The Garden of Good and Evil: Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia.
Magnolias, Spanish Moss, Palm Trees.
Stuart and I are enjoying a beautiful week in the Old South.
He is working.
Taking a call to set up a meeting with an EMU alumnus.
But this weekend we are meeting up with six other Showalters and spouses to explore the city.
In the meantime, we are getting a head start on the river walk.
On the river walk.
And tonight, it’s time to rewatch this movie:
Have you been to Savannah?
What advice do you have for us?
Posted in Jubilación, Magical Memoir Moments
I loved Savannah when I visited, but am not an expert. I did like the old courtyards in the area made famous by Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Also a friend always told me there’s a great seafood house out toward the beach—not much to go on! Maybe googling best seafood and best breakfast? The latter always a favored meal with us . . .
We got started on seafood tonight with some very tasty grilled scallops, red rice, hush puppies and salad with hot bacon dressing. Yum.
Southern Living has a great photo of an amazing Aussie breakfast. We will probably admire it rather than eat it, since the hotel that serves it is not in our plans.
I always feel the poignancy of Spanish moss. It weeps.
Shirley — The Garden of Good and Evil:
I read the book.
I saw the movie.
I enjoyed them both—especially since they’re based on real occurrences.
By golly, you’re in for a real Southern Style treat being in Savannah, Georgia. Have a blast!
Laurie, isn’t it interesting how much more one sees when the landscape is familiar? I look forward to watching the movie again even though I didn’t read the book.
Eager to go out and meet this “Southern Style” day! Thanks for your good wishes.
I just watched the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Fantastic book/story! I’ve been to Savannah twice. So much to see! My husband and I took a tour trolley the first trip. Great city to just walk and take in all of the architecture, food, shopping, history. Just enjoy….. Fav food in the city, shrimp and grits! The many city squares and parks beg visitors to stop and linger. You may come out with a genteel southern accent. Take a ride out along the shoreline. Watch the large cargo ships sail in. I brought home a Savannah rose handcrafted by a local artisan out of palmetto fronds. Fantastic art institute there. I would visit again in a heartbeat!
Sue, ha! I may start slowing down my speech, but I’ll stop short of calling everyone, “baby,” or “honey” or “darlin’.” 🙂
I am aware of the art institute. One of our ballroom dance instructors in Kalamazoo came here for study about a decade ago. He was a great dancer. Hope he made it as an artist also.
I’ll be on the lookout for local art work. One of my favorite souvenirs.
No doubt we’ll have some wonderful shrimp and grits. Thanks for these memories/suggestions. Always makes the experience richer to connect with others.
Two things I missed doing. The ghost tour and seeing Lady Chablis perform (if she is still performing?). I love when the southern ladies say “Bless her heart!”
Bless your heart. I looked up Lady Chablis and saw that she died last year. Will consult with others on the ghost tour. Thanks again.
I’ve heard it’s a lovely city. Have a wonderful time!
Thank you, Merril. It is a lovely city. Hope you get the chance to visit sometime.
It has been a long time since I was there, but my advise is to carry a white handkerchief with which to dab (not rub) your brow.
Thanks for the chuckle, Shirley B. Stuart is pulling out his white hankie now.
When Cliff and I want a quick week-end getaway, we head up to Savannah. It’s nice to take a leisurely walk around the squares studded with oaks draped in Spanish moss. When we lived in Killarney I used the moss as mulch for potted plants. Practical, not weepy!
We usually have breakfast at Clary’s Cafe where John Berendt wrote his famous book, which survived my book purge last year. Avoid peak hours: https://www.claryscafe.com
You’ll hear plenty of “sweeties” and “ya’lls.” If you are into more high class stuff, you can visit the Mercer House, another book setting.
You are only 3 hours from Jacksonville. When life settles down for us, we can do a meet-up here or there, dah-lin!
Great tips, Marian. I thought of you. I imagine that you know both this place and St. Augustine very well.
I remember seeing Clary’s Cafe when our trolley drove by it. Didn’t have the background about Berendt, however.
Have you visited the Flannery O’Connor house and museum. Another friend tipped me off about that one.
Thanks, dahlin’ for the thought. Let me know when life settles down. Probably about the time when our lives ramp up again. C’est la vie!
Simply gorgeous photos Shirley of selves and surroundings. No I’ve never visited the South – would surely love to one day. All that Southern charm and food and architecture. I’d be in heaven. I’ve not read the book nor seen the film. I know that it’s based on fact. I thought Gore Vidal wrote something about this …
Thank you, Susan.
This country is so vast and so different culturally in its various regions. That’s one of the things I appreciate from travel. I am sure you know the same from your own travels.
I’m not familiar with Gore Vidal’s essay. . . .
Savannah reminds me of Sue Monk Kidd’s writing. I believe her family is from there.
Everything looks lush and beautiful. I’m welcoming every blade of grass that pops its head out of the ground these days! Way too slow for me!
You are right, Elfrieda. Sue Monk Kidd grew up in Sylvester, GA, not too far from here, and her books definitely contain an atmosphere similar to the one here. Thanks for this reminder.
Here’s hoping that some of the magnificence of Georgia’s blooming Springtime reaches you in Canada soon.
I have not been to Savannah but now that I have seen your photos and have read all these comments about Savanna and your trip I have put visiting Savanah on my bucket list. What a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing your visit there.
Rhonda, one of the best things about blogging is sharing knowledge among friends. I hope you come to Savannah some day also, and that you remember to read these comments again before you do so. Great ideas here. Enjoy!
It’s been YEARs since I was in Savannah, but I still remember the feeling of it: the moist heat, the dripping moss off oak trees. It’s just a beautiful city. Looks like you two have already figured out some the best things to enjoy: river walk; meeting old friends. You’re bound to have a memorable time there.
I’ll put Garden of Good and Evil on my weekend watching list!
Yes, this place has a feel. Good way to put it, Linda. I guess every place does, but the way the light filters through those enormous, drippy, trees has a lot to do with a unique place and culture.
Today I spent two hours at the Flannery O’Connor house and then the St. John Cathedral across the street. Absolutely delightful. Bought from three local artists. Tonight it will be dinner at Vic’s and then rooftop drinks at Rocks on the Roof.
Not having been to Savannah except on a real quick stop on the way home from Florida with the family, I don’t have suggestions but it looks like you gleaned a bunch from other friends. It is on my bucket list for sometime! (My not-so-far-or-exotic bucket list.)
I’m glad if you decide to visit, Melodie. I hope these great ideas are helpful to you. There is so much to see here. Let me know when you get to this one on your list. Would be happy to share photos and stories. Will probably blog about Flannery O’Connor house.
I declare, I have never been to Savannah, I have never been south of the Mason Dixon line, I have been to Pennsylvania, in the East and California to the West. There are a lot more places in the in-between that as of yet I have not seen. Send more pictures, so those of us that have not traveled to the south may live vicariously through your travels.
June, your desire to see more pictures touches me. I think I’ll write another blog post about Savannah. It made a deep impression on me. I hope you do get south of the Mason Dixon line yourself sometime. It looks, tastes, sounds, and feels quite different from Pennsylvania. I’ll try to help you experience it too. Thanks for your request.