Sunday, September 14, 2014 -- Our Georgia Island Road Scholar Adventure Begins.

On  Friday, Andrea and I both flew to Jacksonville, Florida.  Andrea and I were college roommates back in the 60’s, and we have stayed in contact with each other for all these years.  Andrea retired to Arizona and I remained in Michigan, but we have taken several trips together since retirement.  This week we will take part in our fourth Road Scholar aprogram, Island-Hopping Adventure on three Barrier Islands:  St. Simons, Sapelo, Jekyll.  Neither of us has ever visited the Georgia coast, so we are looking forward to learning about the history, culture, and natural features of this area. 

Our program did not begin until Sunday afternoon, so on Saturday Andrea and I drove to Savannah, about two hours from Jacksonville, where we began the day with a 90 minute tram tour of the historic downtown of the city.  After this excellent overview, we toured two historic homes, the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low and the Davenport House.  Both are restored and beautifully furnished as they were in were in the 1800’s.  Walking around the historic area made us grateful that the city was spared the destruction that came to so much of the South during the Civil War.  

Andrea and Ellie get acquainted with Juliette.

This morning, Andrea and I drove about 18 miles east of the city of Savannah to Tybee Island.  We love lighthouses, and Tybee's restored lighthouse was a "must-see" for us.  The lighthouse was originally built in 1732, ordered by General Oglethorpe for protection of the Savannah River Entrance.  Rebuilt several times, the 144 foot high structure was automated in 1972 and is still a functioning navigational aid.  It is said to be the most beautifully renovated lighthouse on the east coast.

While Andrea explored the furnished lighthouse keeper's home, I climbed (very slowly!) the 179 steps to the top of the lighthouse and enjoyed the beautiful views of the ocean.

On our way back to Savannah, we toured the two forts that helped to protect the port of Savannah -- Fort Pulaski and Old Fort Jackson. 

Inside Fort Pulaski

The moat that surrounds the fort.

We decided that Savannah was definitely a good side trip, but now it was time for us to leave for St. Simons Island, about a 1.5 hour drive south from Savannah, to begin our Road Scholar Adventure!

After arriving on St. Simons, we checked into the very comfortable rooms at our hotel, part of the Sea Palms Tennis and Golf Resort.  Our rooms are very large and most have a screened-in porch and a refrigerator.  The porch faces a salt marsh, and the conference center where we will have most of our meals and meetings is just a short distance away.  

At 5:00 we gathered with the other participants and our coordinator, Rusty.  After Rusty went over the week’s program, we introduced ourselves and said what we would show someone who visited us in our hometowns.  The 35 participants have come from 17 different states.  This should be a fun group! After the introductions, we enjoyed a delicious meal – a “low country boil” with shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob, and potatoes – all very delicious!