Tybee Island, Savannah Georgia (Monday, April 4th, 2016)

We got up this morning with the idea that we would really like to see Tybee Island (off the coast of Savannah) before we leave this beautiful state.  So we showered early, packed our bags, and were out of the room by 7:30.  We ran to McDonalds and bought a couple of coffees.  They had a walk-up window that we thought was really cute, and there was even a guy using it.  

The walk-up window from the inside.  Looks just like a drive up window.

Then we walked over to Pie Society, which we saw yesterday, and bought a six-inch ham and mushroom quiche and jumped in the car and headed east.

Some savory breakfast treats at Pie Society

Some sweet treats at Pie Society

It is only about a half hour drive from Savannah to Tybee Island, so we thought it would definitely be worth doing.

There is a really cute town on Tybee Island, and a beautiful beach, so we spent as much time as we could, before having to head to Atlanta to catch our flight.  

Our yummy breakfast from Pie society

And our wonderful breakfast spot.  This beats eating inside any day!

Our breakfast view

The end of the pier

The seagull is having some breakfast too.  A jellyfish that washed up on the shore

For our youngest daughter who loves to capture her vacations in the sand

Part of a sand dollar.  We couldn't find a whole one

Another washed up jelly fish.  They are so interesting looking.

The pavillion on the pier, complete with vendors and clean restrooms

Looking from the pavilion out toward the end of the pier

They are currently filming the new Bay Watch movie on Tybee Island, so there were a lot of movie props on the beach.  It was really fun to see it all, and try to imagine what the movie will be like.  Most of the props we saw were a life guard training station. From what we heard, when they are filming they close off this entire part of the beach, so we were lucky to get to see this.

They had even changed out the signs on the pier for the movie

Also part of the props

We also enjoyed the views of this quaint little beach town.

Bad picture from the car window, but this place was hillarious!

Leaving Tybee Island, and the drive back to Atlanta was relaxing and beautiful....

Until we got close to the Atlanta Airport that is.....  This is the route our GPS was showing us to get back to the rental car building.  I don't think it would be a good idea to make a wrong turn at this point.  Luckily we were in the outside lane.

When we got on our flight, we heard the girl in front of us talking about Ranger School graduation, so we jumped into the conversation.  When she turned around to talk to us, we realized that she had been sitting right behind us at the graduation ceremony.  She had a huge allergy attack while we were waiting for graduation to start, so Steve had run back to the rental car to get some allergy medicine for her.  We started talking to her a little more, and realized that her fiance was in the same squad as our son (in-law) in Ranger school.  She was heading back to Reno, so it was quite a coincidence that we were on the same flight.

Our daughter was at the airport to pick us up.  We all had a nice ride home talking about how fun the trip had been.   

We really enjoyed our trip to Georgia.   Definitely the highlight was our son (in-law's) graduation from Ranger school, but we are so happy that we took the time to explore some of what Georgia has to offer.  It is a beautiful state with a lot of really nice people!  They were all so warm and welcoming, which added to the enjoyment of the overall experience.

Heading to Savannah (Saturday, April 2nd, 2016)

As we were booking our flight to Georgia, we were having trouble finding return flights at a reasonable price, so we decided to extend our stay a few days (one of the huge perks of being retired) and see the beautiful City of Savannah, Georgia.

We got up early this morning and checked out of our Microtel Hotel in Columbus Georgia and loaded up our rental car for our trip to Savannah, Georgia.  We thanked all of the staff at the hotel for a great stay. Everyone was so nice and accommodating. We had one of the smallest of their rooms since we were hoping to be out and about instead of in the room, but even so, it was a great room and met our needs perfectly.

We planned to meet out daughter and son (in-law) at the river walk at ten but they over slept. Something they both really needed...for their sake.....we were happy that this actually happened!  So since Steve and I were there already, we decided to take a few minutes and walk around the beautiful area once again.  We had heard on the news that the Chattahoochee River was flooding from all of the rain the day before, so we thought it would be fun to check it out.  

Our first glimpse of the flooded Chattahoochee River.  They've put barriers up to keep people out.

The bridge to the island two days ago.

The bridge is now almost completely underwater.

We walked along the river walk two days ago.

The entire river walk is underwater.  You can just see the top of the railing.

Two days ago, the bridge, island and river walk were all visible.

Looking back toward the building and the island.  The bridge, island and river walk are all underwater.

Two days ago, Steve stood on the river walk

Today the river walk is underwater.

We didn't stay at the river walk for long, since we wanted to get on the road.  We headed to Savannah at about 10:30. The landscape really opens up as you head east. 

We saw a lot of peach orchards as we drove east.

And a lot of pecan orchards too!

We saw a huge traffic jam on the highway and then realized that all of the vehicles were trying to get into a mud park with their jeeps and ATVs.  It must have been perfect conditions after all of the rain we've had the last two days.

