Sample the local cuisine. The Savannah area offers more than just great seafood. Traditional Southern favorites like fried chicken and pecan pralines abound, so just say "NO!" to Dr. Atkins for a little while. Your tastebuds will thank you.

Quick Tips:

Parking can be scarce in Savannah depending upon time of day and day of the week, but you can park fairly inexpensively at the official Visitor Center on MLK, Jr. Blvd. Your first hour is free and it's an hour after that. The only drawback is that the lot closes at 6pm (or did when we were there). This is also helpful if you do not like to parallel park.

Best Way To Get Around:

Fort McAllister offers three options for campers. There are primitive sites with walk-in access (about 1.5 mi.) available for $3/night, pioneer sites with drive up access but no utilities for $15/night, and improved tent and RV sites with full hookup for $15-17/night. We chose the improved campground as the trip was rather spur of the moment and we did not have time to gear up for a more primitive experience.

I was very impressed with the campground. Access is controlled by an electric gate, and the combination is only given to campers. This prevents day-use folks from coming in and setting up a picnic at your table (I've seen that happen other places). Once past the gate, we drove out onto what seemed to be a little peninsula. Being away from the main day-use area of the park really kept things quiet, and the area was pretty. We had great views of the Ogeechee River and marshes without a long walk. We saw NO trash lying about and pests were at a minimum.

The only real troubles we had were with hungry bugs at mealtime and hickory nut artillery. We set up our tent with tarps to keep out the rain, and the sound of hickory nuts dropping on them in the middle of the night was like gunshots! They hit pretty hard after such a long fall. It took us awhile to get to sleep after the shelling finally stopped. I can only imagine how it was for the real soldiers.

The restrooms were kept very clean, and there was always plenty of hot water. The sites were also quite big and spaced out amply. We never felt that we were on top of the other campers. The camp host was very friendly, and he came around several times a day on his cart to see if anyone needed anything. Our two nights there were very nice and I would love to go back sometime.

Today Fort Pulaski casts a benevolent eye across the water to the shores of Tybee Island, the Tybee Light Station winking coyly back. The massive portcullis stands open to visitors, and the inside parade ground is green and inviting. Attend a ranger-guided program or tour the fort on your own. There is much to be learned. The fort is beautifully restored, and visitors may go inside some of the rooms and take aim from behind the giant cannons. We thoroughly enjoyed the interpreter's talk and had a great view from atop the battlements. This is fun for all ages of people who love history or just love forts. It's cheap, too -- only $2 a person or $4 a family. I used my National Parks Pass to get in free!

Visit Fort Pulaski National Monument on the web!

My mom and I ducked in out of the rain and settled ourselves at a nice dim section of the bar. The atmosphere at Kevin Barry's is delightfully dark and cozy. In fact, I think the woodwork is just about the right brown to match the lovely pints of Guinness that flow from behind the bar. Equally lovely Irish music flows from the speakers throughout the afternoon, but at night, the real entertainment begins. Live musicians perform every evening beginning at 8:30pm. I have had the good fortune in the past to be present at those times, and I can assure you that it was great. The musicians encourage audience participation, so you're welcome to sing along with your favorite drunken ballads.

On this particular afternoon, we were way too early for the music. We did, however, still have a nice rest and a great chat over some Guinness, Irish whiskey, and my mom's vodka tonic (in an Irish pub?!?!), and after all, isn't that what it's all about?

If you get a little hungry or decide that you need a little something to counter the spirits, you can always order a nice meal. Shepherd's pie and corned beef sandwiches are favorites of mine. If you feel so inclined, you can always go home with a T-shirt too.

Visit Kevin Barry's on the web!