This trip was planned before John passed away, and we had planned on having 3 "Johns" at the house. I was very lucky that my friend Vicky was able to go with me. On our way to Savannah we stopped in Jacksonville to visit a special place, Cummer Museum of Art. We were excited as we got to see an original Norman Rockwell, a first for both of us. A terrific museum, just the right size, lovely grounds and we also had a very tasty lunch with some of the best salad dressing either of us had ever had.
We rented a 3 bed, 3 both Airbnb that was really nice and fit our group, giving us all enough space to spread out. There were 6 of us, Val and John, her sister, Virginia and her husband, Jon and Vicky. Most of the time Vicky and me went our own way with our agenda and restaurant preferences. We did all sit down and have Thanksgiving dinner together, purchased 95% -- a ready made dinner from Publix with some fill-ins, and we had a nice dinner.
We visited Pulaski Fort, four art museums, ate all the She Crab Soup we could hold. Vicky happily ate her fried Oyster Po'Boy and we had plenty of local beer to sample. Lots of walking which was a blessing because with all the food I didn't gain an ounce. We had a really good time and she is a wonderful traveling companion.
We made a side trip to Jekyll Island where my friends live and we spent the day with them. Lenore made us a tasty lunch with a different type of salad that had black beans, mango and even jalapenos, we loved it. After lunch, Lenore took us to visit the historic area of the Island, that is called "Millionaires Island". Established as a hunting and recreational retreat it was the exclusive playground of the wealthy, with such names as the Morgan, Rockefeller and Vanderbildt. Alexander Graham Bell made the first transcontinental phone call between Jekyll Island and San Francisco. Such interesting history there and it all died during WWII. The grounds were bought by the State of Georgia for peanuts and made into a State Park and has been beautifully preserved -- thank goodness. We took the trolley tour around the grounds and got to go into two beautiful Victorian homes along the route. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jekyll_Island_Club
We also visited the Georgia Sea Turtle Center established for rehabilitation, research and education. The facility was established in 1986. John and I had, of course, visited it several years before because if there is a turtle around, I'm going to try to be there. Georgia is home to 29 different turtle species, five of which are sea turtles. So our visit to Jekyll Island was much more than we expected.
We visited another island, Tybee Island. There is a great lighthouse there, along with a battery and fort. Many areas of defense in this entire area that was busy during the Civil War. We drove down to the pier and boardwalk and enjoyed the sea breeze and looking in a few tourist shops. Glad that neither one of us is much of a shopper. Before heading back to Savannah, stopped in and had a local beer, Tybee Island Blonde that was pretty tasty.
We did some cooking on the home front and I had my first taste of Shrimp & Grits that Vicky made and it was so tasty. I sure didn't know what I was missing. John made his famous Ziti that was out of this world. I made stuffed French toast and Taco Soup so you can see that even at home we didn't go hungry.
I love Savannah so much and was pleased that my friends who came, and had never visited before, seemed to enjoy the city too. We had perfect weather and it was nice to be out of the Florida humidity. Savannah in the summer is probably worse than where I live, but it was delightful while we were there and even a bit nippy in the mornings.
On our first day we all went together on a walking tour and visited the main squares (there are a total of 24) ending at my favorite Forsyth with the huge white fountain. It was good to learn more about the history. Savannah was the first city established in the State of Georgia.
Hope to visit again and again. I wish that every person could have the opportunity to spend a little time in this city. I've been here three times now and I still have a lot to see....and a lot of new foods to try too. Put it on your list of "must dos."
Oh and I almost forgot. When Vicky and I were walking the St. John the Baptist Church, I looked up and saw white trees and streets and wondered what the heck, snow in Savannah!!! It was pretty shocking and funny as we found out they were preparing the set for the filming of a Disney movie. They were there for two days, to make a new version of Lady & the Tramp. I was thrilled because this is one of my favorite Disney movies. The alley scene where Lady and Tramp are eating spaghetti together, ooohhhhh so sweet. This just added another fun event to our trip.
