Sleeper Train to Savannah: I Discovered Charleston & Savannah are Not Twins
Apr 4th, 2013, 05:49 PM
#23
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I love the fact that you think Savannah is Charleston's slutty cousin! Great analogy! Truthfully, Charleston is an extremely reserved city and Savannah's residents are about one inch away from the nuthouse.
Paula Deen's collards, limas, and sweet potaotoes will still kill you. While they may look innocent, still tons of butter and salt and fatback.
Paula Deen's collards, limas, and sweet potaotoes will still kill you. While they may look innocent, still tons of butter and salt and fatback.
Apr 5th, 2013, 02:50 AM
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JoJo, so TRUE. I've lived in both cities and you are so right. And Paula's stuff apparently won't be killing HER.
Daniel, I'm glad your report got topped. I enjoyed reading it again. Do get a copy of "The Big Chill". You'll recognize some places.
Daniel, I'm glad your report got topped. I enjoyed reading it again. Do get a copy of "The Big Chill". You'll recognize some places.
Apr 5th, 2013, 10:32 AM
#26
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JoJoSiestaKey & suewoo-- I'm glad to report that I'm still living despite Paula Deen's collards, lima beans and sweet potatoes. I must have had a lucky escape. I like the "one inch away from the nuthouse" comment--I suspect that explains why I felt drawn toward Savannah so much 
.
WingsGal--I recommend a return visit. As mentioned, I was too insecure and self-absorbed as a teenager in the '80s to appreciate Beaufort.
. WingsGal--I recommend a return visit. As mentioned, I was too insecure and self-absorbed as a teenager in the '80s to appreciate Beaufort.
Apr 5th, 2013, 12:19 PM
#27
Daniel, If you love jazz and any other types of music then try to time your next visit to Savannah with the Music Festival which is just winding down. We recently went for two nights of great jazz. And I'd forgotten how charming walking the streets of Savannah could be, and how good the food was too. Loved going back through your report and remembering.
On another note Daniel, What did you think of the train trip from DC to Charleston? Did you have any issues with it? We're thinking of taking it to DC this summer to meet up with our son and his family (they'll be arriving by train too, but from a different direction) and spend several days there. Though we've taken trains in Europe many times before, we've never taken a USA one. Recommend?
On another note Daniel, What did you think of the train trip from DC to Charleston? Did you have any issues with it? We're thinking of taking it to DC this summer to meet up with our son and his family (they'll be arriving by train too, but from a different direction) and spend several days there. Though we've taken trains in Europe many times before, we've never taken a USA one. Recommend?
Apr 5th, 2013, 03:28 PM
#28
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Kathleen-- The Music Festival sounds great; too bad it coincides with a busy time in my work schedule, but maybe one year, who knows? I enjoy trains generally and when I went from DC to Charleston via Amtrak's the Palmetto in December 2011, it was no exception. We were on-time arriving in Charleston too, which be warned isn't so often the case with Amtrak.
I've noticed the mention of Amtrak usually brings out two camps. Some of us really enjoy Amtrak long-distance rides, others have strongly disliked their Amtrak experience. I'd recommend trying it once just to see and Charleston->DC is the right distance for a trial run. I personally love the time to read, meditate and look out the window at places I'd never see otherwise.
I've noticed the mention of Amtrak usually brings out two camps. Some of us really enjoy Amtrak long-distance rides, others have strongly disliked their Amtrak experience. I'd recommend trying it once just to see and Charleston->DC is the right distance for a trial run. I personally love the time to read, meditate and look out the window at places I'd never see otherwise.
Apr 6th, 2013, 04:51 AM
#29
Daniel, Thanks for your train travel impressions. We too really like train travel (abroad though) so will probably try the Charleston to DC and back, especially since drive time would be near equal. While in DC we won't need a car. It's the perfect time to consider taking a train there.
Apr 7th, 2013, 06:14 AM
#30
This is the first time I've seen your trip report, Daniel, and enjoyed reading it immensely. We lived in Savannah for 4 terrific years before being transferred on, and really loved it! One of these days we'll get back for a visit.
Regarding the Spanish moss in Charleston...haven't read all the replies so am not sure if that was addressed, but the dearth of Spanish Moss in comparison to Savannah's is the result of Hurricane Hugo, which literally blew it away. It is making a comeback, but apparently is not yet fully recovered..
Thanks for a delightful trip report, I think you fairly captured the two cities differences. Ask your uncle if he knows the Burnett family in Beaufort...DD's in-laws. They grew up there then went back and built a home on the marsh when he retired. The whole area is simply beautiful!
Regarding the Spanish moss in Charleston...haven't read all the replies so am not sure if that was addressed, but the dearth of Spanish Moss in comparison to Savannah's is the result of Hurricane Hugo, which literally blew it away. It is making a comeback, but apparently is not yet fully recovered..
Thanks for a delightful trip report, I think you fairly captured the two cities differences. Ask your uncle if he knows the Burnett family in Beaufort...DD's in-laws. They grew up there then went back and built a home on the marsh when he retired. The whole area is simply beautiful!
Apr 7th, 2013, 06:34 AM
#31
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Hi Kathleen,
You'll have two train options: the Silver Meteor and the Palmetto.
The Silver Meteor travels from Charleston (9:30pm)-->DC (7am) and DC (7:30pm)-->Charleston (5am) at night. When I'm doing journeys at night, and since I can't sleep in coach, I like to get a roomette where meals are included but it ups the cost considerably. The big disadvantage of the Silver Meteor train is you see little out the window and the southbound Silver Meteor arrives in Charleston as you see in the wee hours of the morning. You likely wouldn't get a meal in sleeper class on the northbound train except perhaps breakfast is the train is late. I'd recommend the Silver Meteor if you decide you want to try a sleeper car at some point from Charleston, to say, Philadelphia or New York City.
