Going into the Garden

We left Fort McAllister State Park this morning after taking a stroll around the local nature walk to the estuary and Ogeechee River . We learned much here about the Civil War history of the area and came to appreciate the stubborn bravery of the Confederate forces in the face of certain defeat. Also, we learned that Sherman's destructive march to the sea is still a wound in this part of the country, not entirely healed I think.

After we found our new campground (and discovered that we are still 15 miles out of the city), we decided to brave the city traffic and take the motor home into downtown Savannah.
It wasn't as difficult as we thought, and we were able to park on the street with a parking meter just a few blocks from the Visitor Center. After today, though, we will be catching a ride with the trolley shuttle at 9 each morning and returning at 5 in the afternoon.

Our first stop was at the Harper Fowlkes House (www.harperfowlkeshouse.com), a stately Georgian style home built in the early 1800's. Tours here are given by a docent on rather strict schedules. Once again, slow down and enjoy the ambiance of the genteel Southern accent and you will enjoy this look at an elegant and elegantly furnished house. It doesn't have much of a garden, though, so we loved the garden at our next major stop of the afternoon.

Old Savannah is a city of squares, squares that are hubs of their neighborhoods. We walked through four squares today. Orleans Square had a seasonally appropriate green-water fountain. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in a big way here (second only to New York City) and the city is preparing for the onslaught. The Bishop has denied permission to hold the celebration on Sunday, so Saturday is the big day. The up-side of that is the vendors will all be set up on Friday when we are here, and we will be moving on up the coast on Saturday when the place is invaded.

Finally, we stopped at Ships of the Sea Museum which had been recommended by our docent. It is situated in a home that has undergone several transformations and has lost much of its original fittings. Still, it has been somewhat restored and now it houses intricate models of ships important to the history of the area as well as an amazing model of the Titanic. Oil paintings of ships cover the walls and other memorabilia of seaboard life are contained in cases and rooms of the airy and spacious house. A well-manicured garden welcomes you into the back entrance; in another month you will see many more blossoms like the few that we enjoyed today.

Now we are back at the campground biding our time until tomorrow when we catch the morning ride into town. No restaurants around so we are onto the peanut butter and jelly. Lunch tomorrow will have to be good.