This post is very, very late, but I wanted to share my trip to Savannah for the Rock 'n Roll Savannah Marathon!
Though my time in Savannah was short, I was determined to make the most of it! Unfortunately, Friday was completely occupied with trying to get my race number and time chip--the marathon expo was located across the river, and because Savannah isn't a city made for an influx of tons of people, I ended up spending about 2 hours in a cab.
I tried to turn in early on Friday night before the race, but as anyone who's ever run in a big event can tell you, sleeping was pretty impossible. I think I got about 4 hours total, adrenaline took over the next day. I was determined to beat my time from the Nike Women's Marathon in SF, and I surpassed it by a whole 27 minutes! It was a huge personal achievement made even sweeter by the fact that my very supportive parents came to cheer me on. After the race, I kept to my tried and true recovery routine: stuffing my face with more food than I really wanted, and a soak in an ice bath. It may not sound too pleasant, but it's well worth being able to walk around the next day, especially when you've got a gorgeous city in front of you.
On Sunday, my dad had to leave early, so my mom and I had a lovely ladies day.
Before lunch, we walked along Bay Street and stopped to admire the Old Savannah Cotton Exchange Building.
The Old Savannah Cotton Exchange
We had an early lunch at The Pirate's House, a fun tourist trap I hadn't been to since I was 6. Although it's pretty touristy now, it's been open since 1753 and has reputedly hosted scads of sailors and pirates. I tried to have the most Southern lunch possible, since I was headed back to New York the next day. On my first trip to the buffet, I got collard greens, sweet potatoes, black eyed peas, fried okra, & a crab cake, and on my second trip (hey, I had just run a marathon!), I picked up fried chicken and squash casserole.
The Pirate's House
Side note: The Pirate's House offered a drink called 'Chatham Artillery Punch' and also had the recipe printed on the menu. Judging from the ingredients, it definitely looked like heavy artillery to me - I may post the recipe soon.
Then we wandered over to Savannah's Design District, located mostly on Whitaker Street. The exception is ShopSCAD (located on Bull Street), which is a store that showcases the wonderful work of SCAD students and alums. Side note: they also have a shop in Lacoste, France. Who knew? Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge had just visited the city, and ShopSCAD and the rest of the interiors stores were still abuzz.
The window of ShopSCAD; I picked up a pair of sparkly crystal earrings by Julia Warner.
Clockwise from top: handmade pillows; the Gryphon Tea Room, a gorgeous restaurant owned & operated by SCAD; cotton cowl deer-print dress by Emily McLaughlin
At One Fish Two Fish: The Penny Saving Household Helper; refurbished vintage dresser, ceramic table lamps
Dreamy bedroom at One Fish Two Fish
The next stop was another well-curated and beautifully staged shop: Number Four Eleven.
The window of Number Four Eleven; a bed made with custom Julia B. linens (the linens that will be on the bed of my dreams. Assuming in my dreams I win the lottery.)
Clockwise from left: Grace Bonney's book (she's a former Savannah resident) brightens up a neutral table; close of up Julia B's beautiful linens; a pile of gold bangles sits in a coral dotted tray
Clockwise from left: Shelf filled with linens, heavy ceramic jars, and rope-bound mirror; neon quadrille earrings; soaps wrapped in metallic foil-stamped paper
After window-shopping and browsing, we strolled around the surrounding neighborhoods, which were packed with historical old homes, beautiful churches, and lush green squares.
Two gorgeous old Savannah buildings
The Historic Savannah Theater (Chippewa Square) and the city's Forsyth Park (you can just make out the famous fountain above)
We couldn't have had more fun - and although I don't have any photos of it, Elizabeth on 37th was one of the most enjoyable & delicious dining experience I've had in recent memory.
Have you guys ever been to Savannah? There was so much more I wanted to see but it will have to wait for another trip - what would you put on your must-do list?