Savannah, Jewel of the South

(Parris Island, SC)  Hi 74 Lo 49 -- It got chilly in the RV last night so Jim turned on the heat pump, and before we went to bed it got cold enough to switch automatically to the furnace. It didn’t take long before we were TOO warm. In the early morning hours Jim got up to turn down a few degrees. We forgot just how warm it can get in here. We finally were comfortable with the thermostat set at 66 degrees, so now we know what to set it to and be comfortable all night. (Click on pictures to enlarge)

Just before I got up Jim heard a commotion in the street outside and watched a platoon of ladies going by in full combat gear on a long march.


One lady was lagging behind, and a teammate was urging her on. Good teamwork!


We left around 9:30 for a day of sightseeing in Savannah. The weather was perfect by the time we got there. Not a cloud in the sky and no wind. There’s a problem getting to Savannah, a big bridge. I did a lot better in not panicking this time. I think the bridge going to Canada has helped my phobia. This one still isn’t little by no means.


We drove around the historical district, which has many one-block squares that you have to maneuver around. We found an open parking space and parked the car and started walking around. One site we both wanted to see was the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. It covers more than a full block and the architecture is beautiful!


But nothing prepared us for the view inside... it was breathtaking! The photo doesn't do justice to the beautiful colors and the immense size.


Above the back wall is the pipe organ, which was playing softly.


If you're a regular reader of our blog you know I like cemetaries. A block from the cathedral is the Colonial Park Cemetary. It's not overly large, only about four square blocks. But there are a lot of graves from the Revolutionary War period, and I love looking at old gravesones.






Wonder why this one has a cage?




Jim hunted down the Mercer House, which was the setting for the book and movie, "Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil." Jim says if you ever plan to visit Savannah, your visit will be enhanced by reading that book. He puts it right up there among his favorite books. (And he reads a LOT.)


Another setting in the book is the fountain at Forsythe Park.

We made our way back to the car and did some more driving around, including a drive along cobblestoned River Street. It was rough and slow going. I was hoping not to have a flat tire.


The trolley runs down middle of the road, so you have to be careful to stay out of the way.


We have heard so much about Skidaway Island State Park, so we headed south out of town to check it out. State park fans would love it, but to us it's another park with too many trees. :)




It was another great day of seeing new things. It's amazing that we've lived in the southeastern part of the US for years and it wasn't until we became full timers that we had the time to really enjoy and learn about the great cities of the South. Another reason why I love this lifestyle!