Destinations Carnival #2

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This Thursday, I hung out with the band Az-Izz at the Peachtree Tavern in Atlanta. You may have heard them perform on cruise lines. They play R&B, jazz, country, hip hop… You name it. Az-Izz band members are also cool to hang around. They are just a bunch of good, down-to-earth guys who are extremely talented. They are also some handsome gents. Oh, but I was talking about their sound. Listen to the clips from their performance at the Peachtree Tavern and tell me what you think about them.

I wanted to bring you all a closer look of Tybee Island. Enjoy this short video. Soon, I’ll be bringing you all an update on my Bikini Challenge!

 I ended up having to choose between going to Hilton Head or Tybee Island. I chose Tybee Island. Thanks to the nice ladies at the Inn at Mulberry Grove, 101 O’Leary Road, for making the recommendation. You rock! Tybee is cool because it’s colorful but not too commercial. I think that’s why so many people like it there. There are some really neat T-shirt shops and stands where you can buy $5 T-shirts. I wish that I’d picked up a few, but I was determined not to spend any money after having to fuel up the car several times.

I just settled in at Tybee beach with a $9.99 beach chair that I picked up at Wal-Mart and watched the scene around me. I vendor on the beach tried to rent a beach umbrella to me for $20 for the entire day. I didn’t have any cash and she didn’t take debit cards or I would have been tempted to shuck out the money for the umbrella. The sun was beaming down on me.

Where is Tybee?

Tybee Beach is roughly 45 minutes away from Savannah, Georgia. It’s an easy drive to Tybee Beach. There was very little traffic an no construction on the road when I went. I took 80 East/Ga-26 to get to the beach. I just kept driving until I saw the signs for beach parking.

Parking at Tybee

Oh, and parking wasn’t bad at all. I arrived at around 10 a.m., and there were plenty of spaces. Tybee Island has a North Beach and a South Beach. I parked on the south side. The lot was nearly empty when I arrived. It filled up by 1 p.m. There were still some street spaces, though. Did you all know that they now have parking machines where you can pay using a debit card to park? I had never seen such a machine before, but I was glad that they were at the beach. I didn’t want to have to put a bunch of quarters in the machine and then come back out and check on it.

I paid about $4 -$5 to park for about four hours or so, if I am remembering correctly. A parking pass pops out of the machine with the time allotted for parking. I put the pass on my dashboard and was able to park in any of the beach lots. Very cool. 

One Weird Guy

Everything was fine at the beach accept for the fact that I was accosted by a drunk guy who said things like, "Hey cutie. You sho are fine," very loudly and rudely.  I don’t mind being called cute, but it was the way he said it, as though he was undressing me or something. Yuck! I think that I said something back like, "I’m not your cutie!" Hmmm. Somehow that didn’t make the impact that I would have liked it to have made. I’ve never been good at making quick comebacks, especially after spending about four hours in the sun.

In addition to touring downtown Savannah, I headed down to the river, strolling along and peaking into shops. My favorite shop was the Praline Candy Store. I was tempted to buy a few pounds of chocolate, but I resisted. It was hot and humid in Savannah. I was so thirsty that I would have gladly paid $5 for water. I didn’t have, too. The prices were relatively reasonable. I bough a slush for $4, and I admit that was steep.

My only regret is that I didn’t take the steamboat tour. I didn’t arrange for the trip, and was in the basement of a museum riding out a tornado scare when the last sightseeing tour had passed. If you have money to spend, the shops along the river has souvenirs to take back home. There’s also some interesting people, good music and restaurants there. I stopped in at Huey’s on the River at 115 East River Street and had an unpleasant experience.

When I arrived, I looked over the menu and found a salad (remember, I’m on the bikini challenge) to enjoy. It was a shrimp salad with blue cheese that was probably not low fat. Anyway, I was seated and asked for directions to the restroom which was through double doors and in a lobby area. I’m trying to remember if I had to climb stairs, but I don’t think that I did.

After taking my restroom break, I headed to my seat. There was another couple sitting there. What? My host/server gave my seat away. Yes. There were plenty of other seats there. I started to leave, but another host came up to me and asked me if I wanted another seat. So, she knew what had happened. I was tired and hungry. I agreed to take another seat. I sort of regret that.The salad was great. I even chatted with a couple nearby from the Midwest. I just think that it was rude to give away my seat because I went to the restroom. I don’t think that would have happened if I were not a single woman. The server didn’t even apologize. What do you all think? Should I have eaten at Huey’s on the River in Savannah or should I have went to another restaurant? What would you have done?

First-hand accounts of the tornado in Savannah.

