May 13-17 Lotts Island. Savannah, GA
Last night at Mayport we had a quiet night just hanging out. Dad turned on the fire since the temperature was dropping and we cuddled. This morning Dad took me to a very soggy dog park. I didn’t mind. I love water unless it’s bath time. Then I cozy up to dad to protect me; he doesn’t cooperate. Darn it!
Dad said we didn’t have to hurry this morning since we only have 112 miles. We didn’t take off until after 10 with the drizzle not letting up. A very grey day, think I’ll sleep. Mom is going over all the great places, tours and restaurants that Myra and Paul South sent us. Their daughter Whitney got married there a few years ago while M & D haven’t been there in a very long time.
We arrived early and thankfully the weather improved as we headed North. By the time M & D had SA set up, the sun was out and it was in the low 70’s with low humidity, my idea of perfect weather!!! Mom is calling this small RV park a hidden gem. Other than hookups, and WiFI we had no other amenities, but I had space to play ball right by our site. Perfection!
We have a mall within walking distance out the gates. Other than the occasional helicopter overhead, all we are hearing are birds and insects. (Fortunately, no cicada sightings yet.) Mom and dad left me to go eat at a southern cafe, Sweet Potato. They said the food was fantastic, but didn’t bring me any, so I wouldn’t know?
We got ready faster than usual to catch the Oliver Bentley Walking Dog Tour in downtown Savannah. We walked for an hour and a half and I was on overdrive…so many squirrels that M & D wouldn’t let me chase. At least I had two other dog buddies along with me.
The First Independent Presbyterian Church is copy of a New England one. No one ever accused the Presbys of being creative...but it is the tower in Forrest Gump where the feather fell from...also showing just some of the 20 parks
The sign to your right is where the Forrest Gump bench use to be...they had to take it out due to so many tourists taking photos and blocking traffic...
What a beautiful city with all the old architecture. Loved all the wrought iron everywhere!!! Very much like “Nawlins” or Charleston according to mom.
The downtown waterfront, with River Market, Boar's Head, the Convention Center and the brick/stone roadway getting down there. As the guide told us, unless you want to break an ankle, heels are not recommended, nor is driving a truck down there...UGH!
Our tour guide, Austin was well versed in this city’s interesting history and he gave us doggies, yummy dog treats at the end.
Me and Dad hanging out by the Six Pence restaurant
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Another of William Jay's architectural creations |
Afterwards we walked back to Collins Quarter on Bull Street where we had the most incredible brunch. Mom didn’t share her Bellini, but she was generous with her bacon & poached eggs. Yummy!!! Dad had to finish her meal for her. Shucks!
Afterwards we walked down to Forsyth Park. More great smells along with a trumpeter playing. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day! M & D wished they had reread In the Garden of Good and Evil written about a famous murder at the Mercer house; so many famous sites are covered in it.
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| The Green-Meldrim House cost $93,000 to build in the mid 1800's, which is why he asked Sherman to stay there rather than have it burned down |
By the time we walked back to the truck, we were exhausted. We probably walked 4-5 miles...Got home and took a nap before figuring out our dinner plans.
Off to Vics on the River without me, another Savannah delight; but this time they brought home a most delectable doggy bag!!! YEAH!
In the afternoon M & D took this tour, so dad could enjoy the town without driving, Old Savannah Trolley Tour Overview:
Oglethorpe planned the first city dividing it into 22 wards each complete with a park, surrounded by homes. Two were torn down for various public ventures and buildings. This city boasts the biggest indoor forest in any American city with all the live oaks lining streets and the parks.
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| The city has always had a love for their dogs...a Victorian dog fountain |
"Two of Telfair Museums’ three beautiful buildings were designed by architect William Jay. Born in Bath, England, Jay trained at the Royal Academy and apprenticed with David Roper Ridall before traveling to the U.S. Jay arrived in Savannah in 1817 and changed the face of the city within a few years. All told, he designed at least five residential buildings and five public structures."
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More of the characters on our tour, the Telfair Museum, the Basilica towers and more of the South Carolina Professional Drinking Society,
It's also Johnny Mercer’s hometown. Moon River, sung here by Sinatra. So many movies have been filmed here.
M & D really enjoyed the tour since it included some famous costumed Savannah characters that got on and very briefly told their story. Fun!
From Wikipedia: "Savannah (/səˈvænə/) is the oldest city in the U.S. state of Georgia and is the county seat of Chatham County. Established in 1733 on the Savannah River, the city of Savannah became the British colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia.[5] A strategic port city in the American Revolution and during the American Civil War,[6] Savannah is today an industrial center and an important Atlantic seaport...
We loved all their quaint, quiet garden patios...they looked like they would be fun!
