Savannah, Georgia

Nov 5 - 12, 2012 Weather at beginning of the week was cool, low 60's and 39 at night; warmed up every day as the week went 78 and low of 55
From reading we know that the downtown historical Savannah is the same era as Charleston so it will be nice to explore.  This time we thought it would be fun to do a walking tour so we met "Savannah Dan" downtown at the Johnson Square by the Sundial....    What a personality this fellow is.

You can't miss him - he is 6'5" wears a Seersucker Suit with a bow tie and a stylish straw hat.    Well it was such a great way to spend two hours walking the historic squares district with him and a few others - he is a wealth of information on old Savannah and you are intrigued into his conversation while his stories make you want to know more! 

Owens Thomas House - National Historic Landmark

The city was laid out in the 1700's in squares parallel to the river.  Property along the river was for the working port area and today it has been turned into a touristy riverfront and down river there is still one of the largest working ports in the U.S. today.   Just a block away from the river the squares start and ingeniously there are 4 civic areas and then 4 residential areas; these kept multiplying as the city grew.  The troops would train in the 'green' squares and camp there and it also allowed for a buffer zone if fires sprang up in the city.  It kept growing till there were 24 squares and those are all public park areas today and have statues in honor of prominent Savannah heroes, or water fountains of beauty.  Truly a unique layout of the city which really beautifies it.

One thing we Northerner's find strange is the fact that Savannah and other old Southern cities developed over top of ancient cemeteries and thus there are stories of hauntings because of this.  There is an old Indian burial mound that was unearthed in one of the squares, which is bad mojo.....   and another city block that was a Jewish cemetery which is totally gone except for a single stone memorial!  Now you know those souls are restless......

St. John the Baptiste Cathedral

The city has many, many great restaurants and more than enough history to last you for days.   There have been many movies and books based in the city as well.   I have heard so much in the last few days of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" (book and movie)  that I can't wait to read it.

Praline + Bearclaw

As in every local there are certain specialties and Georgia and Savannah are know for their Pecan Pralines.   Along the streets you will see many candy stores which you cannot resist...  when you enter you get a sampling which leads you to the counter to get a box of goodies.  Gosh this was not suppose to be our lunch!!!  We had to stop taking bites and get ourselves into a restaurant.