I know most people who do a lot of back-roading are adverse to things that smack of “tourist” but I have a closet love of Trolley rides and double decker bus tours. Yes, they are cheesy. Cheese-Whiz cheesy. But they are also a perfect way to get a birds-eye view of a city when you hate driving in the them, and only have 48 hours to take it all in.
So, today I indulged.
This is what I learned.
The city is built on a grid system and has 24 distinct squares, where people gathered, bought and sold food, hitched their horses, engaged in military exercises and shared common bread-ovens. Public buildings were on the corners and residential spaces on the inside. Each have a name and most have a monument or a fountain in the centre, related to the history of the city. Although one doesn’t see horses hitched in them anymore, the city remains organized in this fashion and urban planners often visit to experience this way of organizing.
A lot of movies have been filmed here, one of the most famous being Forrest Gump. In fact, the scene where Tom Hanks shares his box of chocolates is in Chipawa Square, not far from where I right now. Although the bench is no longer there, the spirit of Forrest certainly is. Burt Reynolds also donated a gazebo to the city as a way of saying thank you for letting him film a movie here in the 70’s. It’s also in one of the squares.
Many of the homes in the historic district have two sets stairs leading to the front door. Curious minds want to know, and trolly-folk will tell you that men were expected to go up one set, and women the other, to ensure a man never saw a woman’s ankle accidentally as she climbed the stairs! The doors were above street level because the street was a poop and mud-filled mess, and no one needs that on their front step.
I learned that what I thought were cobblestone streets were not actually cobble at all, but “balaste.” These rocks came in on cargo ships, and were used to balance and stabilize the boats when empty, but had to be removed when they came to pick up cotton. Over time, thousands of these stones accumulated along the Savannah River, and an early city planner decided to use them in the walls and streets in Lower Town.
Savannah is the home of the founding Mother of Girl Guides of America, has a garden for the blind, and there are gravestones in the cemetery with dates changed by soldiers camping there in the Civil War, making some “residents” of the cemetery over 400 years old! A prank that keeps on pranking.
The River looks peaceful, but has very fast-running currents just beneath the surface still resulting in annual drowning incidents. It is still very much a “working” river for transportation of goods.
There is a street in the city that has been named the most beautiful street to walk in all of North America. I concur. It is simply beautiful and timeless. The Oaks with hanging moss that line almost all the streets are very romantic.
Aside from enjoying the trolley ride, Pippa and I walked for three hours today, and I’m thrilled that now we are in warmer weather, her front leg (the one that has broken twice) doesn’t seem at all bothered. I had a hard time keeping up with her and she insisted I do the stairs twice. Notice her Bad-ass trainer face.
We ate croissants and had coffee in one of the squares, and enjoyed the sunshine. This evening, we are hunkered in, and I am preparing to begin the camping portion of my adventure, starting tomorrow! Which means a third bath in two days, before the bath-drought of boon-docking begins!
This is the last time my hair will appear to have any sort of style for the next three months.
Merry Christmas to All. XO
Great recovery! I need youy experience. April 2018 exposure took ability to walk severe reaction still cannot trust mobilty! . Desperately need environmentally safe home accessible van truck.lost safe house 2004 hurricane forced into unapproved housing.FEMA ancHOR refuse to accommodate my special need for environmentally safe housing! I need to escape floida. My immune has breached my control. To live I just make changes ! Mentally physically reactive
The fog get worse I’m losing time. Caregiver 84 sick now blind Need tiny accessible drivable house before my resorses are gone. I need to recover
Good Morning Katherine
Sounds like you have a super challenging few years. There are a lot of people on the road who face challenges with environmental sensitivities. It’s really hard to find housing that works. (Sad face) I am feeling for your situation Katherine. Do you follow Bob Wells on http://www.cheaprvliving.com? They are starting a non profit to help folks in their efforts to find wheel-housing. I don’t think they are at the point where they are doing “on the ground” work, but I’m sharing that so you know there are people who really do care. Thank you for writing. And I hope things look up. Keep in touch.
Very interesting, Kit. USA & Canada are two places I would love to visit. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and seeing the delightful photos. Happy trails.
Chris
Thanks Chris. Canada waits for you with open arms 🙂
Merry Christmas my lovely friend, from all of us Clermonts and one Miss Fabro at Sun Peaks! Wishing you a wonderful new adventure!!
Oh my Goodness, look who it is! Hi Holly and family!
Merry Christmas to you and all your boys and wishing you the very best in 2019!
So nice you are here 🙂
K
Kit, I am enjoying your accounts so much! Gosh, you write well. Have you heard of this book that takes place in Savannah? It’s an interesting read. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_in_the_Garden_of_Good_and_Evil
Hi Neighbour!
It’s so funny, to feel my worlds now intermingling!
OK…so I have HEARD of the book, and yesterday and the tour they talked about it being filmed here. I will need to check it out!
Its fun, that you are along for the ride.
Hope you and your sweetie are well!
Thank you so much for the vicarious trip to Savanah! My husband and I spent only 1 night there a few years ago, and I have always wanted to go back and see more. You have renewed that desire in me.
Hi Mary Beth…
I hope you and your husband rediscover Savannah.
Its a new year, with new adventures afoot 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to say hi.
Merry Christmas to you Kit! I look forward to another winter of inspiring adventures, musings and enjoyable stories!
Merry Christmas Yvette! Winter and writing just seem to go together for me.
Hope to meet you on down the road!
Welcome Back to the Road!
Sending love and all good wishes for your adventures! xoxo
I find hop-on,hop-off rides are the best to get to know a city, both an overview and for history. And every so often it’s just fun to play tourist!! enjoy.