Twenty members of the Colley Senior Complex returned home Thursday night, tired but enlightened to the history of the Old South.

The tour group left Tuesday for the historic city of Savannah, Georgia, and found the city to be as charming and entertaining as the travel brochures claimed.

“The trip to Savannah was the ‘big trip’ of the year for the Colley Senior Complex. It was everything we hoped it would be and more,” said Catherine Jordan, complex director.

Each year the Colley Senior Complex offers several day trips to the senior adults and one overnight trip.

“We charter a bus for the overnight trips so our senior have a comfortable ride and enjoyable trip from start to finish,” Jordan said.

The “big trip” offered through the Colley Senior Complex has most often been to see the fall foliage in North Alabama or other northern sections of the South.

“But this year we decided to go the Savannah and take in some the history of the city,” Jordan said. “We were not disappointed with our decision.”

The tour of the city included the historic downtown area and the seafront.

“We took a tour on a paddle boat and experienced the river, which is the lifeblood of Savannah. We got to see dolphins in the water,” Jordan said. “We toured the harbor where a sea captain told us tales related to the harbor and also about the modern-day port that is visited by ships from all over the world.”

The Colley Complex Seniors visited Old Fort Jackson, which features some of the oldest artillery pieces in the country, Jordan said.

“We ate dinner at Huey’s on the River, which is a famous seafood restaurant,” she said. “While we ate, we watched the cargo ships on the river. It fascinating.”

The Troy tourists toured historic downtown Savannah by trolley and learned much about the architecture and culture of Old Savannah.

“At each trolley stop, there was something of interest,” Jordan said. “We went to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist and The City Market. We ate at another famous restaurant, The Cotton Exchange. And, because we were so close to Hilton Head, we went to the Folly Field Beach.”
Jordan said the “big trip” to Savannah was indeed a big trip. It was historic and just plain fun.
The next trip planned through the Colley Senior Complex is to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s “Broadway Under the Stars” on September 6.

“We will enjoy a picnic at Blount Cultural Park and a concert under the stars presented by the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra,” Jordan said. “In March, 2017, we will offer a three-night, four-day cruise to Cozumel.”

For information about the Shakespeare day trip, the cruise, and other trips and activities offered through the Colley Senior Complex, call 334-808-8500.