The days leading up to the 21st July blended into one as final preparations for the arrival of my parents got ever more frantic. The final touches to the bathroom redecoration actually took place on the morning of their arrival in between checking the status update of their flight, the smell of new paint easily apparent when they were welcomed into the apartment some time after 10pm. The next few days were basic orientation exercises and lazing around, walks along the beach to the pier, bike rides to local shops, and meals with family and friends.
A first real chance to get out and explore further afield came on Saturday 25th when Tina had a rare full day off. Routes were checked and attractions researched, the car readied, and a little later than planned we set off for Savannah over border in Georgia. On February 12, 1733, General James Oglethorpe and his settlers landed at Yamacraw Bluff and the city of Savannah was founded on that date, along with the colony of Georgia. 
In 1751 Savannah and the rest of Georgia became a Royal Colony and Savannah was made the colonial capital of Georgia. The city is renowned for its architecture and historic buildings and so was a place we’d been hoping to visit for some while. The intention was also to visit a Civil War battle site at Fort Pulaski a few miles west, but in the end the late start put paid to that venture.
The route along I-95 is somewhat uninspiring and the Georgia gas stations we used as rest stops had a more rural feel, especially the restrooms which while not as bad as Trainspotting’s “Worst toilet in Scotland”, would have earned honourable mentions in a similar US category. The final leg along I-16 suddenly ended and we were hurtling around a slip road into the historic district, able to just pull up in time to make the turn off for a car park at a trolley company. Our neighbour Michael had kindly given his four free passes for a trolley trip around the historic district. At $25 per person this proved to be a Godsend and given the scorching heat of the near midday sun, it was the most practical way of seeing and learning about the sights. 
Many of the buildings in the historic district are in beautiful condition, ornate, and colourful, with gardens replete with brilliant blooms. The route also wound its way past the 21 squares, more like small parks, and many with statues or monuments. Unfortunately the trolley windows and the pace of the tour didn’t make taking decent photos very easy although it was a good way of making a mental note of what there was to see in more detail on another visit. We did get off at the city markets area for a delicious ice cream and a wander down to the riverside before picking up the trolley to return to base.
There was just about time to visit the Roundhouse Railroad Museum a short walk from where we had parked. 
With half an hour to go before closing we were kindly excused the entrance fee and we wandered around the outside of the complex to take photos and watch a tank engine being put back into the shed after a day’s steaming. The complex began the 1830s as the Central of Georgia Railway headquarters and repair shops, a revolutionary design combining all the railroad’s cutting-edge facilities in one location. However the buildings fell into disuse after the Central of Georgia was merged with Southern Railway in the mid-twentieth century, and the site was abandoned by the early 1960s. The complex was saved from demolition later that decade, and the City of Savannah has since invested millions to preserve the buildings.
A trip to Georgia would not be complete without some “good ol’ Southern cooking” so we called in at the Cracker Barrel restaurant on the way home. It was my first visit to the “Barrel” since my trip to Titusville in 2008. The return was due to bemusement and wanting to show the parents the novel decor rather than any great admiration for the cuisine. Indeed I wanted to see if they still classed macaroni cheese as a vegetable side dish! The parents actually enjoyed their meal and sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch afterward too! Proper Crackers!
0 Responses to “Savannah”