I Told You Driving Was Bad For Your Health! *2/2* NEW TRIP REPORT LINK P102

[MEK]

Mary Ellen

When we went to Savannah 3 years ago - we did the Ghost Tour - and I can tell you the cemetery is very scary at night. It was great fun though going round hearing all the stories of haunted houses and stuff. I'm normally such a sook but my sister and I just love ghost tours for some reason

I bet is WAS VERY Scary! I don't know it could be anything but scary. It looks scary in the daytime, let alone at night.

Can you believe I have never done a ghost tour? I would love to do the one in Savannah. Seriously, it's the most haunted place in the US. Those spirits have to be rocking that place.

We also did the one at St Augustine - I can recommend both of them.

Good to know in case we decide to check one out in St. Augustine. Did they take you through a cemetery in St Augustine?

Your pictures are beautiful as always and it was great to see Tybee Island - that was somewhere we didnt get to as the parents decided to not like each other that day and Dad the driver wouldnt stop and insisted on going to the next place Families Such good memories

Oh, I remember those days very well. My parents never wanted to stop for anything. I'm glad we got to see Tybee. It's a neat little island. Glad you like the pictures.

Love the cemetery, and that cathedral is gorgeous. The stained glass must have been amazing in person with all that beautiful light streaming through it.

The cathedral was so incredibly lovely. Even though it was my second time seeing it, it was just as impressive. The stained glass was really beautiful.

Tybee Island looks like a fun place to visit. Colorful, and I like that.

Very colorful. A very eclectic appeal. I am so glad we decided to stop there. Cool place.

I'm behind again (mom got some serious financial news this weekend and I've been trying to deal with it). Love the photos...especially of the lighthouse. It makes me think of the one I'll be seeing in 10 days.

Hope you get caught up before your trip starts and I hope everything is OK with your mom.

So glad you like the pics. The lighthouse was really beautiful and I'm glad that I got to see the lighthouse even though I didn't get a chance to climb it.

 

[rentayenta]

When do you start to accrue vacation time?

I know a woman named after Tybee Island as her mother loved it so much. Kinda cool. I should have named one of the kids Nantucket.

Great update! Your photos are just awesome.

I wonder what number Salt Lake City ranks in terms of friendliness?

 

[scottny]

Too bad about the job.
Love the Savannah pics. It is such a great city.
That yellow house on the island did look cute.
Cheap gas.
All caught up.

 

[jenseib]

finally caught up. I am loving all the pictures. Very interesting areas. I hadn't realized that Savannah was so close. Did it smell? I heard from my friend who visited there that Savannah smelled bad and it had something to do with an old sewage system....like back from the civil war days or earlier. Maybe that wasn't true, or maybe it's updated.
But I always think about that when I hear about Savannah.
What did Myley Cirus film at Tybee island?

 

[MEK]

When do you start to accrue vacation time?

You actually start accruing right away. It's called paid time off so its a conglomeration of vacation time, sick time, holiday time. I probably won't have enough accrued for my October vacation, but I really don't care because I can work extra time when I stay overnight to take call. They do have a policy of no vacation for 3 months.

I know a woman named after Tybee Island as her mother loved it so much. Kinda cool. I should have named one of the kids Nantucket.

That's a cute name - Tybee.

Nantucket is a cool name too. You know - this whole Nantucket idea has me intrigued. I've been meaning to see if there are any RCI trades near or in Nantucket.

Great update! Your photos are just awesome.

Thanks!

I wonder what number Salt Lake City ranks in terms of friendliness?

Good Question. I'm sure its somewhere in between Charleston SC and Wilmington DE.

Too bad about the job.

Thanks. I was initially bummed, but I'm over it. It really wasn't the right time.

Love the Savannah pics. It is such a great city.

Thanks and it really is a great city. I have loved both of my visits there. I look forward to my next visit.

That yellow house on the island did look cute.

There were a lot of cute houses like that. They reminded me of that house that Miley Cyrus used in her movie that was filmed on Tybee.


[

Cheap gas.

I know. I would love to see that price right now.

[

All caught up.

finally caught up. I am loving all the pictures. Very interesting areas. I hadn't realized that Savannah was so close. Did it smell? I heard from my friend who visited there that Savannah smelled bad and it had something to do with an old sewage system....like back from the civil war days or earlier. Maybe that wasn't true, or maybe it's updated.
But I always think about that when I hear about Savannah.

