As I’m typing this I’m literally crying because I’m so sad to be leaving this area on Monday. A and I just had the best mini vacation down to Savannah! I couldn’t even wait a few days to write about our adventures! You know that light, peaceful feeling you get after a really, really good summer day with friends or family and you’re just sitting there in silence after the day is done and you feel infinite? That’s the feeling I had when we were driving back this afternoon and it was just the best.
Let me preface this with the fact that on the way down to Savannah some metal plate underneath my car came loose. It was just hanging in the middle of my car so the entire time we were down there my car sounded like it was on the verge of a breakdown. A called it the popcorn machine. So imagine this while I’m driving through serene, peaceful Savannah for three days. Got some sweet looks.
We arrived to Savannah early afternoon on Monday. Checked into the hotel and wasted no time getting out and exploring. I had made reservations at The Olde Pink House (which I posted a photo of and the story behind on insta) so we drove down to the historic district and explored a bit before dinner. Savannah’s historic district is built around 22 squares or parks. Basically in any direction there’s a new square every other block or so. They all have names based on historical figures and they are all landscaped beautifully. After exploring a few of these we went to dinner. The Olde Pink House was so pretty inside! They let you explore the 11 different dining rooms and each is so unique. Dinner was excellent, I highly recommend this if you ever visit Savannah. It’s pricier but worth it. I got the lobster tail with mash potatoes and butter beans. A got their fried chicken with mac and cheese. They prepare their fried chicken for 5 hours! It was SO good!!
Tuesday morning we got up early and went to the Sentient Bean. An eclectic coffee shop that displays local art on their walls. I was also happy because they sell quite a few vegan options. Also, it is directly across from Forsyth Park which is one of the main places I wanted to check out. Forsyth Park is Savannah’s Central Park..on a much smaller scale of course. The main attraction at this park is the fountain. It is over 150 years old and quite elaborate. After this we just kept walking towards downtown and the river. A major point of interest for me was to see the Mercer-Williams house. The house was the scene of the murder in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. A, bless his soul, has never read the book and probably could not care less but he treated me to a guided tour of the house! Williams was the man who owned the house until his death in 1990 – although, his family still owns it and his sister actually lives there now. Anyway, he was known for his antiques and his building restoration. He saved and restored 50-something buildings in Savannah! That’s crazy! He also ran an antique shop out of his carriage house. Therefore, this particular house has some incredible works of art and different pieces throughout. Some date back to the 1500s. It was awesome to see! A even enjoyed it! 🙂
I had been wanting to find a piece of art that is representative of the South to remember my first travel nurse assignment. The Savannah College of Art and Design aka SCAD is located in town and they have their own shop. We wandered in there and one of the first things I saw was a live oak draped in spanish moss sketched into a restored piece of maple wood. SO COOL. Plus it was done by a Savannah artist which is even better! I’m excited to someday display that wherever the heck I end up in this world.
Along the river downtown there is a nice little cobblestone riverwalk with a bunch of restaurants etc. We ended up eating at this place called Huey’s on the river. Cute place with a nice view, it was a little chilly so we ate inside but still had a view up against the windows. I had a shrimp po’boy that was delish! After lunch we drove over to Bonaventure Cemetary. This sounds like a really bizarre destination if you don’t know about it but it is a historic landmark and a main attraction because of “the book” (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil). I also posted a photo of this and the story behind it on insta. Absolutely the most scenic and beautiful cemetary I’ve ever seen..also an odd statement.
Because no grass grows under my feet, we left the cemetary and went right back downtown. A waitress had so kindly informed us the night before that open container is legal anywhere in the historic district. So, we grabbed a few beverages and walked across the street to hang out by the river for awhile. Later that night, after relaxing for a minute, we went to Leopold’s Ice Cream parlor. Famous place that has been run by the same family since early 1900s. Each night there are lines down the block for the icream. It was worth it! We got into the car to head back to the hotel and A goes “I made it through the day, I made it!” … I get a little crazy with my determination in seeing ALL THE THINGS I suppose. I had made him walk almost 10 miles that day. Oops.
Wednesday was the best weather day so we got up early and went to Wormsloe Plantation. This plantation originated in the 1700s!! There is a 1.5 mile drive into the land that is lined with live oak. It’s unreal. The grounds are HUGE. Also you feel like you are in a jungle while walking through them. The land backs up to a small river. When it was a running plantation the owner had armed guards and boats so that he could warn the local military if the Spanish were about to invade. Very interesting site. Unfortunately, you can’t see the house because it is still a private residence but the grounds itself are well worth a visit.
Next and final stop was Tybee Island! A and I both wanted our ocean fix so this was perfect. We sat on the beach for awhile enjoying the sun and water. I’m a partial lobster – again. Worth it though. We grabbed lunch at Tybee Island Social Club – really good and quite unassuming. It’s next to a pretty cheesy and decked out seafood place which was packed for that reason. This place was much quieter but the food was excellent. A and I reluctantly pulled ourselves out of the sun and headed back to Greensboro.
It was just the best way to end my time here. A is heading back up to Lake Placid in the next week or two and I will head home and then onto wherever I go next. I am extremely sad about that. He really made North Carolina what it was for me and I am VERY lucky to have met him. He asked me if I would watch him race this up coming season and I said of course I would! He brought up each of us going our own way a few times during the trip but in typical Jen fashion I couldn’t talk about it because it made me sad. I originally told people that I thought I would try to date a different person each place I was assigned but I don’t think I can do that. This would be way too hard to do every three months haha. Also, there’s a zero percent chance I would ever find this perfect of a scenario again. So for now I’ll just count myself lucky for meeting him and being able to get to know him!
Anyway, enjoy the photos below! This will be my last post until after I return from Vietnam in mid-April.
