Update Thursday Oct 25
I'm so happy to tell you that Sanford is doing great. He was up and walking today. God willing, he will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow [Friday]. Thanks again for all of your prayers and your kind support.
Hugs and kisses to all of you.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Deja Vu
In 2003 I wrote this... (my column) "The Bunni Trail" ... in our monthly condo bulletin.
~~~ WE ARE CALLED SURVIVORS ~~~
We feel that we are blessed. We are true believers in the saying "If God brings you to it, He will take you through it." For many years, my annual mammograms had shown calcium deposits and abnormalities. In 2001, I had cysts biopsied and aspirated. After a biopsy in January 2002, I was in the recovery room when my surgeon came in and told me, "Everything went well. The pathologist didn't find it necessary to do a frozen section." When I heard Frozen Section, I knew that I had cancer. Being alone, I had time to absorb what I'd just learned... but I didn't cry or become emotional. I don't know... perhaps I was in shock. Without an official diagnosis, I didn't want to upset my family, so I didn't tell ANYONE for more than 10 days. My husband usually waited in the car reading and listening to the radio during my medical appointments, but this time I suggested he come in with me to get the biopsy results. When the doctor told me that a small cancer had been found, again I didn't react… much to my surprise, the surprise of my husband, the doctor and two nurses. When the doctor advised me of my options: a lumpectomy with radiation therapy; a mastectomy or a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (with no radiation or chemo therapy, my immediate response was a Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.
I firmly believe in the power of prayer… so that night I sent emails and snail mail to our family and friends to advise them of my diagnosis and asked them to please include me in their prayers. When I felt our daughters in Atlanta had had a chance to read my emails, I called them. We are a very close family and I was certain they would be devastated upon learning of my cancer diagnosis. I felt the emails would prepare them before they actually heard it from me and they concurred, it did prepare them. It was the first time that I had truly given any real thought to my mortality and the effect my demise would have on my family. However, I thank the Lord that I am still here and God willing, cancer free.
In 1994 my husband, Sanford, had radiation treatment for prostate cancer. He recently had a skin cancer removed. However, none of the above prepared us for what happened near the end of April 2003. In preparation for minor ear surgery, he had a chest X-ray which showed a small spot on his lung that wasn't there the year before. He had an Adrenal Gland biopsy, CT scan and PET scan...none of which showed cancer, thank God. We were told that because of his history of smoking, [he stopped 23 years prior] it must be assumed that he had Lung cancer. After researching lung cancer on the Internet, we learned that according to statistics, the general prognosis was not optimistic. Of course, I sent those emails and snail mails again requesting prayers for us. .
I've never ever prayed as much as I did before he finally had a Lobectomy, where a small cancer was found and removed. I'm still praying, but these are prayers of thanks that he is cancer free once again. God willing, we will participate again next year in the annual Cancer Relay for Life...
************************************
Déjà Vu
This is the email/snail mail that I sent this past week:
"As an adult have you ever experienced something that was so frightening that it made you feel that you were more vulnerable than ever before? If you answer yes... then you understand how we're doing right now.
Last Sunday evening we had to go to the Emergency Room because my husband, Sanford, had severe abdominal pain all day that did not respond to any pain medicines. The hospital admitted him so that tests could be done to find out what was going on inside.
Our family doctor told Sanford that he's the luckiest man in the world. When asked why he said that.. Dr. M. said he has never had a patient who survived 4 cancers and is about to survive the fifth.
Friday we saw the urologist and the news was not good.. Sanford is scheduled to have a cancerous kidney removed October 23...
And because we believe so strongly in the power of prayer, I am asking if you will please join us in prayer for him to survive this one too.
Some have said that we are lucky... ( I am also a cancer survivor)... but we feel that we are Blessed."
Bunni
You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own.
