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Saturday, July 31, 2010

Weekending...

For those planning a weekend trip to Savannah, try to make it a "first Friday" so you can start your weekend with a BANG at the Westin Savannah Harbor:

The Westin Savannah Harbor hosts a riverside evening celebration with live music, libations (full bar), and great food, at our relaxed resort setting. Fresh succulent oysters from the cool New England waters, lowcountry boil, tasty grill items, a full bar and s'mores by the firepit satisfy the young and old, as well as landlubbers and seafarers alike. Catch the complimentary water ferry from River Street or take advantage of easy parking at the resort, validated with purchase. Buckets of oysters, a bar and a band - a great way to jump start the weekend!

Did I mention the fireworks? Even if you don't make it to the Westin, you could enjoy the fireworks from River Street ... sitting at one of the restaurants ... or sit along the river, enjoying a breeze!

Speaking of River Street ... as you walk along enjoying the sights, smells, sounds of the walk, avoiding cars driving on the cobblestone ... pop into some of the shops to get a break from the heat. If you like jewelry, I suggest Cassandra's Jewelry Imports! she has a variety of jewelry, eclectic accessories from costume to fine. If your sales associate seems non-responsive however, double check that it's not one of the store mannequins ...

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

You've Got to be KIDDING!

Since I have no children and ergo, no need to seek out "kid friendly" options in Savannah ... I demure to this article by Teresa Mills to provide suggestions for a family hence I be accused of discrimination. I did edit the article to highlight her points ...

In her words:
"There are kid friendly vacations locations throughout the United States and beyond. One of our family's favorite family vacation spots is Savannah GA. Our family of six toured the Savannah GA area and downtown.. This article lists our favorite kid friendly Savannah GA family vacation attractions...

...The southern charm and elegance that you will find on the streets of Savannah GA are unrivaled anywhere in the country. As with any southern historic district, there are several different options to tour the city. There are horse-drawn carriage tours, trolley tours, and walking tours throughout the city. There are also Riverboat Cruises along the Savannah River available for your enjoyment.

...When entering Savannah Georgia, the first place to head is the Savannah Visitors Center. Each tour company has trolleys departing from the visitors center regularly. Each tour company offers purchase of tour tickets and loading of the trolleys right in the parking area of the visitor center.
We chose the Gray Line of Savannah Tour Line for our tour of Savannah. The trolley tour on Gray Line was $10.00 per person and offered hop on/ hop off service throughout the city all day long. The price was a bargain as we are a group of 5...

...Each of the town squares has is own history and the tour guides expound on that history as the tours continue.

Savannah Georgia City Tour Companies

Gray Line of Savannah

Phone: (912) 234-8687

Old Savannah Tours

Phone: (912) 234-39 or 1-800-517-9007

Old Town Trolley Savannah

Phone: (912) 233-0083

Oglethorpe Trolley Tours

Phone: (912) 233-8380

Savannah Ghost Tours

There are a multitude of Ghost Tours offered in the City of Savannah Georgia. Some of the tours are walking tours, some are trolley tours. there are tours that incorporate visits to local pubs, there are tours that include dinner, there are tours that visit inside some of the local "haunts". So, you and your family have a variety of venues to choose from.

We chose The Original Ghost Talk Ghost Walk Savannah Walking Tour. The tour departs from the John Wesley monument in Reynold's Square on Abercorn Street. The Ghost Talk Ghost Talk tour is based on the stories in Margaret DeBolt's book Savannah Spectres and Other Strange Tales. The tour offered a fun approach to the legends that lie beneath the haunting tales of Savannah. Now, I do have to let you know that I am very skeptical and DO NOT BELIEVE IN GHOSTS, but the tales were entertaining and the tour added to the rich history that we enjoyed on the City of Savannah Tour that we took earlier in the day. The tour guides with The Ghost Talk Ghost Walk Tour was very informed and ready and willing to answer any questions that we had.

Savannah Ghost Tours Companies

Ghost Talk Ghost Walk Savannah Walking Tour

Phone: (912) 233-3896 or 1-800-563-3896

Savannah Walks Ghost Tour

Phone: (912) 233-WALK

Old Towne Trolley's Ghosts and Gravestones

Phone: (912) 233-0083

Savannah GA offers many kid friendly vacation options. These are just a few of our favorites."

