February 29, 2008

Welcome to Savannah (Part 2)!

We stayed at The Marshall House in Savannah. The Marshall House has a very interesting history. It was built in 1851 as Savannah's first hotel. It has its original staircases, wood floors, fireplaces, brick walls and the doors in each guest room. The atrium (which was once a courtyard) has been glass enclosed to give a sense of its original use. From 1864-1865 the hotel was occupied by Union troops under General Sherman. It was also used as a Union hospital until the end of the Civil War.





In 2003 the Marshall House was featured on Great Hotels. It has been voted the "Best of Savannah" twice. In 2005 it was even featured on the Travel Channel's Haunted Hotels!





The Marshall House has just undergone a $12 million restoration. I can't recommend this hotel enough and we will certainly stay there again.






Gorgeous original staircase from the lobby to the 2nd floor









This was a little sitting area in our room





I believe this bed was the most comfortable I've ever slept in away from home




Corner of the "sitting area" just off the main lobby




Looking out from the sitting area into the lobby




Front of The Marshall House




French doors that lead into an adjoining restaurant/lounge




Original floor!




Atrium where breakfast was served




Portrait of Gen. James Marshall (Mary Marshall's husband)




A "must see" is Bonaventure Cemetery. Just outside of Savannah, this cemetery is rich in history and permanent "guests". Originally a plantation, over the years it was divided and eventually became the cemetery you see today. It is so peaceful and has more of the oak trees with dripping moss.










Gracie Watson's grave is one of the most visited graves at Bonaventure. She was the only child of her parents who owned one of Savannah's hotels. She died in 1890, two days before her 6th birthday. A noted sculpturer carved her life-sized likeness from a photograph. It is said that no matter where you stand to view her tomb, it seems her eyes are following you. Take a good look at Little Gracie and see what you think!






The detail is unbelievable. It is sculpted (sp?) to be the exact size of Little Gracie at her death wearing her Easter clothes





Her grave is beautifully maintained





Johnny Mercer is another famous "guest" at Bonaventure. His home is the Mercer-Williams house featured in "Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil". This bench depicts many of the songs he wrote.






Family burial plot of Johnny Mercer


OK....(drum roll)..... finally------------- It's off to The Lady and Sons for Sunday lunch!


In order to get your name in the hat for the Sunday buffet, you line up about 8:00 so you can get on the list. They start taking names at 9:00 for the 11:00 buffet. Hubby got up and went to get in line...even at 8:00 he was about 5th in line! These were some of the folks standing in line about 10:45 (what were they thinking!) trying and get a seat that day. The line goes around the building!







This is Paula Deen's shop right next to her restaurant. While hubby was standing in line, some of the staff were watering the planters...naturally, the water dripped down on all standing in line (not a good thing!)






Doors to enter The Lady and Sons. There are three floors to the restaurant and we were on the 3rd floor





Yummy fried green tomatos served with salsa and a valdalia onion relish. Hubby could not wait for his first bite so that's why there is an empty spot on the plate!





You know you are in the South when you get a sprig of mint in your ice tea!






Hoe cakes and garlic cheese biscuits






Fried chicken, mashed potatos, mac and cheese, collards....put some South in your mouth!






Good grief....it was soooo good!











I cannot recommend a trip to Savannah enough. Even in February, the weather was spring like. I went once before in May and it was wonderful.











Hope ya'll enjoyed a little bit of our trip to Savannah. I can't wait to go back!!!






15 comments:

  1. Judy, I'm so glad ya'll got to stay at The Marshall House, we love it there!
    Carol

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  2. I've been wanting to go back to Savannah for awhile now and your two posts have really made me want to even more! Thanks for sharing all the neat things you did.

    Hugs!
    Kat

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  3. Just beautiful!! Thank you so much for sharing all of that with us and all the pictures! I cant wait to go one day!!

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  4. Good Morning Judy,
    The Marshall House is just beautiful. I so love the bed that you had in your room. It is just stunning. I love the look of beds from the days of yesterday. I bet the Atrium was a very nice place to have breakfast. It looks so serene and so inviting. The Sculpture of Little Gracie looks so real. Ohmygosh, excuse me a moment while I wipe the drool off of my keyboard here. LOL. Oh yes, The Lady & Sons Restaurant. The food looks so good. I so want to go there someday. AMEN to fill your mouth with the South. The South has risen again. LOL. "THANK YOU" for taking us along on your Savannah trip. I have so enjoyed it very much, especially The Lady & Son's Restaurant. I have heard that you had to stand in line a long time just to get in. Did you get to meet Paula or her Son's by any chance? Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

    Love & Hugs,
    Karen H.

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  5. Savannah is just gorgeous and has such amazing sites to see!!!! I can't wait to get back there some day....it was a lot of fun to visit thru your pics :o)Have a great week!
    ~Des

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  6. Welcome Back! We have decided that we will definitely *do* Charleston and Savannah next spring. I can hardly wait; I haven't been in the South for years. I really want to do the Savannah Food Tour!!

    Janet

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  7. I'm officially jealous! Thanks for sharing all of the pictures with us - I loved seeing them all!!!!

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  8. Thanks so much, Judy! I love these two Savannah posts. I've always wanted to visit!

    I've read the book many times and also watched the movie many times.

    Looks like you had a great time. I enjoyed hearing about your trip and seeing the wonderful photos!

    Pat

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  9. Hi there, Judy.
    I am looking through the blogroll over at Karen's Corner. I enjoyed your visit to Savannah. I"ve been there a couple of times. I believe we ate at that restaurant our last time. We were on a tour and had tables set up for us at a certain time. A good trip!
    I am an Alabama girl too, but in exile.
    Mama Bear

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  10. ARen't these pics just great...thank you for the tour, I am storing this away in my memory bank in case I get there from NY!

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  11. I've always wanted to visit Savannah. I think It's because I've read so many books that talk about it and now your post just reiterates that. Beautiful!

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  12. Hello,

    I got your name over at Rhoda's...we are planning a trip in May (first time)..I was just tickled to read your posts.

    If you can think of anything else that is a must see I would so appreciate it !!

    We live in the NE glad to see it won't be too hot in May. 70-75 sounds perfect !!

    Thanks for the post,
    Kathy :)
    jokaj@comcast.net

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  13. I've always wanted to eat at The Lady & Sons but I haven't made it there yet. It's definitely on the to-do list!

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  14. Savannah is my favorite city. I even named my daughter after it. The city is such an "old soul" and is just magical. My favorite restaurant is the Pink House, Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I can not wait to go back.
    Heather

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  15. Hi again Judy :)

    I've been back reading and reading ....and when I came to this post I did a little hand clap LOL I love the book In the Garden of Good and Evil and I've wanted to go to Savannah my whole life. Your tour put me as close as I can get without actually being there. The oak trees with the moss are so gorgeous! Oh and Paula's restaurant too! I can't stand it I'm so jealous! I just wanted to say... beautiful post :)

    rue

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