~~~ WE ARE CALLED SURVIVORS ~~~
We feel that we are blessed. We are true believers in the saying "If God brings you to it, He will take you through it." For many years, my annual mammograms had shown calcium deposits and abnormalities. In 2001, I had cysts biopsied and aspirated. After a biopsy in January 2002, I was in the recovery room when my surgeon came in and told me, "Everything went well. The pathologist didn't find it necessary to do a frozen section." When I heard Frozen Section, I knew that I had cancer. Being alone, I had time to absorb what I'd just learned... but I didn't cry or become emotional. I don't know... perhaps I was in shock. Without an official diagnosis, I didn't want to upset my family, so I didn't tell ANYONE for more than 10 days. My husband usually waited in the car reading and listening to the radio during my medical appointments, but this time I suggested he come in with me to get the biopsy results. When the doctor told me that a small cancer had been found, again I didn't react… much to my surprise, the surprise of my husband, the doctor and two nurses. When the doctor advised me of my options: a lumpectomy with radiation therapy; a mastectomy or a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (with no radiation or chemo therapy, my immediate response was a Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.
I firmly believe in the power of prayer… so that night I sent emails and snail mail to our family and friends to advise them of my diagnosis and asked them to please include me in their prayers. When I felt our daughters in Atlanta had had a chance to read my emails, I called them. We are a very close family and I was certain they would be devastated upon learning of my cancer diagnosis. I felt the emails would prepare them before they actually heard it from me and they concurred, it did prepare them. It was the first time that I had truly given any real thought to my mortality and the effect my demise would have on my family. However, I thank the Lord that I am still here and God willing, cancer free.
In 1994 my husband, Sanford, had radiation treatment for prostate cancer. He recently had a skin cancer removed. However, none of the above prepared us for what happened near the end of April 2003. In preparation for minor ear surgery, he had a chest X-ray which showed a small spot on his lung that wasn't there the year before. He had an Adrenal Gland biopsy, CT scan and PET scan...none of which showed cancer, thank God. We were told that because of his history of smoking, [he stopped 23 years prior] it must be assumed that he had Lung cancer. After researching lung cancer on the Internet, we learned that according to statistics, the general prognosis was not optimistic. Of course, I sent those emails and snail mails again requesting prayers for us. .
I've never ever prayed as much as I did before he finally had a Lobectomy, where a small cancer was found and removed. I'm still praying, but these are prayers of thanks that he is cancer free once again. God willing, we will participate again next year in the annual Cancer Relay for Life...
************************************
Déjà Vu
This is the email/snail mail that I sent this past week:
"As an adult have you ever experienced something that was so frightening that it made you feel that you were more vulnerable than ever before? If you answer yes... then you understand how we're doing right now.
Last Sunday evening we had to go to the Emergency Room because my husband, Sanford, had severe abdominal pain all day that did not respond to any pain medicines. The hospital admitted him so that tests could be done to find out what was going on inside.
Our family doctor told Sanford that he's the luckiest man in the world. When asked why he said that.. Dr. M. said he has never had a patient who survived 4 cancers and is about to survive the fifth.
Friday we saw the urologist and the news was not good.. Sanford is scheduled to have a cancerous kidney removed October 23...
And because we believe so strongly in the power of prayer, I am asking if you will please join us in prayer for him to survive this one too.
Some have said that we are lucky... ( I am also a cancer survivor)... but we feel that we are Blessed."
Bunni
You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own.
Monday, October 1, 2007
FLORIDA vs NEW YORK
After high school graduation, at the age of 17, I left Miami, FL and moved to New York City where I met and shortly after married my husband, Sanford.
We have been gifted with three lovely daughters, Pam, Toni and Colette.
When we retired to Florida after spending 48 years in NYC, I was somewhat surprised that I didn't have to make any adjustments, even though we live in a different Florida city... not the one in which I grew up. Some of my friends who have lived in Florida all of their lives told me that I would miss NYC, the changes of the season and the differences in the way of life, etc.. It didn't happen!! The one thing I miss about living in NYC are the friends that I left behind.
When we had our 50th High School reunion, I was really surprised that I could remember the names, but not the faces of most of my former classmates. I could have passed most of them on the street and not recognized them.
