Am I Dreaming, Or Is This Savannah?

Posted February 6, 2018 – Narrated by Carmen
To listen to the podcast, click the play button

One morning, about two weeks ago, I woke with the sudden cognition that my dreams had turned inside-out.

Siesta key Beach
This week on Siesta Key Beach in Florida

For as long as I can remember, my dreams were centered on the interiors of dozens of houses I’ve occupied from early childhood to the present.

But now, if any of those houses materialize at all, I am always on the outside viewing the exteriors as the structures wash up on a seashore, emerge in a clearing on a forested hill or pop up into the center of a highway.

Skidaway Island State Park campground
Skidaway Island State Park, a few miles from downtown Savannah, Georgia

Only rarely do I enter the “dream” houses but when I do, the windows are disproportionately large, gaping open like industrial garages and all kinds of wildlife nesting in and around the furnishings and crawling up in the trusses.

Skidaway Island State Park campground
Skidaway Island State Park campground

I shared all this with Jim and asked him if he thought we might be going feral.

After a moment of quiet consideration, he said that he didn’t know and conjectured that boxed wine and Salonpas would be prime bait for trapping feral trailer geezers.

Sheesh! Cajuns …

Grove Winery, Gibsonville, North Carolina
Grove Winery, Gibsonville, North Carolina.

So, I take this flip side of my dream-work to mean that, maybe, a shift has occurred …? that LIB is no longer in the realm of fantasy – the dream is now realized and I’ve entered a new dimension of unexplored territory.

I don’t know, but I wonder if other creatures released into their native habitat experience a similar transition.

Fetchy Puppy and Pico

I fly more now, too.

Before living in Beauty, I’d bump my knees while gliding over rooftops, get tangled in power lines … but these days, I gracefully skim along rivers, lakes, and fields – run my fingers through the leaves and watch the road below for the streak of silver which will be Beauty, Jim, and Pico meeting me for a rendezvous …

Skidaway Island State Park
Biking around Skidaway Island State Park

But, where are they? Oh no! Time is running out!

One dream-theme that has not changed is the ever-present antagonist, Time.

Which brings me to Savannah. If any city could cast a spell …

Talmadge Memorial Bridge, downtown Savannah
Talmadge Memorial Bridge to downtown Savannah

So, that’s where we spent my 62nd birthday week!

Savannah knows how to tame Time …

Paula Deen's Store, Downtown Savannah
A decoration for Daddy’s new kitchen.

The weather couldn’t have been better.

It rained – drizzled mostly with a few downpours. When it wasn’t raining the soggy Spanish moss tapped a tune on the trailer roof that went something like, “take-a-nap, take-a-nap, take-a-nap …”

Skidaway Island State Park
Skidaway Island State Park

The tantalizing food scene – just a short drive from our campground – roused us out of Dreamland and into Comfort-Food land.

Back and forth, back and forth – like windshield wipers – this dining out and napping thing played out for days.

The 5 Spot, Downtown Savannah
The 5 Spot’s fried green tomatoes… to dream for!
Sweet Potatoes, our favorite lunch!
Driftaway Cafe, Savannah
Driftaway Cafe, Savannah, GA – fresh succulent fish and charming potted garden!

Savannah had a deep-tissue effect on me. Even though it’s one of the most beautiful cities in North America …

Downtown Savannah

… hailed as the Hostess Of The South, and growing faster than all other Georgia cities – ranked first for public parks

Downtown Savannah

… and second only to Chicago for cool buildings and architecture, the place doesn’t put on highfalutin airs.

Pirate House, Downtown Savannah
The Old Pirates House, the oldest standing building in Georgia

Savannah is too big for that. She has softness and pulse, prays for me, feeds me biscuits and calls me “Baby.”

Downtown Savannah - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels

Now, we were sure to bring our church, synagogue and freemasonry manners with us, because The Hostess City is kinda-sorta ground-0 for prayer and politeness.

Downtown Savannah - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels

Then, we grabbed us some beers and set out to solve the great southern conundrum and had a good’ol history walk-about to boot.

Jim let me wear one of his Tommy Bahama shirts for my birthday walk through Savannah.

Sipping a local IPA while taking a self-guided tour of the downtown historical area proved to be prescriptively beneficial when confronted with the harsh realities of colonization, slavery, the Civil War and the struggle for civil rights …

Downtown Savannah

On the first sunny day, we took the Old Town Trolley Tour. This is another nifty and thrifty way to explore the city, enjoy all-day transportation and get elevated open-air city views from a cool, comfy seat.

That voluptuous tree canopy hinders views of those bodacious buildings from the curb, so the bus tour was essential for safely taking pics of the iconic street scenery from the middle of the street.

Downtown Savannah - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels
Downtown Savannah - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels
Downtown - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels
Downtown Savannah - Living In Beauty - Full-time Airstream travels
Juliette Gordon Low's Birthplace (founder of Girl Scouts of America)
Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthplace (founder of Girl Scouts of America)

It was really hot on that late October day and this birthday girl worked up quite a thirst.

Our guide told us that the best bar in Savannah is in the Prohibition Museum!

Savannah Prohibition Museum
Savannah Prohibition Museum
Savannah Prohibition Museum

Then, before going home, we stopped by Red & White Grocery and stocked up on smoked butt, slow-cooked field peas, turnip greens with extra pot liquor, fresh cornbread … and Mascot Chocolate Covered Pecans.

During our early supper, it started to drizzlin’ again. So we did the dishes and stretched out for a movie and a cozy nap because, Baby, that’s how it goes in Savannah where – for some reason I do not understand – you’ve got all the time in the world.