As you can probably tell from the dates of this and the last post I made, I’ve been away for a while! I was completely off-the-grid for over a week recently, and am just beginning to resurface. The reason for my absence? Vacation.

My wife and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary by taking a trip to Savannah, GA, and Charleston, SC. Neither of us had been there before, but after just a week I can guarantee we’ll be back! What great cities- the history, charm, people, character, and vibes! But I can also guarantee that when we go back, it won’t be during the summer! Wow, was it hot! In the 90’s everyday, with suffocating humidity… but, it was worth it!

Due to the heat and the fact that we were there right at the summer solstice, I knew I would need to get out really early to get the good light. So, almost everyday, I rolled out of bed around 5:45, which isn’t very vacation-like, according to my wife , but I enjoyed it. It’s rare nowadays that I get that kind of free-time to shoot, much less in new surroundings!

I just finished processing most of the photos and wanted post a few of my faves here. You can also check out my 24-photo slideshow on Flickr. My focus was primarily on the details that gave the cities their charm, rather than sweeping vistas…

You learn something new every day…

I know I’ve learned a lot since my last post, especially considering I experienced so many new things since then. But the one thing that I keep coming back to in my head for having “learned” during this time is actually something I already “knew”… Bright orange Ford Mustangs are easily noticed by, and in fact are targets for, cops!

Our rental car turned out to be such a car. I had reserved a standard, intermediate-sized sedan, but found it hard to refuse the allure of an American muscle car when it was dangled in front of me at no extra charge. I just should have thought it through a little more… I tend to drive a little faster than I “should”, we were in a new state, in the deep South, where they apparently don’t take too kindly to “Northerners”, and I’d effectively be piloting a glowing beacon around!

But who has time for rational thought when the keys to your childhood dream car are hanging like a carrot on a stick in front of your face?

I caved. But it wasn’t until the penultimate day that fate reared its head in the form of flashing lights in my rear-view mirror. To be fair, the police officer was extremely nice, especially considering a “Northerner” was doing 71 in a 55. Ooops! But, he let me go with a warning on the condition that I take my wife out for a nice dinner that night, which of course I did.

So, what did I learn? I will never again rent one of these…