Good times in Advent

We ate lunch on Sullivan's Island at Poe's Tavern on Saturday. It was cool and breezy, but the sun was shining and I went back to the car to get my W&L cap in order to counteract the Damn Wahoo sitting at the table at the entrance. It seemed everywhere I went that day there was another damn Wahoo or someone wearing a Sewanee sweatshirt. Heavy is the head.

This morning we awoke fairly early and packed the car with more stuff than we took down to Charleston. After saying our goodbyes, Cindy and Kate and I drove up to US 17 and drove down toward Savannah. The traffic on I-95 was packed and we decided to vacate the interstate for the old Savannah highway.

After travelling several hours down the old road, we got to a stretch of road which surrounded marshes and strip clubs in the boonies, then saw the new Talmadge bridge and the sunlight glinting off the dome of the customs house in downtown Savannah.

After crossing over the Savannah River, we drove around trying to find one of the more famous restaurants for lunch, but failed, so we finally made our way down into the area of the City Market, where I finally found a parking place and then walked past a monument to Hatian afro-americans who fought to keep Savannah free of the British during the revolution, then found a place to sit at an outdoor cafe, where we could sip champagne, eat lunch and watch the people go by and listen to a band playing down the walk from the restaurant.

It was a delightful time in the shadow of the old wholesale grocery. The bones of the building were magnificent. As I sat and ate my fish sandwich and red rice and drink my sweet tea, it occurred to me that I realize appreciate Savannah as much as I enjoy Charleston. They are two sister cities and share many things, but Charleston is usually appreciated more than Savannah for its vibrant historic preservation and its class. But Savannah is more egalitarian, democratic and is beautiful in its own right.

The ride back home was delightful and the traffic wasn't too bad and we got to drive cross country to avoid more traffic jams and pick up Tex at the farm out in the country where he was kept all week. Tonight, Kate and I drove around Griffin and saw the Christmas decorations and the big wreath on the Railroad Bridge. Now I am home and feel a whole lot better.

Christmas is here. I have shopping to do, but the season has arrived.