Challenging Drive from Orlando, Florida to Savannah , Georgia.

We departed Summer Bay Resort at 10.15am after 5 enjoyable days at this large and comfortable resort. Ken filled the car up with “gas” after several attempts at a 7 Eleven store and we made off aiming to travel North and stop for lunch at the historic city and beach area of St Augustine. This was planned to take some 2 plus hours , but with heavy traffic and extreme weather conditions it took us until almost 12.20pm.

The drive itself was relatively easy driving on 4-6 lane freeways, the traffic was heavy but mostly free flowing and yet we continually struck storm cells of extreme rainfall and thunder and lightning for the whole of the last 2 hours. When driving through these storms our speed was reduced to almost 50mile per hour, from the 70-80mile per hour that the traffic flowed at when it was dry. We had to divert from the freeway and drive directly through the City of Orlando and then commence on another wonderful freeway. The GPS (our Tom Tom G20) worked well.

We reached the City of St Augustine at about 12.20pm and then drove almost 15 minutes to find a restaurant serving delicious sandwiches and rolls and burgers. We stopped and thoroughly enjoyed an excellent meal that was totally refreshing, great food and a long cool drink.

This was a chance occurrence as there are fast food restaurants on every second corner. We departed just on 2.00pm and again it was only some 15-20 minutes before we drove directly into a storm belt that lasted some 15 minutes and was extreme with wipers on full and struggling to observe the lane markings.

Again, this was a challenging drive, albeit on excellent roads and traffic flowed very well although everyone drove at 75-80 mile per hour and the speed limit was 70 mile per hour. We drove through without a stop, Ken did all of the driving today. Finally we reached Savannah at about 5.20pm, drove into the Hilton Doubletree Driveway, handed the keys over for Vallet parking and then only took what we needed for the night and tomorrow. We judged that the vallet parking fee of US$45 was well worth it given how hard it is to find parking within the city centre.

We were advised that the vehicle would be stored under the building and that the goods in the car would be perfectly safe. We hope so.

Jeanette unpacked the small case and the items we brought with us requiring the refrigerator. Ken set up the electrical gear and logged in.

We intended to eat in the pub inside the Doubletree or another nearby restaurant, but we both decided we didn’t need it.

Ken went out and walked the City Square area from here along Bull Street and through several garden squares, then down to the famous River Street and the port area beside City Hall with its wonderful dome, took photos of the River Boat, which had “a sail on the river and dinner” for in excess of 500 people, all dressed in their best gear. Jazz artists played on the street , it was a real buzz. Then back having checked out the Horse and Carriage ride, which we intend to do tomorrow (late morning). We will also do another walk. We may do the Hop on Hop off Trolley bus.

This is a bustling small city with several hubs and many restaurants. You sense many people are tourists and holidaying in the areas. Ken spoke to several using this as a hub before going to Hilton Head Island or the nearby beach areas. The weather whilst hot isn’t as humid as Orlando and middle Florida.

Tomorrow we have a short drive of almost 70 minutes to drive toward Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and our Bluewater Resort and Marina, at which we are owners. We will need to visit Publix in Hilton Head to pick up some groceries. So we aim to delay our departure from here as late as possible. It will be a relaxing week in in our 2 bedroom / 2 bathroom condo, plus some day trips, some golf at Hilton Head Country Club for Ken eating out at some wonderful restaurants and a little bit of shopping. The week will pass quickly.

Today was a challenging day, but once we got through the Storms the drive whilst lengthy was interesting and always rewarding to visit the “low country” .

The following photos of Savannah highlight the bright effervescence of the City.

We wake refreshed after a good night’s sleep and it is a beautiful morning without a cloud in the sky.

Breakfast is a buffet in the Pub area (dining room) here at Hilton Doubletree Savannah, following which we pack our gear. We have a delayed check out and Ken arranges for us to take our gear down to the Car. We will then do a Hop on hop off or trolley ride and return after a sandwich lunch. Check out is at 12.00pm, we will then spend 2-3 hours , probably depart Savannah at say 2.30pm and Head toward Hilton Head Island again enjoying the drive through the low country.

We have had a very enjoyable stay here. The first week of our holiday has gone well.

Here are some further photos of our time on Sunday morning prior to lunch and check out of the very comfortable;e Doubletree by Hilton, Savannah and commencing our short drive to beautiful Hilton Head Island.