Well after 20 days we have completed our 'round the USA tour. We went from Auburn, AL to Hollywood, CA and back to Savannah, GA touching the ocean at each coast.
I'm a little sad that it is at an end. We saw so many beautiful things and met many wonderful people. With our current adventure at a close I can't help but plan for our next great adventure.
Flash back to Friday, June 6, 2008...
I left Auburn, AL bound for Savannah, GA at 3:00pm CST. I skirted along side the interstate on a few state and US highways until I reached Savannah, GA at round 10:00pm EST.
Firstly, I must say that Savannah was a pain in the ass for someone on a motorcycle to try and find anything in the city. (Given that I was sweating to death in leathers and cursing cause by ass was getting rubbed raw by all the sweat that was pouring down my back)
After an exciting bout through the back streets of Savannah, I finally found my way to the Savannah Pension. It was nestled on the corner of Lincoln and Hall. I gathered my things and went to check-in with the owner. Brian (the owner) met me at the door and gave me a quick tour. He was very kind and aimed to please. After getting the key to the room and all the other paperwork aside, I went outside to the motorcycle to retrieve a few things before showering and then heading out on the town.
I was torn as to whether I should walk the 1 to 2 miles to River St. or take a cab/bus/motorcycle. I opted for the walk thinking it would be nice to see the city's nightlife. I armed with my camera headed out from the room toward the promise of food, drink, and fun.
I casually walked through the various squares and parks along Anacord street stopping and occasionally taking pictures as I went about my walk, all the while focused on my purpose to get some good local food and partake in the local brew.
After a brisk walk, I found myself on Bay street right in the middle of what I was in search of. I wandered down River street and eventually came to an interesting bar called the Boar's Head.
I couldn't resist the charm of this place. It had that welcoming appeal that I was looking for. I wanted some place with good food, good brew, and a relaxed environment. Well, I found it all there... The bar keep (Liz) recommended that I try one of the specials and I was in the mood for some good seafood. I got the Yellowfin Tuna and it was simply perfect. During the course of eating and drinking I talked with Liz about where were the good places with local brew and a laid back atmosphere. She said that she and some of the others that worked there were going over to a placed called Moon River Brewery. I asked for the directions and then I was on my way.As soon as I stepped in the door I knew was the place for me. As you sit a the bar the fermentation tanks are in a room right beside you. It was a very cool bar. One of the bartenders, (Don't know how exactly to spell it, but this should be close) Siran , was very cool and difinetly shaped the character of the the bar as well as adding to the killer atmosphere. I only had one complaint: there wasn't a live band or much music (in the bar's defense they do normally have a band playing just not while I was visiting). Other than that I was a very happy camper.
I sampled the various brews and settled on an IPA. Then I chatted with a few of the locals about the rest of the nightlife and what else Savannah had to offer. After a few recommendations I was set to head to the Mercury Lounge. It's suppose to be a good spot for live bands up top and a game room below.I stumbled my way down Bay St., after Moon River closed, toward the Mercury Lounge. I arrived and plopped myself down in a leopard print chair before hailing the bar keep. I couldn't help reverting back to my redneck roots and I asked the bar keep for a PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon NOT Professional Bull Riding). I was surprised to see the bar keep's eyes twinkle a little when I ordered. Maybe there are others who enjoy the smooth taste of some cheap PBR.
After getting my PBR and settling in to listen to the band jam out I could help but notice that most of the patrons were dressed far better than I. I felt somewhat out of place, but alas I had my final wish: live music. I had been sitting at the bar for quite a while listening to the band and drinking my PBR. At some point close to 3:00am EST (after I dropped my camera... GRRR), I left the Mercury lounge and decided to try for another bar. I found some Scottish bar down the street (I think... Because at this point I was really drunk). I went in and had more beer and a few shots. Then they kicked me out and closed up for the night. The bouncers (I think his name of Dewane and the other guy was Michael) said that the only other place to go was across the river to the titty bars. Well, I for one was not walking that far and didn't know the number for any cabs and besides that I was so drunk that I wouldn't have even thought to call one anyhow. So, I started making my long trek back to the room.
I walked across squares and parks for what seemed like forever. I do remember at some point needing to pee and decided it would be a good idea to pee while walking through a dimly lit park. I was pretty impress that I was able to walk and pee all at the same time while drunk. I think that this was the highlight of accomplishment for the entire trip. I would have only been bested by peeing off the motorcycle while riding.
Anyway, so I wound up somewhere close to I-16 and that was when I knew that I was lost and needed to turn around. after wandering around for a while I wound up calling (aka drunk dialing) a few people to try and get someone to pull up google maps and tell me where in the hell I was.
