: Gunna need a new pair of shoes after all this walkin'

Daily Lesson:

The black out curtains in hotel rooms guarantee your toddler sleeps till 10am

First thing when we return, I am swapping Shiloh's Bahama shutters for 8 ft. black out curtains - just like the Marriott has so graciously blessed us with on this vacation. Shiloh has slept like a log since we've been here.

Why they are they not in every color and pattern at Babies R' Us by now is a mystery to me. Pass on the bottle warmer people, and register for black out curtains!

We have walked and walked and walked...if I do not shed some lbs then this Momma is gonna be mad.

We probably walk 6-8 miles a day, which feels great since the weather is crisp and clean breathing. We shopped and shopped and shopped yesterday, but nothing really stuck out to me. I hate it when town shops have all that cheesy souvenir crap - coaster with Savannah written on it..come on people, I want some cool stuff. There are boutiques o' plenty but the stuff is overly priced and I could scoop it up at 21 forever for $12.99 so, I'll pass.

We started yesterday off with the Trolley Tour all over Savannah. It was super informative and nice to sit and sight see after all this walking. Shiloh was a gem the whole time and let everyone know when a horsey was in the vicinity. The homes here are architecturally insane and some are so close their roof lines are overlapping. The Historical District is so desired that a 500 square ft home (a little bigger than Shiloh's playhouse) runs for $289,000k - This is where Realtors still like their job.

Haunted Home

There are certain homes that stay on the market, because the former house guests never leave. The tour explained that this one particular home, can only keep a new homeowner for a year or so before the sign goes back up. This home has had exorcisms performed on it to no prevail. They keep lights on 24/7 even though it is vacant to keep the ghost at bay.

After the tour, we went on our own exploration to check out some of the trolley spots up close & personal. One of Savannah's favorite stories involves the life of Florence Martus (1868 - 1943), who was known well by Savannahians and sailors of the sea as the Waving Girl. The story goes, she would wave at every passing ship with her Collie by her side. One sailor thought she was waving just to him and when he got to port, he found her and they later fell in love. When he had to be deployed, he promised to return for her. Florence waved at every ship day and night for 44 years of her life, never to remarry. Her dog would wake her up at night if a ship was coming, where Florence would wave by lantern. Poor girl in love, but at least she has a statue for her commitment. Some of us, don't even get that! lol

This is a Photographers mecca! One beautiful shot after another.

There is so much history here both glorious and tragedy. It is hard to imagine some of the tales of what life was like here in the late 1800's.
From Pirates, Slavery and some of the bloodiest battles in the US, Savannah still stands strong filled with beauty and hope.
To think the First African American Baptist Church - one of the hidden underground railroad hiding places now sits catty corner to Paula Deens restaurant seems funny to me. Time changes so much, for the city of Savannah - its been for the better.

My Mothers family
name. Maybe we're
related!

Forsyth Park Fountain (fountain purchased from a catalog for $300 in that early 1900's)

I think I have seen most of this vacation through a lens but, it is hard to walk past with out attempting to capture the beauty of it all. I am hoping to see a ghost in a window or the backdrop of one of my snapshots. I highly recommend this place for vacationing with young tots. The cobblestone streets at River Street is really the only challenge but, worth it. Enjoy our freedoms we have been given that stem from so much bloodshed. I still have a really hard time feeling deserving of such a beautiful gift - as freedom so effortlessly.