Our Trip To Savannah, part I

We're home from our Savannah adventure!  Thank you all so much for your helpful comments and suggestions... I printed them all out and they served as our personal travel guide.  Thank you!  You might remember that our original travel plans called for two days in Savannah and one day in Charleston.  But, I have to confess: we never made it to Charleston!  Seriously.  We booked an extra night at The Gastonian and spent all three days in Savannah.  I hear that Charleston is completely wonderful...  so, I guess we'll have to go back and visit.  Oh gee darn.  :)

It goes without saying that I completely fell in love with Savannah.  Love the architecture, love the history, love the parks, restaurants, shops, and I love their entire Southern attitude.  I said I wanted to move there, but I think that a yearly visit might be in order (that way, I can stay at this fabulous hotel once a year). 

This city is just SO PRETTY.  Here are a few snapshots from our trip...

Forsyth Park, developed in the 1840s and named after Georgia Governor, John Forsyth (1780-1841).  The park was expanded in the 1850s to include ornamental plantings, walkways, iron fencing and of course, the idyllic fountain stands at the center.  The park is just gorgeous in person and there were lots of people walking around, riding bikes, and enjoying the scenery.

me, in front of the fountain in Forsyth Park (husband behind the camera)

oak trees with silvery Spanish moss...

our charming Bed & Breakfast

a set of front steps near our hotel, and a gorgeous hanging light fixture in the same neighborhood (while this one is electric, many of the outdoor fixtures were gaslight! They created the most woderful flickering light in the evenings)

Savannah has the most beautiful collection of well-kept historic homes.  Everywhere you looked there was another townhouse with large shutters and iron railings.  And, the color schemes were so inspiring!  This one was a lovely olive color.  And in the same neighborhood, the antique cast iron fish downspouts were fabulous!

More stunning homes with iron railings (love the giant pots with the topiaries)... and, on the right, I loved this cast iron dog sitting outside the front door!

standing in Chippewa Square and looking at Gallery Espresso (a hippy dippy coffee house that also serves food, and wine in the evenings).  Six Pence Pub is across the street.  We grabbed an outdoor table and ate dinner there on Thursday night.

The Green-Meldrim House

We toured this historic home on Thursday morning.  While they don't allow cameras inside, you can take a glimpse of the grand interiors HERE.  It was built by Charles Green (a wealthy cotton merchant) in the 1850s for $93,000(!!!) and it's pretty incredible.  During the Civil War, it served as the Union headquarters for General Sherman.  Charles Green moved into a few upstairs rooms while the Union officers occupied the rest of the property.  It was here that General Sherman sent the telegram to President Lincoln, notifying him of the fall of Savannah. 

Saint John's Episcopal Church (which is the building next door) owns it now. 

Pretty front doors, in glossy black and red.  Love the brass door knockers, love the letter slots...

another beautiful home (this lantern was gas powered)

One of the many properties own by SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design).  You almost feel like the city of Savannah is their campus (there were creative looking people everywhere!). 

LOVE the black trim on this building.

goregous ironwork, brick sidewalks, and grand entrances.

We loved this sweet garden entrance with the bright red door.

one of the many landscaped squares, scattered all throughout the city.

a walk down on River Street...

cobblestone streets, homemade praline candies (that you could smell a few shops away!), and riverboat rides!  We didn't get on the boat this time, but might take the tour on our next trip.

The Paris Market (loved this shop!), the Savannah Bee Company, and of course Paula Deen's "The Lady & Sons" (didn't eat here this week, but we'll make reservations the next time we're in town).

we took a trip to Tybee Island,

saw the lighthouse and ate chicken fingers (with yummy honey horse radish sauce) at Spanky's.

The Gryphon Tea Room was delightful.  I loved the tiled floors and bright orange windsor chairs!  Plus, look at that ceiling.

Thank you for indulging me and letting me share my Savannah vacation with all of you.  We had such a fabulous time and can't wait to go back!  We also came home with more enthusiasm for our own home renovation... while gas powered lanterns are out of the question, we do feel inspired in other ways.  New home projects will resume this spring! 

I still want to post about our hotel, and the FABULOUS Savannah shopping (antique stores and gorgeous home stores).  More to come.

I hope you are all enjoying your Saturday. 

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