Savannah was beautiful! We had a wonderful time. The sun was bright and beaming everyday! We squeezed as much in as we could while we where there. We took trolley tours, carriage tours, and ghost tours. This is the fountain in Forsyth Park! It was gorgeous nestled under the magnolia trees and the live oaks. It is huge. It is a must see in Savannah!
We rode over to Tybee Island. It was a pretty little beach. Carrie loves lighthouses. She has been to many of them already. She wants to see them all on the East Coast. I hear Maine has 22! We might be going north next year! I hear Maine is beautiful, too. We all loved watching her get excited when she mentally checked one off her list. We loved that we could experience that with her.
We took the Paula Deen tour which included lunch at Uncle Bubba's. Bubba is her brother. Paula and Bubba are co-owners of that restaurant. We walked in and there he was. I have read all of Paula's books and watched all of her shows. He has been on some of them. She raised him when their parents died. He is so sweet. I wanted to get in the kitchen and explore. We talked to him for a longtime. Carrie bought Raegan and autographed apron from his store. He put her name on it. I got one, too. He wrote Happy Birthday on mine. I told him I didn't want my age on it. He looked me right in the eyes and said "28" Man he is my favorite now! The food was great.
Paula Deen's restaurant has 3 levels. I was so impressed. They say the average wait is 2 hours for a table. People were lined up 2 blocks down the street. It was crazy. We were able to make reservations because we took her tour. The food was very southern! Her fried chicken was really good and her veggies were like my Great Grandma Snow made. I was hoping to see the Deen Family. They weren't on the clock. We did some shopping in her store. I bought some cookbooks and more aprons. I wanted it all!!
Here is her sign! I think Magnolia Girls would look good mounted on the side of a building like that, too! One day. All in God's timing!
This church was highly recommended by many of our tour guides. Pictures didn't do it justice. The stain glass windows are incredible. We only had 5 minutes before they closed the doors for the day. I really wish I had more time to spend there.
The first time I went to Charleston was 3 years ago was with my Aunt Shiela. I fell in love with Charleston then. The homes and the architecture stole my heart. I love the side porches and the gardens around the houses. Here are a few of my favorite houses..
Look at the porch on this one. Obama gave a speech here while campaigning.
Second favorite..the wrought iron! A father built these 3 homes for his 3 daughters. How cute. Can you imagine our girls living next to each other? Times have changed. Notice how they covered all of the beautiful brick up with stucco. I learned that little tidbit on my trip, too!
Poogan's Porch is a famous restaurant that many celebrities visit when they come into town. It is in Charleston. It served the best meal I have EVER eaten! It has been on the history channel and travel channel for America's Most Haunted Cities. It is the 3rd Most Haunted Restaurant in America. We had a lot of fun there.
Kim's favorite is pineapple's. Pineapples are the sign for hospitality. They are everywhere in the south. We also learned that the lady of the house would decorate her home with fresh pineapples when a guest was coming. They put them on the mantles, in the guest rooms, on tables, on the porches.. When she was ready for the guest to leave, she had all of the pineapple's removed. If you noticed the pineapples where gone...it was time for you to move on. No need for confrontation.
Kim, Becca, Carrie, and I had a wonderful birthday. We love our tradition we have started. Becca is picking next year's getaway. We had so much fun laughing and giggling...we have stories to tell , but we were all thrilled to be home to our families.
The best place to be is home!
