Sweet Georgia Peaches

We were greeted in Savannah by lush, shady wide boulevards lined with magnificent oaks dripping in Spanish moss.  Savannah was built around 24  public squares (parks)  in 1733 and their most beautiful homes border the squares.

Everywhere we went, the air was perfumed with the intoxicating scent of blooming jasmine.  It felt soooo southern!

As we had enjoyed our Charleston trolley tour so much, we decided to explore Savannah this way, but couldn't get Jim to sit for that long, so he did it his way...

We had an hiliarious tour guide who gave us the "real" scoop on southern gentility.  You have to imagine this with a southern drawl.

1. You can say anything about someone or something as long as you follow it with, "Bless his/her heart."
2. There's no such thing as gossip.  It's just "spreadin' the truth."
3. It's impolite to honk your horn.  (The New Yorkers missed that part)

We saw the customary southern mansions, but these were a little more opulent than in Charleston.

The city has been revitalized by the presence of the Savannah College of Art & Design and it's influence was everywhere, including this beautiful wrought iron gate with flowers.  This college was voted "the hottest art college in America" and gives the city a great vibe.

Click on pic to enlarge.

We were surprised to learn that Savannah has a huge Irish Catholic population (they came to build the railroad) and hosts the 2nd largest St. Paddy's Day parade in the U.S.  Also, Paula Deen is everywhere!

We headed over to the riverfront district and had to take an elevator down the steep waterfront cliff which also houses numerous pirate caves.  Our lunch overlooking the water was even better with a live band (almost as good as the Dave Giles Craigleith Jam Band) and our server was Glenda's twin sister!

Then it was off to picturesque St. Simon's Island, Georgia to visit Danny's university track coach Bruce and his lovely wife Leslie, who hosted us for the night.  The island has a beautiful resort area, but is also filled with quaint, cottagey houses and lush vegetation.  We had the most amazing "pig sandwich" (aka pulled pork) sandwich - smokey, succulent, to die for!

We went for an early morning coffee in a little fair trade cafe overlooking the marshes which were filled with wildlife, including a little visiting gecko!

As we travelled over the causeway past Jekyll Island where Rod played golf this year, we were surrounded by tidal marshes on either side.

We've now hit the 5000 km mark and made it to Florida!