Some things that make living in FL so much better than living in NYC are:
There are no parking problems and expensive parking like there is everywhere in NYC... rarely is that a problem down here. There's always free parking when we go to a doctor's office, or a hospital, to a restaurant, to visit friends, to the bank, shopping, etc.. Businesses, homes and housing complexes all have free parking for visitors. There's no cold weather or snow here. The only time I feel cold is in my church or restaurants where the air conditioning is turned down too low. The heat is not a problem for us because our apartment has central air conditioning... We step outside our air conditioned apartment into our air conditioned car and wherever we go there's air conditioning unless we go to an outside event. There are beautiful green trees every where and most of the year blue skies with fluffy white clouds. We wake up in the morning to the sound of birds in the trees.
There was a hurricane here in Ft Lauderdale in 2005. It was the first one of that magnitude in over 50 years. And it really wasn't so bad, the worse thing that happened to us was that we had no electricity for 8 days... but many areas were without it for weeks. The city provided us seniors with ice, bottled water and emergency type meals. There's very little stress living down here. We don't have a mortgage or car payments. It seems like we have more control over our lives, which we didn't have in NYC. That may well be, because we pretty much do what we want, when we want and if we want.
Am I beginning to sound like the Chamber of Commerce?
We've been back for 13 plus years and yet, there are times while riding in the car that I still get a rush looking at the beautiful blue skies and green trees. At those times I'm reminded how blessed we are to be able to live here at this time in our lives, where our only real concerns are health issues, which we would have regardless of where we live. I often think of the words to that old song... "Summer time when the living is easy".
You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own.
We have been gifted with three lovely daughters, Pam, Toni and Colette.
When we retired to Florida after spending 48 years in NYC, I was somewhat surprised that I didn't have to make any adjustments, even though we live in a different Florida city... not the one in which I grew up. Some of my friends who have lived in Florida all of their lives told me that I would miss NYC, the changes of the season and the differences in the way of life, etc.. It didn't happen!! The one thing I miss about living in NYC are the friends that I left behind.
When we had our 50th High School reunion, I was really surprised that I could remember the names, but not the faces of most of my former classmates. I could have passed most of them on the street and not recognized them.
Some things that make living in FL so much better than living in NYC are:
There are no parking problems and expensive parking like there is everywhere in NYC... rarely is that a problem down here. There's always free parking when we go to a doctor's office, or a hospital, to a restaurant, to visit friends, to the bank, shopping, etc.. Businesses, homes and housing complexes all have free parking for visitors. There's no cold weather or snow here. The only time I feel cold is in my church or restaurants where the air conditioning is turned down too low. The heat is not a problem for us because our apartment has central air conditioning... We step outside our air conditioned apartment into our air conditioned car and wherever we go there's air conditioning unless we go to an outside event. There are beautiful green trees every where and most of the year blue skies with fluffy white clouds. We wake up in the morning to the sound of birds in the trees.
There was a hurricane here in Ft Lauderdale in 2005. It was the first one of that magnitude in over 50 years. And it really wasn't so bad, the worse thing that happened to us was that we had no electricity for 8 days... but many areas were without it for weeks. The city provided us seniors with ice, bottled water and emergency type meals. There's very little stress living down here. We don't have a mortgage or car payments. It seems like we have more control over our lives, which we didn't have in NYC. That may well be, because we pretty much do what we want, when we want and if we want.
Am I beginning to sound like the Chamber of Commerce?
We've been back for 13 plus years and yet, there are times while riding in the car that I still get a rush looking at the beautiful blue skies and green trees. At those times I'm reminded how blessed we are to be able to live here at this time in our lives, where our only real concerns are health issues, which we would have regardless of where we live. I often think of the words to that old song... "Summer time when the living is easy".
You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
GOOD TIMES AND A SAD TIME
I accidentally deleted this, my very first blog. It's kind of sad but sharing made me feel somewhat better.
