Roadtrip Recap 2/21/12

Good Lord, can't believe it's Tuesday already and I'm just now catching up on my blog about my roadtrip.  It's been crazy since I got back, lots of writing to do and getting ready to head back to MO.  I'll try to hit the high points and not bore you silly with all the details, BUT IT WAS A FABULOUS TRIP!

• Even though I left early on Saturday, still got caught in the Myrtle Beach Marathon and had to drive about 20 miles out of my way.  So the trip started out with much cussing.
• Beaufort, SC, was a dream town.  Literally, like something from a dream.  The old narrow streets topped by Angel Oaks with Spanish Moss hanging down.  The homes were quaint and welcoming, with the front doors near the street, as if saying "come on in."  Found Tidalholm, where "The Big Chill" was filmed.  Couldn't get close as it's a private residence and behind huge iron gates, but it was just like I was in the movie.  I could picture the scenes playing out right in front of me.  Got a few pictures to prove I was there.
• The Historic District on Bay Street had cutesy shops and funky cafes, behind was a lovely park with brick walkways bordering the bay that comes in from the Intracoastal Waterway.  Touristy and loud on Bay Street, with church people hawking Jesus on the corners, still and peaceful sitting by the bay.  Would love to come back and spend more than a couple hours here.
• Savannah, what a crazy tri-polar town.  The River District is wild with nightlife and drunks.  The Historic District is stately with family-named homes and ornate architecture and horse-drawn carriage tours.  Then down South, at least on Abercorn Street where my hotel was, it's any-urban-sprawl-type-town in America.  Loved the tour of the Mercer-Williams House Museum, although I would have loved even more to have had a cocktail on the veranda or to sit in Jim William's chair in his study where he fired the gun than just to hear about paintings and antiques.  Still I got the feeling at times that I was there when John Berendt, author of "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil", was strolling through the house with Jim Williams, learning the sordid tales of Mercer House and Savannah and how to play Psycho Dice.
• Had a late lunch at Clary's Cafe, where John Berendt used to breakfast after his morning jogs.  It was just like he described it.  Had a delicious egg salad sandwich, one of their specialities.  Got a snap of Clary's, too, to remember her by. 
• And finally, The Lady Chablis show was FABULOUS!!  I got stuck in the middle of a bridal posse, complete with t-shirts that identified who they were in the posse, including "Mother of the Bride" and "Pastor's Wife."  They were party girls, now.  Curious -- no "Mother of the Groom" in sight.  Was she not invited?  Trouble in marital paradise already??  I did not get enough of Chablis, she had her drag queens perform a lot during her show, but what I did get of her was:  gun-shot quick comebacks to anything the audience could throw at her; raunchy hilarious comedy; gorgeous outfits that made her look like the most beautiful woman in the world (I would kill to have her sculpted arms!!); and a wonderfully talented performer that I could have watched all night long.
• So, all in all it was a final fling roadtrip dream!!  You'll have to buy my memoir -- Life Gone South (how I ran away from home to live at the beach and be a writer) -- to find out more.  Hopefully available in stores soon.  As soon as I find an agent.  And finish the dayum thing.