Skidaway Island Book

Skidaway Island is one of Savannah’s larger coastal islands, found just past the Isle of Hope. Home to a State Park popular with campers, it provides yet another great escape from the city.

The campgrounds at Skidaway State Park are secluded and peaceful. But we don’t have a tent, so just spent a few sunny hours exploring the woods. There are a couple trails to choose from, and we went with the 3-mile Big Ferry Trail. The nature was beautiful; live oaks covered in Spanish moss, marshes, shell middens and views of the intercoastal waterways.

The trail was almost too simple and the three miles passed by in a flash. We came upon a Prohibition-era bootlegging spot with barrels still rotting in place, and earthworks from the Civil War where Confederates prepared for a Union assault that never came. Near the water, there’s an observation deck from where people more patient than us might spot a bird or two. We gave it a couple seconds, “Bah! Stupid hiding birds”, and left.

Perhaps the most fun we had on Skidaway Island was driving further east past the State Park. Well… as far east as we could manage. All around are gated communities with names like The Landings and Deer Run. SUV after SUV pulled up to and through the gates. Fluffy-coifed soccer moms and weary red-nosed business guys. It was Sunday, so there was also a lot of church traffic. And there are a lot of churches! Sheesh, besides its park, Skidaway is 90% churches and gated communities. American Dream, y’all.

Location on our Savannah Map

- Savannah Tours

Hunting Island Book

After spending the day in Beaufort, we drove out to Hunting Island: a semitropical barrier island that had been used in the 19th century for hunting (hence the name), and is now a State Park.

The park office is in the middle of a huge forest which stretches out along 6 miles of beach. A number of hiking and driving trails snake through the 50-acre area, which is home to alligators, raccoons, rattlesnakes and more. We started our exploration by climbing 167 steps to the top of a light tower from 1873 — out of use today, except as an unbeatable lookout point over the park.

After a quick stroll along the beach, we set out on a walking trail that led by a lagoon where fish were leaping out of the water. The fishermen lining the shore all had big smiles and full buckets. It was a beautiful day, and I was in a great mood. As the trail wound into the forest, I got to feeling energetic, “nature-y” and brave — which, as anyone who knows me could tell you, is a terrible combination. “WATCH THIS!” I shouted at Juergen. “I’m going to climb this palm tree like a monkey”.

Before Juergen could protest, I took a flying leap at the tree, grabbing it with my hands and feet. Plan: Scurry up a few feet and have a laugh. Reality: On contact, tons of prickly splinters entered my palms and I fell off backwards howling in pain. My hands were FULL of splinters. It was actually kind of scary to look at. Back home an hour later, I was able to get most of them out with tweezers, but seventeen had to be dug out with a needle. My hands have still not fully recovered.

Let this be a lesson to you youngsters! Don’t have fun in nature. Nature is scary and dangerous.

Hunting Island’s Official Webpage
Location on our Day Trips Map

- Our 91 Days in Oviedo, Spain

EVERYTHING BBQ

A tiny restaurant in a teensy shopping strip, right before Victory Drive merges with the Islands Expressway, Wiley’s Championship BBQ is a real find — it’s been voted the best barbecue in Savannah multiple times in its short life, and for good reason.

We’ve been twice, and had the chance to meet the owners, Wiley and Janet. They’re relative newcomers to Savannah, but have been perfecting their barbecue sauce for years on the competition circuit. Their sauce’s name is “Better than Sex” … while I might not go that far, it’s awfully close. And hey, “Practically Comparable with Sex” is high praise, indeed!

Janet sat down at our table while we gorged ourselves on their Redneck Nachos (their most popular appetizer) and a sampler basket full of meat, and told us about the restaurant. Wiley’s is really small, with room for about 30 people, and always crowded. I asked if they wanted to move somewhere larger, since it appears that their popularity would justify it, but they’re happy where they are. A lot of regulars frequent the place, and many tourists stop in as well, having read about the great food. Often, there’s a line out the door.

If you’re looking for quality barbecue made by awesome people, head over to Wiley’s — it’s just a 10 minute drive from downtown, and totally worth it. And order the beef brisket!

Link: Wiley’s Restaurant
Location on our Savannah Restaurant Map

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