Savannah, GA - Part 4

2 Chicas Alive and Well in the Historic District

Now 2 Chicas have to give Savannah kudos for their commitment to preserving their old beautiful historic homes!

This area is truly stunning. Thousands flock to the historic district to see the sights and marvel at the restored mansions.

2 Chicas parked and started walking through the squares that define the different neighborhoods.  

From Andrew Low, a rich shipping and cotton businessman to his daughter-in-law Juliette Low, founder of the Girl Scouts, this area is alive with tales from the past!

Chica 1 occasionally stumbles on the old brick sidewalks and grumbles. This is the price of history, the roots of the large majestic oaks push the ancient bricks up out of their carefully laid patterns.

So watch your step and watch for traffic.  Pedestrians have the right of way, but there are a lot of distracted visitors behind the wheels!

Mercer-Williams House is a handsome building that attracts its fair share of admirers. Snapping pictures madly, strangers convene on a sidewalk and politely take turns capturing a fleeting moment in front of a historical marker. Perhaps everyone is hoping to grasp a sliver of this past grandeur.  

First African Baptist Church – This church claims to be the oldest African-American church in America.  2 Chicas agrees that it looks old. This church actually ministered to slaves and was founded in the 1700s.

 Now for the United States, that is ancient. Tee hee he Tours are offered. Chica 2 was afraid to be in a structure that had been holy for such a long time. Tee hee he

King Tisdale Cottage – dedicated to preserving the African-American history and culture. This museum has great historical significance for African Americans in the state of George and touches a little bit on national history. Check out their offerings during your visit.

Tybee Island Lighthouse- 1732 the lighthouse was built to ensure the safe passage of boats into Savannah.  It is a quite a draw in the area.

2 Chicas noticed how many people with children marveled at the base of the structure.  It is great to see families sharing in history.

Chica 2 took all 178 stairs in the lighthouse with a certain flair that befits her personality. The fort on the grounds is pretty cool too. Enjoy the beach and spend some time on the water.

17th Annual Telfair Art Fair afforded locals and visitors a free peek at the extensive artists and collections found in the area. There were more than a 140 artists and their work on display.

The Telfair Museums are made up of a beautiful multilevel Jepson Center that is the modern museum.  The Telfair Academy is an older building surrounded on the outside by statues of great artists. The Owens-Thomas House is reflective of the English Regency architecture and is on the National Historic Register.

There were special activities to encourage artistic expression in the youngest visitors. There was a Family Art Lab, and events that allowed the children to design and create. This festival goes on for blocks!  Pick up a piece of art. Enjoy the music and the sights!


Chica 2 had a great time pretending she was depicted in many of the paintings.

Well, maybe some of the wildlife scenes.  Just joking. Not even close Chica 2!

Chica 1 really enjoyed admiring some beautiful pieces. One of the more interesting exhibits was Beyond Utility - Pottery Created by Enslaved Hands. To be able to express an art form while being beaten and subjugated and then to be in great demand was very moving.

2 Chicas in the Hood and It was Good

Well, 2 Chicas were hungry and decided on their last night in Savannah to go to a restaurant listed in one of the tourist books picked up at the Visitor's Center.

As luck would have it, the restaurant had gone out of business. Using the GPS, we stumbled upon Neighborhood Soulfood Restaurant.

Please believe this is a little hole in the wall and it was outstanding!  Chica one had Turkey wings, dressing, and greens. Chica 2 had baked chicken, greens, and sweet potato.  Chica 2 was salivating and eating so hard Chica 1 thought she might hurt herself.  Dinners were $6.50 each.  Another hidden gem!

2 Chicas really enjoyed Savannah and may just have to drop back in for another visit!  

Savannah, GA - Part 3

2 Chicas go to the Gullah Gullah Place

St. Helena’s Island is home to a group of Gullah descendents who still own much of the land on the island.  The way the people speak is difficult to understand.  It is a combination of English and West African and is a type of creole.

It is considered to be its own language.  The lifestyle is very reflective of the people who to this day hunt, fish, make nets, and sing and speak just like their ancestors.

2 Chicas were so excited to go hang out with the Gullah people and just so happened to visit during the 29^th Annual Heritage Days Celebration.

