CharlestonSavannah2013: Isle of Hope

September 27, 2013

The weather today was absolutely gorgeous with clear blue skies and temperatures beginning in the low 60’s and rising to near 80 at the end of the ride. Our ride took us from the center of town around several of the central squares and out Habersham St. until we crossed a small bridge on Laroche Ave. onto the Isle of Hope. Once onto Bluff Dr. we passed many of the once summer homes of the Savannah elite that faced the water and a marina. The homes were gorgeous and landscaped with live oak trees covered with Spanish moss.

Continuing on we came to the Wormsloe Historic site. Here there is a breathtaking 1.3 mile avenue of live oaks that create an archway to the tabby ruins of Wormsloe. Descendants of the original owner, Noble Jones, who was one of Georgia’s first settlers and the surveyor of Savannah, still live on the land. Jones came to Savannah with James Oglethorpe in 1733 and held many positions including being commander of a company of Marines, constable, Indian agent, and surveyor of New Ebenezer and Augusta. Although he was a loyalist, his son was a revolutionary. The museum and short film at the visitors center set the stage of what life was like for the early British colonists living close to the Spanish land to the south.

From here we biked further to Burnside Island, which is a small residential island with historic plantations and moss-covered trees. The ride took us to Moon River and then circled back to Isle of Hope for a lunch stop at the Driftaway Café.

On the way back to Savannah, we biked to Bonaventure Cemetery, which sets on a scenic bluff of the Wilmington River, east of Savannah. Originally a private cemetery beginning in 1846, it became a public cemetery in 1907. It is famous for its unique cemetery sculpture and architecture and the massive live oak trees with arched limbs covered in Spanish moss overhanging the roadways. The cemetery was also made famous in the book “in the Midnight Garden of Good and Evil.” In fact the notable Bird Girl statue, which was on the cover of the book, had to be removed and placed in a Savannah museum to preserve it. A short 5 mile ride brought us back to the hotel via Habersham and then Byran St. Biking on this VBT trip was sadly at an end.

Our departure/farewell dinner was at the Pink House.. We had a great time with an excellent dinner. A copy of the menu is below. Tomorrow morning we will be shuttled back to the Charleston airport where we will load up the car and head home. As always, VBT trips are great and a lot of fun.