Savannah into South Carolina - Savannah, GA

And for the very last album of our entire trip, just before the sun begins to set and we make the last of the homeward bound stretch in the quiet of the night...

A few more random shots between Savannah, Hutchinson Island, and the South Carolina border.

Bye for now, lovely readers!

Palmetto Love Roses - Savannah, GA

And for our second-to-last album on this extended Florida vacation, I leave you with one of my favorite things EVER:

What we refer to as Palmetto Love Roses.

Throughout areas along the Georgia coast and into the South Carolina lowcountry, from the Golden Isles, at least past Charleston and Edisto, you'll often find the locals wrapping up harvested Palmetto grass into these absolutely lovely roses. They also make baskets and other woven goods you can buy in open air markets, but I'm the kind of person that adores handing over a few bucks to the guy in the street weaving these gorgeous flowers for us, as he has for others his entire life...

It's a gift, straight from him and his people, to my children, and they are an absolutely priceless souvenir from a member of the Gullah / Geechee culture of the area.

Often you will even see children making the roses and selling them on random street corners.

If you take care of these roses, they will stand the test of time quite beautifully. We've had some for 10 years and they are still splendid reminders of not only vacations past, but of cultural pockets we are so quick to forget in the hustle of all our modern technologies and conveniences...

So, next time you are in the area, and see a young man, or even a family, weaving Palmetto Love Roses, stop and have a few made right before your very eyes for the special people in your life!

Bayou Cafe - Savannah, GA

When you're on the East Coast, it's easy to think seafood when you're looking for a meal. And there are no shortage of awesome seafood joints along River Street and throughout the Savannah area. If you're into Southern Comfort Food, Savannah has become a destination in its own right for people looking to dine at Lady & Sons, featuring the cuisine of popular chef, Paula Deen,

But if you find yourself looking for something a little more unique... Something a little farther off the beaten path for this particular area... Consider the Bayou Cafe, tucked into a little side location along River Street in the Historic District.

Featuring amazing Cajun food, as well as huge, juicy burgers for those in your party that may not want that Cajun flavor as much as you do, this place was AWESOME!

We're HUGE fans of everything Cajun, from culture, to history, to FOOD.

The menu is pretty compact, and the restaurant is, too. But there is no shortage on the HUGE flavor they are going to serve you.

We ordered sampler platters, and had a wide array of Cajun flavors set before us. In the picture below, you'll see Andouille Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffee, and Seafood Gumbo.

Even as I'm posting these pictures, my mouth is watering just remembering this place...  So, if you find yourself yearning for a little taste of New Orleans while on River Street, check out the Bayou Cafe!

I'm almost tempted to drive back there right now.  Yummmm.

Even Logan's burger was HUGE and JUICY and YUMMMM!!

Just a little more ketchup!

And just enough ketchup to save a little for later!

River Street Historic District - Savannah, GA

If you are looking to celebrate a little history, consider a trip to Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah is hailed as being The First Planned City in America. Established in 1733, by James Oglethorpe, it flourished originally because of positive relationships established between the British and the area's original inhabitants, the Yamacraw Native Americans.

Located along the scenic Savannah River, there is much to see and do in the River Street Historic District. Millions of visitors come every year to appreciate the history, the architecture, the food, the culture, and the wildlife along the river, and down to the Atlantic Ocean.

We were just passing through the area on this particular trip, stopping to stretch our legs, enjoy the sites, and grab a bite to eat. But if you can stay longer, be sure to check out Tybee Island, Fort Pulaski, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, and many of the area's lovely gardens, squares, and cemeteries that are featured prominently in pop culture favorite flicks, Forrest Gump and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Savannah is also home to a massive St. Patrick's Day Celebration. It can get a little rowdy at night with all the green beer and raucous festivities, but if you want to take the family out on River Street earlier in the day, you're sure to find family-friendly live music, festivities, street vendors, face-painting, and so much more.

Savannah is an excellent family destination, and it comes highly recommended by Trips 'n Toys!