Savannah - Old style southern charm, history, and hauntings.

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Myself and Chris decided that a day trip to Savannah would be a great way to spend a beautiful Saturday. I don't recommend this after having done it. We had pleny of time to see everything, however with the driving and seeing everything.. it was just a bit too much that we asked of ourselves.

We arrived into Savannah around 3:30 after our visit to Tybee Island (see other entry). Armed with a map, our first stop was in Forsyth square. This is the biggest square in the town and was full of locals (there is a college nearby) and visitors. There were fields with people playing frisbee, soccer, and other games. There were even tennis and basketball courts. Trees filled with Spanish Moss hung over the sidewalks and monuments honored men from the past. There was even a "fragrant garden" locked to the public, only allowing peers through the iron gates.

We spent most of our day wandering the streets and enjoying the beautiful spring day (although the 83 degree temperature made it seem much more like Summer). We saw two different weddings happening in the squares within the city, picturesque settings for the brides-to-be.

Walking into Savannah's Cemetary, felt like walking through a wall at the entry point. Savannah is known as America's most haunted city - and I believe it. Sometimes things just don't feel right - and within this city with a history full of massive fires, yellow fever, and witch hunts, it's no surprise. Many important figures within history could be found within the walls. Button Gwinnett - the namesake of my home county, famous historians, the first Masonic Grand Master, important Generals, and many more figures can be found honored.

And the Moss! Spanish Moss is everywhere. In fact, the saying "Good night, Sleep Tight, Don't let the bed bugs bite!" comes from early settlers filling their mattresses with the moss; however, the moss contains a very small bug, called a chigger that would happily do it's "bug-ly" duties during the night...

Our last major stop within the city was along River Street. This is the bar district in the area, where on St. Patrick's day, you will find the river dyed green and people packed like sardines going from bar to bar. Today was a normal day with a lighter crowd than what the city surely saw the prior

The saying "Good night, Sleep Tight, Don't let the bed bugs bite!" comes from early settlers filling their mattresses with the moss; however, the moss contains a very small bug, called a chigger that ... [more]
weekend. Myself and Chris grabbed a beer in a to-go cup, a Savannah specialty. Part of the popularity of the area comes from laxed open container laws.

We walked down river street and watched street performers, one with a 10foot unicycle juggling swords while eating an apple, another group was of college aged kids calling themselves "Albania Mania" playing intstruments like a cello, acordian, and drum. The crowd never complains of free entertainment, and always seems to willingly offer tokens of appreciation to their open guitar cases and upturned hats.

At one end of River street is the Waving girl, a statue remembering a woman who spent her days wishing off, and welcoming incoming vessels. in her lifetime, it is believed 50,000 boats were witness to her southern hospitality. Nearby to this statue is where the Olympic flame made it's home when it passed through Savannah.

As we were getting ready to head back to the car, we saw a walking ghost tour group forming. We slyly joined the group and learned a little more about the history of the town. Interesting facts about how it is said that the Spanish Moss won't grow over those buried victims of violent and unusual deaths. Some homes were pointed out as he told the tales of their histories. Some of it was folk lore, other parts of it make you wonder....

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