Mmmmmm!!!! Savannah, GA and Low Country South Carolina

After spending most of the winter with the rest of the "Snowbirds" in Central Florida, it was time to start heading North.  The temperatures were heating up, which is hard to believe, since it is in the low 40's in Chicago today.  But yes, it was time.  Florida had been explored literally from tip to tip.  We traveled from Pensacola to Orlando, Tampa to Naples, through The Everglades, down to Key West, and back up to Jacksonville.  I'd say we covered that state pretty well.  The only thing we missed was Miami, and we'll leave that for all the pretty people.  We were excited to add another state to our map, and actually added two within a week!

Putting states 10 and 11 on the map!

People have asked us how we decide where to stop, and for how long.  And although we have a general idea of where we are headed, occasionally we will make a little pit stop based on recommendations along the way.  That was just the case with Savannah, GA.  After Jacksonville, we planned on going straight to Charleston, SC, but we were lucky enough to stay in Savannah for a few days. Our campsite was on Skidaway Island, just outside of Savannah on a barrier island.  We set up under some massive live oaks covered in Spanish Moss.  Our prettiest site so far. 

Skidaway Island, Georgia

Savannah and Charleston have many similarities, one being the AMAZING food!  One of the most surprising things on this adventure is how much we have grown to love trying different food.  Don't get me wrong, we love grilling out at home, but we also love experiencing a city's culture through the local food.  And the Low Country cuisine was some of the best food we've ever had.  We tried it all.  We had Shrimp & Grits, Chicken & Waffles, Hoppin' Johns (black eyed peas and rice), tomato pie, rutabagas, collard greens, sweet potato cornbread, fried green tomatoes, real pimento cheese, and the best lima beans EVER!  Oh, and I am now hooked on sweet tea, and Chris has tried almost every edible part of a pig.  Whew, time for a diet!  Now, being from Kansas we hadn't tried most of these Southern food dishes before, one of which was my soft shell crab sandwich.  I was at lunch one day at a road side food stand called the Tomato Shed Cafe, and I asked the waitress for her recommendation.  With a smile she said the soft shell crab was fresh.  I had heard that soft shell crab was amazing, but to only get it when it's in season.  So I ordered my sandwich, a side of tomato pie, and started sipping on my sweet tea.  A few minutes later my food comes, and to my surprise they had deep fried the whole crab!  Embarrassed, I had to ask the waitress how to eat it.  She gave me a "bless your heart" look, and said I eat the whole thing.  I dug in, it was tasty, and luckily I didn't get sick.

After reading and talking to folks, we decided on two restaurants to try while in Savannah; Elizabeth on 37th, and Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House.  Paula Deen is probably Savannah's most famous chef, and she had a line out the door at her place, but that's not where we went.  It happened to be my birthday, and we celebrated at Elizabeth on 37th.  This James Beard winning restaurant is in a beautiful mansion outside downtown Savannah.  Dinner was wonderful, and to surprise the birthday girl we were treated to their signature Savannah Cream Cake with a candle on top.  This is angel food and sherry laced custard cake with berry sauce and custard sauce.  Are you hungry yet?  Mrs. Wilkes' was the following day.  People stand in line for hours to eat at this well established eatery.  The food at this restaurant is served family style, with ten strangers sitting around large tables.  You share fried chicken, and more sides than we can count (We lost count at 23)!  This was well worth the wait.

Almost to the front of the line

Our "After" photo

On to Charleston, SC, where we enjoyed more amazing food at places like Magnolia's, Fat Hen, Dixie Supply Bakery, and Martha Lou's for fried chicken and famous lima beans.  Now, there is more to this city besides their fabulous food.  We visited a working plantation, and spent a few days just walking around the historic downtown. We even took a carriage ride through the different neighborhoods.  I even found a place I could call home.

A street sign in Charleston

Chris and Ashley on a carriage ride.

Our time on the coast ended with a bike ride along the beach on Kiawah Island. It's time to head inland.

Ashley riding on the beach on Kiawah Island

Next stop... Asheville, NC.

 

Have you seen my golf ball?

You can keep the golf ball!

Over the last few years I haven't had the opportunity to play much golf.  Life gets in the way, and the closest I found myself was hitting golf balls at the driving range every once in awhile.  Ashley enjoys our time at the golf range, but was ready for golf lessons to start enjoying the game.  Luckily, after some great golf vacations over the last year, and our access to some great courses and weather as we travel the country, we decided it was time.