Additional Kid Friendly Savannah GA Destinations can be found at http://www.kid-friendly-family-vacations.com/savannah_georgia_vacations.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teresa_Mills

Monday, July 26, 2010

Gettng WILD in Savannah

For those who enjoy the beach but want to get really "wild" in Savannah ... without concern for being arrested ... or not remembering last night... not that I've ever "been there". Check out the nature and wildlife parks:

Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Skidaway Island State Park

To step back into colonial times visit Wormsloe Historic Site and Plantation ... just a short drive south of downtown you can step into history.

Savannah has a ton of history so there are many places to explore, much to be learned from the past if you are a history buff, or not. Let us remember that history is for us to learn from so as not to repeat...or as Winston Churchill more eloquently put it: "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." I don't think Winston ever graced Savannah with a visit but if he did, I'm sure he enjoyed it.

We also have the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge but in some wisdom, they are closed for 3 months beginning June 2010 ... hmmmm during height of tourist season? interesting is all I can say ... I'm just saying. So come back this fall to check it out as well.

If you are into more of the urban wild there is always Forsyth Park ... especially on a Saturday morning market day! and it is dog friendly.

Speaking of pets, remember that Tybee Island is not dog friendly so don't expect to bring Fido for any wave jumping. Though Tybee is not dog friendly, cats rule ... dogs drool? There are a myriad of pet friendly hotels, shops, restaurants etc etc etc around Savannah so it's not all bad news for Fido and friends.

Come over to Savannah ... the water's fine! the wildlife is wild day or night!

Prison Break

What prison are you in?

Loneliness? Jealousy? Resentment? Apathy?

It is self-imposed … you have the key. Ephesians is on my heart as I read Paul’s instructions for life. Here he is in prison yet writes encouragement to others to live a life of inheritance for God’s will, love.
Whatever you are going through now, whatever season, I encourage you to give thanks and praise everyday for God’s good grace. Show love to yourself and others.
I also ask you to use that gift God has given you, appreciate it, use, it … don’t let it go to waste!! Don’t look at others with envy but if you’re not sure what your gift is, pray for God to reveal it and enlarge it within you … then run with it!

Break out of the prison, using your gift to live fully each day. Lonely? praying for that husband/wife? Then love yourself enough to present your best wherever you go, smile, share love. Be ready! God sent another message to me thru a beautiful messenger that I love, a true woman of God, sensitive to His voice. So when she came stepping across the chairs during the prayer call yesterday just to get His message for me into my ears, my heart, I listened, cheered and gave thanks for His favor.

We are in a season of change … if you’ve been in a prison, have faith strong enough to allow those cell doors to swing open, then step into your freedom! That’s your next adventure … walking in freedom and love daily. Be generous, be selfless, praying for others, who can you uplift today?

As Paul said in Ephesians 4:1 “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” That should be adventure enough for a lifetime, excitement each day, conquering new territory, claiming your inheritance.

God smiling down on you … as for me I live to hear these words: Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Are you brave enough?

if you are thinking of a trip to Savannah ... great choice and BRAVO! There is one thing you should know before hand:

"In 2003, the American Institute of Paranormal Psychology named Savannah America's Most Haunted City. And Savannah is able to support the title. Ghosts, apparitions and paranormal activities have been reported at many of Savannah's inns, restaurants, private residences, and of course, cemeteries."

Now this is not a real secret among locals or tour guides ... in fact there are many tours that will take you across these ghostly paths. Just remember MilliD forewarned you with this article by Deb Bunting...

"There are many magnificently restored buildings nestled around Savannah's twenty-one squares. Many of these buildings are stately homes supposedly still occupied by former owners. James Habersham has been known to roam around the Olde Pink House, now a restaurant, but formerly his home. Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts, was born and raised in Savannah. Her parents, long deceased, are said to still roam Juliette's childhood home.

The Sorrel-Weed House, visited by The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) in 2005 as part of their SciFi Ghost Hunters Halloween special, is supposedly haunted. The story goes that Mrs. Weed caught her husband in a compromising position with one of the Weed's many slaves. Mrs. Weed, very distraught, ran back to the main house. After a long argument with her husband, she either threw herself (or was thrown) to her death from a second floor balcony. Soon after Mrs. Weed's death, the slave found with Mr. Weed was found hung in her slave quarters. Both women are said to be still roaming the grounds.

The Hampton-Lillibridge House was said to be so haunted, that Jim Williams (of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame) had an exorcism performed at this former boarding house. On countless occasions, residents and passersby have heard the sound of jazz coming from inside the home.