Chica 2 tried to take a quick primer on the Gullah language prior to the trip. But in reality, she sounded more like a speech impaired Jamaican. Please don’t offend the Gullahs Chica 2!

Upon arrival at the festival, the 2 Chicas went to view the Sankofa Museum on Wheels.  This is the south’s largest traveling museum on South Carolina African American History.  The 2 Chicas were ready to get on the bus, but it was on display in the hall.  It took us a minute to realize they move the artifacts from place to place.

There were real shackles on display and other artifacts that captured the history of Africans in America from slavery to the White House.

Don’t make the mistake that Chica 1 did and snap a picture.  The curator in her strong deep creole voice startled Chica 1 by saying NO PICTURES! 

Chica 1 immediately returned to the age of 4 and apologized, fearful that one of the whips on the table would be used on her.

Chica 2, always ready to fight, said "Dagg, we’re not going to make any postcards and sell them on Ebay."  Better safe than sorry….
 

After an emotional tour of the museum, we were ready to eat some good old Gullah food. It was about noon time, so the first vendor was offering fish sandwiches and crab cake dinners.

Chica 2 ordered the fish sandwich and was jumping up and down like a Chihuahua ready for her doggy treat. 

When she opened her Styrofoam container, the fish was smiling at her. He had a mouth full of little teeth and eyes and fins.

Chica 2 was unprepared, somehow thinking she was getting a little square fish filet. Although it was seasoned to perfection, Chica 2 had lost her appetite. 

She accused the poor lady of selling her a fried piranha. Chica 2, it won’t hurt you; it is dead, and it is a whiting fish. Chica 2 still believes it is a piranha with razor sharp teeth.

Most of the other vendors were not open yet, so the 2 Chicas went off to the Gullah Grub Restaurant.  Oh Lawd! Is about the best we can say about this experience.

It is a small restaurant, designed for a few customers. Obviously, not all at the same time as was the case on our visit. 

The service was comical if you weren’t hungry. A tour bus full of divas and a couple of guys beat us to the restaurant. The waitresses could not figure out who got water or tea and who had ordered. They forgot to give silverware, forgot to deliver the food, and forgot how much the food cost. 
 

Due to the huge rush (we hope), they ran out of greens. Since there were only two vegetables to choose from, this was major. Greens or lima beans – you mean only lima beans?  Oh Lawd!!

The rice wasn’t completely done, unless the Gullahs serve theirs a little crunchy. Their ancestors were rice experts, so we’re not sure. 2 Chicas like their rice fluffy. To top it off, the food was expensive. 

Chica 2 liked her bbq chicken, but the rice was yucky and so was the potato salad. The low country boil was bland. Anyone can boil in water.  The shrimp and shark were overcooked.

The shark seemed like a substitution, but who are we to say it didn’t have a protruding fin that morning.

Chica 2 graciously blamed the fiasco on the tour bus overwhelming the system.  Maybe we will have better luck next time – if there is a next time.

Back to the festival we go and it is a good thing we did, because things had gotten better. On the property is the Penn Center. This is one of the country’s oldest schools for freed slaves. Martin Luther King visited this site, and according to the locals, began writing his I Have a Dream speech. There are a number of other buildings on the property. The area preserves the heritage and customs of the Gullah people.

During the evening events, there was live blues music performed by the Dr. Patch Blues Band.  2 Chicas also enjoyed a wonderful low country boil, spicy and seasoned up to perfection.

The crabs and fish fry were also big hits. Chica 2 enjoyed watching the Gullahs cook the oysters in a pit of fire. A vendor sold Russian Tea and other beverages.

Everyone had a good time and before it got too late, the 2 Chicas headed back to Savannah.

We said goodbye to the Gullah Gullahs and hope to see you again!

Savannah, GA - Part 2

2 Chicas Fancy Footwork at the Fountain  

Forsythe Park is a wonderful oasis in the middle of the city.  There are two nice sized playgrounds for little and not so little children. Bikers seemed to whisk by every minute.

The 2 Chicas really enjoyed stomping through the autumn leaves.  Chica 2 gathered quite a few leaves for future craft projects. 

A gentleman sitting on a bench joked that the 2 Chicas needed a rake.  The locals are friendly.

