Savannah Vacation News

To cast or not to cast – stalking baitfish in a barrier island environment, part two

Here are a few more links and a brief podcast for our lowcountry coastal visitors that may be planning on coming to the Savannah area on fishing trips over the next several months about the art of obtaining baitfish for the purpose of using this preferred live bait in going after the larger game fish found in these waters. Bob Bender’s Lowcountry Estuarium is chock full of helpful hints for where to find bait fish, environmentally friendly and acceptable techniques to take what you need and no more, unacceptable techniques, and much more.  We also like the informative Catch and Bait web site. The experts have the appropriate techniques to share in throwing cast nets and setting fish traps and if pushed on having enough time on arriving in the lowcountry for your charter, of course, your charter captain can direct you to the right resources.

Savannah Six Pack of New Restaurants

The Savannah Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s and Convention Bureau is gaining a lot of traction with their branding statement of Savannah, Est. 1733, in attracting history lovers to our Landmark Historic District. One of the components of this branding statement is pointing out our many high profile restaurants with the Savannah area CVB's slogan of In Savannah, "the food is piping haute." With that in mind, The visitor’s Guide to Savannah and the Lowcountry features six brand new restaurants, that have opened in the past few months under new ownership or for the first time, in our comprehensive roster of restaurants.

Tantra Lounge –This 8 E. Broughton St. Restaurant and Lounge has reopened in the Old Monkey Bar location and according to Savannah Morning News City Talk columnist, Bill Dawers, it’s nice to get some entertainment back at this historic district venue once again.

Barbara Jeans – Lowcountry based chain of seafood restaurants that has opened their inaugural location on Wilmington Island.

The Pirates House – Long time Savannah favorite of locals and tourists alike, this converted 1753 Inn that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to pen Treasure Island, has taken on an infusion of new blood with a local Georgia boy who has bought a stake in the existing Pirates House Restaurant.

Vic’s on the River – A River Street Restaurant overlooking the Savannah River that features the best in breathtaking river views high above River Street with gourmet quality southern dishes and seafood dishes.

Cha-Bella – This old Suzabelles location restaurant has reopened under new ownership. Featuring the same great outside terrace for dining and entertainment.

Wild Wings – Charleston, South Carolina based chain of restaurants that have opened at ground zero of the City Market in the old Malones. Featuring America’s trio of favorites, 30+ varieties of buffalo wings, large selection of brews, and live music.

Who says the only two restaurants in the Savannah area is Food Channel icon Paula Deen and her Lady and Son’s Restaurant or Tybee Island favorite The Crab Shack where the dining is easy but the choices of where to eat are hard.

Looking to J-Hook that Retirement, Boomer Friends?

With The price of fuel going off the scale, the trip back home is getting more and more expensive to make. In fact, dodging the onslaught of tropical storm systems rolling in from the Caribbean during hurricane season is starting to become a bit high maintenance as well. So, the timing might be perfect to break camp in Florida and move north into South Carolina’s Sun City Retirement Community just eight miles across the Georgia line off Interstate 95. Now 11 years old, this 5100 acre gated community complex is over half way built out towards their stated goal of 8200 individual homes with 9000 residents.

Located off Highway 278 in Jasper County’s Hardeeville city limits on the major route out to Hilton Head Island just 11 miles away, Sun City features a 20-acre lake for fishing and boating, dance and aerobics studio, fully equipped sewing room, state-of-the-art recreation campus, plus access to two 18-hole championship golf courses.

Many retired friends, well met stroll through Town Square, the festive heart of the community. There is much to do and see just 20 minutes away in either direction by vehicle in historic Savannah or Hilton Head Island just across the Savannah River or a short one and a half hour’s drive north to “The Holy City” of Charleston. Of if you prefer hang out with your neighbors and enjoy a game of bridge, a game of tennis, a motorbike trip or a do-nothing day by the outdoor pool. If you enjoy fitness you will love the popular Tai Chi class, or exercising on computerized equipment in the stunning health club. Bottom line, as more and more retirees recalibrate their “retire to Florida” retirement plans and J-Hook back north to be closer to family and friends in metropolitan areas throughout the northeast, many of them never make it further north than coastal South Carolina’s Sun City.

The Olde Pink House Undergoes Renovations

The Olde Pink House has long been a popular dining destination for tourists of Historic Savannah. Now, it is undergoing construction on a three-story addition to include a private dining area with outdoor terrace. An elevator is also being added to make the building completely accessible to all guests.

The addition is being designed to look like a carriage house and was approved by the Historic District Board of Review in 2002. Work should be completed on the addition by spring 2007.

