Sight Seeing in Savannah

After graduation, we decided to take a little trip. The destination is a surprise for our kids and it has been very hard to keep the secret, but on the way we spent a night in Savannah, Georgia. The kids think that Savannah is our ultimate destination and have no idea what is in store for them. Savannah is a beautiful city and my dad had never been here so we were excited to visit.

We started by heading over to Tybee Island to see the beautiful lighthouse.

I have been to the Tybee Lighthouse at least three times, but I've never climbed to the top. This time we decided to do it. It was 170+ stairs to the top.

Every 25 steps, there was a little window nook.

The view from the top was awesome.

I am terrified of heights and having my kids up this high was a very uncomfortable experience. Plus the walkway is narrow and the building moved in the wind. I was more than happy to climb back down. My legs were like jello from walking up.

We were able to tour the lighthouse keeper's cottage, which was neat. It was all wood on the floor and walls.

Then we crossed the road to the Civil War battlement from which Fort Pulaski was attacked with a rifled cannon, making brick fortifications obsolete.

Iron ring

Original doors

The rifle on the left must weigh a ton. It's huge!

We walked down to the beach.

I LOOOOOVE southern beaches.

Beach bums

Jalen of the jungle

Savannah is such a picturesque city. It's so charismatic. 

Spanish moss

Neighborhood squares

Cobblestones

Sculpture

River street

Factors Walk

Sweet shop - always a favorite!

Making taffy.

Eye candy.

Making pralines.

They even had butter beer. YAY!

This is my mom's bag - it weighed 50 lbs.

The Peanut Shop.

To top off a perfect day - we ate at the Pirates House, featured in Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.

We had our own private room. It happened by coincidence, but it was so cool!

The room we ate in was the oldest house in Georgia, built in 1734.

There be pirates!

The portions were huge! My mom and I shared a plate and still couldn't eat it all.

The coolest part was that there's an underground tunnel that stretches a block to the Savannah River. It is where sailor's used to get shanghaied into service on board pirate ships.

Our hotel was a Marriott Renaissance Suites and was really nice.

It was a great beginning to a dream trip.

There's a Doctor in the House!

Yesterday David officially became Dr. Batchelor. He has worked so hard over 14 years to reach this milestone. It's so amazing to look back on how much work he has done and all the steps he has gone through to accomplish this. He finally admitted to me about six months ago that there was a time when he thought he wouldn't be able to do it. While I often got frustrated with the length of the process, I never doubted that he would be able to do it. He is the smartest and most talented person I know. 

He even looks smarter from the back.

I sometimes forget how much history is involved at the University of South Carolina. It really is an amazing school. As part of the graduation ceremony, an official mace is used. From the USC website: The brilliantly gleaming silver and gilt mace is nearly four feet long. Mounted on the head are the seals of the University, the state of South Carolina, and the Great Seal of the United States. From the middle of these arises a stylistic representation of the state tree, the palmetto, the fronds of which are formed by a group of 13 stars, representing the founding colonies that include South Carolina. The shaft is decorated with eight stars, reminding us that South Carolina was the eighth state to enter the Union.

Walking the walk.

Getting hooded.

Shaking hands with Dr. Bain who was David's doctoral advisor and was very patient and helpful with David throughout the rocess. After graduation, Dr. Bain told David he "set the record" for finishing, which is amazing because it has taken us five years - an eternity! The composition doctorate is really difficult to receive. 

After ceremony photos.

I was so grateful that my parents could be there. They have been so supportive of us in every way. Having earned a doctorate himself, my dad understands more than anyone in our family what David has been through.

HALLELUJAH!

The hood.

Celebratory snacks.