So if you are from a place in America that keeps the head down and avoids eye contact with others, you’re in for a shock.

Be prepared to say “Good morning”, “Hello”, or “How are you?”  You may want to practice in front of the mirror at home – tee hee he. By the way, that Chica 2 gathered enough leaves to make a primitive roll of toilet paper.

There was a group rehearsing for a wedding that was to be held the next day so it added a special ambiance to the visit.  The fountain is an iconic symbol of Savannah.

How fitting was it that 2 Chicas, icons in their own mind, were posed next to a swan spewing water from her mouth.  Or was that Chica 2?

At some point during the visit, the 2 Chicas found themselves skipping down the path looking for another adventure.

Chica 1 could be heard singing Ease on Down the Road in her Diana Ross voice.  Chica 2 makes a mean Scarecrow with those fancy dance moves!

2 Chicas and A Little Known History Fact

The Weeping Time Park was home to the largest slave sale in Georgia. It is a lonely, tiny park in the middle of a declining neighborhood.

It really does look like a sad place. 2 Chicas thought they made a wrong turn looking for such a place of historical significance.

This is a history that really touches the heart; 436 children and adults were sold.

Families were separated and dispersed in one day to satisfy a gambling debt.  Tragic!  There’s no
address so if your GPS accepts coordinates they are N 32° 05.2299    W 081° 07.50126

There is a single solitary bench in the park. Spend a moment reflecting on the sad and often silenced history of this great country.

2 Chicas shared a slice of time, mingled tears of the present with those of the past, and left the area still hearing the chants of a people long since gone.

2 Chicas Down by the Savannah River

River Street – when the 2 Chicas turned onto River Street, we just knew we were headed for trouble.  It looks like a narrow, back alley where you would drive head on into a trolley.  But you don’t.

Go down right by the Savannah River and park in one of the many small lots.  Begin your adventure by stopping into one of the many shops or restaurants. 

Don’t forget to look at the pirate ships and other art items by the water.

Chica 2 had to be reminded not to jump on board one of the luxury yachts docked at the boat sleeves.  It is a scenic little area.  The large cruise ships and barges roll by and Chica 1 could feel her blood pressure lowering.  Chica 2 was not satisfied with that so she also threatened to jump on the pirate ship and pretend she was Jackie Sparrow – tee hee hee. I guess that won’t raise Chica 1’s blood pressure too much.

The 2 Chicas were very moved by the sculpture of the family torn from their home land and brought to Savannah to be enslaved for the rest of their lives.

It represents the long journey to freedom from shackles to wing tips.  As only 2 Chicas could say it! 

There’s plenty of drinking available on River Street and some of it was cheap.

Chica 1 saw quite a few cheap looking women and one or two crackheads– tee hee hee!  Street vendors are everywhere, some make roses out of palm fronds. 

Somehow, they actually convince a few people to buy them. Why? The best answer the 2 Chicas can come up with is to contribute to the economy and commemorate the visit.

Chica 2 says the roses are pretty – in a primitive way.  There was a street singer doing a Louie Armstrong impression and a trio farther down the street singing old school harmoniously. 

2 Chicas say - Have a quirky good time down on River Street.

Savannah, GA - Part 1

Upon arriving in Savannah the 2 Chicas headed straight for the Visitor’s Center.  It is a great place to pick up local dirt on happenings around town.  Parking is free for the first hour, so don’t be intimidated by the parking fee.  Upstairs there are guides waiting to give advice, maps, and point you to the best trolley tour based on your interests. 2 Chicas are adventurous, so off we went to explore the city of good and evil.

2 Chicas Take On the Deen Machine

The Lady and Sons Restaurant – boy were 2 Chicas excited about visiting Paula’s place. The Deen Machine is big here in Savannah.  There are Paula Deen Tours and Paula Deen specials at local hotels. So 2 Chicas had to see what all the fuss is about.

First, we had to circle the block several times to find a parking space.  Much of the street parking is for 30 minutes only. Probably because everyone is trying to get to Paula’s place. So we had to bite the bullet and pull into the $10.00 all day parking lot.

BEWARE….Savannah’s parking enforcement is like the IRS, they are gonna get u!  We saw a lovely Jaguar being towed after being in a space past the allotted time frame.  Anyhoo, park smart!

