Saturday, April 7, 2018

March 2018 St Simons Island Trip

Off to Savannah !  Tuesday March 20th






















We were picked up by our limo driver Craig.
We have used him in the past and he is a great guy.





















Makes it so much easier to be dropped off.

















He is also from the Bronx NY so he and
my hubby bond. HAH

Off to Newark Airport























We were taking a smaller plan to Savannah GA
It had 40 seats.  It was called a JET
Didn't quite know what to expect.
Well to board you go down the jetway then outside
and get on a bus.
The bus drives you across the parking lot to the plane.
You climb up the stairs and board the jet.
It had 1 row of 1 seat and 1 row of 2 seats. 
The aisle were small ~ barely fit down it. HAH
But it was a smooth flight and we arrived safely













We were so fortunate because even though
it was March 20th the first day of spring
NJ was expecting a snow storm.
We just made it out in time. The returning
flight to Newark when we landed in
Savannah was cancelled due to snow.

It has been a crazy Spring this year so far.















Arrived at the Savannah Airport
It is so pretty














We arrived around 5 pm so we headed to
dinner at the local Cracker Barrel.  
We scored a table right by the fire.
























After dinner we checked into our
hotel and just crashed.
We were ready for an early drive
to St Simons in the morning.

Got up early had breakfast at
Cracker Barrel

























then
headed off to 
St Simons Island.
Wed March 21st



















Our hotel was right near the
roundabout pretty central to town.
This roundabout can be a bit 
crazy but most folks yield and are
very considerate ~ 
Try putting this in New Jersey it would
be proceed at your own risk hah



Our hotel was lovely.  Hampton Inn
Always coffee which I love.



It was under some construction on the outside but
it didn't impact us.  


Had a real nice computer room
Gar and I visited it often 
I checked facebook HAH


We love shopping at Belk as we 
don't have one in NJ. Spent a lot of
time shopping. Picked up this cute
top, Clark sandals at a great price.
Jessica Simpson sun glasses.
Hubby did his share also.
Then we worried how we'd fit it
all back in the suitcases hah


















I treated my self to this little fellow but mine reads St Simons Island
I keep him on my desk at work ~ he cheers me

























We headed to dinner early so we could drive around the island
It is just so pretty.  We could see a lot of tree damage from
the hurricane in October.  I spoke with a local lady and
she said they barely had things fixed from the hurricane then
they had a very unusual ice storm. She said it rained for several
days so the trees were soaked. Then the temperature dropped 
to freezing and the trees iced over. She said you could hear
the branches breaking and dropping as you drove around.
It was sad to see so much damage.  But we also saw signs
of recover as many new baby trees were planted and we
saw the local folks watering them and taking care of the island.

They have a wonderful organization that takes great care
of the character of the island.











I wanted to find Eugenia Prices
grave as I have read her books
about St Simons Island
































Our first night Gar had to go to his
absolute favorite restaurant.
Bennie's Red Barn
























They have delicious food.
We try to never miss this place.
We both ordered the exact meal.
Of my gosh you can cut that
steak with a fork.
























And we scored another
fireplace seat
























Up early on Thursday March 22
to visit my Aunt Linda in
Jacksonville FL - it is 1 hour drive
from St Simons so it is nice to
have the chance to spend a little
time with her.

























But first breakfast at Mallory Street
They have great grits ~ naturally hah



















Aunt Linda, Me and Cousin Kim
Aunt Linda is a recent widow. Her dear husband 
Barry passed away a year ago from cancer.
He worked at the military ship yard and got sick from
mesothelioma.  Fortunately, I got to meet him on one
of our visits. He was a lovey man.  He worked so hard
and wanted to do so much to his home at the lake.
Since his passing Aunt Linda has been able to honor
his wishes and complete a lot of the projects they both
had dreamed about completing.  She has made the
home so cheerful  and lovely. 
Aunt Linda has two amazing decks. 
I know Barry would be so pleased. 



















Aunt Linda lives right on a lake and has a lovely view.

This is my husband Gary, Cousin Kim and me.
























They took a great photo of hubby and I
























Aunt Linda has a ton of humming birds to her feeders
I love watching them.  But this visit we were too early. 
She also has a stray cat she has taken as her own.
Miss Kitty Girl  She is precious.  We did get a quick
view of her on the way out. She is shy.
























After an afternoon visiting
we headed back to Georgia.

Dinner at another of our favorites
Barbara Jeans - this place has 
old time favorite type of foods.
Things you don't normally find
on a menu anymore.



Oh gosh the corn muffins and pumpkin
bread is awesome. And also jalapeno bread.
