It was a few months ago when I'd just learned of the demise of a very special friend of 39 years. His passing was such a shock and I was saddened even more when I learned that he died all alone in his house.
We met and became good friends in New York City when I went to work for Trans World Airlines. He had a great sense of humor and was always laughing. He was very kind, gentle, sweet and caring with a big heart. He frequently brought gifts back for me when he took trips to exotic places.
Back in the 1970s when he learned that we were going to Rio, he contacted a friend of his who lived there and told him that we were coming. His friend met us for dinner and took us clubbing and to the infamous Ipanema. Years ago when Lena Horn was performing in NYC he had bought tickets for him and his mother, but for some reason she couldn't make it so he took me instead.
In a sense, Charlie reminded me of "Dorian Gray" because of his remarkably well-preserved youth. He never seemed to age.
I don't recall what year it was or what was happening in my life at the time, but he gave me a note that he had been carrying in his wallet for many years... When he was quite young, his mother had written it and gave it to him. It was written in Spanish and I couldn't read it, but he told me that when his mom gave it to him, she said to always carry it and it would protect him so nothing bad couldhurt him.
We remained friends even after he relocated in San Francisco.
Once when Sanford and I went to SFO, he met us for lunch at the Embarcadero Hotel and brought me one of the largest and most beautiful roses ever. Another day, he prepared dinner for us... using all of his beautiful china and crystals...That's when he lived up on Telegraph Hill.. What a view he had..
He joined us when we celebrated our 25 wedding anniversary. I knew that he was coming down from San Francisco to help us celebrate again... however, the week prior to our 50th wedding anniversary, much to my surprise... one day he sent me flowers and a couple of days later he sent me chocolates... all of which he said was to relieve some of the tension that he knew I was experiencing. When we opened his gift all that we could hear were many ooohs and ahhhs...it was the most magnificent Waterford Crystal vase I'd ever seen... The day after our celebration, he left to return to San Francisco and that was the last time that I saw him...
You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own.
It was a few months ago when I'd just learned of the demise of a very special friend of 39 years. His passing was such a shock and I was saddened even more when I learned that he died all alone in his house.
We met and became good friends in New York City when I went to work for Trans World Airlines. He had a great sense of humor and was always laughing. He was very kind, gentle, sweet and caring with a big heart. He frequently brought gifts back for me when he took trips to exotic places.
Back in the 1970s when he learned that we were going to Rio, he contacted a friend of his who lived there and told him that we were coming. His friend met us for dinner and took us clubbing and to the infamous Ipanema. Years ago when Lena Horn was performing in NYC he had bought tickets for him and his mother, but for some reason she couldn't make it so he took me instead.
In a sense, Charlie reminded me of "Dorian Gray" because of his remarkably well-preserved youth. He never seemed to age.
I don't recall what year it was or what was happening in my life at the time, but he gave me a note that he had been carrying in his wallet for many years... When he was quite young, his mother had written it and gave it to him. It was written in Spanish and I couldn't read it, but he told me that when his mom gave it to him, she said to always carry it and it would protect him so nothing bad couldhurt him.
We remained friends even after he relocated in San Francisco.
Once when Sanford and I went to SFO, he met us for lunch at the Embarcadero Hotel and brought me one of the largest and most beautiful roses ever. Another day, he prepared dinner for us... using all of his beautiful china and crystals...That's when he lived up on Telegraph Hill.. What a view he had..
He joined us when we celebrated our 25 wedding anniversary. I knew that he was coming down from San Francisco to help us celebrate again... however, the week prior to our 50th wedding anniversary, much to my surprise... one day he sent me flowers and a couple of days later he sent me chocolates... all of which he said was to relieve some of the tension that he knew I was experiencing. When we opened his gift all that we could hear were many ooohs and ahhhs...it was the most magnificent Waterford Crystal vase I'd ever seen... The day after our celebration, he left to return to San Francisco and that was the last time that I saw him...
You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Today's Thoughts...On This, Our 59th Anniversary
As I looked back at the last 59 years, I was surprised at how much I don't remember... No one can say that I'm living in the past. Now I wish that I kept a journal.
