Southern Adventure! (Part 2)

We spent one night in St. Augustine (NE Florida), two nights in Savannah, Georgia, and two nights in Charleston, South Carolina. We've traveled a bit in the south before (Florida, New Orleans, Atlanta) but have always wanted to do and see more. All three places were very nice, with important history, wonderful architecture, and good food everywhere.

St. Augustine is fairly small and we were able to see most everything on foot in a day and a half.

The fort (Castillo de San Marcos):

Apparently Christmas is a big deal in St. Augustine...this place was still decorated!

We stayed at a small...and slightly funky...place in downtown St. Augustine called 44 Spanish Street Inn.

Next stop, Savannah, Georgia.

The riverfront in Savannah has been transformed by the development of the Marriott properties. The hotel is like a museum and worth a visit:

We stayed in another great location, close to everything, called the Eliza Thompson House. Accommodations were very nice. We took a trolley tour; very worthwhile.

Next stop, Charleston, South Carolina.

Griffon Pub in Charleston - covered in bills:

One of many church steeples in Charleston, sometimes called the "Holy City" because of over 130 churches:

Charleston is a beautiful city, and we stayed in an historic old house called 20 South Battery. A private residence with the bottom floors converted to an inn. They do tours of the house three times a day - also worthwhile.

Note: We don't usually take tours while traveling but may be changing our minds about that. Drake had us take a trolley tour in Key West and we really enjoyed it. Another trolley tour in Savannah, and then a horse carriage tour in Charleston. Really helps you get a feel for a place - an overall look and lay-of-the-land kind of experience. Not to mention the history lessons!

On our last morning we drove from downtown Charleston to nearby Mt. Pleasant for some sightseeing. These birds were at a place called Shem Creek, which had a very nice boardwalk trail.

Great egret:

American white ibis:

Great lunch from Rodney Scott's BBQ on our way out of Charleston:

This trip was wonderful in so many ways: spending time with family, boating in unfamiliar waters, seeing new places, exploring southern history and hospitality...all in all an excellent adventure!