My Trip to Savannah, Georgia

My last child is now enrolled in the Savannah College of Art & Design. I decided to drive to Savannah in order to transport all her 'stuff' to make her new home a comfortable one. And it was truly eye opening to see what she could simply never leave behind. That being said, she is a real trouper and loves to travel.

We set out from Connecticut at approximately 10:am and kept up a pretty normal pace, while of course monitoring the numerous police cars on the way. I bought a new Garmin, and I will now never travel without one. This technology is awesome: it tells you when there is traffic jam ahead and divert you to less traveled roads. Love it!!

We decided to break up the trip and find a name brand hotel when we were both tired. Arrived in Virginia and stayed at the Holiday Inn around 5:00pm. The room was not bad, clean and relatively spacious. The young gentleman at the front desk was polite and friendly. Gave us a room on the ground floor and we could park our car park just outside the glass door. Very easy to take things back and forth to the car. Of course we left our pillows in the room. Today I received an email from the Holiday Inn about my stay, so I replied that I left my pillows and could they kindly send it to me. We will see.

Had dinner at the diner by the hotel - lots of heaping food on the plate. Not good for the heart, but easy on the palate. Visited my first Lowe's store, just needed to walk around a bit and since it was there decided to take a look and see if it delivered based on their ad campaign. Clean and organized.

Departed next morning at about 10:am for Savannah, after going back to the diner for a solid breakfast. Arrived in Savannah in one of their blinding rainstorms around 5:00pm. My other daughter was arriving from Atlanta and meeting us in Savannah. She decided that we should stay in a guest house instead of the usual hotel. Being open minded and up for all travel experiences, I said yes. Did not know what to expect but knowing her, a spectacular bathroom was very important to her.

Arrived at the appointed time and followed the instructions of ringing the doorbell on the second floor to retrieve the keys. A very charming gentleman opened the door and welcomed us in his home as if he knew us. I knew right then and there that the experience was going to be a positive one. My youngest daughter played with his dogs on the floor while we chatted. Finally he took us down to the first floor and opened the door for us. What an absolutely charming place.

The very large living room with a fireplace had the most comfortable sofa/pull out bed if we needed extra space. All the amenities including television. The bedroom was closed off with French doors and was seriously romantic. Of course this room also had a fireplace. But the icing on the cake was the bathroom. Beautiful and very clean. There was also a full kitchen (but if you had read my Barbados trip you would simply know that I am never a candidate for cooking outside of my home). The place was lovely and very convenient to all areas of Savannah. Would definitely stay there again.

Spent the next three days attending to the needs of a daughter in her first foray of living outside the home. Thank heavens my other daughter was with me, as she was invaluable with helping her sister to settle in and of course being the chauffeur all over Savannah. We visited the wildlife sanctuary - !twice! - as she loves nature and all its creatures. Overall, it was a sad trip as I was saying goodbye to my last child, but also a joyous and very pleasant one with two dynamic and funny daughters, trying to keep me entertained. We had a lovely dinner at a Thai restaurant called the King & I, on the last night and then set out at 4:am the next morning back to New York/Connecticut.

What an incredible young lady my other daughter is. With sixteen hours in the car, we covered every subject. Of course we also tried to find 'fine dining' along the way. Finally made it back to Manhattan where she lives and then I headed on to home. Would I do it again? Yes I would. My only regret, was that I did not have enough time to chat with the owner of the home. He seemed quite interesting and was very up on the arts and artifacts of Savannah. Would have liked to find out more about antiques. Oh, I forgot to mention, I did find a little time to buy some antique railings and glass objects.

Hurricane Update

Living in Paradise certainly does have a few drawbacks. But then you think of the Northeast in the United States with snow storms and you can see why visiting or living in the Caribbean, is a constant draw for visitors and residents alike.

The residents of the Caribbean are adept at living with this seasonal problem (hurricane) knowing full well that when the hurricane passes by, they are guaranteed warm weather and beautiful beaches. It is truly amazing, after a hurricane passes, if there are no downed trees or flooding, the sunshine and calm returns, just as if nothing happened.

For the past two years, the Caribbean has been spared this upheaval. It seems the United States is getting more of this weather phenomenon. Anyway, it is a season and this season usually ends in October.

The hotels and Governments of the respective Caribbean Islands, are adept at handling this seasonal problem and they all have emergency preparedness ready to assist each other and take care of their guests.

Unfortunately sometimes lives and properties are lost, but collectively they are a resilient lot.

Please do not hesitate to continue with your travel arrangements. You will not lose your deposit or any monies due to hurricane cancellation. All hotels and airlines make accommodations to their respective guests. So continue with your travel plans and most of all enjoy this Oasis of the Western Hemisphere - the Caribbean Islands.