Savannah to Charleston, SC~April 25-May 2, 2025 COMPLETE

Great Bike Rides South Carolina Tour

We stayed downtown Savannah, within walking distance to the waterfront. We had a full day of sightseeing including the JW Marriott that had a museum on the first floor. The building used to be a power plant. This was our 2nd ride with “Great Bike Rides” with Simon Burrows. We started in Savannah so spent the first night there. Walked along the waterfront, went the JD Marriott which was once a power plant. The ground floor is now a free museum of a giant steel brontosaurus, lots of panels made of sliced geodes (lights behind) and marine paraphernalia. Very cool. 

We tried to eat at a shrimp shack nut it was too far from our hotel so ended up eating somewhere else on the way back to the hotel. The 2nd night we explored Broughton St, a pedestrian street with margaritas on tap & live entertainment. A fun street. We ate there at a fancy diner; it drizzled lightly on us but not a problem. After eating Bruce talked to a guy in the restroom

line who was from Minnesota & was in town to see Bonnie Raitt, who was performing at a nearby venue. So Bruce looked it up online & bought tickets for $7 each. Her show started in 30 minutes! So we walked quickly to the theatre, found our seats in the “nosebleed” section. The opening show was Maia Sharp who played folk music with acoustic guitar. Bonnie Raitt of courae was amazing, playing lots of her all time favorites. A fun night!

Stones cut open & made into lighted panels

Fragrant jasmine everywhere! (its also called Confederate Jasmine!)

A Highlander, just like Jamie (Outlander!)

Slavery trading post, now museum

The "City Market" was actually a fresh food market back in the day. It was 3-4 blocks long, brick arched and filled with venders. I bought a "Gullah" cookbook & some spices. Gullah was a black community that kept their African culture. 

Pedestrian only street, Broughton Ln, across from our hotel.  We enjoyed a daiquiri (one of many on the street) then walked to dinner here at Belfords. 

Waiting in line for the restroom, Bruce was talking to a guy from Wisconsin who was going to the Bonnie Raitt concert just down the street.  Opportunist that he is, Bruce jumped online & got us $7 tickets. We walked to the Johnny Mercer Theatre thinking we had nothing to lose if we didn't get in. We got in & sat in the nosebleed section but it was great fun! (Folks next to us paid over $300/ticket!)  Bonnie's lead performer was Maia Sharp,  who sang & played acoustic guitar.  I love her & Bonnie was great, too! A FULL night!

Dan (who we recognized from 2 years prior) picked us and the rest of the group up from our hotels and shuttled us to Old Town Bluffton, SC where we started our ride. We rode 8 miles around Bluffton and then went on a boat ride to Hilton Head Island.  It was pretty rough & rainy but the houses were huge & super fancy.

Alligator

Strangest looking lizard basking in the sun.

South Carolina oysters & mansion.

The Ravenal Bridge, which we will rode across on the last day.

Day 2- We rode along busy trails in Hilton Head in head winds but once we were about 8 miles out we turned around and rode back on the hard beach sand. What a blast!

Then on to Sea Pines at South Beach where we had a pickleball lesson. I really liked it! We learned about “the kitchen” where lots of volleys take place. Then we learned how to serve. It’s all in the knees! Then we actually played 2 on 2. Very fun! I’d do it again! 

Day 3 we rode to Beaufort where our first stop was at History Mitchelville community where we had a guide who explained that many descendants of West African slaves were brought over to work on rice & coffee plantations. Mitchelville was an isolated area where slaves could build & maintain an independent life. The slaves were able to preserve their African language & culture. Gullah is a blend of British, American, & West African culture, food, language, religion & traditions.

In the afternoon, we went on a horse drawn carriage ride around to see the plantations. We were warned the drivers talk really fast giving us tons of info. Robert Small was a slave owned by Henry & Jane McKee. He was released asa slave to become the McKee’s indentured servant. Mrs. McKee entrusted Robert & gave him quite a bit of freedoms. Robert Small served in the Confederate Army, was eventually became a captain & a US Congressman. In town, it was rumored that Robert was Henry McKee’s sone, explaining why he was given so many privileges. 

"The Hanging Tree"

The ONLY Trump sign we saw all week!

A boardwalk out to a look out.

The Spanish Moss Trail

That Ravenal bridge again.

We had our longest van ride from Beaufort to Charleston, staying at the Harbour View Hotel which was right across from the bustling boardwalk & harbour.

Crab omelette. I just couldn't help myself. Pretty yummy.

At the top of the Ravenal Bridge. 

In the afternoon, we boarded the "Schooner Pride," a 84 foot, 3 masted sailboat. I always love seeing attractions from the water.  We also saw Fort Sumpter, which was were the first shot of the Civil War was fired on april 12, 1861. From the water, we also saw Fort Moultrie, a seacoast defense during the American Revolution. 

On our last day, we went on a walking tour of Charleston. The old architecture was remarkable. Our guide showed us “single” houses,  which were narrow city homes that were 1 room wide & 2 rooms long. They often had “piazzas” which were side porches that faced north to get protection from the hot afternoon sun. The piazza included a privacy door which gave the owners access to their home but not everyone else. Once you opened the front door on the street, you entered the piazza and then entered the home through the privacy door. Clever design & ideal for homes right in the city. 

Example of a a single house & "haint" ceiling, painted light blue, like I did our front porch.

Tour of the place where slaves were traded.

More Scottish military wear...

Our last ride was a loop around Charleston, riding over the Ravenal Bridge & back to our hotel. I was nervous about riding on the city streets but the route took us through the quiet commercial area. We rode by the African American Museum which we visited the day before. 

Before our ride the last day, we went to the historic “market” which was an early version of a farmers market back in the early 1800’s. It had lots of African woven basketry which was exceptionally expensive. $600 for a trivet. I bought a Gullah cookbook & spices. We learned about Gullah on our first day in Beaufort where a guide took us through the first independent self governed African slave community in the area. Very exceptional, especially for this slave driven economy. 

A remarkable bike tour all around. It wasn't difficult which worked for both Bruce & I. The side attractions were exceptional. Thank you Simon & your great team!