Tag: georgia

Goodbye Georgia, Hello 2023

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Last time on Garcia’s Moving Castle, the promise of a cannon fire demonstration and candlelit tour of Fort Pulaski was on the line, and I’m sure you will be pleased to hear that Joe and I, along with a hand full of retirees, enjoyed both. The tour included historical reenactments, complete with costume, Christmas carols, and refreshments.

During the refreshment portion of our tour, an elderly woman sitting across from me nearly dropped her apple cider due to the unannounced cannon firing outside with the group ahead of us. With a look that can only be described as righteous indignation she exclaimed, “Well! So much for that warning!” We did our best not to spit out our cookies.

To be fair, the glass windows of the fort literally shook when the 30 pound cannon was fired, and the Christmas carolers tried to school their faces and resume composure as they attempted to get back on key. Neither worked. Gotta say, I have a new appreciation for the term “shell shocked!”

Despite the unannounced cannon demonstration, we enjoyed the tour and gained a deeper understanding of Fort Pulaski’s rich history. Plus, it was pretty stinking school to see an actual cannon go off when it came time for our group’s cannon demonstration.

Following our candlelit tour of Fort Pulaski, Joe and I rushed to grab some dinner at a local, “divey” Thai place before it closed. We were treated to excellent food and a show performed by a couple entitled, “2nd Date Goes Wrong!” Who needs popcorn and a screen when you have spring rolls and a curious waitress?

The next day, Joe and I ended our time in Savannah by visiting Tybee Island and its famous lighthouse. The Tybee Island Light Station and Museum is home to the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia. It was built in 1736 and has been guiding mariners safe entrance into the Savannah River for over 285 years (https://www.tybeelighthouse.org).

Part of what made visiting Tybee Island’s lighthouse so incredible was not only getting to learn about its vast history but also climbing its 178 steps to the top of the tower. I genuinely have never considered myself to have a fear of heights, but my legs may or may not have been shaking as Joe and I walked around the top of the lighthouse and peered out across the ocean’s tresses.

It was beautiful and serene.

And I found myself imagining the light keeper lugging oil to the top of the tower each day as we traced his footsteps.

Quite simply, Savannah was magical and the perfect way to end our travels for 2022. Joe and I still find it hard to believe we have traveled coast-to-coast this year.

If you have followed our blog and undertaken each adventure with us, thank you! We have had so much fun documenting our journey and sharing small glimpses of our life. I’m a firm believer in the saying, “the best is yet to come,” and I am sure 2023 will be no exception!

We hope you had a Merry Christmas and have an even better New Year!

See you in 2023!

Doin’ Just Peachy!

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We made it to Savannah, GA!

It’s hard to believe that with our arrival to Savannah, we have officially traveled coast-to-coast this year, and though we certainly had a plethora of fun and adventure on the west coast, the east coast is shaping up to be just as venturesome!

In the spirit of seeking and undertaking new, exciting exploits, last weekend Joe and I delved into Savannah’s rich history by visiting several historic sites, Wormsloe Historic Site and Fort Pulaski National Monument.

Perhaps the most striking feature of Wormsloe Historic Site are the oak trees, draped with Spanish moss, that line the avenue leading to the tabby ruins of Noble Jone’s colonial estate. Noble Jones was one of the first colonizers of Georgia, and much to our amazement, his descendants still occupy the land in which he settled.

Wormsloe Historic Site contains a gated section of land with a large house that hosts the descendants of Noble Jones and several sites open to the public such as a museum, a gift shop, a replica of early colony life, tabby ruins of Noble Jone’s estate, and a small family graveyard.

Joe and I enjoyed traipsing through the trails on the property seeing all that Wormsloe had to offer. We were continuously astounded by our Spanish moss filled surroundings. The moss contributed to both a beautiful yet eerie scenery, and both myself and Joe were secretly glad we had each other’s company while navigating this unique setting.

Our time exploring Wormsloe and learning its secrets was truly unforgettable and worth the visit.

Not only did we appreciate Wormsloe historic site, but also we enjoyed visiting Fort Pulaski National Monument. In all honesty, Fort Pulaski National Monument was one of the main reasons why I wanted to visit Savannah. I have always been enraptured by its unique history and seeing it was a number one priority.

So, you might be thinking to yourself, “What makes Fort Pulaski National Monument so special? Why travel all the way to Savannah just to see it?” Well, for one, it’s surrounded by a moat, and two, its history is interesting and multi-dimensional. You may be surprised to learn that Fort Pulaski was a state of the art fort built after the War of 1812. This is an important fact because it played a pivotal role during the Civil War.

Because Fort Pulaski was built before the Civil War as a response to the British burning down the White House, this meant that Union forces were familiar with Fort Pulaski’s layout aka they knew exactly where the ammunition powder was stored. So, during the Civil War, when the Confederates held the fort, Union solders targeted the ammunition storage from over a mile away using their new rifled cannons.

Because the Confederates only had smooth bore cannons (with a range of less than a mile), they were unable to respond to the Union cannon fire and surrendered after only 30 hours. Not soon after, a Union general emancipated several hundred slaves at Fort Pulaski which paved the way for it to become a major destination for slaves seeking freedom along the Underground Railroad.

Needless to say, our time visiting Fort Pulaski was well spent and we may or may not be planning on returning for a candlelit tour and cannon firing demonstration!

Clearly, Joe and I are history buffs and instead of inundating you with more historical facts, allow me to fill you in on our other weekend activities such as exploring Savannah’s historic downtown district and fully appreciating the city’s fine restaurant selection. Let’s just say that after only a few days in Savannah, Joe and I had reached a consensus in deciding Savannah may be tied with Marfa, TX, for best cuisine during our travels.

Delicious food aside, we had so much fun shopping downtown and visiting the city’s Prohibition Museum. Yep, it was definitely a weekend filled with history! The Prohibition Museum not only detailed key historical facts such as the creation of an income tax due to Prohibition causing a major drop in federal taxes from alcohol sales but also featured its very own Speakeasy. The fully-functioning Speakeasy even offers its very own mixology classes!

Joe and I were content enough to simply enjoy the exhibits in the museum, but we did receive a few restaurant recommendations and a great book suggestion from the Speakeasy’s bartender!

Quite simply, we have had a fantastic start to our time in Savannah! We have a few more adventures planned before our departure; so be sure to stay tuned for what’s to come!

Until next time!