Each year Savannah attracts millions of visitors to its cobblestone streets, parks, and notable historic buildings. These buildings include the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA), the Georgia Historical Society (the oldest continually operating historical society in the South), the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences (one of the South's first public museums), the First African Baptist Church (one of the oldest African-American Baptist congregations in the United States), Temple Mickve Israel (the third-oldest synagogue in the U.S.), and the Central of Georgia Railway roundhouse complex (the oldest standing antebellum rail facility in the U.S.).[5][9]
Savannah's downtown area, which includes the Savannah Historic District, the Savannah Victorian Historic District, and 22 parklike squares, is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States (designated by the U.S. government in 1966).[5][a]
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| This old motel reminded us of the Art Deco ones that we saw on Route 66 |
Downtown Savannah largely retains the original town plan prescribed by founder James Oglethorpe (a design now known as the Oglethorpe Plan)." If mom and dad wants to see more of the museums and such, they will just have to return.
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| The very popular southern Haint Blue that is reminiscent of water. The Haitian and Goulah people believed it would keep evil spirits away and some thought it discouraged mosquitoes too. |
If there is a hardship to our trip so far, it’s driving a big truck in cities, not fun! However, we have been enjoying driving in the greater Savannah proper. Like JAX, we are in the lowlands or tidewater with lots of bridges & causeways connecting the area.
Some of our tour sites, the bell was rung for the start and stop of cotton trading, the crazy people in green are part of the South Carolina Professional Drinking Society, the crowd in the square was listening to live music and the crazy Segway riders on a tour...
Mom and dad came home to feed me dinner and take me with them to a recommended sports bar in Berwick. Great beers, (they didn’t share) Guinness onion rings, truffle fries and a delicious burger with bacon jam. I really enjoyed my taste of the burger and fries. Woof!
Saturday morning our first destination was the Wormsloe Plantation M & D found out on Bring Fido, the app it was dog friendly including homemade delectable dog treats and lots of cool trails to explore. Historic Movie Mom found this information on the state website:
" A breathtaking avenue sheltered by live oaks and Spanish moss leads to the tabby ruins of Wormsloe, the colonial estate of Noble Jones (1702–1775). Jones was a humble carpenter who arrived in Georgia in 1733 with James Oglethorpe and the first group of settlers from England. Wormsloe's tabby ruin is the oldest standing structure in Savannah.
Surviving hunger, plague and warfare in the rugged environment of Georgia, Jones went on to serve the colony as a doctor, constable, Indian agent, Royal Councilor and surveyor, laying out the towns of Augusta and New Ebenezer. He also commanded a company of marines charged with defending the Georgia coast from the Spanish. Jones died at the beginning of the American Revolution, but his descendants sustained Wormsloe until the state of Georgia acquired most of the property in 1973."
The sights and smells were equally delightful; even if I was less interested in the history. Mom even found an online photo of the current owners plantation house which we could barely see behind the fancy fencing. It's been in the same family all this time, but they gave much of the land to the state for a park.
This morning Dad walked me down to Lotts Island’s tiny bridge. No one was moving fast this morning, so we got a slow start. Headed out to Tybee Island; so I could see what it was like...it turned out to be a bummer...no dogs allowed on the beach, but they were all over the town.
At least Fannie's at the Beach were nice to me and gave me two dog biscuits along with ice water while M & D had a lovely brunch/lunch. Mom had a wonderful chicken salad and dad chicken and waffles.
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| Dad working his way through the scan menu |
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| We drove down to see the historic lighthouse and battery, but having been in so many they didn't take the time to go inside. |
We went on to Fort Pulaski National Monument for dad to visit.
Here's a portion of what Wikipedia says about the Polish/American hero Casimir Pulaski "Born in Warsaw and following in his father's footsteps, he became interested in politics at an early age. He soon became involved in the military and in revolutionary affairs in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Pulaski was one of the leading military commanders for the Bar Confederation and fought against the Commonwealth's Russian domination. When this uprising failed, he was driven into exile. Following a recommendation by Benjamin Franklin, Pulaski traveled to North America to help in the American Revolutionary War. He distinguished himself throughout the revolution, most notably when he saved the life of George Washington. Pulaski became a general in the Continental Army, and he and his friend, Michael Kovats, created the Pulaski Cavalry Legion and reformed the American cavalry as a whole. At the Battle of Savannah, while leading a cavalry charge against British forces, he was fatally wounded by grapeshot and died shortly after.
Pulaski is remembered as a hero who fought for independence and freedom in Poland and the United States. Numerous places and events are named in his honor, and he is commemorated by many works of art." Pulaski is one of only eight people to be awarded honorary United States citizenship." He is buried in one of the squares in the historic downtown.
Tomorrow we have a longer drive 300+ miles to Wilmington, NC. We came home to rest up, eat dinner and relax. Mom and dad are excited about catching up with their Harbor Tower neighbors, Dee and Greg on Tuesday are coming over to SA for cocktails before heading to the Cape Fear Seafood Company have dinner with them.
Glad to see you enjoyed Savannah. Say hello to Dee and Greg for us. We also enjoyed Wilmington and Carolina beach nearby. We were there 17 years ago to see Jimmy Buffett perform in Raleigh for Paul's 50th birthday!
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