You never know what can happen to you in Savannah. I got caught in a tornado while there. Read on.  I was visiting Savannah, doing a little sightseeing, collecting tour information and chilling. I got in late on Wednesday. On Thursday, I started looking around. I took a trolley around downtown on a tour and decided to get off at the Davenport House, a historic home which was essential in beginning preservation of historic homes and buildings in Savannah. Anyway, it started to rain while I was taking pictures in the square, waiting for my home tour to start. It started raining harder. I picked up my camera, and tripod and jogged inside. The tour was okay. The home was a little sparse, but they say that’s what homes were like during the Federalist period.

Now it was raining harder. It was lightening and thundering, the whole shebang! I stayed at the home until the rain let up a little and I saw my trolley coming. I ran screaming with my Savannah brochures and maps in a plastic shopping bag. My tripod for my camera was slung over my shoulder and my dreadlocks were flying. I made the trolley. Thank God! Off we went. The rain had stopped and I wanted to see the City Market, so I got off a few stops down. I realized that the Telfair Museum of Art was also on that stop, so I asked for directions and began walking to the museum.

As soon as I got into the Museum I was told that there was a tornado watch or warning; I’m not sure which. What? Some other tourists and I were ushered downstairs into the basement of the museum. Apparently, there was a tornado during the storm. I sat in the basement of the museum in a folding chair with some of the workers at the Telfair and the other tourists who were as unlucky as I. It wasn’t so bad. The museum workers were entertaining as were about to play some funny, yet embarrassing party games. They didn’t take off, or I threatened that I’d have a YouTube video of the entire thing. We were not held hostage; we were allowed to go if we chose. I opted to stay. It looked okay outside, but I didn’t want to take any chances.  I’m still not sure of exactly how long I spent in the basement of the museum, but I know that we were allowed to go at about 4:30 p.m.

More About Savannah

Savannah, Georgia is well-known for its historic homes and history. It’s also a popular destination for the River Boardwalk and nearby beaches. The landmark historic district in Savannah is located east of Boundary Street.  The Savannah River is North of the district and Victory Drive borders the south of the district.

Parking

Parking can be difficult in Savannah if you don’t know where to go. Go to the Savannah Visitor’s Center or the Parking Services Department, the Bryan Street Parking Garage (at Bryan and Abercorn Street) to get a two-day parking pass for $8. This pass entitles you to park at any city metered space (with a meter of one hour or longer) for free. You simply need to display the pass on your dashboard. You can also park in any city owned parking garage with this pass. The visitors passes cannot be used during certain special events.

There is free parking at the Robinson Garage, 912-651-6478, which is on York and Montgomery Streets, Mondays through Fridays from 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. There has also been free parking all day on the weekends in this garage during some construction in town. Inquire about free weekend parking when you arrive. Free parking is also available at the State Street Garage, 912-651-6473, on State and Abercorn Streets on Mondays through Fridays from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Both garages may charge during special events. 

Touring Savannah 

When you first arrive in downtown different trolleys or tours that you can take to tour Savannah. Olde Town Trolley, $25 with on and off privileges; $22 for one complete loop, was my choice because you can get off at stops, take a look around and catch another trolley to continue your tour in about 15 to 20 minutes. Catch the trolley at 234 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. for free parking. In fact, you can visit several other trolley services at that location and choose the best one for you. The Visitor’s Center, with maps and brochures is also at the address.  The Old Town Trolley tour is about 90 minutes long, but trolleys stop running at around 4:30 p.m. from the first stop. Tours begin at 9 a.m.

If you have a weekend or a day, try to see these attractions:

• City Market, located between Barnard, Congress and Bryan Streets
• Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, founder of the Girls Scouts, 142 Bull Street
• Andrew Low House, 329 Abercorn Street
• Ships by the Sea Museum, 41 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
• River Street, shops and restaurants along the river, located below Bay Street
• First African American Baptist Church, 223 Bull Street

Have you visited Savannah? What is your favorite place or attraction there?

Dan Austin, author of the Road Trip Pilgrim’s Guide, talks about how to choose a road trip and how to live in rough when camping during a pilgrimage in this podcast. A pilgrimage is personal journey. For example you may go on a journey to Israel. You may be seeking adventure on your pilgrimage. You may even seek romance. In any case, a pilgrimage is a journey that changes you in some way.

Pilgrimages or road trips do not have to be long, difficult treks. You can drive, take a train, or even fly to get to your pilgrimage. For example, if you have never been out of your country, flying abroad will certainly be a life-changing experience. I recently learned that celebrity Tyrese Gibson is on a pilgrimage to Israel. He is currently spending five days in Tel Aviv. He plans to walk for five hours in the desert and visit the dead sea. Thanks for sharing that with me, Tyrese.

