{"id":21256,"date":"2017-05-17T21:06:49","date_gmt":"2017-05-18T01:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=21256"},"modified":"2017-05-17T21:12:10","modified_gmt":"2017-05-18T01:12:10","slug":"day-27-wednesday-may-17-day-off-in-savannah-georgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=21256","title":{"rendered":"Day 27. Wednesday, May 17. Day Off in Savannah, Georgia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ah, Savannah, what a magnificent example of The South,\"\"<\/a> steeped in history and incredible architecture. \u00a0The oldest city in Georgia, was founded\u00a0by General James Oglethorpe in 1733. \u00a0His design for the city streets was based on the square,\u00a0\"\"<\/a>creating parks as the grid repeated, now known as the Oglethorpe Plan<\/a>. \u00a0The square\/parks \"\"<\/a>often had a center statue (the history below is remarkable),\"\"<\/a> but always cool shade and an occasional 600 year old\u00a0tree.\"\"<\/a> \u00a0The most famous park is\u00a0Chippewa Square, featured in the movie “Forrest Gump”;\"\"<\/a> remember the\u00a0iconic bench scene? \u00a0Oddly “the bench” was a Hollywood prop, never existed in the square or anywhere else in Savannah; now exists in the Tourist Center Museum. \u00a0The city must be one of the most widely used backdrops for Hollywood,\"\"<\/a> based on the amount of movies <\/a>that have been shot here; too many to list.<\/p>\n

We walked and toured, taking in as much as we could and will rely on pictures and historical plaques (below) to tell most of the story.<\/p>\n

Mercer Williams House, \"\"<\/a>home to singer-songwriter Johnny Mercer; co-founder of Capital Records and writer of many favorites, such as “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road) and “That Old Black Magic”.<\/p>\n

Noble Hardee House \"\"<\/a>is the only unrestored mansion in the city; the rusting window frames offering amazing patina.<\/p>\n

The City Hall \"\"<\/a>with it’s famous 23 carat gold leaf dome.<\/p>\n

The “first” designation is contested but the\u00a0claim is to be derived from the first black Baptist congregation in North American;\"\"<\/a> first or second it is quite remarkable.<\/p>\n

Churches abound in Savannah, but there is\"\"<\/a> but one\"\"<\/a> Cathedral \"\"<\/a>of St. John the Baptist.<\/p>\n

But our favorite story is of the Cotton Exchange. \"\"<\/a>Planation cotton trucks would pull up, merchants from their tall windows above would pick their product below and prices always fluctuated. \u00a0And much like our modern day stock exchange,\"\"<\/a> a bell would ring to indicate the end of the work day.<\/p>\n

We strolled the streets on the way to dinner, stopping at Churchill’s for Happy Hour. \u00a0Apparently, Duckie \"\"<\/a>had been enjoying a bit of libation, while we were sightseeing. \u00a0Drinks and music were so good, we stayed for dinner, an amazing Arugula Salad\"\"<\/a> with fresh mozzarella and a pickled peach dressing and then amazing\u00a0Paella.\"\"<\/a>\u00a0With a bit of red wine left, we finished the dinner and the wine \"\"<\/a>with dessert.<\/p>\n

With all that we ate, we took the long way back to our room. \u00a0Which included steep steps down \"\"<\/a>(and up) to the river, for a beautiful sunset \"\"<\/a>and a bit more sightseeing.\u00a0\"\"<\/a> Highly recommend Savannah for a visit.<\/p>\n

More pictures of the city below.<\/p>\n\n\t\t