Legendary Savannah's Forsyth Park, Mercer Williams House Museum, and Sorrel-Weed House Museum

General William Sherman's headquarters

Established in 1733, this southern gem was the grand design of General James Oglethorpe. Its formation was patterned after a Chinese city. Noted Architect, John Massengale, called this city's layout "the most intelligent grid in America, perhaps the world". Instead of burning it to the ground, General William Sherman presented it to President Lincoln as a Christmas gift. As a travel destination, it ranks number three in the United States according to the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2024 reader's survey.

Savannah, Georgia is dotted with picturesque miniature parks called squares, rightly named the "crown jewels" of the city. There is a total of 22 remaining today. Many are dominated by a monument featuring a famous dignitary who played an important part in its history and growth. Originally, they were used by the militia for practice and drills but now are gathering places for citizens and visitors. Each are shaded by huge live oak trees, beautifully landscaped, and surrounded by inns, shops, restaurants, museums, churches, and majestic estate homes available for you to tour.

On our way to Savannah, we made a stop at the Sheldon Church Ruins in Beaufort County, SC, which would turn out to be a fortuitous decision. From there, it was another hour drive to Savannah. Our accommodations for our two-night stay was in the Historic District at the Cambria Hotel on Montgomery Street. It turned out to be a good location because it put us within decent walking distance to the landmarks and points of interest we wanted to see. We were about a half a mile from East Bay Street and a little less than a half mile from the famous and stunning Forsyth Park, a must see when visiting the city.

Forsyth Park is a massive 30-acre park. It was the first landmark we targeted as we made our way down Whitaker Street past four of the city's picturesque squares, Palaskie Square, Madison Square, Chatham Square, and Monterey Square. It is three blocks wide, spanning from Whitaker Street to Drayton Street. Its vastness becomes obvious as you stand at its entrance on Gaston and Bull Streets--a tree-lined green space leading to an inspirational white fountain and extending beyond as far as you can see. The famous fountain was modeled after the fountains at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. The perfect place for family pictures, selfies, and contemplation, which we did.

Moving past the fountain, you come to a building called The Fort on Forsyth where there is a restaurant, children's playgrounds, and a huge domed stage for concerts. Continuing further, you come to a tall Civil War Monument, and beyond that, acres and acres of green grass for setting up picnics and playing sports. The sun was getting low in the sky, so we made our way back toward our hotel, walking past the nearby squares, picking out the estate homes we were interested in touring on our next day--the Mercer William House Museum and The Old Sorrel-Weed House Museum.

The Mercer Williams House Museum is one of the largest homes in Savannah, covering a full block. Even though the house bears the Williams name, no one from the Mercer Williams' family ever lived in the house. John R. Wilder bought it and completed its construction. The house and carriage house are both constructed with deep rose-colored bricks called 'Philadelphia Reds'. Its architectural design adds Renaissance Revival elements to a standard mix of Greek and Italianate. The house maintains its original moldings, windows, doorways, hand-railings, interior shutters, flooring and famous interior dome with stained glass fitted in 1868 when construction on the home was finished. Its 60-foot entrance hall retains its original ceramic tile made in England at Stoke-on-Trent.

The house was slated to be demolished. In 1969, James A. Williams, one of Savannah’s earliest and most dedicated private preservationists, bought the vacant property and began a two-year restoration of the house that would become his permanent residence. Thus, we have the famous Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I will not go into detail about the true murder story. You will have to read the book, watch the movie, or go to Savannah and do the tour to get the facts. However, I do enthusiastically suggest the tour. It is fascinating, and our guide was excellent. I have no pictures of the Mercer House gardens or interior. You are not permitted to take photographs once you leave the carriage house, where the tour begins. However, I will say, it was stunning. Interesting fact--James Williams had a cat named Sheldon, who came from the Sheldon Church in South Carolina, according to the guide. Tour cost--$13.50 per person.

The Sorrel-Weed House and Carriage House Museum was our next tour. We were encouraged to take as many photographs as we wanted to. This house is famous for its ghost stories and is considered the most haunted house in Savannah. However, we did not do the nighttime ghost tour, we did the history tour. The tour began in the gardens, moved to the carriage house, then to the ground level floor, and finally to the main floors. The tour guide told story after story of the three different owners and the people who served them as we moved from place to place, some historically fascinating, some diabolically gruesome. Wealthy French Hatian merchant Francis Sorrel, the original owner, hosted well known guests like Robert E. Lee and the Sorrel family's many famed parties. It was the first home in the State of Georgia to be designated a state landmark. Enjoy the photographs. Tour cost--$14 per person.

