Savannah is everything you ever thought it would be; drippy with vines, muggy with heat and wet, knobbly old bars and very friendly people. Charmant, but not at all slick, despite the thousands of clattering tourist buses that run along the streets.
Lines around the block all day long |
Three of the best restaurants there are owned by an Australian! |
These old bombs were in a decor store |
Everyone embraces color |
And lounging around... |
Apparently someone thought Jesus was a Republican? |
You could spend a whole day at the cemetery. The statue of the girl which was on the cover of the book "Midnight..." was removed to a museum. The family were concerned that people were climbing all over her whilst taking photos.
We dropped Cy off at an old fashioned camp (no screens!) in North Carolina, his first sleepaway camp --and it was four weeks. We were worried and there were a few wobbly lips on the drop-off, but he loved it. Story for another day.
The food is tasty white and fried carbs, my kind of stuff. FF asked me: biscuits and gravy-- is that the same thing as scones and bechamel? Yes it kind of is!The sauce uses bacon drippings or lard instead of butter.
Biscuits and Gravy, Hermitage Cafe in Nashville, their slogan, "sobering up the wildlife since 1972" |
In Hilton Head I saw the half of the family who hosted me for a whole year when I was 17. Back then they lived up in New Canaan, Ct. and it really was the best year. Quite incredible to think a couple with four kids would take on another teen!
We saw the Biltmore Mansion which was overwhelmingly huge and not at all human sized. The rooms that most interested me was the kitchen and the underground pool, which they had to fill for each use because they didn't have chlorine in those days.
The pool was kind of creepy |
Nashville has become the second most popular destination in America for bachelorette parties, so we found ourselves in a giggling sea of women wearing loads of pink ribbons and feathers.
We also got to see the most bizarre thing in Savannah and Nashville. It's the open air traveling bar. You know when you've had a few choice margaritas or bubbles and you think of some really wild contraption and you think: This is the coolest idea ever! And in the morning you realize it was stupid and dangerous and no one would ever manufacture it? One idea that did make it is the traveling bar. Drunk people all sit around a bar with wheels and pedal through the streets, hooting, yelling and drinking. And I haven't told you the best part--it's all open air! Someone could fall off drunk and be smooshed by a car. Not only has this traveling bar taken off, they are veritably crowding the streets.
So you see, there's hope for cocktail-inspired ideas after all...
SAVANNAH cemetery holds my GREAT times 4 I think GRAND DADDY........GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE!!!There is a round about with a statue of him also!He was GEORGE WASHINGTON'S BEST BUDDY!!!!They rode together in the REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to go back.......I was there in the 80's.
I COULD NOT GET INTO THAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!I TRIED THREE TIMES!
They say its much changed here since 80's. I def would go back. U r well connected!!!
DeleteNever considered Nashville a destination spot...just a trek we had to make to see our kids volleyball, softball, football, and baseball games. Kinda glad those years are over, just kinda. Those touring bars are everywhere. So my first in Louisville, KY three years ago except they had their own driver. Everybody hates cyclists down here so I am surprised about the pedaling.
ReplyDeleteI could see that would take all the joy out of Nashville! How close r u to Nashville?
DeleteI've always wanted to go to Savannah since reading Midnight... loved all your pics of it!! Also you have educated me that gravy is in fact not brown but a bechemal sauce. I never knew that. But I have to say that scones and bechemal sounds awful. Give me jam and cream with the scones and bechemal on the vegetables thanks.
ReplyDeleteI dream of camps that last 4 weeks over the long holiday breaks. Sadly it's one American concept that hasn't had any traction here....
We resisted for years and now ii could kick myself. Its such a freeing amazing thing
DeleteWhat a wonderful trip! The Travelling Bar, well that's really wild. I'd fall off probably. We're going to Hilton Head this winter and I cannot wait, so excited. I love the South 11/10, my Dad lives in Georgia and I often think I should live there too.
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear about Cy's camp, we've always sent our kids to sleep away camp in the summer for a few weeks up in Algonquin Park, it's so great for them but the drop-off is brutal. xx
Yes for sure, will post when i get home. Its a whole other world...
DeleteSo you've been in our neck of the woods. We love Savannah, it's not like any other place we've ever lived and we're always finding something new. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteOh blow! I wish i knew. We could have met up and got some tips from a local. Are you living right in the town?
DeleteWhat a fun trip. I'm a southerner at heart: charm mixed with broodiness. Great to hear from you. xo
ReplyDeleteThats a great way to describe Sthern people!
DeleteLove the travelling bar!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are fabulous - you've captured the colour and quirkiness of the place superbly.
ReplyDeleteI've seen one of those travelling bars before and can't think where. Will ask my husband - he remembers these things - and get back to you. It was in Europe, I know that much.
Have just remembered - it was in Amsterdam (what a surprise!) and was called the Beer-Bike Bar.
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten what a great book it is, ta for the travelogue and the reminder.
ReplyDeleteLOL Reagan / Bush shirts. That is definitely the south :) I know this since I am a native Kentuckian.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of the travelling bar. Crazy but fab!
ReplyDeleteI did Hilton Head and Savannah 5 years ago. For an English family as we are it was not a typical holiday destination for us. I wanted to show my daughters that there was more to America than Florida. We had a week in Vegas too. All fab. Yes I remember the humidity and the cycling.
ReplyDeleteThat was very interesting. One of my blog buddies lives in Savannah and I've often wondered what it is like. You look happy and lovely.
ReplyDeletebeautiful family times. i came by to see of you'd posted recently. i miss you here. hope everyone is thriving. xo
ReplyDelete