Savannah, Georgia - Third Time's a Charm

City Market

The Dining Companion and I spent a recent weekend in Savannah. This was our third visit to this charming city and the best one so far. It felt like the welcome mat had been rolled out for us. The weather was just about perfect. The city was alive with crowds of people; some celebrating graduations and weddings and, some like us, just happy being there.

I saw a lot of bicycles over the weekend. It seems a popular way to get around the city

There are a lot of places to get outdoors and enjoy the city

This visit we stayed in the Downtown/Historic District. After our last visit I wanted to stay where we could park the car for the weekend and get around on foot.

We were very near the Georgia State Railroad Museum. Which, sadly, I didn't make time to see but is on my list for a future visit. I did manage to grab a couple of pictures.

What better than to spend a lovely weekend in an equally lovely city? We stayed at a beautiful property, ate good food and truly relaxed. 

If coming to Savannah isn't on your travel list it should be. A beautiful city steeped in history but with a young heart. There's something interesting around every corner. I can tell you that after three visits we've barely made a dent.

Street art

Happy travels!

NOTE: Stay tuned for a great, pet friendly property, a lucky find in a small bar and some really good food.

Sam Houston Boat Tour - Houston, Texas

On a recent, overcast day, the Dining Companion and I took a tour of the Houston Shipping Channel. The Port of Houston Authority offers a free 90 minute tour aboard the M/V Sam Houston. The tour embarks from the ports Sam Houston Pavilion.

The tour is free of charge and is boarded on a first come first served basis. The day we were there was rainy and overcast so the crowd was small.

We boarded and got under way.

We passed cargo ships from all over the world.

The orange craft at the back of the ship is an escape pod for the crew

Hundreds of tons of cargo pass in and out of the Houston shipping channel every year. Once the cargo arrives at the port is is off-loaded and distributed to destinations all over the country.

There are many cargo handling businesses and warehouses located all over the port.

I don't know about you, but I find the workings of places like this fascinating. It's interesting to get an up close look at how some of the goods we use everyday make their way to us. Several large retailers have warehouses located at the Port of Houston. From these locations they can distribute their inventory to stores located throughout America.

The inside of the ship is comfortable with plenty of seating. Nice on a rainy day like we had.

Large screens show the view from the front of the boat

There are interesting activities like this available to the public all over. Get out there and take advantage of the ones near you.

Happy travels!

To market, to market...Pike Place Market - Seattle, WA

The Pike Place Market's unofficial bronze mascot, Rachel the Pig

No first time visit to Seattle would be complete without a stop at Pike Place Market. We made our way there on an overcast Monday morning. It was fairly quiet and a nice time for a leisurely stroll through the market.

 

Beautiful fresh produce being set out for display

  

   

Yes, please

The had me at BBQ Pork Sticks...Delicious!

Crabs, shrimp, fish and more. The market has it all.

Not only seafood of course...

It would be easy to spend the day taking in all of the sights at Pike Market. There are candy vendors, bakers, fish mongers, artists, all manner of things to see and do.

We wrapped up with a few souvenir purchases and some delicious chocolate cherries from the Chukar Cherries store.

Photo from Chukar Cherries website

After walking through the market we headed over to the original Starbucks store. I wanted to see where it all began. While Dunkin' Donuts will always be my nostalgic favorite, there's a place in my heart for Starbucks as well. Many years ago, whenever my friends mom would visit from Seattle, she would bring us a few bags of Starbucks coffee. None of us knew at the time what a huge sensation it would become.

And with that the Great Road Trip of 2014 comes to an end. Three states and 1100 plus miles. Memories that will last a lifetime. It's not everyday that you can help a friend and cross things off your bucket list. I was lucky enough to do both.

Happy travels!

Chihuly Garden and Glass - Seattle, Washington

The photos in this post were taken by the Dining Companion's hermana

Along with our visit to the Space Needle, the Dining Companion's hermana and I, visited the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit. The exhibit is near the Space Needle and you can purchase one ticket that includes both attractions.

Dale Chihuly studied glass working at the University of Wisconsin, the RI School of Design and the Venini glass factory in Venice, Italy. Chihuly, a native of Washington, was invited to create a glass installation in the city of Seattle. His design included an Exhibition Hall, a Garden installation and a Glasshouse.

The artist's signature

In 1976 Chihuly was in a car accident. In the accident he lost the vision in his left eye. He continued to blow glass after his recovery until he dislocated a shoulder surfing in 1979. No longer able to hold the glass blowing instruments he began a cooperative phase of his work that involved his oversight and ideas with the physical work being done by others.

Out of this loss came the Drawing Walls; a way for the artist to convey his thoughts and ideas to his team.

The exhibit is amazing. The beauty of it is breathtaking.

These Ikebana and Float Boats are the only things lit in a dark room. The effect is stunning.

Chihuly's work can also be seen at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. His piece titled “Fiori di Como” hangs from the lobby ceiling.

Picture of the artist with “Fiori di Como” Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada - Photo from the Las Vegas Review-Journal

I'm a fan of the artist and was thrilled to get a chance to see this exhibit. I haven't had a chance to visit the installation at the Bellagio but it is on my list. If you're in Seattle make the time to visit Chihuly Garden and Glass. It's a definite must see.

Happy travels!

NOTE: Next week we wind up our journey with a trip to Pike Place Market and the original home of Starbucks coffee. After that it's fun in the Big Easy.