Here are some of the more memorable times between 'Then and Now'
1946 - I graduated from BTW High School in Miami FL and moved to New York City.
1948 - Sanford and I switched from 'me to we' when we were married in my mother-in-law's apartment in NYC by her cousin, who was a minister.
1949 - Sandy, our first child was born and died 6 weeks later.
1950 - Pamela, our second child was born.
1953 - Toni, our third child was born.
1953 - We moved into Amsterdan Houses, a NYC housing project
1960 - Colette, our fourth child was born.
1963 - We moved into Inwood Gardens, a NYC Co-Op
1968 - I was hired by Trans World Airlines.
1972 - Bruce, our first grand child was born.
1973 - We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.
1977 - Sherrisse, our second grandchild was born.
1984 - Dorienne, our third grandchild was born.
1985 - I Retired [an early retirement buy-out] from TWA.
1991 - Noelle, our fourth/last grandchild was born.
1994 - We moved to Ft Lauderdale, Florida.
1998 - Jesenia, our first great grandchild was born.
1998 - We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.
1999 - Brandon, our second great grandchild was born.
2002 - Skaria, our third great grandchild was born.
2002 - Brian, our our fourth great grandchild was born.
2005 - We took our first family cruise.
In between 1994 and 2007 we became Cancer Survivors. Many say how lucky we are... but we think of ourselves as Blessed.
Several years ago I started to make a Friendship Quilt/Wall Hanging that will have the pictures of friends who will always have a special place in my heart. And for whatever reason... it sits in a box waiting for me to finish it. When I think about it or about someone who's picture will be there, I promise myself that 'I'm going to work on it in a few days'. I promise you... that I will post a picture of it here when it's finally finished.
Here are some of the more memorable times between 'Then and Now'
1946 - I graduated from BTW High School in Miami FL and moved to New York City.
1948 - Sanford and I switched from 'me to we' when we were married in my mother-in-law's apartment in NYC by her cousin, who was a minister.
1949 - Sandy, our first child was born and died 6 weeks later.
1950 - Pamela, our second child was born.
1953 - Toni, our third child was born.
1953 - We moved into Amsterdan Houses, a NYC housing project
1960 - Colette, our fourth child was born.
1963 - We moved into Inwood Gardens, a NYC Co-Op
1968 - I was hired by Trans World Airlines.
1972 - Bruce, our first grand child was born.
1973 - We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.
1977 - Sherrisse, our second grandchild was born.
1984 - Dorienne, our third grandchild was born.
1985 - I Retired [an early retirement buy-out] from TWA.
1991 - Noelle, our fourth/last grandchild was born.
1994 - We moved to Ft Lauderdale, Florida.
1998 - Jesenia, our first great grandchild was born.
1998 - We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.
1999 - Brandon, our second great grandchild was born.
2002 - Skaria, our third great grandchild was born.
2002 - Brian, our our fourth great grandchild was born.
2005 - We took our first family cruise.
In between 1994 and 2007 we became Cancer Survivors. Many say how lucky we are... but we think of ourselves as Blessed.
Several years ago I started to make a Friendship Quilt/Wall Hanging that will have the pictures of friends who will always have a special place in my heart. And for whatever reason... it sits in a box waiting for me to finish it. When I think about it or about someone who's picture will be there, I promise myself that 'I'm going to work on it in a few days'. I promise you... that I will post a picture of it here when it's finally finished.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Sometimes We Forget the Frailties of Aging
Or do we just take good health for granted?? As we age we accept that we can't move as quickly or gracefully...
do the many things that we once did... that our memory isn't as good as it use to be... and all the other limitations and changes that comes with age.
I had this brought home to me recently... Have pain that Tylenol didn't make go away.. the stiffness and joint pain increased.. have swollen hands, ankles and joint pains that were not here before...
