North to Seductive Savannah …
Seductive, captivating, beautiful, charming, endearing and elegant, entrancing, bewitched by a little voodoo here and there …
Yes, Savannah, Georgia is all this and more: hot, humid, muggy, sweaty. But… I’m just putting it out here, I love Savannah. Like I love Cumberland Island and my grands (sons, nephews, niece), just love it. It is filled with beauty: history (the standard and the shocking), splendid architecture, public sculpture, live oaks dripping Spanish moss, and built around twenty-four of the most beautiful garden squares ever. AND, not to forget friendly citizens who are exceedingly polite and quintessentially Southern. As in (and we heard each of these with our very own Yankee ears):
How are ya’? Well, gracious me! We’re fixin to right soon. How’s your momma? Y’all want sweet tea or that other? I‘m just discombobulated with this heat. He just threw a hissy-fit over nothin’. Just stop fussin’ and get at it.
THIS is colorful language, without four letters.
Savannah is a southern city established in 1733 and later designed by British General James Ogelthorpe. He was assigned the duty of establishing a colony in Georgia (named for King George II) with the assistance of specially chosen, hard-working, “God-fearing farmers” (including many who met the criteria but were in English debtors’ prison).
The colony grew, eventually became a state, and here we are today. Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and one of the oldest in the United States. She also has one of the nation’s largest National Historic Landmark districts. For this we are indebted to a group of civic-minded women in the 1950’s who refused to allow urban blight to take over (and had the resources and iron wills to make it happen). This protection has been lovingly and brilliantly continued. We are also indebted to Major General William Tecumseh Sherman (of Civil War fame) who captured Savannah but made a deliberate choice to spare her from his Yankee torch. Author David Morrissey calls this “a brutally romantic” part of Savannah’s long history. More about this later.

Sunset over Savannah’s Isle of Hope Marina, Dejarlo’s home for eleven days. You can spot Dejarlo center-left with the green canvas. [Click on photo to enlarge.]
And speaking of the Major General, Sherman had intended to include Savannah in his famous/infamous “March to the Sea” with his still controversial scorched earth policy. It is reported that when he captured Savannah, he was so taken with her beauty, that he did not destroy her. He had been out of touch with Washington, DC for nearly six weeks when President Abraham Lincoln received this telegram on December 22, 1864: “I beg to present to you as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah.” This telegram was a huge relief to the President who immediately responded: “Many, many thanks for your Christmas gift-the capture of Savannah.”
The Civil War ended officially several months later.
Here are some images from our trip up to Savannah:
Sister Mickey
1. … I don’t think you should sail (or motor) in the dark.
2. … lobster … yum
3. … thanks for the history!
4. … you shouldn’t be cold sitting next to magma.
Jane Batts
Well, as an old classmate of John’s I love reading your sojourn. You two sailors have some serious literary skills…. it is fun to follow along with your adventures! This one I loved, as I have been a southern girl for many years. Ya’all be safe and bless your hearts ! 🙂
John & Jane
Southern? I guess so. But I bet you’ve still got a Mattoon sweatshirt stashed away somewhere. -John