Thanks to all of you who helped me with my recent trip from to Washington DC, Charleston and Savannah. You were patient through all my endless questioning. Here is my report-we had a wonderful trip.

We arrived in Washington DC during a very stormy evening and checked into the Grand Hyatt, Washington DC. The weather was so threatening that we ate in their restaurant and hung out in their lovely lobby. Our room was on the 10 floor and offered a nice interior view, but the beds and bedding looked as though they hadn't been replaced for years-wrinkled and worn. I was regretting not keeping my reservation at the Willard(as some of you told me) so in the morning I called and they were still able to supply us with a room with their Cherry Blossom Package($269-breakfast buffet). We attempted to walk over there but I overshot it a bit, and some wonderful Sunday morning cab drive took pity on the sight of my mother and I hauling our luggage(I thought it was close enough to walk-but not with my mother) and offered us a ride for free. We were very close at this point but he insisted and before we knew it we were in the hands of the bellhops at the Willard. I payed him anyway but I had to offer it at least three times. Our stay at the Willard was wonderful. We had no regrets for moving.

The next few days were spent doing the usual tourist things-the monument moonlight tour, old Post Office Pavilion, National Cathdral, museums. We often at lunch at the Corner Bakery which was perfect for Mom.We had a wonderful cherryblossom tea at the Willard and ate at the Old Ebbitt Grill-all good.

Tues. morning we walked around the capitol on a glorious morning and hung around the basin waiting for the blooms to burst. A few did-enough for pictures.

Late Tues afternoon we were off the Union Station and the Amtrak to Charleston.....the UNPLEASANT part of our trip....stay tuned for Part II!

Post Part 2 as a reply to this post or it will get separated and not make sense to anyone.

ttt

topping

*patiently waiting for Part II* O

Part II:Charleston, SC

Tues. evening:
Mom and I departed on Amtrak at 6:30 p.m. It was a long night with endless stops and starts, bright cabin lights and restless passengers. We were two hours late to arrive in Charleston. A very nice taxi driver got us to the French Quarter Inn around 6 a.m.

French Quarter Inn: Great place! It looked just like their website photos. We didn't have a great view but other than that were quite happy here. We ate breakfast in their lobby-flakey french pastries, fresh fruit and good coffee. During the day, jelly beans and M and M's were available as well as tea and lemonade. In the late afternoon , cheese, crackers, fruit and wine were served and warm cookies in the evening. That kept Mom extremely happy-me too.
It's a very clean, nicely decorated small hotel that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

Palmetto Carriage Ride: First thing we did in Charleston. It took some time to get us loaded but once we did it was very pleasant and time well spent.

Museum Shop: Picked up our Historic Home and Garden tickets for the Rutledge Avenue tour and did some shopping here. Nice place to find things to take home.

Lunch at Poogan's Porch: We loved this place. We were able to get seated right away on the porch. Mom loved her fried chicken and I enjoyed the she-crab soup and the fried green tomato sandwich. Yum! I want to go back!
The called us a pedicab here and took us to the first house on the Rutledge Avenue tour.

Rutledge Avenue Tour: Met some nice people and saw some great homes. We didn't see as many gardens as I wanted, but this was the only tour that worked for us. I'd like to come back and do the Glorious Gardens tour or Church Street. We walked back to the French Quarter Inn from this area-Mom was really tired by now and I feared I had worn her out after the long night on the train. I wish I had my cell phone to call for the pedicab!

Dinner at Magnolias: Another great meal! I had their flounder and it was wonderful--prepared with a delicious sauce and some fresh veggies. We had a window table so it was a really pleasant experience.

Back to French Quarter Inn for cookies and a much needed night's sleep. Great beds!

Thurs. a.m.

Breakfast out on the terrace at French Quarter Inn-same breakfast but still very fresh and good.

We took a walk along the battery in search of the pineapple fountain that Mom had seen a picture of. This was really pleasant and got some great pictures of homes along here and the fountains. Saw the HarbourView Inn and decided I wanted to stay there next time around! We walked back to the French Quarter Inn and saw great little private gardens along the way-perhaps my favorite part of Charleston.

Checked out of the French Quarter Inn and rented a car to begin our trip to Savannah. It had started to rain so we didn't get to do our plantation tours as planned! Next year-good reason to return.

We loved Charleston but not nearly enough time and there were so many more restaurants I wanted to try. I think there is definately enough to do to return next spring.

Part III-SAVANNAH! Coming soon

PART III: Savannah!

Hotel: Hyatt Regency-Renovated room, riverview room on 6(maybe7th)floor. Great watching ships go by from our window-definately the best part of this hotel. Room was clean but evidence of it's past still haunted it in the bathroom grout and tiles. Beds and linens were nice. Renovations were still taking place in entryway, lobby and some of the floors. Could hear machines of various sorts throughout our stay. It will be a nice place-almost there. Very pleasant renovations were taking place.

Food: Savannah Bistro-apricot glazed flounder-delicious-perhaps my favortie meal!
Lady and Sons-waited 1 1/2 hours for their lunch. Mom and I had southern buffet and husband had the chicken pot pie. It was a fun experience(even the long line with interesting people) but just okay in my opinion. I had far tastier things in other places.

The Olde Pink House: We all really loved this place. I had the shrimp and grits and it was great. We had a nice table and wonderful service.
Highly recommend.

Things I liked about Savannah: the squares, victorian district with the ironworks and gardens, watching the ships on the river, killer pralines, the live oak trees and azealeas!

Things that I didn't care for: River Street and the shops-much too touristy for me. The market area-it was okay-but one time through was enough.
Streets around the market area: lots of empty stores and a bit run down-not bad but noticeable.

Summary: We had a great trip. I probably tried to do too much with my Mom in too little time. We saw a lot and definately want to return. We are thinking of a trip to just Charleston
next May for her 80th. But who knows?
Thanks to all who helped me through all this....I'll need you again!

Thanks for the report laurelee, it is helping me with my plans for Charleston/Savannah later this year. The website for the River Street area makes it look like a lot of fun and I almost booked a hotel there. Instead I booked at a B&B near Greene Square. Based on your comments, I'm glad now I did. We were considering Lady and Sons but might do the Pink House now instead. Thanks again!

If your like me, you will be happy staying near one of the beautiful squares and going to the River Str.area just once. You may have to return to keep getting the pralines though, as I did. I'd also suggest you look into Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House for lunch if you don't do Lady and Sons. I've heard great things about it but it didn't work for us this trip.
I'm going to look at my map and see where Green Square is but probably someone else will be able to give you far better tips than me. I got lots of help from this board.
Anything else-let me know via this post.

Laurelee, I keep hearing about those pralines. Are they really that special? Yes, we did want to check out Mrs. Wilkes' but it's only open for lunch and the timing isn't right for us either.

I didn't really think I'd like those pralines so much-but I couldn't stop eating them. They make them just as you walk into the candy stores, and they have the original, chocolate-and something else-maybe white chocolate. The chocolate were my favorite and when you'd get a warm one (free samples)they were just great. I suppose some of it is just being there-but yes, I really enjoyed them.