Patty and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary in January but we decided to take a trip a month early since we both had several unused vacation days remaining. At the last moment we switched our original destination to Savannah, Georgia. It rained for the 260 mile drive there and it rained for the 260 mile drive back but in between was beautiful weather and we had a great time.

Patty and I never got to take our honeymoon and we realized that this was the first trip we had ever taken together, just the two of us. Patty was looking for a bed and breakfast in historic Savannah and accidentally came across the Savannah Beach Inn, which wasn't actually in Savannah at all. It's 20 miles away on an island we had never heard of called Tybee Island. The bed and breakfast was a historic 19th century home just a block from the ocean beach. We spent two nights there and I have to mention two of the best breakfasts I think I ever had.

Tybee Island, Georgia is a full 8 mile drive off the mainland coast, connected by a single road through marshlands. Except for the tourist season influx, the population of the island is about 3000, and everybody seems to know everybody else. Caribbean-like beach atmosphere (as opposed to typical antebellum southern hospitality). Very relaxed and very friendly. Except for the stores, restaurants, and palm trees, it reminded us somewhat of Patty's hometown of Eatons Neck on Long Island - isolated from the mainland except by a single road isthmus, and sporting a working 18th century lighthouse. I'm sure there's much more to do on the island in the summer months but one thing we did was to visit the famous Tybee Lighthouse, just a few blocks from where we were staying. Patty and I both climbed the 178 steps to the top. Tybee Island is now one of our favorite destinations.

We did spend an afternoon and evening in historic downtown Savannah. Spanish moss hanging from huge oak trees throughout the city. We walked the old cobblestone roads of River Street and even got to see Savannah's annual Christmas parade as we ate dinner (which didn't make for the most romantic anniversary atmosphere).

Great trip and we hope to go back again.

Labels: Patty, Savannah, Tybee_Island