Our Micro-cation

We woke up Saturday morning not knowing what to do with the day. Steve really wanted to leave Dahlonega, and I did not want to go shopping, so out of the blue we decided to go to Savannah, Tybee Island and further south on the GA coast. We left around 9:30 and went the long way down via Athens, Washington-Wilkes (to see Steve’s old hunting club) then continued along the back roads to the coast. We drove through Savannah to Tybee Island, and then came back to River Street for a wonderful dinner of Po’Boys. We finally found a room at Howard Johnson, just south of the city.

Sunday we followed the coast line south. We stopped at many small fishing areas and spoke with the locals. I am really hoping we can move our fishing trips here instead of Steinhatchee, FL. We saw lots of marches and swamps, but the highlight of the day was the shrimp boats. We spoke with a really nice gentleman (stupid us did not get his name) that owned and operated a shrimp boat. He and two others were changing the nets, particularly the turtle excluders, in order to keep more of the current medium size shrimp in the nets, but also obeying all laws. They were also sewing up areas where sharks had bitten into the net. Yet the super cool part was when he invited us onto the boat and gave us permission to walk and tour it. He even said he would sell us the boat if we wanted to go into the shrimp business – just call Steve, Forest and me Jenny!

The boat had lots of really neat controls. I did not know much about them, but they really intrigued Steve. There was a small gas stove and oven, a microware, fridge, tiny restroom (no shower) and 2 sets of bunk beds. He said years ago he would take the ship from GA to Texas and back on a three month trip. I did not ask of the details, but I am certain that would have been a tough trip. The boat can run 20 days without coming to shore, but he hopes now to be gone less than a couple of days. Also on another side note the boat consumes 1000 gallons of diesel per week. The cost of business is forceing many to sell out, but I am certain his family has worked with the ocean for many years and he is not giving up (even though he jokes about it). This experience makes me want to pay special attention to the shrimp I purchase and try really hard to purchase wild caught GA shrimp, and I urge everyone else to do the same. All the folks that we saw were local fishmen, not big companies, who are trying to make a living.

My camera was in the truck, so I only have this picture that I took when we left.

We stopped at another marina to have Po’Boy’s for lunch them traveled back to Tybee Island for a walk on the beach and pier. We left town around 7 heading home and made it in about 1am– wow it is great to be young.

Steve looking at a cargo ship leaving the river

Kelly doing cartwheels on the beach in front of the light house.

Tybee Island light house