6/21/2015

Weekly Update 6/21/2015

All this week the heat continued with temps close to 100° nearly every day. On Monday, we had planned a boat ride to Daufuskie Island, so it was a good time to be out on the water in a boat. The Lunch Bunch group rented a boat to take us to the island, and then we rented a golf cart to drive around while we were there. Daufuskie Island is half way between Savannah and Hilton Head in South Carolina. Indigo and sea island cotton were grown there in colonial times when several plantations were on Daufuskie. Because of the isolation, the slaves were able to develop a Gullah culture, retaining much of their African heritage. After the Civil War, freed people purchased small plots or worked for the landowners, and continued to create a caring, close community with a Gullah heritage. Author Pat Conroy taught a two-room school there in the 70s, and wrote a book, The River is Wide, based on his experiences. We saw the school house where he taught, and some other historic buildings. John Mellencamp (who also gave a concert in Savannah on Friday evening, but I didn't go) has a home there now, but we didn't see that. The island is accessible only by boat, and today is a resort, including vacation rentals, a golf course, and several marinas. We had a wonderful lunch at the island, and before we left, we were able to go for a swim in the ocean. It was a great day to visit there. 

nesting egrets - there were a lot in this area

the church steeple on the African Church

 Donna and I met Connie for lunch at a cute little restaurant on Bay Street on Thursday. It's called Treylor Park (the owner's name is Trey) and the décor is trailor trash. The menu kept with the theme with such delicacies as grilled cheese sandwiches, fried bologna sandwiches and pb&j wings. We tried the wings, and they were unique. When we left, we exited through the patio/bar, and they had a list of the top 10 beers they serve there. Coming in at #3 is Genny Cream! I see more visits to this place in my future!

Friday after DH, Donna and I went to Pacci's bar. We missed going last week because of the rain, but this week it was too hot to sit outside at the patio bar; we were happy to stay inside. Kim also went with us as she was going to the Mellencamp concert, so she joined us for a while before wandering over to the Civic Center. I had this really nice drink - a Fundos Fino, which is gin, lemon juice, strawberry jam (huh?) and champagne. It was good. Then, since this is Donna's last Friday in Savannah for a while, we went to 17 Hundred 90. When we walked in, Martha our friend the bartender, called to us that we were late. ♫ Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name. ♪

Donna's manhattan and my cocktail

 

Saturday, I had to open BC, and then I continued toward downtown. Old Fort Jackson was having a special weekend for Father's Day, telling about how this fort played a role in the Wars or our Fathers (well, maybe their father's father's fathers): the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Each talk was scheduled on the half hour, and only took about 30 minutes, including the cannon firings. So I was stuck sitting in the hot sun for a time between the events. And the sand gnats there are nasty. But I stayed to listen to all three lectures, and they were all interesting. Then I drove back to my cool condo and took a shower and just stayed in for the rest of the afternoon. 

the kids got involved with the cannon firing

Sunday, I had to open BC, and then continued toward downtown. But today instead of attending a historic reenactment, I met Kay to walk in Forsyth Park. It was hot, but I enjoy meeting with her. I also was on the schedule to close up BC at the end of the day, so it was back there again. After that, I had the unpleasant job of driving Donna to the airport for her trip back to Maine. Amazing how much I'm going to miss her.

With the high heat this week, and lack of rain, we've also had some amazing sunsets. I went outside to try to get a photo of the sunset on the longest day of the year. It wasn't as pink as some of the other views this week, but it was lovely. This is what it looked like this evening from the marsh view at the condos where I live.