The Kehoes were a very prominent family in Savannah, as Mr. Kehoe owned the ironworks on the riverfront. The Kehoes built this fireproof, all-iron home and lived there with their 10 children. The Kehoe's heirs sold the house in 1930 and the property changed hands many times to include use as the Goette Funeral Home for 65 years. It is now a beautiful bed and breakfast where many of its visitors report supernatural occurrences such as a woman screaming, a nurse shushing visitors, the Lady in White making appearances, and several instances involving ghosts of children.

The list goes on and on!

So, what is it about Savannah that makes it so attractive to ghosts and ghost stories? Many people start with the fact that Savannah is literally built on its dead. Savannah was the first city in Georgia founded in 1733. It was established in the same location as the Creek and Choctaw maintained their burial grounds.

As the colony began to grow and thrive, it needed more room. Buildings were erected on the burial plots of the original colonists. Tombstones in cemeteries were moved to make room for sidewalks and roads. Places of worship were erected on the graves of slaves.

Second, Savannah has a very violent history. Many bloody battles and skirmishes were fought in Savannah. One of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution, the Siege of Savannah, where about 1200 men lost their lives in one hour, was fought in Savannah.

Also, the city has been victim to many city-wide fires, at least two yellow-fever epidemics and several hurricanes.

Third, Savannah has been a major port city since the days of King Cotton, so many a sailor has ventured through Savannah spinning a romantic tale or two.

Fourth, Savannahians are (proudly) an eccentric bunch, as were their ancestors, which adds history and volume to the ghost stories.

Lastly, I believe the large amounts of Spanish moss hanging from the majestic oak trees. The blankets of moss look like ghostly shrouds and give the entire region an eerie look.

Whatever the reason, the ghost stories are endless, earning the Savannah the right to the title of America's Most Haunted City. "(ezine article by Deb Bunting)

If you are still brave enough to come to the coast ... stay tuned as I can offer suggestions for things to do around the city ... some touristy ... others best known by locals. Savannah is a rich city, definitely a small town feel. As a relative newcomer, it is a pleasure to explore.

Downtown construction has renewed the area around City Market, providing some much-needed relief from the heat ... and it does get hot! Of course the delightful shops offer a cool reprieve ... the ultimate reprieve would be Leopold's on Broughton Street ... a rich history filled with rich ice cream treats ... if looking for the old-fashioned ice cream shop, get the scoop! www.leopoldsicecream.com

p.s. check out the wall to see who beat you here...

Where do I stay you may ask? You decide ... do you want to be in the heartbeat of the city? do you want a river view? Or, would you rather stay with a local B&B? The choices are historical and eclectic, just get over here already ... "Waving Girl" is beckoning ... are you her long lost sailor?

Forget Hot'Lanta

It's HOT Savannah ... or should that be SavannaHOT!

Temperature wise and event wise there is a lot that goes on in town, River Street, Tybee Island ... enough to keep locals and tourists busy ... excited.

If you're a visitor and want to get a taste of Savannah ... on Saturday morning go to the Forsyth Market ... local growers sell at Forsyth Park. Then spend some time in the park, frolicking in the fountain (wait, that may just be for kids), people watching.

With the weekend many head to the beach ... be forewarned, get there early to get a parking space AND avoid traffic lines, and lines, and lines ... unless you are just married to the idea of the pavilion, stick to north beach to avoid much of the crowd. If you love a crowded beach, where you are bound to see someone who looks worse than you do in a bathing suit, then by all means stay south. It's not always wrong to go with ego is it? what would Freud say?

When you want a break from the sand to walk around looking for beach souveys to take home, a great local artist shop is www.atlanticbeacongallery.com ... owner Debbie is a true sweetheart with a desire to help artists be seen. In fact, check out the 3-Cord Strong bracelets (Eccl4:13), anklets and key chains ... they are handmade from parachute cord ... feel the strength! Atlantic Beacon is the islands exclusive carrier of these hot new trend! Get your's today!!

When ready for a meal, sitting on the porch and continuing to enjoy the ocean view? Best spot, IMHO, is Fannie's. They offer a great menu, value and taste! Their crab legs are best priced, juicy and succulent! Of course, I may be prejudiced toward crab legs but I'm also picky! Sorry, Red Lobster, you are in Savannah, get real seafood.

If you are into night life ... River Street, City Market and surrounding offer what you are looking for, jazz, rock, blues ... etc. For that romantic dinner, there are choices as well...more on that another time.

Now, you are asking yourself, but MilliD "where is Savannah's best dining place to eat?"

Alligator Soul on Barnard ... great cuisine, fresh, local, organic ... and the martinis? out of this world if you are inclined. Bartender Wendy will set you up ... try to stump her with your order ... go ahead and try!

I'm betting I know who wins!