Savannah

We expected to love Savannah, but we had no idea how different it would be from St. Augustine just a few miles away. I knew the homes would be big and grand, but I had no idea they would be three story giants that are more like banks or libraries. Of course not all homes were mansions, but three story row homes lined up next to the more stately homes. We arrived in Savannah on Bay Street and parked in front of what used to be the famous cotton exchange which helped make Savannah's rail and commercial success. We walked along the river and imagined the ships coming in full of bricks for ballast, unload, and then leave with bales of cotton. Those old bricks are now worth about $6. a piece. Then we drove the historic district, taking note of the charming squares (24 in all) that occur every few blocks. The squares have fountains, or statues in memory of founders like Olglethorpe. We parked the car and walked in Forsyth Park, stopping to admire the fountain. The live oaks and the Spanish Moss made beautiful canopy walkways.

The Savannah History center pesented an excellent film on important points in Savannah history. Their displays were excellent too. It was interesting to me that the Indians in this area built circular homes with thatched grass roofs. There were odd displays, like Forest Gump's bench. Chuck was taken with the World War II display and the items---mess kit, mirror, M1 carbine, M1 rifle—which were once part of his life and are now a history exhibit. Chuck discovered he couldn't remember his rifle number anymore, a number he had blazoned in his memory for years.

Our best adventure was our morning at Fort Pulaski on the island of Cockspur. Fort Pulaski was built by the Union, occupied by the Confederates after Georgia succeeded, then a part of the Union conquests when Olmstead surrendered after the rifled canons blew a wall to smitherines. The Union mainly used the fort as a prison for 600 Confederate officers. The moat was interesting because it was tidal. The 7 ft deep water could be added or flushed out with adjustable gates. The human sewage of the fort drained into the moat, so it was really one big comode. It was Robert E Lee's first job design the drainage system for the island. The entire fort—which took 18 years and a million dollars to build—had fascinating brickwork and structure.

It was a great visit, and it is onward to Charleston.