That sounds like my kind of a pilgrimage. I’m not sure if I am up to walking for five hours in the desert, but it will be worth it. Austin lists some other pilgrimage which are of interest:

Temples

Healing Shrines

Sacred Mountains

Holy Wells

Hot Springs

Pop Culture Shrines

Hey. Stop! What are pop culture shrines? Oh, well, Graceland where Elvis lived, The Field of Dreams, the baseball field portrayed in the U.S. movie, and yeah, Las Vegas. So, anyone can take a pilgrimage. Going to Las Vegas is certainly a life-changing experience.

In his book, Austin also tells us where and how to camp, where to find a shower, and ugh.. how to handle a belligerent drunk. Yes. The book is entertaining, and useful, even if you are not on a pilgrimage. I plan to read it on while on the beach. I already feel inspired about this entire pilgrimage thing. If you were going on a pilgrimage or a road trip, where would you go?

Listen to the podcast with Dan Austin.
The Road Trip Pilgrim’s Guide

The Road Trip Pilgrim’s Guide, $14.95 U.S., is available through most books stores and at Amazon.com.

You can also listen to my radio show here:

Get to secret to getting through the airport on time, how to handle security checks, and what will make you least likely to be checked while in the airport, prevent jet lag and keep your children entertain while on the plane. Pilot Karen Kahn also discusses how to pack light and the thought process that goes into packing, since many airlines are now charging for extra check-in baggage. Dr. Kahn divulges secrets to handling airport check-in, airport security and flights in this podcast. Dr. Kahn is extremely knowledgeable on this topic, so you don’t want to miss this.

Interview with Pilot Karen Kahn

I also have a mp3 version of the podcast. Be warned. There is about 10 seconds of dead air space in this version.
Interview with Pilot Karen Kahn, mp3

Listen to all of my Radio Shows! You can also choose to listen in live.

A woman walked from the hotel lobby into the bright sunshine and baking Atlanta heat. Tiny earplugs in her ears indicated that she was probably listening to a favorite song on her mp3 player. The attendant at the front desk noticed her, and called out.

"Is that your baby? I didn’t get a chance to meet your baby." The lady, oblivious to his calls, kept walking. The attendant managed to catch up with her. She turned around, smiled and introduced him to her tiny dog, who was trailing behind her on a leash. Welcome to Hotel Indigo.

Hotel Indigo is a lovely boutique hotel in midtown Atlanta with 140 guest rooms. Located across the street from the famous Fox hotel, the circa 1920s building has a homey, fun, yet refined ambiance. The common areas feature brightly colored walls with  lavish chandeliers cozy seating. Guestrooms have large beds with comfortable duvet comforters. When I visited Hotel Indigo, I noticed the poetry (haikus) throughout the room.

There was a haiku for conserving water, another for finding services in the hotel, and still another on the door, instead of the standard Do Not Disturb sign, for guest privacy. The rooms also have hardwood floors, high speed Internet access, and CD players. Soothing spa music played in my room as I entered it. At first, I thought that the music was coming from the television but it was actually coming from the CD player. Most rooms in the hotel have showers instead of baths. When I visited, however, both hot water heaters broke so there was no cold water. The problem had not occurred before, and I was impressed that the front desk attendant called every guest and me to make us aware of the issue and to tell us that we could shower in a nearby hotel. The entire incident occurred on Friday the 13th.

Hotel Indigo’s restaurant and bar, called the Golden Bean has sandwiches, fresh pizzettas (small personal pizzas) and a small selection of entrees. Entrees on the menu include sirloin steak, lump crab cakes, grilled salmon and herb roasted chicken. The entrees are between $14 and $16.

Nearby attractions include, the Fox Theater, the Aquarium, the New World of Coca Cola, Underground Atlanta, the Georgia Dome, and Phillip’s Arena.

Hotel Indigo loves and accepts pets of all sizes. The hotel donates some proceeds to the Humane Society. And no deposit is required for pets, because, as Innkeeper Gabriele Webster said, people love their pets as much as children and they wouldn’t charge a deposit for children. The pets, she said, do no damage. On Tuesdays, Hotel Indigo offers a patio dinner for guests and their pets.

I truly enjoyed my visit to Hotel Indigo and my only regret is that I didn’t bring my poodle, Coco, with me.

Complimentary accommodations were provided to review this hotel.

If you spent your Father’s Day away with your dad or your children, I hope that you had a fun, safe trip. If you stayed home, grilled, and relaxed at home, I hope that you had a relaxing time with your loved ones. Enjoy this Father’s Day message as another tribute this year to dads who are working hard to take care of their families.