Greatest Graveyards for Halloween

Appealing to my darker side, whenever I go to a new city, I typically seek out an old cemetery or two. I love the artistry of the historic headstones; mixed with the ravages of time, they provide a means of storytelling for the ages. The first two shots here are from the Granary Burying Ground in Boston. Skulls were a typical design element for tombstones.



From Kings Chapel Burying Ground, also in Boston:



Hollywood Forever may not compare in age to Boston, but it definitely controls the market on kitsch. Where else could you have a Lady in Black who delivers roses to an idol she has never met? Such is the power of silent screen star Rudolph Valentino who died all too young in 1926.



Once known as Calvary Cemetery, Pioneer Park in San Diego still has all the dead bodies buried below the ground...but all the headstones removed and dumped in a ravine, save for a handful that were deemed important by the City back in the 1970s. The select few were moved to the back of the park and re-installed so as to have more space for the park itself. Can you say Poltergeist?



Springwood Cemetery in Greenville was a cool discovery for me; you just never know what creepy or sad little figures you’ll see on a headstone.



Old Santa Rosa Chapel is another favorite; small, quaint, peaceful, and rich with history.



St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans has the future resting place of Nicolas Cage:



Most know about Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah; Laurel Grove is its lesser known counterpart:





I hope you all have a fun (yet safe!) Halloween!

See more Graveyard photos at my main website.

The Bird Girl

John Berendt's "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" did an excellent job of weaving fact and fiction to create a compelling character study that firmly put Savannah, Georgia on the map of top tourist destinations. On the cover of the infamous bestseller is Jack Leigh's photograph of The Bird Girl, a sculpture made in 1936 by Sylvia Shaw Judson.



A family in Savannah purchased one of the four copies that Judson made and placed it in the family's burial plot in Bonaventure Cemetery. Once the book hit the bestseller list, apparently the tourist traffic to the plot caused the family to remove the statue. It didn't matter...people (including me) still visited the plot. Do you think I make a decent substitute?

The statue was put on display at the Telfair Academy Art Museum, also in Savannah. Unfortunately, photos were not allowed.



In 2014, the Bird Girl was moved next door to the Jepsen Center for the Arts.



For whatever reason, photos are now allowed.





Taking a closer look, you can see the little holes in the "dishes" that the Bird Girl holds, allowing water to flow out when it fills. Originally, it was designed to be a fountain.





More Savannah photos at my main website.

Back to Savannah, Pt. 1

Once again, I made the trek back to my very favorite Southern city, Savannah, Georgia. It had been almost a year since my last visit (how time flies as you get older), and I was excited to be back at my favorite B&B, The Hamilton-Turner Inn.

I stayed in the James Oglethorpe Suite, which afforded a beautiful view over Lafayette Square.



The recently remodeled bathroom was out of this world. Just take a gander at that tub!



The room itself was beautifully appointed and spacious:



After my red-eye flight, I had important matters to attend to, namely lunch at the nearby Firefly Cafe on Troup Square.



This is one of my favorite quiet little spots in Savannah where you can get a good meal:



while admiring the art on the walls, like this painting by James Dean called "Pete & Gracie".



It is based on a statue/gravesite in nearby Bonaventure Cemetery:



Two scoops of my favorite ice cream, Tutti Frutti at Leopold's, made me feel like I was home again.



More Savannah photos at my main website.

Splendid Decay

When asked why I love the city of Savannah so much, I find it difficult to put into words just exactly what it is that draws me back so often. I just booked yet another trip there and can't wait to see this historic city which beckons me to visit over and over again.



Artist Preston Russell put the feeling into words so very well:

When I drove down that first Savannah street in 1972, I saw something very moving—arresting. Old things, things that don't tend to dwell elsewhere in America. Old ways, old traditions. Tradition, someone said long ago, is the living faith of dead people. One can feel it here, even on a visit. After a few years, you know it. Old buildings, many dropping in splendid decay, like elderly folks who become more beautiful with the patina of survival. These old structures even seem to endow their occupants with an aura, as if an ordinary person walking down a Savannah street seems more real—even extraordinary—compared to that same person walking around the ubiquitous American strip mall.



