RE: Tybee Island, Day 1

Saturday 12/16/17

Greetings One and All,

     December at the News Factory can get a little crazy for us floating directors.  Everyone is trying to squeeze in their last few PTO days before the end of the year, and everyone wants off for Christmas.  That’s why I just did eight straight days, with another long stretch right around the corner.  Tucked in the middle, this random four day weekend.

     I knew I had to go...somewhere.  But, where?  The Atlanta weather forecast called for storms late Sunday.  I checked the forecast for Savannah and the storms weren’t expected until early Monday.  Sure, it would be a little chilly on Tybee Island, but it’s still a day on the beach. 

      I left the house around 8:30A and took back roads east to I-75.  From there it’s a straight shot south to Macon, then east on I-16 to Savannah.  Since I was making great time, I got off the interstate at Exit 84, picked up Hwy 297 and drove south towards Vidalia.  There are multiple theories where the town’s name originated, though the majority of sources go with the “via dahlia” or Road of Dahlias.

      Along the way, I passed by the First Assembly of God Church.  It seemed a little odd their steeple was laying on it’s side.  The church doesn't have a website and their facebook page makes no mention as to why.

      Two miles further, I picked up Hwy 292 East.  Lyons was the next town over and  a creation of the Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railroad.  The president of the railroad wanted the town to have a European name and Lyon was chosen.  The downtown area is bisected by those railroad tracks.  All the trees alongside were decorated for Christmas with colorful balls and lights.  

      The tracks bisecting the next town, Collins, were decorated with American flags.  It was a little early for lunch as I drove through.  But, a sign caught my eye.  Bobcat's Diner was calling my name.  

      The lunch buffet was set out and consisted of the usual fare.  There was fried chicken, ham mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and creamed corn.  Alongside was a fairly impressive salad bar.  With a drink, $9.  Not too shabby.  

       This was in the back banquet room...

     I made one more stop along Hwy 292 in Bellville.  The old railroad depot sits in the center of downtown.  On the wall there was something that looked like a timetable, so I turned back.  There's daily service between Bellville and Savannah.  But, only one train per day each way.  

      

     Next to the timetable sits a plaque commemorating Tom T. Halls's visit to the community back in 1973.  He liked Bellville so much, he wrote a song about it, "God Came Through Bellville."  Things like this are why I turn around so often on these roadtrips.  

      Another twenty miles further, I passed through Logan and picked up Hwy 30 back to the interstate.  On the outskirts of Savannah, I picked up one of my favorite stretches of road, Hwy 80 East.  For about a half mile the center median is lined with palm trees.  On either side and creating plenty of shade are trees dripping with Spanish Moss.  There's just something about it.  

     

     Best of all, Hwy 80 eventually brings you out to Tybee Island, one of my very favorite places in this state.  I've always stayed at the Hotel Tybee.  This time I tried the smaller place next door, the Sandcastle Inn.  What the heck, it was $45 a night cheaper.  The only beef I had with the place was the wifi.  Even right next to the lobby the signal was incredibly weak and difficult to keep connected.  Yeah, I know...first world problems.  Once unpacked, the car stayed put until it was time to leave.  

      It was a little chilly, so I grabbed a jacket and my camera, and hit the beach...

      I spent the next hour and a half just walking along and hassling the seagulls. 

      Sunset was 5:25P and I walked up the beach to a spot I discovered on my last trip here.  It’s a boat launching ramp on the western side of the island.  With an unobstructed view, it’s the perfect spot to settle in for sunset.  That’s where I met Bo, a fairly large and very friendly dog.  He was walking up to everyone, giving them a sniff and a wag of the tail before moving on. 

      

      On my last visit to the island, the sunset was one of the most spectacular I’ve seen, with vibrant reds and oranges across the entire horizon.  Tonight there were very few clouds to give it texture and the colors were mostly limited to the horizon.  Still it was worth it to just soak it in.

         There was a woman there with two little girls.  One of them started pointed and screamed, "look, a dolphin."   I was looking elsewhere and almost missed it.

      Three blocks up from the boat ramp is my favorite restaurant on the island, AJ’s Dockside.  Their shrimp gumbo is always delicious and the Tybee Island Blonde Ale was the perfect accompaniment. 

     As an added bonus, it's only about ten blocks back to the motel.  A great way to end the day.