In less than a month I've been seen by my Primary doctor, a Rheumatologist; a Cardiologist; had X-rays of my hands and wrists; had lab work done; had an Echocardiogram.. But not in that order.. I'm having a stress test next week and will return to the all of the above doctors and also a Pulmonologist... all before this month ends... It's a true wake up call.
I'm not complaining.. I still feel that I'm blessed.. You'll agree when you realize that that I paid less than $100 for all of the medical services mentioned above. When I look around me and see other seniors with more apparent/more serious health issues than I'm experiencing... I thank God for all of my blessings. There are just too many who have to choose between taking care of their health needs or paying rent or buying food.
do the many things that we once did... that our memory isn't as good as it use to be... and all the other limitations and changes that comes with age.
I had this brought home to me recently... Have pain that Tylenol didn't make go away.. the stiffness and joint pain increased.. have swollen hands, ankles and joint pains that were not here before...
In less than a month I've been seen by my Primary doctor, a Rheumatologist; a Cardiologist; had X-rays of my hands and wrists; had lab work done; had an Echocardiogram.. But not in that order.. I'm having a stress test next week and will return to the all of the above doctors and also a Pulmonologist... all before this month ends... It's a true wake up call.
I'm not complaining.. I still feel that I'm blessed.. You'll agree when you realize that that I paid less than $100 for all of the medical services mentioned above. When I look around me and see other seniors with more apparent/more serious health issues than I'm experiencing... I thank God for all of my blessings. There are just too many who have to choose between taking care of their health needs or paying rent or buying food.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Continuation of The Journey
Amtrak To & From Savannah
I was excited about and looking forward to riding a train and avoiding the hassle that we experience at airports these days... Not sure, specifically of what... but I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed.
I was pleased to see that there was lots of leg room between seats compared to coach seats on planes. On most planes long sleeves or a sweater/jacket is needed to be comfortable. I was in the isle seat going and the window seat returning. On the train going to Savanna, I can't ever remember being so cold while travelling... on a bus, train, ship or plane.
A woman travelling with some Girl Scouts complained about the cold to the conductor and he told her he would try to put the heat on because he couldn't change the temperature. After freezing about 5 hours the temperature became acceptable.
The passengers travelling to Florida or Georgia were seated in the last 2 passenger cars. The dining car and the club cars were near the front of the train. Which required us to walk through at least 6 cars to get to the dining car. I don't recall the trains rocking as much from side to side as it did this time... could be... because this time it was travelling at a higher speed...
The menu is much more limited than I recall in the good ole days. I was even more disappointed at the menu on the return trip.... they ran out of some items on the menu long before we got to the dining car... There was no apology... Our waiter responded "Oh we ran out of that a long time ago"... "no more chicken on the pizza.. Pepperoni is on it", etc.....
That and the freezing temperature in the coach that we were assigned made for a disappointing train trip...
Savannah was nice. We were joined there by our middle daughter who drove from Atlanta with her 2 granddaughters. We stayed in the Baymont Hotel in Garden City just outside of Savanna. The girls got a big kick out of us having adjoining rooms and the free breakfast. They also enjoyed the pool and hot tub..
We took the Black History Tour with a bus driver who is a native of Trinidad. He was just full of information about Savanna's black and white history.
We went to the beach on Tybee Island and found lots of Sand Dollars that were at least 3 inches in diameter. Fortunately the sun was not too hot without a beach umbrella.
On Tybee Island there is a very popular restaurant called The Crab Shack.. advertized all over Savannah... I was never so disappointed with the food... at any restaurant that I've eaten at... ANY where in the world! Plus the food was overpriced... not what one would/should expect in a place like that. In my opinion it was a tourist trap... I don't recommend it at all. There was nothing good about it.
One of the highlights of the trip was brunch at a restaurant called Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. We sat at tables that seated 10 people. The food was placed on the tables in large plates, bowls and platters. The foods served were: ham, fried chicken, Brunswick stew, candied sweet potatoes, okra and tomatoes, green lima beans, pork and beans, cabbage, rutabaga, white rice, red rice, black eye peas, string beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits and corn bread. Lemonade, sweet tea and unsweet tea. Banana pudding and blueberry cobbler were desert. Yummy!!!
