Hey Ya'll: Savannah-rama, Part 1

Last week was our Spring Break. Ahhh, Spring Break - it's going to be sorely missed when I finally wrap up my seven year stint in college. It won't be missed as much as winter break or summer break, but it will be missed nonetheless. School has been pretty hectic this semester, hence the lack of blog posts. The break was much needed and is already sorely missed. We spent four days in Savannah, Georgia enjoying quality time, sleeping in, gorgeous scenery and good food. It's about a five hour drive from here, so it was the perfect getaway for a few days. I initially wanted to go to New Orleans, but when I got around to my last minute planning I realized that out break coincided with Mardi Gras. Don't get me wrong, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is definitely something that's on the bucket list; however, it's also something that requires more than three days planning ahead.

Savannah is such a beautiful old city. The homes are absolutely beautiful and you just get such a great sense of the history while you explore it. The charm is also nicely augmented by liberal drinking laws - you're allowed to have open containers of alcohol in the historic district as long as they're in a clear plastic cup. Bartenders will ask, "For here, or to go?" when you order a drink, which I must admit is pretty awesome. This, paired with the fact that Georgia gets New Belgium beer made exploring on foot that much more fun. It felt a little strange, but Leon and I both enjoyed walking in front of the gorgeous City Hall en route to River Street while sipping on beer in our to go cups.

We got a good dose of southern hospitality from most everyone we met. Parts of Forrest Gump were filmed in Savannah, including Forrest's narration from the bench while waiting for the bus. The bench itself was put there for the film production and has been moved to a museum though, which makes it much less cool. I would definitely put in a stunt bench for the tourists if I has a say, but I don't. Savannah is also supposed to be super haunted and they have a lot of ghost and graveyard tours, but I just can't really buy into that stuff. I anticipate another post or two with pictures as this one is already a bit out of hand. What are some of your favorite vacation spots?

The Davenpot House, one of the first buildings in Savannah

to be preserved for its historic value. We actually got to go inside,

but I'm sad to say that it was a bit disappointing.

It was a bit chilly during our stay, but Spring was clearly

nudging its way in.

One of the many gorgeous Bed and Breakfasts in the historic district.

I would love to return to Savannah when my budget is a little

higher and stay somewhere like this.

I sure do love flowering trees.

This city really does have a level of charm that I haven't

really seen before. Many of the historic

homes had cute gutters like this one.

How's that for a backyard?

One of the ghost tours runs in this hearse. Tour-goers stand up

in the back while learning about Savannah's spooky stories.

"The Waving Girl," a statue in Savannah on the river front.

Supposedly a girl would stand there every day and

wave to greet the ships coming into port. There is some legend that

she was there every day for 40 years, waiting for her love who

has been lost at sea to return.

The old cobblestone streets by the port.

Cute, but difficult to balance on.

Every home really did seem more beautiful than the last.

The spot where Forrest waited on the bench and

told his life story.

The people of Savannah sure do love Forrest Gump.

The guide on our trolly tour was even an extra, but his scene got cut.

Gorgeous trees, as one would expect.

Forrest Gump isn't the only shrimp loving southerner who is

well known in Savannah. Paula Deen's restaurant The Lady and Sons

is also located there in the historic district, along with The Paula Deen Store,

specializing in all things Paula. I love to laugh at Paula's southern drawl and

love of butter on Food Network. I don't generally cook the types of things

that she does, but we couldn't pass up some of Paula's home cookin'.

"Hey ya'll" is the catch phrase on her sign. Hilarious.

The restaurant is a pretty large, three story place in

historic Savannah. You have to go make reservations

ahead of time and they were totally filled up every day we were in town.

Above is the garlic chive biscuit and "hoecake" that comes with

your meal. Paula Deen is such a naughty genius - they tell you

that the hoecake is great plain, but also prove maple syrup on the

table and urge you to have it that way. Pancakes with dinner -

perhaps not something for everyday, but Paula is a genius.

We both opted for the buffet so that we could sample

all the good southern fare that The Lady and Sons offers. This was

definitely the best buffet food I've ever had - nothing dry or flavorless

the way that buffet food generally is. The collard greens were amazing and

I even loved the creamed corn - which I thought was grits. I never

would have tried it if I knew what it was, but I'll hand it to Paula - she turns out

great food and I'm still working on detoxing from the trip.

Paula's restaurant has to make a crazy amount of money, but it still has that locally owned, down home feel. There are family pictures of the Deens by the elevators and I was particularly ticked when I spotted one of Paula kissing one of her sons on his mouth at his wedding. On the ride up to our table on the third floor Leon entertained the other diners by musing about whether they kept Paula in the basement. All in all, it was a delicious, very diet unfriendly gastronomic adventure.