City of Savannah
May 2023
I accepted the invitation to visit Savannah, Georgia from a dear friend of mine. I was able to fly direct on a surprisingly packed flight. Savannah is a pedestrian friendly town, staying near Bull Street provided easy access to many shops, coffee spots and bar/eateries. I walked quite a bit, but not near as much as the London trip.
I got a trot in around the 30 acre Forysth Park. Created in the 1840’s, the ten blocks that surround the park are host to over 35 historical structures designated by the Historic Preservation Dept of Chatham County. The park was to service a number of ‘wards’ (colonial town design part of the Olgethorpe Plan) when the British colony was originally established. Savannah did evolve with the times and ‘districts’ are current of the city layout.
We enjoyed wine at The Vault, I had a salmon sushi that was scrumptious. We had many finds along our street walks, including a kitty napping (actual napping kitty shown below), lots of street murals and several flowers in bloom. We enjoyed delicious tacos from Bull St Tacos, a couple rounds of not-talented-pool-shots at Wormhole. Lite Foote Company a bulk store was a great find and Superbloom a local artist / coffee shop was the place I purchased most of my postcards. The Lone Wolf Lounge was a lucky find as a live band was playing across from the Picker Joe’s Antique shop we visited.
The Sentient Bean, opens at 7am which was a nice early morning walk to get to, order a latte and enjoy on the back patio. Foxy Loxy Cafe another delicious coffee shop, opened at 8am which is a little late for my first coffee, but great for the second one as I walking the town.
Frankoma and I happened upon Neighborhood Comics, probably bought more than I should have, but Frankoma insisted. Starland Yard, a food truck park was definitely the best place to read my comics, until the early dinner crowd came along. I had not yet experienced a food truck park, I am a fan. Did I order any food? Nope – I was stuffed from the sandwich at Henny Penny Cafe.
Wormsloe State Park – a beautiful, magical, ethereal place.
Noble Jones named his property after his own township from England, Wormslow Hundred. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia there is little connection to the ‘Wormsloe’ naming regarding the mulberry trees grown (at the time of Jones) and the worms that feed off those trees would produce silk. Most of the estate was acquired by the state of Georgia in 1973.
A Colonial Life Area is on site, where period events are hosted (supposedly) such as “Colonial Faire & Muster” and a ‘Colonial Christmas.” If one is curious, I would call the State Park to confirm any event going on. I was unable to find current information on the two events mentioned.
We wondered the grounds, viewing the remnants of Noble Jones’ estate. Little friends were stalking Frankoma, but I think he was teasing them.
Unintentionally we hiked most of the Battery Trail, a 3.2 mile loop on the grounds of Wormsloe. Frankoma was happy to explore the Isle of Hope district. The area becomes a true island at high tide. During the 1840’s / 1850’s the island hosted vacation homes to the elite of Savannah. Providing a ‘getaway’ from malaria break outs & escaping the heat of the city.
I recommend the New Georgia Encyclopedia article regarding detailed information about the estate of Wormsloe, such as how the descendants dealt with the estate, changed the name and how the property but not the house of Wormsloe became property of the Nature Conservancy.
We did make it to Savannah Beach, or Tybee Island. This island has a great history. The island was the staging grounds during the Revolutionary War for the the second bloodiest battle of the war. The Siege of Savannah had fewer casualties than the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Americans were not successful.
Frankoma says we will visit the historical Tybee Lighthouse, one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the U.S.
I’m glad we stopped at Waffle House before hitting ATL traffic. I love me some good Waffle House: 2 scrambled eggs, hash browns, wheat toast with a side of bacon at an efficient Waffle House.
I spent some time with the family before my flight came too soon, not much was going on but work, work, work and Mother’s Day.
SquirrelyGrl Tales 