Savannah, GA

Our stay in the Savannah area has given us a chance to meet up with friends, see some sights and just kick back for awhile. We were so busy getting to Red Bay, then moving almost every day to get service and upgrades, and driving for two more days to reach Savannah, we needed a break.

We spent the first night at the Savannah Elks Lodge. It was fine, and certainly the right price - just a donation to the lodge - but without water and sewer we couldn’t do laundry, and the parking lot near the RV power outlets isn’t level. Knowing that some friends were nearby in an RV park just over the border in Hardeeville, South Carolina, we decided to move. It’s a nice park and Passport America rates make it reasonably priced.

We shared happy hour the first afternoon with Larry and Gerry Clark, friends whose path we have crossed a few times over the past 3-4 years. You can read their blog Clark Rambling to follow their travels. Sorry, I didn’t get a picture. They departed for Charleston a couple of days later.

Also in the park, either already here or arriving later, were several Escapees Boomers friends. We enjoyed enough good weather for a couple of happy hours. L-R: Sam & Carolyn Kidd, Don, Jane & Russell Darrow (staying at the Elks), Madeline & Jerry Stephens, Ann & Roy Brody, and me.

The Darrows and the Stephenses departed before Becky Hazen and Lonnie Hodge arrived on Friday, so we never had everyone together at one time. But our paths will cross again, no doubt. Becky and Lonnie have been leap-frogging us for a couple of months, mostly through New England. So we stayed another few days to give them a chance to catch us before we go different directions for Thanksgiving. The site next to us was recently vacated, so they pulled in alongside.

Becky and her kitties, Oreo (on leash) and Shi-Shi (sp?) enjoyed some sunshine and fresh air.

This is one of the most special things about being full-time RVers. Not only are we “at home” every night, but we often have long-time friends as our neighbors!

We enjoyed some time touring the beautiful city of Savannah, and I highly recommend it for others to visit. Jane found a trolley tour that offered 2 days for the price of one, and it was less expensive than some of the others as well. We felt we received good value from Oglethorpe Trolley Tours, with a knowledgeable tour guide, hop-on/hop-off privileges and free shuttle rides between trolley stops whenever we called them.

Below are some highlights from the tour. This mural is on the wall of the visitor center in the old railroad passenger terminal, where the tour began.

One of many museums is the Telfair Museum, actually a collection of three museums. The original building is below.

Savannah’s rich history dating back to the early 1700’s, including its role in the Revolutionary War, can be explored on the Internet. Many people know the city as the setting for the best-selling book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, by John Berendt. It was subsequently made into a movie starring Kevin Spacey and directed by Clint Eastwood. Although most people think of the book as a novel, it’s based on actual events from the 1980’s. The Bird Girl  statue made famous by the book was originally in Bonaventure Cemetery. It was relocated to the museum above to protect it from damage by visitors.

We appreciated the various styles of architecture throughout the historic areas.

We toured the Owens-Thomas House but no photography was allowed inside. The house was designed by architect William Jay and completed in 1819 for Richard Richardson, a Savannah merchant. It is said to be the first house with indoor plumbing, incorporating a cistern, pumps and flushing mechanisms to provide “powder rooms” (half-baths) on the second floor, and tubs and showers in the basement.

The house was expanded in the rear to add 2 bedrooms and a walkway above the rear porch.

View of the courtyard from the rear porch, with 2-story slave quarters beyond.

Believe it or not, the trolley driver took us down this steep ramp made of ships’ ballast stones to River St.

Pedestrians use the steps, signed with “Historic Steps – Use At Own Risk.”

Shops and restaurants line one side of the street. These buildings were once cotton warehouses.

On the other side there are parks and docks, with this beautiful tall sailing ship Peacemaker, built in Brazil.

The “Waving Girl” statue has a touching story behind it. Follow the link to read it.

There’s an interesting World War II memorial honoring the veterans of Chatham County who gave their lives to retain our freedom.

We saw several huge cargo ships being loaded/unloaded in the Savannah River. In the background you can see the tall bridge we drove over to get to/from our RV park.

We rode this free ferry to the other side of the river just to see the sights and enjoy the fresh air.

Another ferry is named after the founder of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low. Her birthplace is available for tours.

I enjoyed this display of knitted/crocheted art on the wall of the trade center landing.

I wonder what it would be like to be rich enough to own a yacht like the Triple 8…

Finally, here are Jane and Russ Darrow in front of the Cotton Exchange Bell. It’s been fun spending time you two! Happy trails.