Tag: Full-time RV Living

  • Am I Dreaming, Or Is This Savannah?

    Am I Dreaming, Or Is This Savannah?

    Posted February 6, 2018 – Narrated by Carmen
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    One morning, about two weeks ago, I woke with the sudden cognition that my dreams had turned inside-out.

    Siesta key Beach
    This week on Siesta Key Beach in Florida

    For as long as I can remember, my dreams were centered on the interiors of dozens of houses I’ve occupied from early childhood to the present.

    But now, if any of those houses materialize at all, I am always on the outside viewing the exteriors as the structures wash up on a seashore, emerge in a clearing on a forested hill or pop up into the center of a highway.

    Skidaway Island State Park campground
    Skidaway Island State Park, a few miles from downtown Savannah, Georgia

    Only rarely do I enter the “dream” houses but when I do, the windows are disproportionately large, gaping open like industrial garages and all kinds of wildlife nesting in and around the furnishings and crawling up in the trusses.

    Skidaway Island State Park campground
    Skidaway Island State Park campground

    I shared all this with Jim and asked him if he thought we might be going feral.

    After a moment of quiet consideration, he said that he didn’t know and conjectured that boxed wine and Salonpas would be prime bait for trapping feral trailer geezers.

    Sheesh! Cajuns …

    Grove Winery, Gibsonville, North Carolina
    Grove Winery, Gibsonville, North Carolina.

    So, I take this flip side of my dream-work to mean that, maybe, a shift has occurred …? that LIB is no longer in the realm of fantasy – the dream is now realized and I’ve entered a new dimension of unexplored territory.

    I don’t know, but I wonder if other creatures released into their native habitat experience a similar transition.

    pico de gallo
    Fetchy Puppy and Pico

    I fly more now, too.

    Before living in Beauty, I’d bump my knees while gliding over rooftops, get tangled in power lines … but these days, I gracefully skim along rivers, lakes, and fields – run my fingers through the leaves and watch the road below for the streak of silver which will be Beauty, Jim, and Pico meeting me for a rendezvous …

    Skidaway Island State Park
    Biking around Skidaway Island State Park

    But, where are they? Oh no! Time is running out!

    One dream-theme that has not changed is the ever-present antagonist, Time.

    Which brings me to Savannah. If any city could cast a spell …

    Talmadge Memorial Bridge, downtown Savannah
    Talmadge Memorial Bridge to downtown Savannah

    So, that’s where we spent my 62nd birthday week!

    Savannah knows how to tame Time …

    Paula Deen's Store, Downtown Savannah
    A decoration for Daddy’s new kitchen.

    The weather couldn’t have been better.

    It rained – drizzled mostly with a few downpours. When it wasn’t raining the soggy Spanish moss tapped a tune on the trailer roof that went something like, “take-a-nap, take-a-nap, take-a-nap …”

    Skidaway Island State Park
    Skidaway Island State Park

    The tantalizing food scene – just a short drive from our campground – roused us out of Dreamland and into Comfort-Food land.

    Back and forth, back and forth – like windshield wipers – this dining out and napping thing played out for days.

    The 5 Spot, Downtown Savannah
    The 5 Spot‘s fried green tomatoes… to dream for!
    Sweet Potatoes savannah
    Sweet Potatoes, our favorite lunch!
    Driftaway Cafe, Savannah
    Driftaway Cafe, Savannah, GA – fresh succulent fish and charming potted garden!

    Savannah had a deep-tissue effect on me. Even though it’s one of the most beautiful cities in North America …

    Downtown Savannah

    … hailed as the Hostess Of The South, and growing faster than all other Georgia cities – ranked first for public parks

    Downtown Savannah

    … and second only to Chicago for cool buildings and architecture, the place doesn’t put on highfalutin airs.

    Pirate House, Downtown Savannah
    The Old Pirates House, the oldest standing building in Georgia

    Savannah is too big for that. She has softness and pulse, prays for me, feeds me biscuits and calls me “Baby.”

    Downtown Savannah - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels

    Now, we were sure to bring our church, synagogue and freemasonry manners with us, because The Hostess City is kinda-sorta ground-0 for prayer and politeness.

    Downtown Savannah - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels

    Then, we grabbed us some beers and set out to solve the great southern conundrum and had a good’ol history walk-about to boot.

    downtown savannah
    Jim let me wear one of his Tommy Bahama shirts for my birthday walk through Savannah.

    Sipping a local IPA while taking a self-guided tour of the downtown historical area proved to be prescriptively beneficial when confronted with the harsh realities of colonization, slavery, the Civil War and the struggle for civil rights …

    Downtown Savannah

    On the first sunny day, we took the Old Town Trolley Tour. This is another nifty and thrifty way to explore the city, enjoy all-day transportation and get elevated open-air city views from a cool, comfy seat.

    Downtown Savannah old town trolly
    We rode three buses over the course of the day and all of the guides gave us their valuable local perspective of Savannah.
    Downtown Savannah old town trolly
    Downtown Savannah old town trolly
    Cobblestone streets abound

    That voluptuous tree canopy hinders views of those bodacious buildings from the curb, so the bus tour was essential for safely taking pics of the iconic street scenery from the middle of the street.

    Downtown Savannah - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels
    Downtown Savannah - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels
    Downtown - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels
    Downtown Savannah - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels
    Juliette Gordon Low's Birthplace (founder of Girl Scouts of America)
    Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthplace (founder of Girl Scouts of America)

    It was really hot on that late October day and this birthday girl worked up quite a thirst.

    Our guide told us that the best bar in Savannah is in the Prohibition Museum!

    Savannah Prohibition Museum
    Savannah Prohibition Museum
    Savannah Prohibition Museum

    Then, before going home, we stopped by Red & White Grocery and stocked up on smoked butt, slow-cooked field peas, turnip greens with extra pot liquor, fresh cornbread … and Mascot Chocolate Covered Pecans.

    Red & White Grocery

    During our early supper, it started to drizzlin’ again. So we did the dishes and stretched out for a movie and a cozy nap because, Baby, that’s how it goes in Savannah where – for some reason I do not understand – you’ve got all the time in the world.

    You can see our exact route on this map.

    *photos in this post (unless otherwise noted) were taken and copyrighted by Living In Beauty.


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