May 13, 2008

May 13, 2008

Fort McCallister State Park is a two-fer. Not only does it offer RV hookups, it is also a significant historical site. The Visitor Center has a small museum on the fort’s history. After Sherman captured Atlanta in 1864, he made his famous “March to the Sea”, without his supply trains, but rather living off the land, slashing and burning as he went. When he finally reached Savannah, GA, he was in dire need of supplies. Fort McCallister, guarding a local river inlet, stood in his way. Despite the fort withstanding repeated river barrages, it was lightly guarded by land and Sherman captured it in fifteen minutes. From the Visitor Center we walk around the reconstructed fort and admire the great condition it is in. We fight annoying Mayflies the whole time.

We then make the short drive into downtown Savannah where we take a trolley tour of the historical district. It is a one-mile square grid of well-preserved 19th century homes decorated with ornate wrought iron porches intermixed with beautiful parks and moss-draped Live Oak trees. Very romantic and very southern. If we were city people, Savannah looks like a great place to spend the winter. We try to have lunch at Paula Dean’s restaurant but it is booked all day. Walking the city, we stop at Chippewa Square and its statue of Georgia founder James Oglethorpe. It is also the location of the recurring bus stop scene from the movie, Forrest Gump. Unfortunately they put the park bench in a museum and never replaced it. We finish at Forsyth Park with its beautiful fountain.

Leaving Savannah, we head north, crossing into South Carolina, where we spend the night at Colleton State Park with the RV overlooking the Edisto River. I walk the shoreline taking some photographs. I like how the setting sun is making the river reflections look like a modern art painting.