Road Trip - Part 2: Oh Sanvannah

Oh Savannah – an exciting city with all the southern charm you can imagine.  We stayed in the heart of the Historic District.  We parked our car for three days and never needed to drive until the day we departed.  We over looked River Street and the waterfront.  This is a real walking city and walk we did.  We also took advantage of the city tour narrated by certified historians, some dressed in costume.  It was especially nice since you could get off and on whenever.  This city has lots of history, 22 park-like squares which you maneuver around like a round-about.  One of the squares, Chippewa, is where Forrest Gump’s bench was located.  The bench has since been moved to the museum of history in the Visitor Center.  I had Brian, hubby, sit on a bench in this park and named it Brian “Gump” bench.  This is also considered a movie city, where more than 20 major movies where shot in or near Savannah.  Some of these movies are: Cape Fear, The Last Song, Forrest Gump and the famous Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

We experienced the horse drawn carriage and Paula Deen’s (really more hype than good food – service was terrible and the food not so good) restaurant. This is also a city where you can carry alcoholic beverages as you stroll or walk, as long as it is in a plastic cup.  (sip as you stroll).  Reminded me of Bourbon Street.

The cemeteries were interesting, especially Colonial Cemetery, where you can see where some lived over 100 years or died before they were born.  This was caused by the Union troops during the Civil War who occupied this place and re-carved dates in the tombstones.   Tombstone rubbings are against the law, I’m glad I asked before I did any rubbings.  The most beautiful cemetery is the “Bonaventure Cemetery”.  It truly is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  It is the cemetery where one of the famous scenes in the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was filmed.  The famous statue has been moved to a museum and the city banned alcoholic beverages in the cemetery since the movie.  Story goes too many were coming to the cemetery to sip martini’s and picnic (scene from the movie).  What I learned, and so glad we booked a tour guide, was the carvings of many of the tombstones all have meanings.  It was all so fascinating I had to buy a book from B&N on the meanings.  Johnny Mercer, and family members are buried in this cemetery.  If you visit Savannah you definitely want to visit this cemetery.

Other than Paula Deen’s, we had excellent dining experience.  Savannah has many wonderful restaurants to choose from.  Did I mention Leopold's Ice Cream Parlor - heavenly - all homemade on site. Not to be outdone by the best pralines ever - better than New Orlean's.

There is so much to take in and we did quite a bit in 2 ½ days.  Loved every minute!  I would go back in a heart beat.  Any takers?  My bags are packed.

Bonaventure Cemetery pics will be the next post.