The Packing List: Savannah + Tybee Island
The first time I went to Georgia, it was to go to a work conference in Atlanta. I had plenty of preconceived notions about the south because I can be an elitist dick. I didn’t see much of Atlanta, since I spent most of my time in the convention center, but I will say, I ate some great food. It was close to Thanksgiving, and when it was time to check out of my hotel, the woman at the front desk asked me if I’d be cooking for the holiday.
I snorted. “I’m pretty sure my family would prefer it if I didn’t cook.”
She looked at me. Gave me a once-over. “Well, at least you have your looks.”
And my preconceived notions went unchallenged.
I’ve been to the south a few times since then — I don’t even count Florida since that’s its own wild world — most recently to Charleston. I still don’t feel entirely comfortable when I am down there because, you know, Confederate flags, but I’ve softened a bit on the judgment. The food is good, the architecture is cool, and there are beaches.
We had an awesome time in Charleston, and it seemed like everyone was telling us its sister city was Savannah, GA. I made a mental note, and then of course, COVID hit, and any immediate travel plans were put on hold. 2020 also happened to be the 30th anniversary of my oldest friendship with Carly of Brianna Goes West fame. In 2010, we took a lovely anniversary vacation to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and we hoped to do something similar in 2020. Now Carly lives in Georgia, so we are meeting up in Savannah and heading to the beaches of Tybee Island for a belated 30th anniversary trip — a 31st anniversary trip, if you will.
If there’s one thing I learned in Charleston, it’s that summer in the south feels somehow significantly worse than summer in Baltimore. The temperatures look similar, and Maryland is no stranger to humidity, but there is something completely oppressive and inescapable about humidity in the south. I am 100 percent prepared to sweat through everything I wear, so here’s what I am packing for Savannah and Tybee Island!
Have you been to Savannah or Tybee? Send your recs my way!
-Staci
