Fort Pulaski National Monument on our Last Day

It's the last day of our vacation but we're not leaving until we take a look at the Fort Pulaski National Monument at the nearby Cockspur Island. We passed by the place from the Tybee Island Lighthouse just to check their schedule the day before.

We woke up the kids at 7am for an early breakfast and soon we were on the way. At the gate, we found out there's a scheduled 'firing' of the cannons. Cool! Although we were not sure if we can wait for it since we really didn't want to stay too long. It's going to be an 8 hour drive plus plus depending on how long we take bathroom and meal breaks. There were several factory outlets on the way back but if we just even think of dropping by, we would probably have to find a hotel to stay for the night.

Fort Pulaski was part of a extensive chain of coastal forts built to protect the country from foreign invasion. Construction was started in 1829 and required 18 years and 25 million bricks to complete. It survives as one of the nations's best preserved fortifications.


As impenetrable and invincible as it was thought to be when it was made, it was surrendered to the Union soldiers on April 11, 1862 after a bombardment of 30 hours resulting to gaping holes in the 7 ft. thick walls. It was the first time the James rifled cannons were tested and it sure was the deciding factor. The Confederate Colonel Olmstead thought it was better to surrender than suffer from the improbable blasting of the whole fort if the main powder room explodes from enemy fire. The damaged portions were rebuilt but one can still see the tell-tale signs of it's storied past.

We were glad that we visited the place. Aside from learning about the history of the place, we were amazed on how well preserved the fort was. It also showed that a masterful planner did the work and it was a job well done.

It was also the first time we've watched some re-enactment of how a cannon is fired. David was adamant that we wait for it so that's what we did. You'd think it was easy like just 'pulling the trigger' so to speak but it was done in military precision composed of a series of steps. It was loud too! But of course, no real cannon balls were fired.

It was already 12 noon when the firing was finished and it was time to leave. One more bathroom break and then we were on our way home. I filled up on gas in one of the gas stations close to Savannah at $1.45 per gallon for regular. I almost can't believe my eyes but we were happy with that.

We got home at around 9pm on Jan. 3 after a 500 mile trip from Savannah. It was a wonderful 5 day vacation. Would I suggest to friends to visit Savannah especially? Definetely! But only if they are the type of person who appreciates history and can find beauty in the timeworn but well-preserved structures of the past. If their cup ot tea is only the Disneyworld kind of stuff, then Savannah is not for them.

It's time to explore more places we've never been to or visit again the same places we've treasured for next time but Savannah will continue to be in the list for the future.

Willie Nelson was here...lol.

River Street of Savannah at Night

We were at the Tybee Island Lighthouse until closing and that made us hungry again. Before heading up our hotel, we discovered this burger joint just next door to the hotel called 'Five Brothers' where everything on it and in it can be custom ordered. We ordered our food to go and inside the bag, every burger is numbered with a printout of what's in the bun. There was no mistake who ordered what and which one. I ended up having a very thick sandwich as I had them put everything on their list in it plus the optional ones. I like mine 'spaaayciii'.

After that burger dinner, we relaxed a little bit, watched Wheel of Fortune on TV and then off we went to River Street. We just needed to cross the street from the hotel and walk down the cobblestone path. Waiting for the pedestrian light to show we can walk was even a longer wait. If you want to see Savannah at night, this is the place to go to. A lot of novelty and souvenir shops, restaurants (more like tourist traps), candy and ice cream shops, curious tourists and 'talented' locals performing their crafts for some 'donations'.

Winter time in Savannah is more on the 'lean' season but there were a lot of tourists' enjoying the night on River Street. There was a free tour of a "pirate ship" near the dock so we went there too. Anything that is free should be good, right? Well, in this case it was not bad. This ship, the name of which I can't remember was made in Brazil and then rigged here in the US. I won't mind sailing on this kind of ship and the 'tour at your own phase' was 'interesting.' They were only asking for donations. David and Missy were so proud they gave a dollar apiece.

After checking out the food shops for some ice cream and freebie tasting of the candies, having some more photo ops with Santa, we headed back to the hotel for some good night's rest. On the way back while snapping more photos, a car behind me pulled over and a woman passenger asked if I'd like to take her picture. I asked here if she was sure since I felt something strange is about to happen. She was already gesturing that she's about to 'flash' me but I guess she saw that I was with my family so she played it safe. Whew! From the looks of it, I believe she had one drink too many.

This was our last night in Savannah. The following day we're heading back to Tybee Island right after an early breakfast, actually the island before that know as Cockspur Island where we are going to check out the Fort Pulaski National Monument before heading back home to South Florida.