Day 5. Hilton Head, SC.

After a little breakfast to tide us over, we packed up the car, loaded up the bikes, and departed from Jekyll Island around 10:00 a.m. We drove through historic Brunswick, but either we missed the really cool historic part, or there isn't really much to be seen. We pulled into Savannah, where we had planned to have lunch, at around 11:30.

When Jared visited Savannah a couple of months ago, he had eaten at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room and highly recommended it. Since it is known for long wait times, we decided to go on a Tuesday, rather than later in the week when we planned to really explore Savannah. The restaurant is only open from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., and by the time we arrived, there was already a long line. We waited about an hour before it was our turn to be seated. We were shown to our table for ten which was already filled with bowl upon bowl of Southern food. We enjoyed and sampled fried chicken, pulled pork, pot roast, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, squash, sweet potato casserole, creamed corn, okra, collard greens, green beans, cole slaw, cooked cabbage, biscuits, cornbread and dessert (either banana pudding or peach cobbler ala mode), and more. Needless to say...we were quite stuffed after such a big lunch, but the food was delicious and it was fun dining "family style" with a couple and their little girl Clara from Boston, and two other nice ladies from Texas. We talked about Southern foods vs. Boston foods (lobster, crab, clam chowder) vs. Texan foods (BBQ & Tex Mex) vs. Michigan foods (??? hmmm...we couldn't think of anything special except maybe cherries. Pretty sad.)

We sauntered back to our car a few blocks away, enjoying the absolutely perfect temperature, blue sky and sunshine while surrounded by historic buildings and lovely trees. An hour or so later (around 3:00 p.m.), we arrived on Hilton Head Island. Our first impression was that it was as developed and posh as Jekyll Island was natural and simple. Quite a contrast, but beautiful, nonetheless. Our hotel (the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island), was gorgeous and very comfortable. We didn't want to waste any more of our 80-degree, sunny day so we immediately changed and went out to the pool. It was busy, busy, busy, but we were able to secure 3 lounge chairs for Tom, Chloe & I (Jared had gone out for a run). Tom & I took a nice walk on the beach as well, and I sat and watched the waves roll in while he left for a bike ride.

After a little more lounging at the pool with Jared and Chloe (who enjoyed her first (virgin) Pina Colada), I decided to join Tom for some riding. He was moving the car around and I was to meet him by the parking lot. No sooner had I hit the trail than I heard two kids screaming (and I mean screaming!) for help! I pedaled quickly and rounded a slight curve to find two boys...one lying on the paved trail, and the other standing by his side, both yelling and begging me to call 9-1-1. The older boy (who I later found out was 15) was pretty sure he had broken his wrist, and by the looks of it, I was almost certain he had. He was also scraped up pretty badly. Their father had been with them, but didn't have his phone on him, so he had gone for help. By the time he returned a couple of minutes later, I was on the phone with 9-1-1 and the ambulance was on its way. The boys' mom and older brother arrived, along with Tom and a few other curious bystanders. Once we knew he was in good hands, we continued on our ride. (Btw...if you're considering riding a bike on a paved trail in flip flops, I suggest you don't stand up while pedaling. Poor kid...he had to learn this lesson the hard way. :'( )

We had a nice ride, complete with our first alligator sightings, and an up-close visit with a large bird preening its feathers (which we later discovered was an Anhinga bird). Our evening ended with a quick run to Publix to pick up a few things for breakfast (not included at this hotel), and some salads and pizza from "Dough Boys" for supper. We enjoyed our supper on the deck back at the hotel to end our day.

Meeting strangers, helping strangers