Nope, didn't smell. I know that a lot of the downtown was revitalized and that there was a period when everything was in serious disrepair. But I really don't know the specifics. I do know that its a really cool city. I really enjoyed visiting it.

What did Myley Cirus film at Tybee island?

I had to look it up. It was called The Last Song. Parts of it may have been filmed in Savannah.

 

[MEK]

I Do!

Hi Everyone! I wanted to update earlier this week but my dad, who has been ill for several years, started declining in health about a week or so ago.

My mom is my dad's caretaker. She was very reluctant to involve hospice and its been a struggle to convince her it's OK.

I spent part of last weekend there and I was planning on returning tonight but he started his final decline yesterday. So I went last night and we were able to transition him to hospice just in the nick of time. I'm so grateful for that.

I am grateful that I got to spend time with him at the end. He is in a much better place now. Much better. I feel a sense of relief.

Please say a prayer for my mom. She seems OK now, but her life is going to be very empty soon and its going to be very difficult for her.

Thanks.


Fortunately I have an update partially prepared, so I'd like to post it tonight. I am anxious to wrap up the HHI portion of my trip and move on the the WDW portion. I uploaded all my pictures. I have done some major editing while at my mom's. I found it to be a great stress reliever.

So - back to HHI -

Today was our last full day at HHI. I really wanted to make the most of it. I considered signing Denny & I up for kayaking. Well, actually I was going to check for open spots. But since C & C had already gone kayaking, I decided not to. In the back of my mind I was formulating a plan - enjoy the resort in the morning and head to Beaufort SC in the afternoon. I had read a lot about Beaufort and it seemed like the perfect idyllic southern town.

So I started my day with a run - I think. Then we packed a lunch and headed to the beach house.

More beach pictures





It looked like it was shaping up to be a perfect beach day







Is it just me or does this paddle boarding look to be boring and a lot of work?



I love the tall trees that edge the coast line. Very different from other beaches on the atlantic coast and certainly part of the reason HHI is so unique.



In my dreams



Sand dollars





Jelly



Horse shoe shell



The beach was full of aquatic remnants this morning.

Doesn't his walk look very purposeful?





Aren't you proud of me for keeping the beach pics to a minimum?



We decided this was Tybee off in the distance and that sighting was confirmed by a local.



We headed back to the beach house to chill in the chairs.





In case you are interested, there are actually picnic tables and a grill at the Beach House. Sounds fun if you have a big group and want to grill up lunch.



I think I posted a similar picture already, so just indulge me



Pool was still empty. I did go it. It was nice and warm. A little chilly when I got out, but oh so perfect going in!



My obsession with beach chairs continues









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[MEK]

Continued From Previous Post...



Last one, I promise



Looks like we have some company.



We enjoyed our morning and our lunch at the Beach House. Every agreed that driving over to Beaufort in the afternoon sounded like a plan. C&C had brought the bikes to the beach and Denny decided he needed his own form of a stress test, so he and C rode the bikes back.



IF I didn't mention this already, Palmetto Dunes shares the beach house with Disney. I don't quite understand the relationship. I think both can use the grill and probably all the common areas, but the Palmetto side has separate bathrooms. Not sure how they devised this relationship, but I am thinking that Disney had to make this arrangement to build the beach house.



The sign does indicate a separate entrance, so maybe the grills are part of the Palmetto side.



I am happy to report that Denny made it back to the villa without incident. We cleaned up our lunch remnants, took showers, back up a bit, and got ready for our trip to Beaufort.

On the road again



I did not know that Pepsi was born in the Carolinas.





My weak attempt at a self-portrait



More scenery





I think we crossed over a bridge that lead to some small islands before we realized we had missed the town completely. Oops.



Yup - crossed this bridge by mistake





I don't really recall how long it took to get to Beaufort. We did stop for gas. I thinking 45 minutes, maybe.

Pulling into town







Down the main street looking for parking



That market and that car out front - what a throw back





We found a public parking lot that was free and got out to explore. The lot is right along the water. They do horse and carriage rides, but try as C might, they were already done for the day and no amount of persuasion would get them to agree to take us out.



Oh well. I knew we goofed around too long before we left the villa



So we walked along the waterfront





Continued in Next Post...

 

[MEK]

Continued From Previous Post





Look a wedding!



I had to be a wedding stalker. Just had to be



















It's never too early to start scooping out potential dinner spots





This was a lovely area to walk in.



