Sandy Toes Goes..... to Tybee Island

Hints of spring are everywhere.  The days are getting longer and the trees are getting ready to burst out in their new spring coats. 

Cabin fever had set in after the two months or so of cold, really cold weather and I was looking for a change of scenery.  Road trip!

We packed up for a girls' weekend and set off for Savannah.  The weather forecast was just perfect for late February and a nice warm sunny day was just what the toes needed.

We headed out to Tybee Island just on the outskirts of Savannah and had a great picnic on the beach.  Behind us, we could see the Tybee Island Light Station.

The Tybee Island Light Station was ordered in 1732 by General James Oglethorpe, and construction began in 1736.  The original lighthouse was destroyed by a storm in 1741.  The Tybee Lighthouse has been rebuilt several times.  Renovation of the lighthouse and its five acres which includes the Head Keepers Cottage began in 1999.

It was such a gorgeous day that we decided to climb the lighthouse.  After paying for our tickets at the adorable gift shop, we started our climb.  The climb is done in single file and your feet will touch 178 stairs as you wind around and around to the top. 

The view is spectacular.  I, for one, was thrilled to have a window to look out of at each landing as our group paused so some of us could catch our breath!  The catwalk around the top of the lighthouse is not one for those who may have a little issue with heights, but it's worth the climb.  Just don't look down!

Take time on your next trip to Savannah to drive the short distance out to Tybee and enjoy the scenery and tour the lighthouse.

I think I must go back soon.  My only regret was I didn't have the time to check out to see if the old Sugar Shack is still on the island.  Ahh, now those are some great memories.

Sandy Toes

Photos used with permission

-----
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG @FayetteFP

Asheville Moves Mountains for Atlanta

/PRNewswire/ -- Asheville's edgy mountain culture is moving to the big city. Every day for 30 days in March, Atlantans will experience the sights, sounds and flavors of an Asheville vacation during 30 Days of Asheville. No need for Groupon—we're talking FREE events, goodies and surprises…from Asheville, with love.

30 Days of Asheville is a full month of events to tempt Atlanta travelers including free hot air balloon rides, artisan food tastings, brew tap takeovers, farm-fresh cooking classes, film screenings and a flash mob surprise from the Asheville Drum Circle.

Visit 30DaysofAsheville.com for the full calendar of events, giveaways and classes.

Daily tips and updates are available on Facebook and Twitter via @AshevilleDeals (Hashtag: #Ashlanta). Text "AVL" to 23157 to receive event information via SMS updates.

-----
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG @FayetteFP

Hay House Presents the 18th Annual Macon Gardens, Mansions & Moonlight, April 29 - May 1, 2011

/PRNewswire/ -- Enchanting Secret Gardens and delightful Moonlight Tours await your discovery during Macon Gardens, Mansions & Moonlight. Recently named one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, this premier home and garden event, now in its 18th year, will be hosted by Hay House April 29-May 1, 2011 in historic Macon, Georgia. Amble at your leisure through blooming private gardens in the Ridge Avenue area during the ever-popular Secret Garden Tour. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Moonlight Tour offers guests romantic garden strolls at twilight and visits to home interiors as well. During the weekend, ticket holders will receive a complimentary tour of Hay House, featuring the newly restored Dining Room.

FREE Garden Market!

Nestled among historic magnolias and camellias, the Garden Market returns to the beautiful lawn of Hay House in the heart of downtown Macon. Browse charming vendor booths for flowering plants and trees, perennials, garden and patio accessories, birdhouses, home accents, and much more!

Garden Market Hours: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

FREE Gardening Seminars!

The 2011 Keynote Speaker is James T. Farmer, III. Traditional Home, Southern Living, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, as well as the bestselling book, The Private Gardens of Georgia, all have featured Farmer's work. Visit www.jamesfarmer.com for great ideas for spring!

April 30, 11 a.m.
From Garden to Kitchen to Table: Food and Flowers for Living

May 1, 2 p.m.:
Hydrangeas Galore! Hydrangeas for Every Day of the Year

Secret Garden Tour - $15 in advance*/$20 day of
April 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
April 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
May 1, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Moonlight Tour - $15
April 29, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
April 30, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

* Advance Ticket Sales April 1-28:
Riverside ACE Hardware: 3600 Riverside Drive, Macon
Wesleyan ACE Hardware: 5020 Forsyth Road, Macon
Rutland ACE Hardware: 6173 Houston Road, Macon
ACE Hardware of Gray: 243 West Clinton Street, Gray
Circle ACE Hardware: 215 S. Commercial Circle, Warner Robins
ACE Hardware of Perry: 1345 Sam Nunn Boulevard, Perry
Creter's, 2374 Ingleside Avenue, Macon
Online at www.HayHouse.org
Hay House, 934 Georgia Avenue

-----
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG @FayetteFP

Delta, Atlanta Braves Announce SkyMiles Medallion Lot at Turner Field

/PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and the Atlanta Braves today announced the opening of the Delta SkyMiles Medallion Lot at Turner Field, making over 500 convenient parking spaces available to SkyMiles Medallion members.