The golf spark was triggered two years ago when we had the chance to attend The Masters in Augusta, GA.  The condition of the golf course was amazing, and television does not do it justice.  We attended a practice round and enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of the players and patrons (how the Masters refers to it's fans).  Watching the Masters on television is so much fun now that we have seen it in person!

Last year, my parents invited us to the Ryder Cup in Chicago.  The atmosphere at the Ryder Cup was the opposite of what existed at The Masters.  Unlike most golf tournaments where each player is playing against each other, at the Ryder Cup it's the best players of The United States against the best of Europe.  USA and European roars and cheers were exchanged throughout the day.  After a day on the course, we met up with some family friends at Top Golf.  I wish I would have thought of this idea.  Essentially it is a real driving range that uses electronic chips in the golf balls, and by combining it with numerous targets, food, and beer turns it into a fun game!  It's golfs version of Dave and Busters and bowling combined together, and it was a blast for everyone regardless of your golfing experience level!

In front of Medinah Country Club at the Ryder Cup

Mom, who hadn't hit a golf ball for over 10 years.  She's a natural!

My brother Jon suggested a 7 Iron

Dad invited myself and two of his best friends for a two day golf outing in Las Vegas.  During our golf lesson Butch Harmon (Tiger Wood's former coach) was instructing someone a few bays down from us.  Pretty neat!  We had the chance to play what are now my favorite courses, Cascata and Rio Secco.  The views and service were amazing.  I am hopeful the pointers learned during my lesson will last for a long time.

Our "Before" picture

Attention to detail everywhere

This brings us to Orlando.  Ashley and I have set up camp 15 minutes from Disney, a city in and of itself.  We will be in Florida for a few months waiting out the cold before heading north, up the east coast.  This has been our chance to continue our excitement from our golf vacations and really start playing instead of only watching. 

To get things started we were fortunate to find a golf instructor for Ashley and she is making tremendous progress!  Each day after hitting golf balls, we have a putting contest, and I'm sad to admit Ashley has already become an equal match on the putting green!

Ashley showing off her textbook
follow thru in our "Backyard"

I showed up to play a round of golf, and was excited when I heard I would be playing by myself.  I asked if Ashley could ride along with me and watch as I played 18 holes.  "No problem", they said.  It was Ashley's first time on a golf course, so I handed her the keys and said, "You're driving!"  It was so much fun having Ashley along with me during my round of golf, and lucky for me she enjoyed raking bunkers, looking for golf balls, and giving me advice in her hilarious "golf accent"!

My best and only caddie ever!

While in Orlando, we have enjoyed many days at Disney and all of their resorts (to be talked about in a future post).  We have noticed Disney does it right on everything, so I figured their golf courses would be no different.  We were right!  Disney has four golf courses on property; Magnolia, Palm, Buena Vista, and Osprey Ridge.  I was lucky enough to play all four and was surprised how different each course was.  The Palm and Magnolia, which until last year hosted a PGA Tour Event, were very "resort style" while Osprey Ridge was more of a "nature" course, and you would never know you were playing next to a Disney Theme Parks.  What an experience!

  

Disney Tee Markers

During our last days in Orlando, our good friends The Snellers, came into town.  Hannah, was attending a medical convention, which allowed Andy and I to sneak in a few rounds of golf before meeting back up with the girls for some dinner and drinks.

Disney's famous Mickey Mouse sand trap

Attempting the "Drinking Around The World" at Epcot

In March, I celebrated my birthday which Ashley surprised me with a visit to the World Golf Hall of Fame in St Augustine, FL.  It is a very impressive facility, hosting two championship golf courses, an island green challenge, an 18 hole miniature golf course played on real grass, and the Hall of Fame itself.  If you are a golf fan this must be added to your golf bucket list!

I'm not sure they have custom fitting perfected yet

Posing on the St Andrews Bridge

Ashley showing off her winning
score card from our putting challenge

We have had a blast in Florida, and as sad as we are to leave, we are excited to start heading north and "adding more states to our map".  Next stop, Charleston SC, we think.  But we never know where we will end up until we get there.  As always, thanks for reading!

Posing with Chi Chi Rodriguez, the name on Ashley's
first golf clubs over twenty years ago, "Chi Chi II's"