Savannah GA

Savannah, a Southern Georgia FIRST city in full bloom has been our home for 3 days. Our park an urban island State Park just over the intra-coastal Atlantic waterway is the most private and beautiful location we have had to date. We are surrounded by oak trees with Spanish moss hanging down several feet, palm trees and large pine trees. Flowering shrubs and trees fill the street medians and sides of the roads and yards of private property. In 1733 this area was called Savannah by British settlers because of the vast marshland and tall grasses. The city was laid out by its original settlers with 21 park like squares in the historic district. These are tree-filled little parks that offer sanctuary and are surrounded by four and five story historic buildings. These have been restored to their original splendor and uniqueness.

Tybee Island Georgia.

Tybee is a tiny island located North of Skidaway island where we have stayed for 3 nights. This area of Georgia is beautiful with waving acres of tall grass with channels of water winding through and leading to the Atlantic Ocean. Fresh and salt water mix here. Many hundreds of years ago pirates landed here to secure fresh water, small game and to bury their plunder. A historical site, the light house can be toured. In 1736 when it was built it was considered the tallest building in America. At 90 feet high it marked the entrance to the Savannah river and warned ships of the Savannah coast line. Thursday March 23 we visited this island and treated ourselves to food at the CRAB SHACK. This certainly was an eclectic place as it is built out over the water on stilts with windows that can be removed to allow the ocean breezes to cool the customers. There is a large outside deck covered with overhanging branches and lighted by bulbs inside inverted bushel baskets. Customers can buy food to feed the alligators who are kept in a large pond beside the deck area.

Leaving Hattiesburg, MS

Saturday March 18 at noon we left the park that had been our home for more than 3 months. This was a sad thing to do because we had become attached to the people and the area. We travelled through parts of Alabama, Florida and up just over the State line into Georgia.


We stopped at Crooked River State Park. This park is on the Atlantic coast but is not beach front. Here beautiful expanses of tall grasses are interspersed with natural waterways. Since we arrived we have seen several falcons in the park and on our way back from seafood dinner in town last night we saw 3 opossums and a raccoon eating carrots and corn left for them.

Our RV location near the small coastal town of St. Marys is among pines with sweet-gum and magnolia trees. Spanish Moss drapes from the trees all through this beautiful natural retreat. On the down-side we are being inundated by tiny bugs (no-see-ums) and they bite. We are going into town to get bug spray.

So long Herman, see you next year!

Saying goodbye is a tough thing for us and we knew that our stay here was coming to an end.

Ruth and I had actually planned on staying at Paul B Johnson Park and had paid the park fees until the end of March.

In the morning of the 18th we thought that now would be a good time to pull out. We went to the Habitat site to see Herman and tell him what our plans were.

To the students from Guelph, Smith County and Boston College it might be of interest to you that Herman and one of the partners Don were starting the floor framing on lot 2. The house on lot 1 is up and the asphalt paper is nailed to the roof sheeting The house is DRY!

Here are some photos of the house and of Herman.

Ready to go to Iraq

Ready to go!

Our park became home for several military families from Minnesota this past week. Because it is close to camp Shelby it was convenient for them to use it as they said so long to their loved ones who is shipping out to Iraq to serve for the next year. We had the pleasure of meeting Jim, Marilyn and Derek Fry. Two of Jim and Marilyn's grandchildren were thrilled to play disc golf with their uncle Derek. They joined their son Derek for different events at Camp Shelby. They had their tent next to our RV as no sites were available. The state of Minnesota provided all the refreshments including two inch steaks for the 2500 Minnesota troops and all their guests. The whole family displayed true patriotic spirit. Below is a picture of Derek with his mother and father.

Boston College Students

During their Spring Break 14 students from BOSTON COLLEGE worked at the Habitat site. This was a week of unbearable temperatures and high humidity so working at the Habitat site in a sheltered, low lying area proved that they could stick to the job.

After flying from Boston to New Orleans and traveling by rented van to Hattiesburg they were given accommodation in a house owned by a downtown church. They had to be very frugal with their meals. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for 14 hungry workers require a lot of effort for one or two people to make so the jars and the bread were brought to the build site. Knives are essential.
A very heavy laminated porch beam was put into position, scaffolding was built and installed and the 4x8 sheets of ply for the roof were lifted up on top of the scaffold as well as gopher work around the job site was completed during their week long stay. Somehow a couple of BUTT RESTS were constructed for those who needed it.

An evening in the Paul B Johnson State park was enjoyed by everybody. From the carrot and celery sticks, to marshmallows roasted over a very tiny camp fire, through improvised cinder block and plank seats right to the end of the 2 stick cross or uncross game there was a lot of laughter.

Herman, Audrey and their 4 children joined the 14 Boston College students and Ruth and Jannich for this Wednesday night "make your own fun" get together. The evening concluded with everybody holding hands in a circle and voicing what was the best part of the day.

Thanks to these spontaneous young adults a good time was had by all and the Habitat for Humanity Build site got a boost!

SPRING BREAK is not always celebrated on a beach in Florida!

Smith County Students

After commuting 1 3/4 hours from Smith county near Jackson Mississippi to the Habitat job site the new workers not only provided labour skills but lunch for themselves, Herman and Jannich. Their day started shortly after 7 AM for these grade 10 and 11 students. They combined the learning of house construction with expanding their work ethic and mastering the use of basic measuring skills.

Accompanied by their teachers and parent volunteers besides learning how to build in a hands on manner they got a handle on social behaviours that are acceptable on the job site. This must have been a positive experience for them as they came back several days and were eager to learn. From installing wallboard to carrying heavy lumber it was great to be part of having youth work with "mature" adults. We learned together. Thank you students teachers and volunteers. We hope to see some of you again next year.