Also need to mention the amazing free inner city free transportation. They have buses that come every 10 minutes - at blue and purple route DOT stops, clearly marked. They also supply excellent maps so you know where you are going. One route is square and goes around the immediate downtown with many stopping places, you pull the buzzer. The other is rectangular and takes you around the squares. Nice drivers, on time, efficient and free. What a great service to citizens and tourists alike. More cities should have this. Included with the buses was a free DOT ferry ride over to the Convention Center which then ferried onto the other side to the Waving Girl statute. It was a nice way to take a little boat ride and see a small part of the harbor.
Photos, not in order or marked with titles, if you need to know something let me know. City Hall, Ferry ride, Telfair Museum with "Monet to Matisse" that we enjoyed so much. If I stop and write about each photos I'll never get all my blogs done, sorry. Well, I broke down and put several descriptions with photos, not all but most.
Hope you enjoyed this trip to Savannah..........................there is much more to see and do.
I love this painting.
Pulaski Fort, Cockspur Island
Watercolor rendering of proposed City Hall, 1903
We did not see any horses or chariots. I was so curious about this
and found this info:
"…The drawing also shows a considerable amount of ornamentation in the way of
statuary. Four groups, representing Roman chariots drawn by three prancing horses,
surmount the corners and allegorical figures representing Commerce and Industry,
surmount to grand Ionic columns that support the roof of the portico. These ornaments
can be used or omitted and will very likely not be considered in the first estimates asked
for. They can be added at any time, and while giving artistic tone to the structure, are by
no means necessary to the completeness or architectural beauty of the building."
Cummer Museum of Art grounds
I think this is my favorite fountain
(yes, I know, which favorite - #1 or is
it #1), LOL
In City Hall Rotunda
Art from Beach Trash
Computer graphic painting.... yes that's me.
You get a feeling sometimes that you're in New Orleans
She Crab Soup and the best biscuits at the Pirates House. This historic
restaurant is the oldest building in the state of Georgia, built in 1734.
Happy rescued turtle in his rehab tank.
In one of the houses we toured on Jekyll Island.
These trees are made entirely from feathers.
St. John the Baptist Cathedral
Moat at Fort Pulaski
Hotel for the rich who visited Jekyll Island
Thanks for Mocha Vicky. It was cold that
morning and I needed it.
Very unusual - Cummer
Our delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
Jewish Synagogue
Our little trollery ride (1 1/2 hours)
around Jekyll Island. Was sure great and learned
a lot about the rich robber barons. They were loaded.
Great seeing some work by the Masters.
Lovely story here, check it out.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Martus
Oil cloth highly decorated floor coverings, the
precursor to linoleum, or vinyl as it is now known.
Precious - Norman Rockwell. Beautiful Americana of
days gone by. He was a master to be sure. He painted 321
Saturday Evening Post covers.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/451697037596132300/?lp=true
Westin Resort & Spa, next to convention center
a free ferry ride away. Getting ready for Christmas.
The valets we talked to gave Vicky and I a free bottle
of water. Thought that was so sweet.
Interesting art in front of the Cummer Museum of Art
Our free ferry ride via Dot. Two stops, nice waterway. You can
see City Hall dome in the background
I loved this. It is a bridge from one side of the house to the
other. First time I have ever seen anything like this. So cool.
If I was an architect all my homes would have a bridge.
Horn of "Plenty" all trash found on beach
Turtle made out of trash.
Owens-Thomas House dining room
Rotunda of Savannah City Hall
Jacksonville, grounds of Cummer Museum of Art
Toured this home and learned a lot, even that
a home can have a bridge and why not.
Tybee Lighthouse
Snow in Savannah
Look for this in the upcoming new Disney, Lady & the Tramp
* Thanks to John Bernstein for his use of the Savannah
snow pictures!!!!!!!
I've read this several times, spell checked it to the point of "I'm done" hope I didn't miss too much. John was my proofreader who I appreciated greatly in that capacity.
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