Too make this otherwise long story short I wound up in a private park/garden in-between two apartment/houses somewhere south of my room. I decided that it would be a good idea to sleep there because the homeless... etc would leave me alone. Well, it wasn't too long (I guess, because I pretty much passed out) that I was awoke by an insisting poking. I groggily awoke to see a police officer poking me with his nightstick. This was an instant sobering experience let me tell you. I believe that I might have shat my pants had I not been so drunk!
He told me I had to leave and I replied that I would if I new where my room was... He then ask ed the standard barrage of questions and finally offered to take me in his car back to my room. I agreed under the condition that I didn't have to ride in the back :-P
The officer was very nice and extremely helpful. My thanks to those who serve on the Savannah police force.
I arrived back the the room and quickly/quietly made my way up to my room to go to sleep.
I was a good deep drunken sleep... Ah... so relaxing... Until the next morning when your head feels like its going to explode and the sun is beating down on you.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
So, after a few advil and a quick shower I was off to take some pictures and see the sights.
I walked down River street in search of a good bar for some food and something to help the hangover. I found a quaint little Irish bar and stopped in for a quick lunch and a beer.
After I had some food in my belly it was time to take some pictures and see all that Savannah had to offer.
I walked all down River St. and Bay St. then down a street to go through all the squares before turning and going across and up through the rest of the squares. I walked for about 5 hours total taking pictures and enjoying the sights.
After all the sight seeing I figured that I would head up into South Carolina and see what it had to offer as well as seeing the Atlantic ocean and thus completing the Coast 2 Coast trip.
My first stop was Tybee Island. I must say that while it did have nice beaches, it was just not what I was looking for (it reminded me of Panama City... Just too many people and too much noise).
So, I headed up the coast destined for some quite long forgotten strip of sand where I could kick back and enjoy the sounds of the ocean. I originally headed up toward Charleston with the intension of seeing the memorial of one of my favorite authors, but I wound up running out of time and daylight so I head back down south toward Savannah.
On the way back I took a detour to a place called Hunting Island. I looked at my map and decided that this place looked small and that there had to be a small strip of sand where I could find peace.
Well, peace I did find. This was one of the most relaxing beautiful beaches I have ever been. It reminded be of the beaches on the coast of the big island in Hawaii. I must say that this was a fitting end to an awsome adventure.I sat on some rocks that extended out into the ocean where I watched the waves crash all around me and listened to the relaxing sounds of the ocean. I really didn't want to leave this place, but I knew that I had to get on the road to make it back.
Regretfully, I packed up the bike and headed down the lonely road to Savannah.
I passed through some truely breathtaking landscapes. All just as the sun was setting. Truly and an unbelivable ride.
I arrived back in town just in time to change shirts and hit the town once again for some more good food and great brew.
I decided that even though I really liked the Boar's Head that I needed to try something new. So, I wandered around on River Street until I came to the Cotton Exchange and saw that they had some pretty tasty looking specials. I plopped down into a bar stool and ordered a Panco crusted Grouper with mashed potatoes and a lemon butter cream sauce (I know, you're drooling and very jealous right now!!!). I was also very happy to see that they had Moon River beer on tap. So, I of course had to order a few while waiting on my food. Overall the food and atmosphere was good. It was a little more fast paced then I was looking for, but for what the atmosphere lacked the food made up for.
After my belly being full yet again I headed back up the street with the intentions of hitting one more bar and then calling it a night so that I could get an early start tomorrow for the long day of riding. As I was walking up the street I ran into one of the girls (Rachael) that I met at Moon River the previous night. Rachael was taking a break from work as they were just about to close. She and I talked a little while (now was better because I can actually remember everything clearly) about my travels and the whatnot. She said that everyone was heading over to Moon River again and that I could stop by. Being easily persuaded, I headed that way. I reached Moon River just in time to hear Siran embarrassing a patron who was trying to order a bud light. (Keep in mind though that it was all in good fun... It's kinda like ordering your drink with water... there are somethings that you just don't do...)
I drank a few more beers and let the entirety of the trip sink in and the realization that it would be all over tomorrow. I went over and talked to the crew from Boar's Head and told them that I was heading home tomorrow. I thanked them for the hospitality in welcoming me to their city as well as showing me a good time with open arms. My heart goes out to all of you who made this a fitting ending to this grand adventure.
Thanks to Brian, Liz, Rachael, Siran, the Boar's Head crew, and the Moon River crew (I don't remember all your names but will always remember your facing and conversations)!!!!
If any of you are ever in the Auburn, AL area you will have to look me up and let me show you around our city.
That brings us to today - Sunday June 8, 2008. I sit here writting the closing post to my travels and I hope that this sparks a flame in your desire to get out there and explore this great country and find out for yourself what kind of an adventure you can have.
Godspeed on your travels,
-Zeb