Upon approaching the restaurant, the 2 Chicas both looked through the window like expectant children on Christmas morning.

Chica 1 said – oohhh look at the chicken, greens, macaroni and cheese, and sweet potatoes. 

Chica 2 exclaimed – lima beans and creamed corn!  The 2 Chicas picked a great time of day, about 3:00 p.m. We were seated immediately, which is a rare occurrence.

The restaurant is decorated in a country decor.  The tables are made out of old doors.  The doilies on the table are about the fanciest thing in the joint.

The waiter was polite, not to talkative, which is to be expected in a buffet style restaurant. He did forget to bring our bread.

We quickly dispatched the waiter to get our water. The 2 Chicas trotted off like two Clydesdales to get our plates and savor the awaiting delicacies. The fried chicken was good, but the macaroni and cheese and green beans were bad. After a reminder to the waiter, our bread was brought to the table.


The green beans tasted like a canned item and the macaroni and cheese was relatively cold.  We waited for a fresh batch of mac n cheese, and it was equally uninteresting.  The creamed corn was spectacular!  Creamy and slightly sweet it will remind you of home sweet home; it is a true comfort food.

The baked chicken was just average. The smaller pieces were tasty but the breast was dry. The sweet potatoes were great, sweet and delectable.

The greens were so salty they were inedible.  There was also a nondescript chicken and tomato sauce dish on the menu that was average. And the best we can say about the lima beans is that they were ok.

Chica 1 chuckled that by chasing the cult of personality that is Paula Deen, we were convinced to pay $15.99 for a lunch buffet that at home would cost $7.99. And at the very least, it is really good and would have more food selections. 

The desserts were a hit – Chica 2 said the peach cobbler was excellent and Chica 1 had the chocolate chip gooey cake which was delicioso.  The desserts actually made love to our taste buds!

After dinner, you can browse through Paula’s country store and even take a picture with a cardboard Paula and/or Paula and her sons.  There is a little area that serves coffee and desserts in the corner of the store.

So 2 Chicas say, pass up the overpriced, average tasting soul food and get some local grub!  If you are a Paula Deen fan, get some coffee and have a dessert.  They are scrumptious!

You are better off checking out the historic square across the street from the restaurant.  There's a lot of great history!

2 Chicas enjoyed strolling through the squares, people watching and reading the placards about the history in the area.

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Treasure Island Kite Festival, Treasure Island, FL

2 Chicas and What’s Right with Kites

Too many times the 2 Chicas hear stories of what has gone wrong in this world.  Far too often, it is truly a matter of perspective, but trying to get people to look at the situation reasonably, is like trying to get a vulture off of a freshly killed possum.

But every day, 2 Chicas are lucky enough to encounter everything that is right in this world.

Average people doing outstanding things to help others for no other reason then just because they can.  The Treasure Island Kite Festival provided the perfect backdrop for a feel good story about giving. 

One of the largest contributors of kites at the festival was Barry and Karen Ogletre and their Whatakite.com business.

These philanthropists travel the country using their infatuation with kites to raise money for worthy charities.

Often, they visit small towns with limited resources to lift the spirits of those in these tiny places working together to help their neediest citizens.

2 Chicas salute these incredible people!  Thank you for doing God’s work.

The Kite Festival is pretty darn spectacular!  How is it possible that a simple interest can be transformed into a sport.

The participants can make their kites dance, walk, wiggle, as well as soar!  What fantastic family fun!  From the smallest child to one of the oldest adults, this is great day at the beach.

From a flying Batman and Joker to the United States Flag, there are some great characters with even greater stories.

Take Randy the Kiteman, a retired Boston principle who took to flying kites as a stress reliever!  Now he visits kite shows and flies an incredible huge dog and a manta ray gone wild kite! 

Is it for money, fame or fortune?  No, just to share a love with others.

To see the children’s faces as they point to the sky and identify different kites and then run to fly their own is priceless.  2 Chicas salute you Randy as well.

Chica 2, always the bobble head, quickly disappeared pointing and trying to take the reigns of one of the enormous kites.  Nooooo, Chica 2!

This is a really good event for children.  There are vendors selling kites and the children can learn how to fly them right there. 

