Enjoying a Slice of Life in Savannah Georgia!

Enjoying a Slice of Life in Savannah, Georgia!

By:  a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

Dear Henry,

I never told you about my trip to Savannah this year, did I?

This past March, I traveled to Savannah, Georgia, for a long weekend. It was a much-needed trip, and the first I’d taken since the COVID pandemic closed everything down. I was excited for more than one reason. Savannah is a city steeped in history and is also home to my middle son, who hadn’t been able to come home for some time due to the pandemic.

Savannah was established on February 12, 1733, when General James Oglethorpe and his group of settlers arrived at Yamacraw Bluff aboard the HMS Anne. From its earliest days, the Savannah River shaped the city’s identity. The river, and the port it supports, played a critical role in America’s early economy, exporting cotton and timber to Europe. Even now, Savannah remains one of the country’s major shipping hubs. It is remarkably easy to lose an afternoon simply watching massive cargo ships slide quietly up the river.

Unlike many Southern cities, Savannah escaped widespread destruction during the Civil War. Residents surrendered to General Sherman before the town could be burned, leaving much of its early architecture intact. Because of this, Savannah feels less like a museum and more like a living archive, a place where colonial America and the Civil War era still linger in brick, ironwork, and moss-draped squares.

I stayed at the Cotton Sail, a converted cotton warehouse built in 1820 that overlooks River Street. The hotel retains its original heart-pine floors, offers an excellent river view, and features a small balcony, perfect for observing the inevitable River Street shenanigans.

And there were many.

I hadn’t realized that when I booked the trip, Savannah hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country. Quite by accident, I had reserved one of the best seats for the festivities. From my balcony, I watched green-clad revelers, marching bands, and a city fully committed to celebration.

What surprised me most, though, was the absence of ghosts. Savannah is famous for its hauntings, yet I could find no record of resident spirits at the Cotton Sail, and none disturbed my sleep. It may be one of the few historic hotels in the city that isn’t haunted.

I spent my days visiting historic sites, including Wormsloe, with its iconic avenue of live oaks, the Pin Point Heritage Museum, housed in the former A.S. Varn & Son Oyster and Crab Factory, and the formidable Fort Pulaski. I also attended Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the mother church of the Savannah diocese, and once the parish of Flannery O’Connor. I was disappointed not to see her childhood home, but COVID still limited hours, and there was already more than I could reasonably fit into a single weekend.

Fortunately, my son lives there, giving me every reason to return.

Traveling during the pandemic made me a little anxious, but the real challenge turned out to be observing Lenten dietary restrictions in a city that takes food seriously. Savannah’s culinary offerings test even the most disciplined intentions. I attempted to “eat in the spirit of poverty,” but found myself deeply grateful that complete fasts are no longer required. Two standout meals came from Top Deck, where the truffle pretzel was far more decadent than anticipated, and Treylor Park, where I enjoyed a sloppy joe with mismatched fries and a truly indulgent pecan pie with vanilla ice cream.

I’ll happily return to both.

Savannah has much more to offer, and time spent with my son is always a gift. I’ll be back, there’s too much history, too much beauty, and too many stories left untold.

xoxo,

a.d. elliott

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

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