Captains Quarters in Santee and Sam Sneads’ Oak Grill & Tavern in Savannah

Whenever we drive to Florida we have a certain routine. It depends upon the time of the year. When it stays lighter later in the day we usually go as far as Dorian or Brunswick Georgia. But if it’s winter and the sun sets at four or five, we always stop in Savannah. The main reason is because we absolutely love Sam Snead’s Oak Bar and Grill and don’t like driving at night. It doesn’t matter when we go - the place is always busy. So this month we did just that and the parking lot was even busier than busy - probably more from Christmas parties than travelers. The restaurant is located on the airport exit. The French onion soup is fantastic - we always get that along with a burger and some sort of blackened fish. On the return trip we also have a favorite called Captains Quarters in Santee, South Carolina. We made reservations a couple of hours ahead of the time once we knew we would be reaching that location for dinner. Captains has the best steak and seafood. We rarely eat steak anymore - which may be why it tastes so good! This place is also always packed - with people standing in line waiting to get in. Of course, being a Friday night didn’t help. We decided to stay in Santee for the night, which made the next day drive a bit longer than usual. We both agree it is worth the visit at both places and now has become Florida trip tradition. 

A Visit to South of the Border

There are hundreds of signs pointing the way to South of the Border. On our recent trip to Florida, the signs start in North Carolina and go on and on. We always make fun of the place whenever we drive by it - going down and coming back - in all seasons and times of the day. I never dreamed we would ever stop - until we did. It was a rainy grey day and the place was a bit empty. Since it was just before Christmas, I thought it would be a great place to find a couple of gag gifts for our friends. But it also gave us an opportunity to check out this place that has been around for many years and supports the surrounding community with jobs. There is a campground, motels, restaurants, gift shops, restrooms, arcades, sombrero tower, reptile lagoon, convention center, gasoline, and all the whimsical creatures that remind one of times gone by. We ended up getting a bag, doll, and magnet - and they were a big hit! I’m glad we stopped as there really is nothing else quite like it - except maybe Wall Drug Store in South Dakota - or what was Webb City in St. Petersburg. It really takes you back to another time - the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

A Visit to Sunken Gardens

It’s been a very long time since I last visited Sunken Gardens in Florida. It’s been there for as long as we lived there, and many years before that. It’s undergone a lot of transitions over the years. Every time we visit Florida to visit my mom, we plan to go, but it never seemed to work out - until our last trip earlier this month. I never really paid that much attention to gardens. But I love the US Botanic garden in DC. As with most of these places, they are used as wedding back drops. It was a beautiful day as we made our way around the actual sunken space. We were greeted by parrots, flamingos, koi, turtles and scampering lizards. Christmas decorations also brightened up the area. But the best part were all the tropical plants that you always need to see in the “tropical spaces” of all the other Botanic gardens. In Florida, the whole thing is a tropical space. The flowers were pretty and the ponds and waterfalls were fun. The detail on the bark of the palms and huge leaves was quite interesting - each one made for a lovely photo. So we had a lovely time at the gardens - I’m glad we finally got to visit. 

Pennsylvania Avenue Storefront Christmas Windows

We needed to make one last drive in to the city before Christmas Eve. When we lived on Capitol Hill we could easily walk to our destination. But we moved to northern Virginia almost nine months ago so we had to make the trek by car to see the Capitol Christmas tree lit, Union station, and the beautiful nostalgic Christmas windows on Pennsylvania Avenue. Usually we see the four windows in the day time. But since we were also going to stop for dinner, the early evening brought with it hundreds of twinkling lights. Santa’s sleigh was front and center, then came the traditional Christmas scene with ice skaters and snowmen, the Capitol Hill village, and the reindeer and Christmas trees - all displayed below snowflakes, bright colorful ornaments, tinsel and lights. The windows reminded me of visits to store front windows in my youth. One of the more interesting items to note was the main gate to Nationals Park that had the 2019 World Series Champions sign on top. It was a very interesting year! The Capitol Christmas tree looked lovely against the backdrop and Union Station was filled with activity. Once Christmas is over I don’t think about it much - but I never get tired of looking at those windows. 

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US Botanic Garden Plant Monuments

Yes, we saw the trains that circled around all the Botanic gardens in the US. The wall poinsettia display was extraordinary. The stickwork sculpture and Christmas ornaments both inside and outside the building were lovely. But the centerpiece of the US Botanic garden is the main attraction in the entrance and foyer - all the monuments and memorials made out of plant based materials. We have been coming to the US Botanic garden long before we moved to Capitol Hill thirteen years ago. And since we moved to northern Virginia this year, we are just ten miles from the city and like to come in and visit whenever we feel like it. So we did that just a few weeks ago - just to experience the Christmas decorations at the garden and the Capitol grounds. On the west end of the building was a huge tree with trains and Capitol Hill below it and a rendering of Biltmore Castle. There is something magical about this place any time of year, but particularly at Christmas. So for as long as we can we will probably continue to make the trek every year. It’s well worth the visit.