The Delta-branded lot – a portion of the current Green Parking Lot – will be located directly across from the main entrance to Turner Field at the corner of Hank Aaron Drive and Ralph D. Abernathy Drive. Members show their Medallion card to gain access to the lot and pay the normal rate for parking.

"Delta has had a longstanding partnership with the Braves and all Braves fans making the addition of the SkyMiles Medallion Lot a natural extension of our efforts to provide Delta customers with superior service and amenities," said Tim Mapes, Delta Senior Vice President Marketing. "This is the latest in a long line of Delta actions reinforcing our role as Atlanta's hometown airline."

The Delta SkyMiles Medallion Lot will be available starting with the Braves scheduled exhibition games at Turner Field on March 29 and 30. Their home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies is set for 7:35 p.m. ET, Friday, April 8, 2011.

Delta is the official airline of the Atlanta Braves and provides the team's charter service. Delta and the Braves have been partners since the team moved to Atlanta in 1966.

-----
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG @FayetteFP

Delta Eliminates SkyMiles Expiration

/PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced it has eliminated the SkyMiles mileage expiration, creating a new industry-leading benefit for all members. This program change is effective for all accounts as of Jan. 1, 2011, and makes Delta the only major U.S. carrier without mileage expiration.

Previously, miles expired 24 months after a member's last qualifying mileage activity, which required a member to earn or redeem miles within that period.

"Now that our massive frequent flyer program integration is complete, we are focused on smart ways to improve the SkyMiles program for all members," said Jeff Robertson, Delta's vice president – SkyMiles. "We know how much customers value their miles, so eliminating mileage expiration is a major win for them. This is yet another benefit that sets us apart from the pack, making Delta a clear leader in loyalty program benefits."

This change is the latest of several enhancements made to the SkyMiles program in the last year including the new Diamond Medallion tier with complimentary lounge access and Rollover Medallion Qualification Miles. These features complement other recent changes such as the elimination of all award redemption fees and a free first checked bag on Delta flights for Gold, Platinum and Reserve Delta SkyMiles credit card holders from American Express.

Members can look forward to more in 2011, including significant improvements to delta.com such as an upgraded award travel calendar, improved booking process and better flight information displays. Additionally, Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members can expect several new benefits when flying select alliance partner airlines – including Air France, KLM, Alitalia and Alaska Airlines.

Now in its 30th year, SkyMiles is one of the longest-running and most successful loyalty programs in the travel industry. Last year, frequent flyers redeemed more than 264 billion miles in the SkyMiles program for more than 12 million award redemptions. In 2010, 8.3 percent of revenue miles flown on Delta were for award travel. Delta offers more ways to redeem frequent flyer miles than any other airline, including airline tickets, mileage upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, Delta Sky Club memberships, merchandise and more than 30 types of gift cards. SkyMiles was named "Best Domestic Frequent Flyer program" for 2007 through 2010 by readers of Executive Travel magazine and "Best Frequent Flyer Program" for 2006 through 2010 by Business Traveler magazine. For more information on the SkyMiles program, Medallion status and mileage redemption options, visit delta.com/skymiles.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 357 destinations in 66 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 75,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world's largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Delta is investing more than $2 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

All SkyMiles program rules apply to SkyMiles program membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption and travel benefits. The rules are subject to change. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide. Taxes for Award Travel are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is booked. Award Travel seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Alliance partner airline benefits subject to change and subject to the terms and conditions of each partner. Offers and benefits subject to change without notice.

-----
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG @FayetteFP

Special Olympics Georgia Has Folks Freezin' for a Reason

/PRNewswire/ -- The coolest event to hit the Metro Atlanta area promises to bring plenty of chills and thrills Saturday, February 19th at Lake Lanier Islands Beach & Water Park in Buford, Georgia. There are more than 250 plungers registered and more than $34,000 has already been raised. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Georgia.

Plungers will brave the chilly weather and water all while wearing swimsuits or zany costumes. The Polar Plunge is 2 p.m., and the gates will open at 11 a.m. Other highlights include food, music, costume contests, a bounce house, dunking booths, Special Olympics athlete appearances and warm drinks and heaters. Also, Lake Lanier Islands Resorts is waiving the gate fee for plungers and spectators.

All you have to do is raise a "bear" minimum of $50 in pledges (or as a personal donation) to plunge. Then you also receive a commemorative Plunge Long Sleeve T-Shirt. Additional event incentives are available for those raising $150 and above.

This year's Polar Plunge is presented by Lake Lanier Islands Beach & Water Park and Star94 FM,
and is supported by Marietta Wrecker, Dutch Walters Photography, SilvAd Promotions, State Farm, Iron Sky, and Bass Pro.

It's not too late to sign up! For more information or to register, please visit www.PolarPlungeGA.com or call the Plunge Hotline at (770) 414-9390 x 115.

-----
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG @FayetteFP