I decided to head down to Savannah Georgia to check out the Savannah College of Arts and Design after looking into their Graduate Film Program.
2/4/10
Salt Lake City to Savannah via Atlanta:
Early start today, catching the 07:05 flight to Atlanta; flying on a 757-200. Plane had to go through de-icing so we got off late from SLC. Flight down to Atlanta was smooth. I made sure to use my nifty kneesavers to keep the person in front of me putting his seat back. If you are over 6ft tall you need to get some of these if you fly coach!
Since the flight was late getting into Atlanta I got off the flight, walked down the concourse and right on to my flight to SAV. It is a very quick flight from Atlanta to Savannah, about 25 minutes. I had an emergency row seat right over the wing on the MD-88, the seat next to me was unoccupied so I was able to really stretch out.
The Savannah airport is small but very nice. Caught a cab to the hotel; I am staying in the Hilton DeSoto. Once checked in I relaxed for a bit before heading out to find some food. Walking North on Bull Street I am under a canopy of Spanish moss covered trees. As I walk through Chippewa Square I notice some very well feed squirrels running around, they look more like small dogs than squirrels. At the North end of this square is where the bus stop scene in ‘Forest Gump’ was filmed.
I made my way down to the River Walk along the Savannah River. Not many people out this evening. I guess the time of year, week and the weather is keeping them inside and away from the waterfront. Walking into River Street Sweets I am handed a fresh praline. I have not had one of these yummy treats since I was in New Orleans at the end of ’02. I had to place an order and have them shipped home and grab a few to go. As I walked back outside a huge freighter loaded down with cargo was going by. It was a ship from Saudi Arabia.
I walked around the city a little longer and checked out where the main SCAD building was relative to my hotel. It is right around the corner and can be seen from my hotel balcony.
2/5/10
Savannah Day 2:
Early Morning in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Woke up early today, well early for me since my body and mind are still on Utah time. After breakfast in the hotel restaurant, made sure to have some grits, I headed over to the SCAD orientation.
Since I had time to kill I walked down to the next square just south of SCAD. Monterey Square has some amazing houses! None more infamous than the Mercer House, now known as the Mercer-Williams House Museum.
If you have seen or read the book ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ you will know exactly what I am talking about. After snapping several pictures of the house and surrounding houses, I went to “The Book” Gift Shop and Midnight Museum. It is quite the eclectic little store mostly dedicated to ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.’ I picked up a copy of the book (hardback) that has the author’s signature in it.
It was time to get checked in for the days SCAD activities. Once checked in I went to go visit with my guidance counselor. WOW, she is quite the Southern Belle!
After going over things with her I headed back out to walk around the city and check out the sights.
Stopped into the pub called The Six Pence; they have Strongbow cider on tap! So I had a pint of cider and a corned beef sandwich.
That afternoon there was a Deans Panel with all the graduate deans talking about graduate school and answering questions. I was very glad to be inside, because outside it was raining sideways! A good rainstorm had moved in a few hours earlier and proceeded to dump! When we came out from the Deans Panel it had stopped raining but many of the streets and squares showed signs of flooding from all the rain.
Walked back down to Monterey Square and attempted to take some night shots. I forgot to pack my travel tripod so I am very limited on how I can shoot at night on this trip. I then walked to Forsyth Park and took a few pictures of the white fountain.
Grabbed a quick bite to eat after that and called it a night.
2/6/10
Savannah Day 3:
My Own Private Savannah.
Today is my last day in Savannah, GA. I have very much enjoyed my time here in this great city and look forward to coming back some day.
Woke up this morning and was very thankful that today’s SCAD activities kicked off with a breakfast on the 15th floor of the Hilton hotel I am staying in. Some great views of the city from up there.
I meet a prospective grad student by the name of Jude, he too is looking at the film and dramatic writing courses. He is originally from Nigeria but has moved all around, living now in Georgia.
After breakfast all the prospective film students got in one of the SCAD buses and they took us over to tour their film & television building. The place is incredible, lots of fun toys and top of the line hardware to play with.
After the tour I headed back out to explore more of the city while the sun was still peaking through the clouds. Tracked down a house my good buddy Dave Powell’s cousin once owned (222 E Jones Street).
It is not far from the Mercer house. When they were filming ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ they wanted to use his garden.
He turned them down because he did not want the notoriety.
I stopped back in the small eclectic book store and talked to a lady there that has lived in Savannah all her life, she in fact went to SCAD back in the early 80’s. She told me about the haunted past the book stores building has. I guess the spirits of that place like to mess with her a little from time to time.
I went back at Forsyth Park and took some more pictures of the white fountain and the rest of the park.
Back to the hotel and a quick bite to eat while I wrap up my trip. I have a very early flight in the AM; 06:30 to Atlanta. However, the nice part is that I get into SLC at 11:20. Enough time to get in a quick nap before heading over to my fathers to watch the Super Bowl (Go Saints!).
Had a great time here in Savannah, I do hope to come back one day.
