Georgia on my mind

Savannah, Georgia! Beautiful! The original design of this city allowed for plazas (squares) throughout around which neighborhoods were organized. Each plaza has an historical figure as a central focal point. All statues are facing "the enemy". In early times (1700s) this was Spain, then England, then the North. We enjoyed a tour of the city that allowed for an overview of the history. We especially enjoyed our walk along the river. True to our trip so far, we again looked for the "road less traveled". We settled on Pin Point Heritage Museum. This was one of the first Freedmen communities after the civil war and also the only still existing community along the Moon River/Waterway. The community itself was a rice plantation that Sherman settled on African American Union Solders (40 acres and a mule). They settled on the island along the river. Andrew Johnson, President that followed Lincoln, rescinded the land gift. The settlers were told to get out or share crop (a step above, barely, from slavery). They fought instead. They lost but several families stayed and after a hurricane in the 1890s the land was again available for sale to those that stayed. They bought their parcels for 29 dollars. The tour guides were descendants of those Freedmen. They had such pride in their community, which focused around their church. There was a factory on site from 1925 until 1985 that employed many of the community members, mainly women, who were strong and worked hard. They cleaned crabs during crab season and shucked oysters during oyster season. It was a fantastic museum experience, even more authentic because the people running the tours and museum were from those original folk. Clarence Thomas was born here, but that wasn't what struck me. What struck me was the pride in the community and the resolve to keep the community vibrant. 

Another highlight was the Historic Savannah Theatre! It was a two hour venue of music that for my generation took us down memory lane. It was very well done and captured our hearts. All of the music was good but again, what struck me was the rendition of "Georgia, on my mind"...

Promenade along the Savannah River

Kayaking on Moon River, yes THAT Moon River

Sunset at our campsite, Skidaway State Park

Boiling Blue Crab

The pot for boiling blue crab

Art Sculpture, notice the shells underneath. In Pin Point and throughout Savannah, there were roads and buildings made with "Tabby" a mixture of oyster shell, limestone and other ingredients I can't remember!