Georgia Adventure 2022

This trip started as something deeply meaningful—traveling to celebrate my oldest son’s basic training graduation. But like most good adventures… it quickly turned into a story.

We decided to take a few extra days to explore Savannah—and what unfolded was equal parts chaos, pride, history, and pure wanderlust.

The Night I Almost Went Feral

Picture this: late-night arrival, exhaustion hitting hard, and the promise of a “24-hour” rental car waiting for us…

Except it wasn’t.

Lights off. Doors locked. No car. No backup plan.

So there we were—curled up on cold benches, half-asleep, half-delirious, just trying to make it until morning. Not exactly the dreamy start we had in mind.

Morning comes, hope returns… and then we’re told they don’t even have the size vehicle we reserved.

At this point? I was hanging on by a thread. Fully on the verge of going feral.

We took whatever they had just to get moving. No time to argue—we had places to be and a hotel reservation we were not about to lose.

The Moment Everything Shifted

After a quick nap to feel somewhat human again, we headed to base to see my son.

And just like that—everything changed.

All the frustration, the exhaustion, the chaos… gone. Watching him, spending that time together—it grounded everything. The next day, we watched him graduate, and there are no words big enough for that kind of pride.

That moment made every struggle before it completely irrelevant.

Enter: Savannah Magic

After graduation, we hit the road and made our way to Savannah, checking into the most adorable Airbnb—and finally, the trip softened.

Savannah doesn’t rush you. It pulls you in slowly.

Founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, it’s one of the oldest cities in the U.S., layered with history from colonial days through the Civil War. The city is built around a grid of public squares—each one shaded by massive oak trees dripping in Spanish moss, like something straight out of a dream.

It feels haunted in the best way—not just by ghosts, but by stories.

Wandering, Wondering & a Few Ghosts

We leaned all the way in and did a ghost tour (because obviously). With Savannah being one of the most haunted cities in the country, it only felt right.

And let me tell you—walking those dimly lit streets at night, hearing the stories, feeling the energy… it hits different.

During the day, we wandered without a plan—my favorite way to explore. The historic district is full of hidden corners, old homes, and quiet moments that make you stop and just take it all in.

Down at River Street, we soaked up the river views, popped into shops, and just existed for a while. No rush. No schedule. Just vibes.

Salt Air Therapy at Tybee

At some point, you just need ocean air.

So we made our way to Tybee Island—and it was exactly what we needed.

Wide open beaches, crashing waves, salty breeze… the kind of place that resets your nervous system whether you realize it or not. After the way this trip started, it felt like a full-body exhale.

One Last Adventure: Atlanta

We weren’t quite done yet.

On our way out, we stopped in Atlanta to squeeze in one more experience—visiting the incredible Georgia Aquarium.

It was the perfect contrast to Savannah’s slow pace—vibrant, busy, and full of energy. We wrapped it all up with dinner downtown, reflecting on everything the trip had thrown at us (and given us).

Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Imperfect Starts

This trip didn’t start pretty.

It started with cold benches, frustration, and me nearly losing my mind over a rental car.

But it turned into something so much bigger—celebrating my son, exploring new places, getting lost in history, breathing in ocean air, and finding those quiet, grounding moments in between.

Savannah reminded me that the best trips don’t go perfectly.

They go real.

And sometimes? A slightly feral beginning makes the story that much better.