Originally built in 1771, the Olde Pink House building was one of a handful of buildings to survive the fire of 1796.

Cumberland Island, one of Conde Nast's 72 outstanding island destinations

The July issue of Conde Nast Traveler features a fine article by Brook Wilkinson that features an entire year of island hopping on some of the planet’s most impressive island locations. No surprise that coastal Georgia’s well kept secret, Cumberland Island made this exclusive list of “72 outstanding spots” chosen by the Conde Nast team of “seasoned travelers.

Somewhere in the world, at any time of year, there are islands in their prime just waiting for you. But how to find them? Brook Wilkinson introduces 72 outstanding spots chosen by a team of seasoned travelers. Best of all, with the help of your map, you can dip into these treasures both by month and by location. You will also find the features that help shape the choice and information on where to stay, what to do, and how to get there. So take your pick—you can't go wrong.

Toward the end of September, when the heat abates and the summer visitors are gone, Cumberland Island is at its best. An undeveloped pocket of maritime forests, tidal creeks, salt marshes, and sand dunes, this island is best known for its 17-mile stretch of beach—one of the most beautiful in North America, and one of the emptiest. Wild horses  roam the dunes, and you can either camp or reserve at the island's only hotel, the Greyfield Inn, a mansion belonging to a branch of Andrew Carnegie's family, which owned virtually the entire island by 1928 —and determined to keep it pristine. (904) 261-6408; doubles, $350–$575, including meals).

Cumberland was declared a National Seashore in 1971, and much has been done to reestablish the ecosystem of this barrier island. The National Park Service runs a ferry from St. Mary's, Georgia 912 882-4335; round-trip, $15). You can camp out on this barrier island paradise or live like the Robber Baron’s of old lived, in sumptuous decadence on this remote island getaway.

Best Bait for optimum Fishing outcome in Lowcountry coastal waters

  As the dog days of summer are upon us, Flounder fishing kicks into high Gear. Miss Judy of Miss Judy’s Charters waxes poetic about her father’s preferred bait of choice on catching this tasty flat fish in her fishing report.

As far as the best bait I believe that a flounder likes its alive and kicking or should I say, "in the fleeing mode!" Any of these rigs that I mentioned would deliver a great presentation especially when using live bait. Here are a few suggestions for the live ones: mud minnows, finger mullet, peanut menhaden (small) live shrimp, and ghost shrimp.

My father loved to fish with what he called "ghost shrimp." It's shaped like a crawfish, but it wasn't. Please don't confuse this name with the tropical ghost shrimp that are found in aquariums. My father called them ghost shrimp although they didn't look like a shrimp, but rather a crawfish. According to him this was the best bait of all times for any sort of fish that liked to kill first what it wanted to eat. The legs alone hung on this rascal would get the attention on any sort of fish in the area. It might have been a mantis shrimp, but I can't say for sure. There are what is known as "ghost shrimp" that are found in this area. Knowing my father he probably raised both the ghost and mantis shrimp so as to have plenty of good live fish bait.

And if after being inspired by local fishing legend, Miss Judy, you find your quest for the elusive "ghost shrimp" too difficult to complete, there are plenty of the normal variety of post spawn white shrimp and brown shrimp in our teeming lowcountry salt water rivers and creeks that will do just fine, thank you. Any of these Lowcountry Fishing Guides can point you in the right direction.

Honey Horn Plantation, where eco-tourism and Lowcountry cultural lifestyles intersect

Ground breaking ceremonies recently took place on Hilton Head Island to formalize the marriage between antebellum era Honey Horn Plantation property complex and The Coastal Discovery Museum which should be completed in three different phases over the next three years. This complex will offer programs, activities, and exhibits for visitor’s to Lowcountry South Carolina along the Savannah River basin with the express purpose of providing insight into what a barrier sea island environment is all about. 

In the interim, walking tours are available amidst the trees (some dating back 400 years ago), marsh, barns and cemetery on this pristine 68-acre historic site, one of Hilton Head Island's largest tract of undeveloped land. Learn the history of this property dating back to 1859, when the construction of the first house began. A variety of tours begin outside the main house and include eco-tourism cruises as well.

In addition to the breathtaking natural beauty of Honey Horn, there are also a dozen historic structures scattered throughout the property. Honey Horn has already been used for several community events and will continue to be a place where the island's visitors and residents can gather for special occasions. Honey Horn consists of 68 acres at the intersection of the Cross Island Parkway and Highway 278. The Town of Hilton Head purchased this parcel of land in order to protect it from development. The Coastal Discovery Museum leases the property from the Town and takes very seriously its responsibility toward this land, and is protecting the majority of it as green space.