But for now, for DC, I think the Palmetto is your better option. On the Palmetto, travel is during the day so coach is OK as you'll enjoy seeing the in-between states out your window. The cost is a reasonable $95 each way on coach.
You'll have two train options: the Silver Meteor and the Palmetto.
The Silver Meteor travels from Charleston (9:30pm)-->DC (7am) and DC (7:30pm)-->Charleston (5am) at night. When I'm doing journeys at night, and since I can't sleep in coach, I like to get a roomette where meals are included but it ups the cost considerably. The big disadvantage of the Silver Meteor train is you see little out the window and the southbound Silver Meteor arrives in Charleston as you see in the wee hours of the morning. You likely wouldn't get a meal in sleeper class on the northbound train except perhaps breakfast is the train is late. I'd recommend the Silver Meteor if you decide you want to try a sleeper car at some point from Charleston, to say, Philadelphia or New York City.
But for now, for DC, I think the Palmetto is your better option. On the Palmetto, travel is during the day so coach is OK as you'll enjoy seeing the in-between states out your window. The cost is a reasonable $95 each way on coach.
Apr 7th, 2013, 07:39 AM
#32
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Thanks OO for your comments and insight. How lucky you were to have an opportunity to live in such a fascinating place!
Best wishes Daniel
PS I spoke to my uncle and he said he didn't know any Burnetts in Beaufort.
Best wishes Daniel
PS I spoke to my uncle and he said he didn't know any Burnetts in Beaufort.
Apr 7th, 2013, 09:39 AM
#33
Thanks Daniel...it was a long shot but worth a try.. Their address is Beaufort but I think it's actually Lady's Island. Perhaps one in the same, I dunno.
We were indeed lucky. We were moving from Dallas and drove in at night. Our route took us through the far western squares into downtown. I had hated leaving Dallas, but even in the dark, between the moon and street lights I could see the squares we rounded and the moss dripping from the oaks. I was pretty sure it was going to be a good move after all, and it was every bit of that and more! I hope it never loses its charm, though certainly River Street had already. I did at one time know the (alleged) story of the Waving Girl...it had to do with either her lover or husband who had gone to sea and she was waiting for him to come back, and waved to every returning ship. As the story goes, he never did.
We were indeed lucky. We were moving from Dallas and drove in at night. Our route took us through the far western squares into downtown. I had hated leaving Dallas, but even in the dark, between the moon and street lights I could see the squares we rounded and the moss dripping from the oaks. I was pretty sure it was going to be a good move after all, and it was every bit of that and more! I hope it never loses its charm, though certainly River Street had already. I did at one time know the (alleged) story of the Waving Girl...it had to do with either her lover or husband who had gone to sea and she was waiting for him to come back, and waved to every returning ship. As the story goes, he never did.
Apr 8th, 2013, 04:56 AM
#34
Daniel,
Thanks. I agree that the Palmetto would work better for our DC destination and it is certainly on our minds. Might be nice relaxing and seeing the surrounding sites other than the I95 corridor (I'm not expecting much though). After checking, the price is even a bit better given AAA and/or senior rates. Do you happen to remember how many stops there were along the way?
If we should like the trip I can see a NYC trip on the Silver Meteor in the future (especially in winter when the roads and even plane schedules can be unpredictable for travel). We've become accustomed to our mild winters here in the south and avoid any road trips north in the winter. The train would solve that issue completely.
Thanks. I agree that the Palmetto would work better for our DC destination and it is certainly on our minds. Might be nice relaxing and seeing the surrounding sites other than the I95 corridor (I'm not expecting much though). After checking, the price is even a bit better given AAA and/or senior rates. Do you happen to remember how many stops there were along the way?
If we should like the trip I can see a NYC trip on the Silver Meteor in the future (especially in winter when the roads and even plane schedules can be unpredictable for travel). We've become accustomed to our mild winters here in the south and avoid any road trips north in the winter. The train would solve that issue completely.
Apr 8th, 2013, 05:18 AM
#35
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OO-- I love your story of your arrival in Savannah. I was surprised reading your post as I didn't think Lady's Island was a part of Beaufort, but I was glad I wikipedia'd it as apparently a part (but not all) of the island is incorporated as part of Beaufort city. My uncle lives within 5 minutes walk of the hubbub of Beaufort's Bay Street.
Kathleen-- There are maybe 10 stops as you go north? You get a great view of the James River just south of Richmond, as well as the Masonic Lodge in Alexandria and the Jefferson Memorial coming into DC. Some interesting slices of towns you see include the wide porch homes of Randolph-Macon College in Ashland VA, as well as charming-looking downtown Fredericksburg and Quantico. Some places I've passed through by train, such as downtown Fayetteville, NC, I think I never would have seen otherwise.
of Beaufort's Bay Street.Kathleen-- There are maybe 10 stops as you go north? You get a great view of the James River just south of Richmond, as well as the Masonic Lodge in Alexandria and the Jefferson Memorial coming into DC. Some interesting slices of towns you see include the wide porch homes of Randolph-Macon College in Ashland VA, as well as charming-looking downtown Fredericksburg and Quantico. Some places I've passed through by train, such as downtown Fayetteville, NC, I think I never would have seen otherwise.
Apr 8th, 2013, 06:47 AM
#36
Thanks Daniel. About ten stops is not too bad. Nice line up of places and items to view on the trip. I appreciate you taking the time to list some highlights for me. Definitely nicer than the I95 corridor.
