Back to Savannah, Pt. 4

Despite the warnings about increased criminal activity, I took my time walking home after dinner. It was a quiet night that was perfect for taking a little extra time to capture some long exposure evening shots, such as these two on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Both of these buildings are run by the Savannah College of Art and Design, aka SCAD.



These ghosts of terrazzo tile intrigue me each time I see them, giving clues as to the retailers that once occupied these shops.



Levy's Jewelers sparkles at night with their ever-changing colored spotlights.



The Marshall House Hotel:



At the SCAD Library, this fly sculpture forever hangs upside down.



The SCAD Trustees Theatre:



It didn't matter that I'd already had dessert at The Grey; I was drawn into Leopold's Ice Cream.





This time, I tried the Ginger Ice Cream, which has become a new favorite.



Back on the road home, I continued to shoot photos, despite my belly being full of Ginger Ice Cream. The Owens Thomas House:



Colonial Park Cemetery. If only they didn't lock the gate at night.



I once dreamed of this vintage building and its condos on Lafayette Square being my retirement home. Until I got a look at the units inside.



The Flannery O'Connor childhood home:



Finally, back home to the Hamilton-Turner Inn. Another great day in Savannah closes.



More Savannah photos at my main website.

Back to Savannah, Pt. 3

One of the things I was most excited about on my re-visit to Savannah was dining at The Grey. Located in a converted Greyhound Bus Station, this restaurant is by far Savannah's most hip and happening haunt. I was fortunate to be able to meet owner John Morisano and the Grey's talented Chef, Mashama Bailey, who were unwinding with dinner after a long day at the restaurant.



My dinner was out of this world. The chicken was so flavorful.



Yams that melted in my mouth.



Did somebody mention sweet potato pie? I am ready to return.



The interior is right up my alley, as the renovation/restoration was done lovingly with attention to every vintage detail.







One of the highlights of my experience at The Grey was meeting this Harry Met Sally-esque couple, who proclaimed that their first date was a disaster but had morphed into the perfect relationship of being besties. He was in Savannah for a few weeks; she was up for the weekend. Something told me that despite the story, he was holding out hope for more than just a bestie. I didn't run into them again, so I have no idea how the evening turned out; I only know that the room they shared at The Westin had just one King-sized bed.



You do the math.

More The Grey Restaurant in Savannah photos at my main website.

Back to Savannah, Pt. 2

The Cathedral of St. John Baptist, located near Savannah's Lafayette Square, is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Georgia. It’s Gothic revival spires are often a point of geographical reference whenever I am lost!



Not much to say about the ornate interior, other than it is absolutely jaw dropping.









At night, it is even more beautiful.



More Lafayette Square in 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.

Rainbow Caverns Mine Train Map

This undated vintage image showing the map of the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train is most likely from 1956. The lovely lady in pink seems very proud to be showing off all of the options you have for fun in Frontierland. This gives you an idea of what existed before Big Thunder Mountain arrived. Below is a June 1960 image showing the living desert scene visible from the Mine Train.



Travel back in time to see more Nature's Wonderland goodness at my main website.

No Matches Here

I did my best to find a contemporary comparison shot of these two 1950s fellers at the entrance to Disneyland's Adventureland, but it appears that they may have bit the dust.

I know they were still around as of 1966, but that's the best my collection can do.



More Adventureland photo adventures await you at my main website.

Arizona Stagecoach

The Stagecoaches at Disneyland had an approximate five year run at the Park, beginning in 1955. This lovely young guest poses before the Arizona Coach. A detailed view of the artwork on the door:



This undated view is from approximately 1956…or so.

Hop aboard my main website for more vintage Disneyland Stagecoach photos.

The Formosa Gets Revamped

The Formosa Cafe is an historic Hollywood hangout that has been around since 1925. In Hollywood, that's the equivalent of 200 years or more on the East Coast. Sinatra, Monroe, Bogie, Gable…they all had a few libations here whenever they were finished filming at the studios. There's a lot of history in this place; or at least there was.

One of my favorite quirky films, "Still Breathing," had a few key scenes shot at the Formosa:



Here's a vintage shot of me hanging at the Formosa.



This place used to be dark. Even the glow of this light didn't brighten the place much. No complaints here; it's called atmosphere.



I LOVED this mural that was in one of the back rooms.



On my most recent trip to Hollywood, I had to stop by.



No longer dark, no longer atmospheric.



With a little snooping around the net, I found out that the place had been gutted. An uproar from the regulars caused the owners to decide to restore it to its former glory. I'd say it still has a long way to go. How do you restore atmosphere?!?

For more Formosa, head on over to my main website.