8/4/2013

weekly update 8/4/2013

I think I'm getting more and more boring as the summer goes on. I generally only go to the pool, and then spend the rest of the day in my a/c condo, reading, or watching TV, or playing on the computer. That's about all I ever do any more, so there's not a lot to write.

But, on Wednesday, I decided to check off a really big item on my summer bucket list: I drove to Augusta. I had looked online the day before for a B&B, and found something called the Queen Inn that looked as if it might be within walking distance of all the places I wanted to visit, so with reservation in hand, I headed out. Since no one ever calls me, and I never call anyone, I didn't take my phone. That's a big mistake, and I know that now. Not only would I be stranded if something went wrong with the car, but I had no way to contact the B&B when I was running late. I got a late start, I ran into trouble following the directions I'd printed from Google maps, it was raining cats & dogs and that made it more difficult for me to find my way. I had said that I would be in Augusta at noon; I got there about 2. And the door to the Inn was locked! There was a sign that said I should call this number for entrance, but since I didn't have my phone, that wasn't helpful. I have never been to place that did not have someone on site, or have someone waiting for my arrival. I was dripping wet, I was tired, I was mad, and I had no place to stay. I was ready to turn around and drive back to Savannah.

I went to the Visitor Center and they allowed me to use their phone to call the B&B, which went to voicemail. I think the kind ladies at the center felt sorry for me, and they suggested the historic Partridge Inn. As they were calling about availability there, the Queen Anne called me back, but I told them to forget it and not charge my credit card (we'll see if that happens!). I went to the PI, and they gave me a very nice, big, king-bed room with a covered balcony overlooking the street and downtown Augusta in the distance. It was too far to walk to the historic district, but by that time, most museums and venues were closed anyway. I did drive back to get something to eat - a wonderful burger at a place called Farm Haus burgers (it's actually similar to Five Guys, but it's fine for a single woman alone who doesn't want to spend a lot of money). Back at the Inn, I relaxed for a while, then enjoyed glass of wine in the bar, then went to bed. 

Thursday, I got up and checked out and headed back to the city center. I had calmed down quite a bit and was ready to see the sites I'd come to visit. I'm not that interested in golf (which worked out well, because except for the Masters Tournament, peons who are not among the 400 members of the Augusta National Golf Club can't get in even to look), but I do love history. I briefly stopped at Springfield Village Park and Springfield Baptist Church in the historic black section of the city, then went back to the Visitor Center where the Augusta History Museum is located. That was quite interesting, although parts of it were not unlike many other museums I've seen - a railroad car, some Civil War stuff, exhibits about civil rights, blah blah blah. I enjoyed the displays that were unique to Augusta. The Woodrow Wilson boyhood home was a short walk from the museum & visitor center, so I headed there next. Thomas Woodrow Wilson was not born in Augusta, but he lived there for longer than at any other place in his life, beginning when he was 1. His father was the minister at the Presbyterian Church for 10 years while Tommy was young. It was at the time of the Civil War, and although Augusta escaped much of the destruction of the war, Tommy remembers wounded soldiers being brought in by the railroad car-full to be cared for at the Church which had been turned into a hospital. It was suggested that it was this experience that formed his stance about staying out of WWI at all costs, because he had witnessed what war could do to people as a child in Augusta. The house museum is well set up, and there are many photos of Wilson's family throughout, and the docent could tell interesting stories of everyone in the pictures. There was also many furniture pieces and other items that belonged to the Wilsons. Perhaps because of my experiences with DH, I really enjoyed this tour. The forecast was for rain all day, but it was actually sunny and hot. After the Wilson Museum, I walked around to some of the churches and historic markers in the area, and then went to the River Walk. There are two levels to the walk: one at the top of the levee that was created to prevent damage in the city if the Savannah River would flood, and one along the river bank itself. It was pretty hot, but the walk was shaded and lovely. By the time I got back to my car, which I had left at the visitor center parking lot, it was getting late, and I still wanted to the Sacred Heart Cultural Center because I'd read how lovely it is. I drove to that site, and was not disappointed. Formerly a Catholic Church, it closed in the 1970's with the attendance declining and the merger with another nearby church. It had sat vacant for more than a decade and was threatened with demolition, when it was purchased and reopened as the cultural center in 1987. Now it houses the offices of Arts Council, the ballet company, a local theater group, and other local organizations. It is available for weddings, meetings, concerts as well as other private and public events. The inside still has the feeling of being in a church, with magnificent stained glass windows, wonderful carvings, a huge altar, and a massive pipe organ. There was also a very nice lady in the gift shop who gave me more information about the building because there is no guided tour - just a brochure with some explanations. 

Ty Cobb, the Georgia Peach, in the museum

the historic marker at the Wilson boyhood home site

lovely stained glass & wood carvings in the Sacred heart cultural center

 

By this time, I'd seen just about everything I came to see (I didn't see the James Brown statue that I'd wanted to) and it was almost time to head back to Savannah. I went to an British pub for a late lunch / early dinner. I had bangers and mash, and a Guinness, and thus fortified, I put the top down on the car, and began to struggle to see if I could find my way back with less difficulty than I had when I drove to Augusta. On the road for only about 30 minutes, I had to pull over and put the top up again, as it began to rain & the skies looked ominous. I took a different route back than I had going up, using a good ol' road map, not the google maps directions that had me going to Augusta on rte 67, which abruptly ended and left me without knowing which way to head next at some place called Millen. But this time I had less trouble. Almost back, I saw a wonderful rainbow, so I guess all the rain held at least a small surprise for me.

Saturday night, I went with Anne & Kay to see the Savannah Children's Theater production of 42 Street. Anne's stepson, Alex, had the lead. I've never had trouble getting a ticket at the last minute before, so when Anne offered to pick one up for me ahead of time, I told her not to bother in case I couldn't make it Saturday. Well, how would I know this would be the only time I've ever seen it sold out? Luckily, I was put on a “waiting list” in case will calls were not picked up, and I was able to see the musical. Alex, as well as everyone in the cast (and the

prop people, stage hands, costumes, lighting, sound, orchestra, etc) did another outstanding job! SCT is one of my very favorite things to do here.

Anne & Alex