The restaurant opens at 11 AM. It's located in the middle of the block and the line was halfway from the corner when we arrived about 10:30 AM.. Before we went inside, the line was all the way to and around the corner. The place seats about 100 people.. And those who didn't make the first seating had to stand outside until we finished eating. And no one appeared to rush to finish eating... The food was delicious!! Great country cooking!! I'd give it 4 stars. As we left... several people on their way to the restaurant asked us and others, if it was worth the wait. They were assured that it definitely was.
At this time, I don't think I'll be taking any more train rides... Unless it's on one of the luxury trains from Chicago to the West Coast.
I was excited about and looking forward to riding a train and avoiding the hassle that we experience at airports these days... Not sure, specifically of what... but I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed.
I was pleased to see that there was lots of leg room between seats compared to coach seats on planes. On most planes long sleeves or a sweater/jacket is needed to be comfortable. I was in the isle seat going and the window seat returning. On the train going to Savanna, I can't ever remember being so cold while travelling... on a bus, train, ship or plane.
A woman travelling with some Girl Scouts complained about the cold to the conductor and he told her he would try to put the heat on because he couldn't change the temperature. After freezing about 5 hours the temperature became acceptable.
The passengers travelling to Florida or Georgia were seated in the last 2 passenger cars. The dining car and the club cars were near the front of the train. Which required us to walk through at least 6 cars to get to the dining car. I don't recall the trains rocking as much from side to side as it did this time... could be... because this time it was travelling at a higher speed...
The menu is much more limited than I recall in the good ole days. I was even more disappointed at the menu on the return trip.... they ran out of some items on the menu long before we got to the dining car... There was no apology... Our waiter responded "Oh we ran out of that a long time ago"... "no more chicken on the pizza.. Pepperoni is on it", etc.....
That and the freezing temperature in the coach that we were assigned made for a disappointing train trip...
Savannah was nice. We were joined there by our middle daughter who drove from Atlanta with her 2 granddaughters. We stayed in the Baymont Hotel in Garden City just outside of Savanna. The girls got a big kick out of us having adjoining rooms and the free breakfast. They also enjoyed the pool and hot tub..
We took the Black History Tour with a bus driver who is a native of Trinidad. He was just full of information about Savanna's black and white history.
We went to the beach on Tybee Island and found lots of Sand Dollars that were at least 3 inches in diameter. Fortunately the sun was not too hot without a beach umbrella.
On Tybee Island there is a very popular restaurant called The Crab Shack.. advertized all over Savannah... I was never so disappointed with the food... at any restaurant that I've eaten at... ANY where in the world! Plus the food was overpriced... not what one would/should expect in a place like that. In my opinion it was a tourist trap... I don't recommend it at all. There was nothing good about it.
One of the highlights of the trip was brunch at a restaurant called Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. We sat at tables that seated 10 people. The food was placed on the tables in large plates, bowls and platters. The foods served were: ham, fried chicken, Brunswick stew, candied sweet potatoes, okra and tomatoes, green lima beans, pork and beans, cabbage, rutabaga, white rice, red rice, black eye peas, string beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits and corn bread. Lemonade, sweet tea and unsweet tea. Banana pudding and blueberry cobbler were desert. Yummy!!!
The restaurant opens at 11 AM. It's located in the middle of the block and the line was halfway from the corner when we arrived about 10:30 AM.. Before we went inside, the line was all the way to and around the corner. The place seats about 100 people.. And those who didn't make the first seating had to stand outside until we finished eating. And no one appeared to rush to finish eating... The food was delicious!! Great country cooking!! I'd give it 4 stars. As we left... several people on their way to the restaurant asked us and others, if it was worth the wait. They were assured that it definitely was.
At this time, I don't think I'll be taking any more train rides... Unless it's on one of the luxury trains from Chicago to the West Coast.
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