What happens when you finally stop waiting for life to happen? There is a big backstory to this trip that I want to get into at some point, but for now… Just the fun stuff.

“Oh, a seven hour car ride won’t be that bad!” … That’s what I thought when I first planned my vacation this year. And, in reality, it’s not bad, but it’s not good either. The first four hours went by pretty quickly but my back started to contort and mishaps on me the last three. Grace Kelly (my dog) is great company and all, but the poor girl can’t speak so that’s a real drag sometimes.

Alas, we arrived in St. Simons last night about an hour later than expected because of a traffic jam outside of Atlanta. Still, it was early and I hadn’t eaten anything but stocking stuffer trail mix so I went out in search of some food. I settled on Southern Soul Barbeque – the restaurant was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Drives, close to the resort, and what southern girl doesn’t like some BBQ on a Thursday night? The restaurant is settled back off of the road, wooden picnic benches wait for patrons under a large overhang… Colored lights and nostalgic memorabilia decorate the unassuming inside. It was one of those places you know is going to be good before you taste anything. Their BBQ was tender and had its own flavor instead of being smoked to death and coming back to haunt me for the next 12 hours. Their mac and cheese was some of the best I’ve ever had – somehow they manage to put these decadent swirls of creamy cheese into the mix without it being overpowering or sickening. They have their own special selection of sauces ranging from sweet and savor to hot and spicy. I settled on the Sweet Georgia sauce – it’s tomato based, but very reminiscent of a honey mustard. It was sweet, but strong. I’m making myself hungry again… I would highly recommend checking Southern Soul if you get down to the area.

Today has been a little bit of an adventure. Those little crazy things that always seem to happen to only me made sure to pop up in the day. When I first booked the hotel, of course I was sure Grace Kelly would be welcomed and it would be a good fit for us to stay and for her to be out on the beach, etc. What I didn’t expect was the whole town seems to be extremely dog friendly. I’ve seen more people with dogs than with children. So, I haven’t done a post about my dog but here is what you need to know: I’m obsessed. She has her own Instagram (IG: gracekellythecavalier), she goes everywhere with me… Typical crazy dog lady stuff. Anyway, I digress. So, I go downtown today to the St. Simons Pier area that also is home to their lighthouse museum. There is a park overlooking the ocean, mossy trees to be climbed, and two rows of shops and restaurants. The first shop we went into, Ronne’s, was very welcoming to us and let us know all of the shops were dog friendly. The shop keeper suggested a couple of restaurants for us to try as well. Everyone I talked to was so welcoming and kind and just loved all over Grace Kelly – it made visiting all of the shops very relaxing and enjoyable.

Okay, so the crazy stuff. The downtown area has a strip of shops that are essentially tiny little beach cottages… There are probably 8 or so of them on a porch. Very cute. I had checked them out and stepped off the last porch step and called for Grace Kelly to follow me because I could tell she wasn’t walking behind me. I turn around to see her dangling by her NECK off this porch. God knows how this stuff happens, but I about lost it. I had a dog die that way when I was a kid – don’t ask, it was traumatic as you can imagine. Somehow she had managed to get her leash wrapped at the top of the step and then did this Kung Fu Panda maneuver that rendered her hangman style. It was something out of a movie with her little body hanging at least a foot off the ground… I’ve never moved so fast in my life. Maybe my dog is depressed and she did it one purpose… We’ll never know.

I decided to check out one of the suggested restaurants, the 4th of May, on the corner of the strip. All of the restaurants have outdoor seating which works out great when you travel with your pet. The waitress suggested the Fried Green Tomato BLT… is it weird I’ve lived in the south my whole life and never have eaten a fried green tomato until today? What have I been missing!? That sandwich was probably one of the best things I have ever eaten… Ever. The breading couldn’t have been more perfect – it was thin and crisp… It held the tomatoes perfectly… Not messy or soggy or overly juicy. The bacon was thick and crisp. They added the right touch of mayo – just enough to give some flavor instead of swimming in it and dark, leafy lettuce instead of a cheap slice of iceberg. It was decadent for a great little southern style sandwich. I ate half and took the rest with me… Which would have made the perfect dinner except for what happened next. I’m at a crosswalk… waiting… I’ve got a take out box, Grace Kelly’s leash, and a small bag in my hands. This doesn’t sound complicated, right? Right… It wasn’t, until the wind decided to be a show off and literally take the box out of my hand. And, that wasn’t embarrassing enough as all these cars are sitting at the intersection. No, then the box has to open in mid air and my sandwich comes flying out and smacks the pavement – sending bacon and a fried green tomato to their gravely deaths. I was pissed because my sandwich was gone, but I was also saw people staring at me with their mouths hanging open at what had transpired. I should have just walked away, but no, I had to run out into the middle of the road and PICK UP THE SANDWICH and the box. I couldn’t leave it there… So here I am, scrounging the remnants of my food off the road and dragging Grace Kelly behind me while I do it. Thank God there was a trash can next to me so I could pitch my mess and move on and not look anyone in the eye.

… I don’t know what I will do tomorrow, but I wish for no more spilled food or the attempted suicide of my dog.