 We will be staying at the Hotel Indigo, which is located in the beautiful historic district of Savannah, and appears to be a new addition to the IHG hotel collection.  Unlike the Holiday Inn Express hotels, it does not have breakfast included, but we are able to use IHG points for this hotel, making our extra days in Savannah almost free.  We have to pay the extra two days on the car, gas and food, but that's not bad considering we are returning home on much cheaper flights, and staying in the historic district of Savannah is typically not cheap.

Historic Hotel Indigo

The lobby area was beautiful and very up to date since this hotel was very recently renovated.

It was quite disorganized when we tried to check in to the hotel.  It was 3:00, and they didn't have our room ready for us, which was fine.  We went and walked around by the Savannah River for about an hour.  The old historic buildings and the energy on the river walk were refreshing. 

Historic stairs lead to the river walk all along Bay Street

The Savannah River

Vendors all along the Savannah River

A man selling pecans by the Savannah River

After awhile on the river front we headed back to check in and see if our room was ready. We got our keys and went upstairs to check out our room.  Since we are IHG reward membership level,  we generally get the best room available at the time we check in, and this hotel was no exception.  They had given us a nice upgrade, so we were definitely not disappointed.  It was a beautiful suite.

 Parking for Hotel Indigo is valet only, and is $25 per day.  We're not fond of valet parking because we like to be able to get things in and out of our car, so we opted for a public parking garage.  It was literally right across the street from the Hotel Indigo, and was $10 per day. It was so easy and convenient!  We loved it.  The public parking garage is completely hidden from view when you are at street level.  It is located right next to the visitor's center and restrooms, and all you can see is the elevator.  The rest of the garage is completely underground.  

Once we got settled into our room we headed back out onto the streets of Savannah.  We are super happy with where our hotel is located.  It is right in the middle of the pedestrian street in the historic district.  Everything we could ever want is within walking distance from our hotel, so I don't think we'll need our car at all while we are here.

This is the main square of the pedestrian street.  Our hotel and parking garage are just off to the left.

The pedestrian street

There is so much history in Savannah!

And so many beautiful trees!

We got some adult slushies' at the slushies' bar and listened to some of the bands that were playing outside on the pedestrian street.  One of the fun features of historic Savannah is that you can take a drink out on the street with you.  There are so many bands playing that it is the perfect atmosphere to just sit and relax.

When we finished our slushies' we wandered  around the town some more.  We ended up at a place called the Tree House, which is on the second floor of a building and overlooks the walkway.  They had good drink prices and a really good live band, and we sat out on the balcony in the open air.  You can't beat that!  While we were at the Tree House, I struck up a conversation in the bathroom line, like all women do.  Both of the women I talked to were excited that I was from Colorado, and one came by to talk to us later in the night.  Our conversation lead to military life, and we eventually figured out that we both had ties to Moffet Field, a navy base near San Jose, California. 

Inside the Tree House

A great 2-piece band!

My Moffett Field friends!  It is such a small world!

The view from the Tree House looking over the pedestrian street

We are really impressed with the musical talent here in Savannah. Bands are playing everywhere, they play all different types of music, and they are all really good.  This part of the historic district reminds us of the French Quarter in New Orleans.  You can take alcohol out on the streets, or carry it from bar to bar.  We were also surprised by how many bachelorette parties take place in Savannah. They are everywhere.  There we two groups at the Tree House, several more on the streets, and four more at our dinner restaurant. Crazy!

We ate dinner at a restaurant that was recommended to us by one of our oldest daughter's army friends who lives in Savannah.  It is called Jazz'd and it is a tapas bar with a live blues band.  We got there at about 8:30 pm, and there was an hour wait.  They don't take reservations for small parties.  So we went to the bar, and ordered a bottle of wine, and listened to the blues band until our table was ready.  

When we were seated, we decided on the tapas dinner for two, which came with two soups or salads, four tapas and two desserts. Steve and I each had their wedge salad (which was a $2 upgrade with the dinner for two), then had blackened salmon, steak Diane and shrimp and grits,  which were all outstanding!!!  We also had the tri-tips with mushrooms and onions, and it was still really good, but we probably wouldn't order it again.  There were just too many other things that were amazing! 

Shrimp and grits and blackened salmon

Steak Diane

Tri-tips

And for dessert, Steve had a chocolate torte and I had creme brule.  Both were absolutely to die for.  

If we lived in Savannah, we would probably eat at Jazz'd at least once a week.  It was that good!  And the atmosphere is even better!

After dinner we headed back to the hotel, where we fell instantly to sleep after a long busy day.  As we walked back through the historic district and the pedestrian area, we were excited by how busy it still was.  This town is very alive and has so much to offer!