Nothing like good clean family fun to make the adrenaline flow!  Take the kids next year and go fly a kite! 2 Chicas will let the pictures do the talking!

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Rainbow Springs State Park– Dunnellon, FL

2 Chicas Somewhere Over the Rainbow

West of Ocala is Rainbow Springs, another Florida hidden treasure! Chica 1 purchased a state pass and has thoroughly enjoyed getting her money’s worth visiting state parks! Chica 2 on the other hand, has enjoyed calling off the names of parks that just so happen not to be in the state park system.  Chica 2 – please Universal, Busch Gardens, and Sea World are in a league of their own! Tee hee he

After finding and entering Rainbow Springs, Chica 2 wailed – “Ohhhh, look at that big hole! Do you think we're going to get sucked into that sinkhole?”


As it turned out, it was the remnants of a phosphate pit.  It is always interesting to see the residuals of man’s best intentions. 

Sometimes we just get it plain wrong!  Of course, phosphate was one of the key ingredients found in your favorite dishwashing liquids and laundry detergents.

Now because of the damage phosphate does to our waterways, it has been eliminated in products.  

Red tide, bacteria growth and algae blooms have at times sucked the oxygen out of local waterways. Chica 2 screams - "Enough! Get off your soapbox!"  Good sense of humor Chica 2! Tee hee he

All this talk of lakes, ponds, and streams made Chica 1 need a potty break before the adventure could continue.

Sometimes Chica 2 believes that although she is always accused of being a child, Chica 1 is the one who mistakenly received an infant sized bladder. 

Back to the park, once you pass the Ranger station, you pretty quickly get to see the springs and they are beautiful. Be sure to have on your comfortable walking shoes because you will encounter steep inclines and descents.

There are beautiful vantage points and overlooks to take pictures prior to your descent down the trails.

As Chica 1 looked over the beautiful spring, she could not help but think how many different areas the Creator made for us to enjoy.

A beautiful egret went hunting for dinner right before our eyes. Before we could snap a picture, he flew away to a quieter spot to enjoy his meal!
The 2 Chicas strolled down the paths and enjoyed looking at the waterfall.  What a picturesque little area.
Keep going and you will find a boardwalk that goes back to the bog area that surrounds the spring.

Throughout the park there are picnic areas with bbq grills. Rainbow Springs offers wonderful opportunities to spend the day and let the kids swim with the turtles in the spring. Looking down into the spring Chica 2 tried to imagine what was making the little bubbles in the sand.  Do you really think it is the Loch Ness monster Chica 2?

Chica 2 was finally quiet enough to catch a picture of a beautiful red cardinal hiding in the low brush. 2 Chicas looked at each other and smiled. It was so nice to have another opportunity to enjoy the perfection of God’s great land!

One of the trails takes you back to the butterfly garden and an abandoned zoo.  This park was originally a tourist attraction and even had a rodeo.  A few of the relics remain in the park.  The nature trail weaves you through different areas of the park.  

Chica 2 closed out the trip by running around like a kid trying to take a photo of the butterflies. Find your own little place somewhere over in Rainbow Springs.

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Lake Seminole - Seminole, FL

2 Chicas Like Lake Seminole

2 Chicas can’t help but love the water because there is sooo much of it here in Florida. 

So Lake Seminole in Pinellas County provides another opportunity to mingle with the wildlife and chill in the perfectly sunny outdoors.

Lake Seminole is easily accessed from the county park with the same name. 

Chica 1 is busy looking for the perfect spot to set up camp for the day.  

Chica 2 is striking a pose very similar to the anhinga perched on a post in the water.  

There are about 13 shelters to choose from so get there early if you need to be under cover. There’s picnicking, jet skiing, boating, and kayaking. 

There is a pier for lots of freshwater fishing. For the land lovers, there is plenty of space to rollerblade, jog, or skate.

The park is a wildlife sanctuary and has picture perfect opportunities get that “money” shot.  Chica 2 thought this referred to a specialty beverage akin to jello shots (but probably found in a strip club).  Uhhmm

So whatever you’re into, you can find a respite on the lake. If you want more sand and sun, you’re not far from the beach! 2 Chicas say - Let's get to exploring….