Savannah's history oozes with charm. Its architecture dates back more than 200 years. Many of the city's oldest houses and buildings have been transformed into museums over the years. You'll find that Savannah is legendary for its unique old-world antebellum architecture, her cobblestone streets, beautifully landscaped garden squares, and world-renowned parks. Small shops and fine eating establishments small and large are aplenty. One visit is not enough. Two visits are not enough. Three visits are not enough. I will go as far as to say, no number of visits is enough to take in all that is Savannah.

Ocean Lodge, St. Simons Island-A Taste Of Old World Italy.

For this article, I am going to head down along the coast to our southern neighbor. I first heard of this cultured place while watching a fishing program. The place is St. Simons Island.

St. Simons Island is one of four barrier islands along the 100 mile-long coast of Georgia on the Atlantic Ocean. Travelers are drawn to the islands for their beaches, wetlands, sub-tropical forests, and water recreation every year. Its elite resorts are frequented by some of the nations wealthiest families.

The first inhabitants of St. Simons lived there during fishing season about 2,000 BCE. Later, the island was inhabited by a coastal tribe of Indians who became known as the Timucuan and related groups called Mocama and Guale. They were present when the island saw its first Europeans, likely the Spanish, who founded missions there. With the establishment of Charles Towne, the Spanish influence on the island became threatened and English pirates terrorized the settlements along its coast. Eventually the Timucuans abandoned the island and were absorbed by the Yamassees in Florida. English colonists cultivated the island for rice and cotton that was worked by large populations of African slaves, who created the unique Gullah culture. The island since the early 20th century has been developed as a resort community.

Ocean Lodge, just a few short steps from the ocean, is detailed to give your stay the look and feel of being immersed in the traditions of Old World Italy. It has fifteen spacious and well-appointed ocean view guest rooms. Each room is detailed with the romance and mystique of European villas with a full kitchen, separate bedroom area, and beautifully furnished sitting space all open onto your own private veranda hall. All are equipped with large-screen televisions and WiFi. Ocean Lodge also features a rooftop terrace and lounge.

Enjoy a massage from their certified massage therapist, take a bike ride on the beach, enjoy a workout, play a round of golf, or go boating. To top it all off, it is ideally located close to St. Simon’s finest restaurants, and the historic lighthouse. If you decide to venture away from all the luxurious amenities of Ocean Lodge, you can stroll about the shops in the quaint village of St. Simons. Read the reviews from Tripadvisor. 

Visit The Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta-Titanic Aquatic

Georgia Aquarium is the world's largest and most engaging aquariums. You are invited to experience the mysterious, tragic story of one of the most famous ships in history through the new Titanic Aquatic. This new Titanic exhibition brings to life the story of the fated Titanic through authentic artifacts and hands-on interactive experiences. Titanic Aquatic includes a vast collection of more than 190 artifacts recovered from Titanic’s debris field including 40 that have never been seen before. In addition to recovered artifacts and dramatic room recreations, the exhibition will engage visitors through interactive displays and captivating high-definition video presentations on Titanic’s construction, maiden voyage, tragic sinking and recovery of authentic artifacts. This exhibit opened august 22, 2008 and has been extended till Sept. 7, 2009. for more information on this and more go to Vacation Rick Travel the Atlanta page.

Visit Atlanta, GA-Hot Destination

Atlanta is on fire! Family fun at every turn and one of the best places to do business. Plenty of top notch accommodations and an excellent airport to land in. Here are just a sampling of what you can do and see:
The Atlanta Civic Center is hosting a new King Tut exhibition from November 15, 2008 to May 17, 2009. Underground Atlanta is six city blocks transformed into a marketplace that offers historic guided tours, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. The Georgia Aquarium is the worlds largest aquarium. Ride Goliath at Six Flags over Georgia and take a plunge on Cliffhanger at Six Flags White Water. Much, much more. Visit Vacation Rick Travel-Atlanta for all the details.