Savannah!!

I started my weekend walking and immersion tour here - at the Mercer-Williams house, a block from my B&B. As it also begins and builds the story of "the book" - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - it was perfect. I returned several times during my weekend stay, and coughed up the $13 to tour the first floor. The house was built by architect John Norris in the 1850s for Hugh Mercer, the great grandfather of Johnny Mercer. Mercer never lived there, but they of course sell his CDs in the gift shop. Jim Williams, one of the main characters in 'the book' restored this house and much of historic Savannah in the 70s-80s. He gave two big Christmas parties each year - one for the elites of Savannah, according to his rotating list of who was in or out each year- and the other a 'bachelor' party. He collected and restored art and furniture from all over the world, some of which is still there.

Spring was one of my main reasons for escaping to Savannah in February. I expected something would be blooming - hopefully camelias. Aaaah, I was not disappointed. The squares, around which Savannah is built, are lush and green year round, with light filtering through the minority of deciduous trees in February. But the camelias shone like pink gems.

Thank heavens for Jim Williams and his archrival Lee Adler for preserving such amazingly beautiful architecture and homes. I suppose you could also thank Sherman for not burning the city down on his march southward. At any rate, there is a lot to revel in.
You could focus on windows, or roof lines, or arches, or the countless styles represented by stellar architects of the mid nineteenth century.

  

The pink house above was actually Sherman's headquarters during the civil war, 'offered' by a cotton barron as part of the bargain that he would save the city. Kind of fitting that it's the best example of Gothic revival.

Savannah College of Art and Design, founded in the 1970's, was also responsible for saving many beautiful buildings. The student artists and art is visible throughout the historic district, adding a nice layer of culture and color.                               

Perhaps nothing says Savannah louder than the towering oak trees laden with Spanish moss.
So it was a true escape from northern winter, a short tease of a weekend that left my senses swimming in..........well........ that alluring southern hospitality.