the most irritating. 
She had her mike on full volume and laughed like a giddy hyena the whole way. Several people were opting to strangle her to shut her up but then we’d have to walk back to the visitor center in the rain.On the 17th we started the day exploring the Bonaventure Cemetery http://roadsidegeorgia.com/site/bonaventure.html the original site from which Governor James Wright in January1776, evaded his Revolutionary captors and fled to Cockspur Island. In October 1779, the plantation became a hospital for the French troops. In June 1782 the six hundred acre Bonaventure tract was sold at public auction as government confiscated land. Several different proprietors held claim to the land over the next several decades and it was eventually founded as a cemetery in 1847.
Maybe there is something to the ghost stories in Savannah. We had just pulled into this 600- acre cemetery and parked. We both noticed a very large monument and felt the need to explore that particular monument first.
To our surprise the family name of Padelford was engraved on it. We both know Padelfords from back home and there is a street in Berkely named after a prominent Padelford family. We were again surprised to read on the stone that Mr. Padelford had originated from Taunton MA. and Mrs. From New Bedford . How coincidental is that!!!
There are many famous people buried in this cemetery including many of the first colonist from Savannah. Also buried at Bonaventure Cemetery is Johnny Mercer one of America’s most popular songwriters who penned more then one thousand lyrics, received four Oscars and produced several Broadway shows.
It was then on to The Historic Tybee Island Museum and Light Station.http://www.tybeelighthouse.org/
Tybee Island is a typical tourist trap island. They have a hard and fast rule that absolutely no one can park anywhere on the island without paying a parking fee. There multiple police patrols make sure everyone pays up. http://www.tybee.com/
We were unaware that if you park at the lighthouse 
the parking is free therefore we paid the fee at an adjacent lot. The ticket agent at the lighthouse told us they are forbidden to advertise they have free parking so many people pay the town unknowingly.
The grounds around the lighthouse have been renovated to replicate the original buildings standing at the site.
The Lighthouse itself is 154 feet tall and has 178 steps. The climb to the top was a tough one because two days ago I developed muscle spasms in my 
back but I made the climb anyway. The view was well worth the discomfort. We visited the quaint museum and ended our touring for the day. It was back to the campground to make preparations for the next leg of out trip, Atlanta and Stone Mountain.
the parking is free therefore we paid the fee at an adjacent lot. The ticket agent at the lighthouse told us they are forbidden to advertise they have free parking so many people pay the town unknowingly.The grounds around the lighthouse have been renovated to replicate the original buildings standing at the site.
The Lighthouse itself is 154 feet tall and has 178 steps. The climb to the top was a tough one because two days ago I developed muscle spasms in my 
back but I made the climb anyway. The view was well worth the discomfort. We visited the quaint museum and ended our touring for the day. It was back to the campground to make preparations for the next leg of out trip, Atlanta and Stone Mountain.
No comments:
Post a Comment