Savannah Wonders: The Hidden Nature of Georgia

Fishing into the sunset.

Our trip to Savannah, Georgia was filled with amazing adventures. We surprised my mom for her birthday, flying in all the way from Vermont. Then we spent time exploring the beautiful nature that surrounds Savannah. We released snakes and turtles that my dad had caught, we went fishing for sharks (all catch and release), we searched for shells on secluded beaches that you need a boat to get to, visited different playgrounds, played baseball, and watched some amazing storms from a screened in porch. This is what Savannah is all about.

Sure, there is an amazing food scene here. And yes, the downtown architecture is a must see. Yes, golfing is huge down here. But for family fun, this is the kind of stuff my kids want. These are the same things I grew up doing. Although I don't remember being able to hold quite so many sharks when I was a kid!

Whenever I get the kids down to Savannah they are so excited to go gatoring. We catch them, and tag them, then release them. It is such a fun thing to share with the kids.

Babu, explaining the different features of a gator.

Luckily she caught this catfish, instead of the alligator that was interested in the cork on her fishing line.

She is either ready for her debutant ball, or a trip to Disneyworld, with that dress and hat combo.

Shell collection to bring home to mom. Well, maybe just a picture.

Catching some serious air on the beach on Ossabaw Island.

We anchored the boat super close to shore, so the kids just jump out and explore the beach and warm ocean water.

This was a home the kids created for one of our baitfish.

My dad in his element.

The kids, getting to run on a secluded beach on one of the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia....just like I did as a kid.

They could have stayed here all day!

Fishing was wild and exciting today. We caught multiple sharks, a ray, and something very big that broke the line just as it got near the surface. This was a sharp nose shark.

Not every kid gets to hold a shark as big as they are. This is a bonnethead shark.

C, showing off the bonnethead shark we caught and released.

A trip over to Ed's house to hang.

I'm glad I saved my old legos, so my son could rebuild them and play with them.

Tunnel of live oak trees leading into the old Wormsloe Plantation.

Playground fun before the big ball game.

Catching tree frogs is a Savannah tradition for us.

It is common for my dad to have snakes, ready to release when the grandkids get there.

But before releasing, there has to be some show and tell. These kids are definitely not afraid of snakes.

Proud snake-handler.

So beautiful.

We also got to release a yellow-bellied slider. I was pretty impressed that fisher could hold this up. It was heavy.

Heading out for adventure at the Ford.

Temperary treefrog home.

The girls went horseback riding, despite the 100 degree afternoon heat. Doubles and Allie today.

Looking good on Allie!

Ready to hold the reigns and leap into saddles.

Helmets on, ready to go!

Spending some quality time with Grandma Nancy.

They sure do this a lot.

My famous little world traveler with her own suitcase, looking like she does this all the time.

As always, keep traveling and keep posting.

• Dai Mar