Savannah, GA - day 2

The weather forecast for today called for isolated showers and thunderstorms.  In fact, after breakfast, a shower came by and we decided it was time to cut my hair (my favorite barber was on board).

Katy always does a good job and I consider any haircut where no blood is spilt a success.

Hows that for one-handed picture taking?

After we cleaned up, the rain shower passed and we went for a walk.  I also needed to replace my wireless mouse for the laptop as the one I have been using has died.  I suspect it was dropped once too many times.  The dockmaster suggested a cellular store a few blocks away.  The cellular store did not have one, but an office supply store two doors down did.

Savannah was well designed with perfectly laid out square streets by British General James Olgethorpe in 1733.  A repeated pattern of open squares were intended to help prevent attack of the city from the waterfront.  Today those squares have been preserved as parks and open areas, providing more open space than any other city. 

The city's two mile square historic district is the nation's largest urban National Historic Landmark with more than 1,000 architechurally or historically significant structures restored and in use (per the Chamber of Commerce brochure).  Savannah is 18 miles from the Atlantic and sits on a 40 foot high bluff overlooking the Savannah River. 

Johnson Square was the city's first square laid out by Oglethorpe, and named for his friend Governor Robert Johnson of South Carolina.  The early colonists used the square as the center of their community and a sundial kept there was referenced for the time of day.  A replica of the sundial remains.

It is apparently indifferent to Daylight Savings Time.

The Square is also dominated by a huge granite shaft at its center, a monument to Nathanael Greene.  During the latter stages of the American Revolution, Rhode Island General Nathanael Greene was dispatched by George Washington to take command of the Southern forces in the face of almost impossible odds.  Greene's brilliant leadership has been credited with the eventual removal of British forces from the region.  He was considered a hero by the southern colonists and lived for a short time on Cumberland Island on Georgia's southern coast.  His remains lie buied under this monument to his leadership and bravery.

The square is graced with huge live oak trees.

Of course, a stop st Paula Deen's store is a must.

Probably the best collection of aprons I have ever seen.

Farther north we come to the City Market, a collection of shops and restaurants.

Ted takes a break from the hiking.

  

While Katy admires the flowers.

Continuing on, we enter another square, this one honoring the African-American soldiers who fought valiantly in the Revolutionary War.

We circle back down to River Street along the waterfront, a 9 block long plaza containing more than 70 boutiques, restaurants, galleries, pubs and museums, where we are docked. 

We could not resist the Savannah Candy Factory, where they do indeed make their own.

Taffy at it's best.

The taffy - wrapper...

Barrels of hard candy,

Chocolate, and the best ever pralines. 

After dinner, we watch as a freighter slid quietly into the sunset.

The "Georgia Queen" came by in full party mode...

And a large container ship slides by in the darkness like a ghost in the night...

Tomorrow, we are heading south and will anchor out over the next two or three days between here and Cumberland Island.  Probably will not have an internet connection, but maybe we can send up a picture or two via iphone.