Squash Casserole this is one of 
my favorites. I order it every time.
Can't find this on menus anymore.
























Ambrosia - reminds me of childhood
at my Methodist church pot lucks
You could always count on some 
Ambrosia from one of the dear 
ladies.  
























And Gary waits every time we
visit for his She Crab Soup
Look how thick it is?  YUM
I am not a fan but Gary loves it.
























Friday March 23rd

Great breakfast at Palmer's.

They have great food.
Always a wait because it is so popular.
They have the best tasting bacon.
Has a maple flavor.  Their grits are
also awesome. 
























We wanted to go to the movies today.
A couple of good Christian movies we
wanted to see. 

They have a theater in Brunswick GA at
the mall where Belk is  ~ so more shopping
and then movie.  Since it was a Friday
afternoon almost all of the fellow movie
goers were seniors hah  Almost all 
women.  Gary was almost the only man
in the whole theater.  Finally 2 other men
came in - Gary was happy hah

Oh gosh we enjoyed this
movie - great testimony of hope, forgiveness
and God's faithfulness. Not too mention
what an amazing song.
























After the movie we went for a drink at a
place we never miss in Brunswick GA

Daddy's Cates ~ its in the historic downtown area
I always get frozen coffee and Gar gets frozen fruit like
mango or strawberry. It doesn't disappoint.










































After coffee we walked a bit around the historical area.
We like to see if any progress has been made on some of 
the closed stores etc  We did see quite a few new places.


















They have a real pretty park in the middle with a fountain.
So I took a rest and Gar continued to explore. I chatted
with a dear elderly lady out for some exercise. 
Folks are so friendly. 





















Then we headed to the Methodist Retreat Grounds.











We love it there. We stayed there a few times on
our travels.  In fact one of our trips when Gar and I were
still dating as "friends" we stayed here.
It is where Gary surprised me and told me he wanted
our relationship to move forward to a couple and not
just friends. I was delighted and it has always been
a special place for us.

























Pretty Chapel
























Prayer Garden
























Inside the chapel
























We saw a little friend HA
A green anole ~ fast little guys
Hard to get the photo.
























The grounds are just so beautiful
























Out on this little gazebo is where
Gary told me he wanted to move
forward our relationship.
Such lovely memories xoxo
























(now we are married almost 
 11 years time goes so fast )





















There is nothing like these 
Georgia oaks
























This is the causeway that gets 
you from Brunswick to St Simons.
This view is from the retreat center
























Dinner on Friday was another favorite
place BlackWater Grill ~ we first
tried this place because Guy Fieri
visited years ago and gave it a thumbs up




















It was my turn to enjoy my favorite
stew.  Brunswick Stew
It is so delicious.  Has a little bit to it.
I could eat 14 bowls HAH
























Gar's favorite - Low Country Boil




















































I had their shrimp so good 

























Saturday, March 24th our last full day in
St Simons we were going to drive down to
Saint Marys. Its a sweet town about 45
minutes south almost to the Florida border.
We stayed overnight there once so we
could ride the board to Cumberland Island.
That was quite an adventure.

After a quick breakfast at Palmer's we took
a walk down at the beach front. Last time
we visited I saw this:
























I promised next time we visited I
would bring a rock and contribute.
So I added this one:
























By the time we arrived back my
rock was gone.  Trusting that the
person who took it will be blessed !

The shore is so pretty

We had a couple of friends 
two pelicans. They were staying
real close to the fishermen
hoping to steal some I think hah
I got a kick out of them. They
had yellow fuzzy hair on their 
heads.  They are pretty big too
a little intimidating. 
























It was a sunny pretty day















































Then it was time to head off to
Saint Marys.  





















Having a little snap chat fun on
the drive HAH

























Here is Gar at Saint Marys
They had a lot of construction
along the waterfront still from
the hurricane. 




























This one is for my friend Patty
who loves turtles. These little
turtles were all along the walkway.
























Gar took in a few farmers markets
while I waited in the car.
The "no see ums" were biting me
big time.  UGH I hate them.
They never bite Gar.
( I suffered for 7 days with itching
when I got back from those buggers)

Back to St Simons.
We decided to try a new place for dinner.
Iguanas Seafood

I was so glad we did.  After a delicious dinner
they had an ice cream bar. I am all about the
ice cream.  I had a cup of chocolate with
sprinkles and M and M's 


































It was a cool looking place inside also
















They had great food.
The scallops were huge.
























Sunday, March 25th

Up early and heading to church
So we decided to eat at the hotel
They had a great spread for Continental.
One of the best I remember. 














We visited this church last time and loved it
When we retire Lord willing this will be our
new church home.  All in Gods timing : )