The bridge in the distance made a nice back drop







It was at least time for Happy Hour, so we settled on Luther's



C ordered one of these



The view from our outside table





Denny decided to throw caution to the wind and ordered a beer. I did too, although I think I ordered something local that came in a Blue Moon glass



Luther's was a fun little restaurant/bar



Inside picture



You can't drink all day? Is that true?



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[MEK]

Continued From Previous Post

There were still more pictures to be taken after dinner

Unedited



Edited







We were getting ready to head away from the waterfront and out to the Main street when I had another sighting.



Bride #2





Bride #2 was heading in for a drink





Honestly, I think I would make an awesome paparazzi



I think this has to be a borrowed dress and she looks lovely





Love the flowers



Look - two lovebirds - how symbolic









We headed into town



You may be open, but I'm not sure I want to go in







Who wouldn't want to go to a place with the name Kooky mooky?



Not sure how many of you watch American Idol, but Beaufort was well represented this year.



At the time I remember thinking there was no way she would win. Guess I was wrong.

I so want one of these when I have grandchildren





Just when I thought I had maxed out on brides, look what I found - Bride #3



I think they may have given me the evil eye, so that's the only picture that I got.

I've got more Beaufort pictures, but I'll save those for the next update.

Up Next - A Gorgeous Sunset and an Unexpected Visit to Charleston.

 

[jedijill]

First off, sorry for your loss. I'm glad you were able to be there at the end. to your Mom as well.

Ok, back to the report. Wow, love your beach chair pics! Looks so calm and peaceful. I love your bride stalking photos. Beaufort looks like a cool town too.

Jill in CO

 

[MEK]

First off, sorry for your loss. I'm glad you were able to be there at the end. to your Mom as well.

Thanks Jill! I really appreciate it!

Ok, back to the report. Wow, love your beach chair pics! Looks so calm and peaceful. I love your bride stalking photos. Beaufort looks like a cool town too.

Jill in CO

Why is it that an empty chair always looks SO enticing?

I can't believe I hit the bride jack pot. That was really an unexpected bonus!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you made it there in time before his decline. I'll keep you and your mom in my thoughts

What a relaxing trip this is! It all looks so pretty! I, for one, am not sick of all of the pictures of the beach and beach chairs, so bring them on! You got so many great shots, I see why you want to share them.

And you make an excellent paparazzi, 3 brides in one day!!

 

[MEK]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you made it there in time before his decline. I'll keep you and your mom in my thoughts

Thank you! I really appreciate your kind thoughts.

What a relaxing trip this is! It all looks so pretty! I, for one, am not sick of all of the pictures of the beach and beach chairs, so bring them on! You got so many great shots, I see why you want to share them.

I'm so glad you like the pictures. I had a lot of fun taking them and then it's hard to pick which ones to post, so I tend to post most of them. Oh well. The beach at HHI is so unique. It makes it hard to put the camera away.

And you make an excellent paparazzi, 3 brides in one day!!

Can you believe it? I was so amazed when I found the first bride, let alone the next two. I just love sneaking pictures of brides because, honestly, its such an amazing day on one's life. I love trying to capture that.

 

[jash08]

I am so sorry for your loss Mary Ellen. I know it will be hard, as it always is when you lose someone. But knowing they are not suffering helps to ease the pain some. Good thoughts for you and your momma.


Amazing pictures as always!

 

[tazdev3225]

I usually lurk just wanted to give my sympathies on your loss. I have really been enjoying the TR.

 

[MEK]

I am so sorry for your loss Mary Ellen. I know it will be hard, as it always is when you lose someone. But knowing they are not suffering helps to ease the pain some. Good thoughts for you and your momma.

Thanks Ashley! I really appreciate the positive thoughts and it is so good to know he's not suffering. I really think he was getting uncomfortable near the end.

Amazing pictures as always!

Thanks! I certainly took a lot of pictures down in the low country. I just couldn't help myself.

 

[dawnbu40]

I am so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Mary Ellen - first and foremost I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you and your family can find comfort and peace in your happy memories and knowing he is at peace. Take care.

Second - I love your beach chair pictures!!
And the Beaufort Brides! How cool is that?? I like the dress on #2.

Did you read the small print on the sign - You can't drink all day...
unless you start in the morning!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Mary Ellen so sorry to hear of your loss. You will always have those memories of your father when he was in great health. As you said he's in a better place now. I will be praying for your mother, I know how hard it will be on your mother, but she will adjust in time.

 

[cmaee]

I'm sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is never easy, but having the confidence that he is at peace helps.