Splendid decay. I love it. There is something about a historic building before it has been "restored." The moss, the cracks, the peeling paint...everything it has accumulated over the years adds to its character and heightens the story. For me, once a fresh coat of paint is slapped on, it begins to lose the wisdom and charm of its journey.



In his book, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," author John Berendt described it this way:



The city looked inward, sealed off from the noises and distractions of the world at large. It grew inward, too, and in such a way that its people flourished like hothouse plants tended by an indulgent gardener. The ordinary became extraordinary. Eccentrics thrived. Evvery nuance and quirk of personality achieved greater brilliance in that lush enclousre than would have been possible anywhere else on earth.







In anticipation of my arrival, a toast to dear Savannah...



because if it's good enough for Rembrandt...



it's good enough for me. Can't wait to see you again and feel your inspiration.

See more Savannah, Georgia photos on my Savannah web pages.

Savannah Rock 'N Roll Excursion, Pt. 4

Another early a.m. in Savannah with my camera, spent mainly in Forsyth Park. What a beautiful way to start the day; huge old trees, pedestrian friendly paths, a welcoming fountain, and historic statues.







I had a few destinations for the day that weren't really within walking distance, so The Perry Rubber Bike Shop was the perfect place to rent bikes to get to where I needed to go.





AND they had a cool historic tile floor to marvel over while the paperwork was getting done!



First stop: Laurel Grove Cemetery. I'd been wanting to visit for the last few years, but because it's on the outskirts of town, had never quite made it.





This face is so haunting.







James Pierpont, the composer of "Jingle Bells" is one of the more distinguished residents of Laurel Grove.



Took a break for lunch and ventured back to Clary's.



An olive burger hit the spot and I was ready for more biking!



Drove the bike out to Bonaventure Cemetery, which is one of my favorite spots in Savannah. That may sound creepy because it's where the dead "live," but if you've ever been there, you'll know what I'm talking about.



Nothing like a little Faux-D© to make you feel like you are there:



The beautiful oak trees, the graceful Spanish Moss, the statuary...



absolutely gorgeous. The cobweb was the perfect bonus to this shot. It was as if the statue was sleeping, waiting to be awakened.



The blank eyes are like something out of the Twilight Zone.



The little cherubs are a reminder that infant death was an all too real (and often) occurrence back in the day.



One of the most touching graves/statues is that of Little Gracie, the beloved daughter of a local hotel manager. She is also one of the most popular spots in Bonaventure, earning signage that assists inquisitive visitors in finding her.





The Old Candler Hospital looks horrible during the day, but at night, it has a "Great Expectations" decayed glamour. There's something appealing to me about historic buildings just before they have been restored; once the restoration occurs, they seem to lose the old ghosts and tangible history. I'm all for restoration and preservation, but too often buildings become so "clean" and spic and span that they no longer retain their original character. Just sayin'...





The Mansion on Forsyth was the setting for drinks and appetizers; my good friend Mary (a local concierge) joined us for the evening.



The Mansion is HUGE!! Set inside a historic gothic architectural wonder, it has been given a glitzy Las Vegas-style makeover.



The bar is called 700 Drayton, named after its street address, which should make it easier for visitors to find!





Lots of "art" crammed inside (quotes intentional):



Plenty of comfortable seating:





and very tasty appetizers.





Still, it strayed a little too far from the style of historic Savannah to make it a regular stop on my annual trip. Dinner (as if appetizers would have been enough!) was at Local 11 Ten Restaurant on (you guessed it) 1110 Bull Street.



Hip and trendy, it was also very dark and quiet. Emphasizing local, fresh, and "intelligent" cuisine, something seemed a bit depressing about this place. The servers seemed devoid of personality, and it almost felt like conversation should be kept to a whisper.



I very much enjoyed my meal, but can't say I'd rush back. Although called "Local," very little of it evoked Savannah's historic charm.



Oh yes...there will be more; tomorrow is the big finish!

See more Savannah photos on my Savannah web pages.