“Jim” Lucas Theatre, Savannah
Well, the photo says it all. While walking around the historic downtown, we stumbled on this beautiful, restored old theatre called the Lucas.
Here’s the story of the restoration and a few photos: In 1986 the owners obtained a demolition permit and made arrangements to turn the once thriving Lucas Theatre into a parking garage. The news motivated a group of Savannah citizens who founded The Lucas Theatre for the Arts. The group pooled their resources, purchased the building and began what would be a $12 million restoration.
With a starting budget of $3 million and a looming workload ahead, the nonprofit Lucas Theatre for the Arts planned to restore the building in just a few years’ time. Several feet of water stood in the seating area, boxes were torn off the wall, all the seats were removed, the roof was leaking and the building had been stripped of its fixtures, all making the original estimated budget overly optimistic.
Supported by donations from Savannahians and celebrities such as Kevin Spacey, Clint Eastwood and the cast and crew of the film “Forrest Gump,” the complete restoration spanned nearly 13 years.
Savannah
We’ve passed Savannah on all previous trips, electing to stay on our course up, or down, the ICW. After spending a day there, I’m sorry we haven’t stopped previously. It is a short cab ride from our marina in Thunderbolt. About 7 miles ($15). It is, as they say, a walking city if the weather is right, and our weather was great. I won’t go on about the history, but here are some of our photos of the beautiful squares in the very organized historic downtown.
St. Augustine – Savannah
Cruising solo now. North Florida into southern Georgia. The weather is just perfect. Cool at night, warm days. Very little boat traffic on the ICW. I’ve only encountered 3 boats in 4 days. Endless marsh and winding rivers/creeks.
Anchored out two nights and arrived Savannah on the third day. You can see the huge boat repair building of Thunderbolt for miles as you approach from the South. This is a great marina. Nice docks. Helpful staff. Tubby’s is right down the road. Try the Moon River on draft. I had several.
Rascal Rabbitt
Three’s a crowd. Who said that anyway? Annie and I have cruised successfully for several years now with few issues. How many people can you think of that you want to spend 24-7 on a 37ft boat? Sometimes for months at a time. But, the introduction of this bunny into our floating paradise is just too much. First, the cabin demands. Special food. Who can live on pellets, parsley and dates? And that little twitchy nose, always up in the air like some sea-bunny-snob. The bunny takeover was not appreciated by this writer. Who’s the captain here anyway? The bunny mutiny started harmlessly at first.
I was having trouble with the Navigation computer. We have several computers and GPS devices on board, but trip planning is generally done on the laptop. As you can see above, I have evidence that the bunny deliberately unplugged the GPS from the computer in act of blatant sabotage.
My only hope is that Annie breaks free from Audrey’s manipulative influence. Here’s another shot taken by a special bunny observation cam of Audrey taking the wheel of Seadee, with Annie’ assistance, while I was down below. That cute little bunny has cast a spell on us. The truth is, I miss them both
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Hare Raising Voyage
The fall weather couldn’t have been more beautiful for Audrey Hopburn’s first voyage aboard Seadee. Lucky for us she drove most of the way and navigated the rest. Now all we have to do is teach her how to handle lines and talk on the radio. ”What’s up Dock?”
Admiral Audrey concentrating on piloting our vessel into port.
Audrey stayed on top of the navigation.
Audrey surveys her cabin and dreams of bigger beds at home.
Merritt Island Weather
