A road trip to the deep south | Part 3: springtime in Savannah

Pulling up to a valet in the sidewalk on a warm and humid spring afternoon a nice gentle man greeted us a welcome note in a creole accent. The streets has soaked up tourist on this early afternoon while I scan for a nearby fast food restaurant. There is a square in the middle of the rotunda surrounded by spectators of children running into the center maze like arcitechture. Around it are small shops and restaurants remnant of an old french town with hanging foliage of spring flowers.

“Welcome to Andaz Savannah, sir.” Muffled and what sounded like a mumble, his reverberant welcome tone in a cotton mask reflected a generous smile in his eyes. It’s caught my inattention and I responded with a nod and a smile (squinting my eyes). I gestured and he came up with a fist bump. These were the very first acceptable social greetings a year into the pandemic as the country and the rest of the world started to ease up on restrictions. Somehow the sun made its special debut on that same day bringing with it fresh summer breeze from the river down below.

Walk on cobblestone paths of seasonal bloom. In the heart of the Victorian district the Forsyth park leads you to a grand fountain of sea creature statues spitting out water. The Oak tree blanketed with green Spanish moss bring a diffused shade and intensifies the warm glow of the setting sun. You can hear children playing in the backdrop and find joggers with ease stride. Listen to the birds chirp as you acquaint yourself to a nice bench. Couples enjoying a nice stroll mesmerized as they absorb the grandeur welcome. On the grassy area you will find picnic blankets and pets run off with boisterous energy. Further into our walk my daughter gravitates towards an un-interrupted camelias and inhales deep into her lungs, caresses it as if she was holding in her hands a fragile baby’s feet. She runs around the bush. “over here papa, come look!” A little butterfly! She smiles with wrinkled forehead.

Every street crossing seemed like a grand entrance to a square that you immerse in a breath of awe. You can almost find a small fountain on every square. Perfectly situated an Antebellum home with turquoise and beige color- its boarders wrapped in neat paint of white defining its elegant design. My son stands behind a fire hydrant in front of the home painted in bright red and yellow. I frame a quick shot. A beautiful portrait in an instant becomes a sweet memory.

I was waiting for a parade of chocolate and oompa loompas‘. Swirl of colorful candies these floral arrangements lead you to lively brisk walks by flowing river of chocolate. Then I snapped back into reality and tagged along a play in the open green lawn as I hear my children ruffle through fallen leaves. My inner child exposed. The surrounding Victorian homes lined up in proportion so lively in their playful colors watch you from a distance.

We strolled a few more blocks around the main square the next few days. Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is an excellent example of French Gothic architecture you cannot pass up. Its 81 stained glass windows illuminates the pew from the beaming sun outside bringing a solemn sanctuary defining its interior with sharp symmetrical and intricate design. A nice shadow ellaborates the raveled details of each chiseled statue. This is Savannah’s first parish shortly before the end of the 18th century. It continues to stand tall even after a a devastating fire in the early 1900.

On a walk down to the western end of the Savannah’s riverfront you find a romantic cobble stone path beside an abandoned city power plant made of bricks. It screams industrial nostalgia of the early 1900. Here you can ride a ferry for a scenic tour of Savannah. Shops, restaurants and boutique line up along the river that does not obstruct its organic sentiments from the past. There is a steep incline stone stairwell you can use to take you down to the riverside district from the main street. Marriot’s luxury hotel boast a chrome dipped dinosaur fossil that hang above its lobby. This hotel structure was Savannah’s first power plant built by the riverside.

My kids and so many others enjoyed its life sized skeletal replica that drawfs anyone standing close or even from the second floor. A scavenger hunt on the two floor levels bring an excitement surprise of other artifacts for the whole family to discover. Its hallways adorned with vibrant paintings, jewels and huge collection of amethyst.

We decided to take a quick stop south east of Savannah about a 10 mile drive to the Wormsloe historic site before we continued on our trip to Florida. A breathtaking avenue canopied by live oaks from its main entrance to the colonial estate of Noble Jones. We got here late in the afternoon so we decided to head on towards our journey and visit this place again in the near future.

Savannah was a wonderful surprise for the whole family. A perfect way to stay in a place and explore by foot. Gorgeous weather and incredible natural floral display sheltered in a lovely shade of oak trees. It is truly a breath of fresh air. A wonderful memory of bright smiles and easy sunny days.

The series ‘A road trip to the deep south’ | Louisiana | Alabama- Georgia | Savannah | Florida |

Follow us next week as we continue this journey to the deep south and navigate our way through sunny Florida. Thank you for the coffee!

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