Editor’s note: Mark Bradford is contributing occasional posts from his diary on traveling the country with his wife Wendy while they rent out their Mishawaka home for six months.
Day 122 of our 190 day sojourn
October 25 2023 — Tybee Island, heading for St. Augustine
This will be a travelogue focusing on Tybee Island, Georgia — 20 minutes south of Hilton Head, sort of.
Before this week, neither Wendy nor I had any idea what Tybee Island was. We didn’t even know where it was.
I knew Wendy wanted to go see Savannah, Georgia so I looked at the map and discovered this little island about five miles east of Savannah.
We found an Air BnB at the south end of the island. Although dated and located right next to a rather loud bar, it is also steps from the pier and to two great breakfast spots as well as the bicycle rental spot. It allowed dogs for no extra fee and so it is perfect for us.
The island is 3 miles long and less than a mile wide. You take Highway 80 out of the middle of Savannah and after 20 minutes or so of driving over bridges, you find yourself at the north end of Tybee. The drive to the south end is pretty quick. Only about 3-4 lights. The condos tend to be only 3-5 stories high. There is no Walmart. Instead there is an IGA and a whole lot of beachwear stores.
The main features of the island are fish restaurants and alcohol. Lots of alcohol. However, unlike Miami Beach or Key West, the Tybee streets during the off season empty out about 10 p.m., at least on the main party street, which is called Tybrisa.
On the North Shore, there are a couple of historical sites including a UNESCO Heritage site that addresses the slavery trade. It is next to a lighthouse.
We were not able to do much because everything was closed on Tuesday. So that was the day we chose to rent bicycles and ride around the island. Bicycling is really easy here because it is so flat and they have a designated bicycle route that takes you out of harm’s way and through the neighborhoods.
At least 10 percent of the homes are available for rent. There are not a lot of condos by comparison to the more popular beach areas, but they are all within walking distance of both sides of the island.
The people here are all pretty laid back and friendly. Unlike Miami, no one cares what kind of shoes you wear, and unlike Key West, you are not surrounded by the one-day cruise visitors who crowd into the beachwear stores and souvenir shops. .
Sunrise today was spectacular as was sunset last night. The weather has been sunny with temps between 45 and 70 in late October.
Think Saugatuck, Michigan as a comparison to this town, only throw out all the stores except restaurants, bars and swim apparel.
Since we are senior citizens, we had a great time. Now, on to St. Augustine.