Scoot and me blasted out of Beaufort about 6:45. The sun was coming up through the lifting fog. It was Water Front Days in Beaufort and last night they had A!A, the original Jimmy Buffet tribute band..... and I did not even know he was dead. Fun watching the people, but the band did not thrill me.
We passed Paris Island, home of the Marine Corps training base. The ride to Savannah was both busy and light traffic. Most of it turned off to Hilton Head Island. We crossed the river through the fog into Savannah about 8AM so we decided it was time for a “Gucci” coffee. Unlike Charleston, traffic was very light and we easily came off the bridge into downtown. We circled down to the waterfront but could not find a coffee shop. We asked a few white men in suits and they pointed to various hotels. We turned the corner and Scoot saw his “posse” in front the Aviada Hotel, so we wheeled to a stop to ask them. Sam, Mike and Jarrett where more than happy to help. When asked, all three pointed across the vacant lot and said “over there”. We visited for awhile and then Scoot and I went around the block for coffee. Sharon made a great coffee, but it got a little hot outside around Scoot and the fire department showed up.
There is not much in this area of SC and Ga but trees and straight roads. We came to Darian, Ga., a town I had never heard of. Not much there but I found it interesting. Fort George was one of the first forts built in America. More interesting was Georges Marina. He talked some but was busy welding on the bottom of the Kevin and Bryan. In front of the sign is an old “round” airplane engine that a shrimper had pulled up. They are growing some healthy plastic flowers in front of it. From his signs I got the feeling he does not give credit.
We passed through Brunswick, home of the training center were your government trains people to “protect the homeland”. Sounds like a slogan from Hitler.
Back out in the middle of no where we came into Woodbine, Ga. The antique shop had a very interesting sign.
I was looking for lunch and almost missed the only place in town, which would have been ashame, as this is one of the best finds of the trip. Capt Stan's Smokehouse is one of those that was magical for me. Capt Stan was on the sea for many years and came to Brunswick to build the new bridge. He opened an outfitters shop and some one gave him a smoker and he opened the restaurant. Kelly the bar tender, had been on the sea as deckhand on a wooden sailing vessel, a lobster boat, and tugs. One rainy night she got lost and wondered into town, “out of ideas and out of money”. She got takeout and got to talking to some guy and told her story. It was Stan and he offered her a job and there she is.
They have blues bands on weekends and play great music during the day. I also met several of the local residents. The local scooter guy was a hoot. His ambition is to join a “hog” club. Oh yea, and the ribs where great!!
(Kelly, like myself, is adverse to having her picture taken, but for Scoot she agreed)
kelly and hog man
capt stan and a mess of greens
When I had gone into Capt Stan the skies had been threatening to rain. In fact we had hit rain several times but not enough bring out the road gear. Now it had cleared off and we headed south with some peace of mind.
I missed the turn to St. Mary's where we had planned to spend the night. Not exciting enough to do a u-turn though, so we continued on to Ameilia island. Years ago we almost wound up living here, so I kind of like this place....except the paper mills. We settled in at the Addison on Amelia B&B about 3pm. The thunder started shortly after that but it did not rain.
The inn is owned by Bob and Shannon Tidbal. It is a second career for them and they are really enjoying it. The main reason I chose this inn is they have a happy hour in the evening. The wine and cheese were great, but visiting with the other guest was just as great.
So, if you are in the area, give them a try. http://www.addisononamelia.com/
the owner of the b&b
