Savannah

Tuesday, March 5
We left Charleston mid morning and turned a 2 1/2 hr drive into a 6 hr drive with diversions to Parris Island, Beaufort, and Hilton Head.
Parris Island is home to the East Coast Marine Corp Recruit Depot where Marines receive their initial basic training.








We were surprised to learn that we could get on base with nothing more than a drivers license and vehicle registration.
We drove around the base which is a small city in and of itself, containing all of the essentials; post office, dry cleaners, gas station, commissary, movie theatre. It looked like a swell place to us ~ can't understand why all the Marines complain about Parris Island!




We spotted one group of Marines receiving an inspection by their company commander and sergeant.




Obstacle course




We drove on to neighboring Beaufort SC to see one of the National Cemeteries maintained there.








Reminiscent of a small Arlington Cemetery.
We arrived in Savannah around 4:30, checked into our hotel and caught the free shuttle (the Dot) down to River Street along the waterfront.




What a fun area ~ loaded with shops, restaurants, local musicians, ferry & tour boats and lots of people. We found more nut and sweet shops handing out free samples ~ why break tradition ~ we sampled all!




We heard from people on the shuttle that Spankys was the place to go so we went.








Wednesday, March 6
We started the morning with a trolley tour of the Savannah Historic District. It was very chilly and VERY windy which made it feel even colder. Everyone was bundled in layers. The tour lasted about 90 minutes, went through all 24 squares and highlighted many points of interest around the city. After the tour we revisited several of the sights that were of interest to us.




~ this house was the scene of the shooting death of Jim Williams' assistant, Danny Hansford, a story that is retold in the 1994 John Berendt novel and movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil staring John Cusak and Kevin Spacey




The azaleas were all in bloom in Forsyth Park




Fountain in Forsyth Park








We were told that the stuff hanging from the trees is neither Spanish nor moss! It is actually an air plant in the pineapple family!




Most of us know about Chippewa Square ~ this is where the movie
Forest Gump was shot.




Oh look, there's Forrest sitting on the bench. (the bench Tom Hanks actually sat on is now in the museum).
When a tour bus goes by, Forrest runs out from the theatre.




In Charleston, the "have-a-lots lived "south of Broad." In Savannah, the have-a-lots" live north of Gaston and are called NOGS (north of gaston)




Cathedral of St. John the Baptist ~ BEAUTIFUL




All imported stained glass




Beautiful frescos




We passed The Six Pence ~ English Pub complete with the symbolic British Phone Booth.




City Market ~ shops and restaurants




The famous Lady and Sons Restaurant of Paula Deen




and Leopold's old fashioned ice cream shop




We felt we worked up a big enough appetite to try Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, one of Savannah's noted restaurants.








From what we had read and heard, we knew we would have to wait in line and as our tour bus passed at 9:30 the line was already forming for the 11:00 opening. We entered the line about 11:50 and stood in line outside in the cold until 1:10!




Yes, we would have to say it was worth it. Best southern fried chicken we've ever had ~ the ONLY southern fried chicken we've ever had but really good. Wilkes is open from 11:00 - 2:00, Monday - Friday. Each day three meats and 14 sides are served family style to a table seating 12. When you are finished, just like home, you take your plate to the kitchen. It was definitely a Savannah experience worth the wait.
On our walk around town we passed the Historic Savannah Theatre ~ oldest American theater still in use.




The marque announced Jukebox Journey playing tonight. It sounded like fun so we bought tickets for the 8:00 show.




WOW, what a great show! A fantastic musical, comedy ~ One of the best shows we've ever seen.
It definitely exceeded our expectations and was a great way to end our stay in Savannah.


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