Top Beer Places in Top 10 Walking City Savannah

Owen Ogletree does a nice job of identifying Savannah's finest Pubs and Bars to enjoy your favorite beverage at in his Classic City Brew web site.  He recently compiled a Self Guided Pub Crawl of some of his favorite locations in coastal Georgia’s favorite First City that starts on busy Bay Street in downtown Savannah. Talk about your top 10 walking City, the heart of the historic district, etc., how about throwing in that you are just steps away from one famed watering hole to the next. Now it just doesn’t get any better than this for a memorable weekend getaway with like minded brew lovers as this Owen’s recent article relates.

Savannah is a beautiful southern belle of a city that was thrown into the spotlight a few years ago by being featured in the book and movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Tourism has skyrocketed, new businesses are springing up all over town, and the downtown historic district is more beautiful than ever thanks to the restoration of hundreds of venerable homes and businesses. Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia, has a quirky, eccentric charm and will quickly endear itself to almost anyone. Visitors who are new to Savannah will be in awe of the city’s beautiful cobblestone streets and squares, buildings that are centuries old, Spanish moss hanging from the oak trees and personable pubs in which to sample fine beers.

Historic downtown Savannah is quite small, and this allows the beer lover easy access by foot to each of the stops on this crawl. The Savannah River runs along the northern border of downtown with River Street (the town’s most touristy pedestrian promenade) following along its banks. Bay Street is a bit of climb one street south from River Street and serves as the main thoroughfare through the historic portion of downtown. Obtain a street map from any tourist brochure and make your way to East Bay Street and Drayton. You’ll be near the conspicuous Hyatt hotel and the golden domed city hall building on Bay, and very close to your first beer in Savannah!

And the rest of the night is all downhill from here depending of course on your perspective of up and down.  Follow the above link and identify Savannah's best drinking establishments.

Historic Troup Square Church Reopens Sanctuary

Savannah’s storied “Jingle Bells Church," The Unitarian Universalist Church reopened it’s completely refurbished sanctuary last month after six years of renovation. Over the final year of the six year process, church members have bounced back and forth between Temple Mickve Israel five blocks away and their own fellowship hall while restoring this historic church to her antebellum 1851 vintage look as near as possible. It was in 1852 when new Minister John Pierpont allegedly composed Jingle Bells on the church organ. As the official web site notes, there have been more than a few twists and turns during the 185 year history of this Troup Square icon located at East Harris and Habersham Street which makes for compelling reading when weighed against the more conservative leaning churches in the south.

In the 1820’s, a group of wealthy New England businessmen migrated to Savannah to pursue their interest in the cotton trade. The progressive liberals among them found no church to attend, and so formed the Savannah Unitarian Society. In 1831, they petitioned the city and were granted a lot where they could build their church. Sunday morning and evening, laypersons conducted "Divine Services" in a rented building on Court House square. They continued to meet in rented spaces until 1834 when they moved into their first house of worship on Wright Square.

In spite of the difficulties, and under the leadership of the Rev. William Vincent Thatcher, the church met with moderate success until 1839 when a series of gross misapprehensions and uncharitable misstatements in respect to Unitarians led to at least two attempts to set fire to the church. Shortly after this, Thatcher died quite suddenly, and was followed by a series of short-term ministries. The church fell into severe financial troubles. The eventual location of the new church, facing Oglethorpe Square across from the Owens-Thomas House, was dedicated in 1851 which served as their home until they moved to their present day Troup Square location in 1859.

Savannah attracts her fair share of travelers with an interest in her many historic churches. Make it a point to visit this newly restored church in Savannah’s famed historic district.

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary is one of thirteen sanctuaries that make up the National Marine Sanctuary System

Gray’s Reef is one of the largest near shore live-bottom reefs of the southeastern United States. It is a popular site for recreational fishing and sport diving along the Georgia coast.  The sanctuary was recognized by Sam Gray in 1961 and was designated January 1981.

Located off Sapelo Island the Reef encompasses 17 square nautical miles of live-bottom habitat, which is a series of rock ledges and sand expanses that has produced a complex habitat of caves, burrows and overhangs that provide a solid base for the sessile invertebrates to attach and grow.

For the past two years Gray’s Reef has hosted an Ocean Film Festival in Savannah. The festival screens 25-30 films over a three day period and feature question and answer sessions with filmmakers.