States 45 & 46: Georgia & South Carolina

Day 6 (9/9/07) - click here for pictures: We woke up early this morning to head to the airport. Since it was only one mile away, we didn't have to hurry much. After getting our tickets and passing through security it was time to board the plane. Both flights arrived early-Anderson slept through both and Reagan did great (Mom did have to pull out lots of candy to keep everyone happy though). The Dennies were there to pick us up and the kids were asleep before we could even get on 630.

Day 5 (9/8/07) - click here for pictures: Another hot breakfast and it was time to head to Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant where we caught the Spiritline harbour cruise to Fort Sumter National Monument (where the first shots of the Civil War were fired) and around the Charleston shoreline. Next, we drove out to the Charles Pickney National Historic Site for a picnic lunch and a tour of the house. We squeeze in one more fort by visiting Fort Moultrie National Monument on Sullivan's Island. We then drove back into Charleston where we took a walk along the Battery and looked at the pretty homes. Another quick stop at the visitor center to pick up a Christmas ornament before making the drive back to Savannah. We had dinner at Vinnie VanGoGo's Pizzeria where they serve huge slices with toppings of your choice. Plus, it was next door to the Savannah Candy Kitchen for another helping of pralines plus Reagan picked her out a nice tin purse (which Mom got to fill with candy for free!). We checked back into our hotel and settled in for the night.

Day 4 (9/7/07) - click here for pictures: After breakfast at the hotel, we loaded up the van and headed toward Ft. Jackson for a brief stop before driving to Fort Pulaski National Monument where we toured the fort and checked out more canons. Then we drove out to Tybee Island to check out their lighthouse. We had lunch at Uncle Bubba's (Paula Deen's brother's place) and then it was nap time (for the kids & Stephanie) as we drove toward Charleston. Our first stop was at the Citadel where we watched the Cadets Parade (held every Friday afternoon). Then it was time for another stop on Tara's ice cream tour across the states -- today's stop was Paolo's Gelato. We drove do to historic Charleston where took a carriage tour. After we finished we took a stroll through town before finding supper at Tommy Condon's Restaurant and then a quick visit to the Candy Store. We called it a night and drove to our hotel for the night.

Day 3 (9/6/07) - click here for pictures: With a dark hotel room, everyone slept until after 8:00. We grabbed breakfast in the hotel before starting south on I-95 along the coast of Georgia. Our first stop was at Fort Frederica on St. Simons Island where we played some old British games and the "kids" dressed up before we walked down to the fort remnants. Next, we drove a little further to Jekyll Island where we walked along Driftwood Beach for seashells and a good view of St. Simons Lighthouse. We ate lunch at Cafe Solterra in the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. The sandwiches were huge and the brownie cookie was delicious. We then took a tram tour through the historic district of the island touring two of the "cottages" popular to the wealthy during the late 1800s and early 1900s as well as many other homes and structures. We drove back to Savannah making a quick stop at the famed "Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil" Bonaventure Cemetery. We had a crab cake and chowder supper at The Pirate's House followed a dessert at Leopolds Ice Cream. We walked along the streets a bit further and then came back to the hotel calling it a night.

Day 2 (9/5/07) - click here for pictures: Everyone got a good nights rest after getting in late last night. Robby made a quick trip to the airport to exchange our rental car for the previously requested mini-van. We had waffles, strawberries plus more at the hotel for breakfast before heading to downtown Savannah. We made a quick stop at Lady & Sons to get our name on the list for lunch. Next, we drove to the trolley parking lot and boarded the Old Town Trolley. We made several stops including City Market, Mansion at Forsythe, Forsythe Fountain, Mercer House, Chippawea Square (made famous by Forrest Gump), and Waving Girl statue. We had lunch at Lady & Sons around 2:00 and enjoyed a scrumptious buffet including some great fried chicken, pork chops, mac & cheese, green beans, black eyed peas, plus some yummy desserts. One of Paula's sons was in the restaurant and Tara snapped a picture with him. After lunch, we finished up the trolley tour with a visit to the candy store for ice cream and pralines. We came back to the hotel for a quick swim. Next, we headed to Hilton Head, South Carolina where we visited Sea Pines and Harbour Town for a view of the Lighthouse and a stroll around the marina. We finished up our visit with supper at Marley's Grille for some corn chowder and voodoo shrimp. We drove back to the hotel where Reagan was already fast asleep and Anderson was just getting his second wind.

Day 1 (9/4/07) - click here for pictures: After the kids went to school and a full day of work for Tara and Robby, it was time to head to the airport. The Dennies took Tara and the kids while Stephanie picked up Robby from work. After a 30-minute delay, our US Airways flight to Charlotte, NC took off around 6:45 pm. It was a full flight and a bit bumpy throu

gh the weather but we arrived at 9:30 pm. We boarded our half-empty flight to Savannah where we had plenty of room to spread out. We arrived

at 11:20 pm and picked up our rental car. (They were out of mini-vans! but said we could return in the morning to exchange.) Our hotel was only a mile from the airport and the kids were ready for bed. No close restaurants, so we found some Hot Pockets and Hagan Daz from the hotel pantry and then called it a night.