Great Atlantic Seaboard Bicycyle Tour: Savannah, GA 10/22 25 driving miles; 11.4 walking miles

We opened the day in prayer (Always a good thing) by attending 7:30 AM mass at Saint John the Baptist Cathedral. From there it was straight down the slippery slope of tourism. First, it was breakfast at Goose Feathers Express Cafe and Bakery. Then, to atone for our culinary sins, we traveled out to Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous by the novel and movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The cemetery claims to be hauntingly beautiful. I agree. Since we were out and about, we ventured onward to Skidaway Island State Park for a nature walk in and amongst the sand marshes. The island is where those who first came to Oglethorpe's Colony tried to live, but the salt infused land proved too toxic to sustain much life. By then, our feet fully engaged on the slippery rails of decadence, we convinced ourselves that we'd earned lunch. We ate at a funky Greek based sandwhich joint called Zunzi's, which was fine (Healthy and moderate). Then, even though there are no slopes in Savannah, we rushed toward perdition by stopping at the chocolate shop where we munched chocolate pecan caramel turtles, and bought another treat for after dinner. But wait, since it's legal to walk the streets with a cup full of adult beverage in Savannah, the kids (Ed, Judy, Deb) stopped by the Old Pink House for a walking cocktail which they slurped down in the square celebrating John Wesley (Founder of the Methodist Church). I thought it quite fitting that the most egregious sin was committed under the scornful eye of Mr. Wesley (Who by the way has a few large splinters in his own eye). Then the sinning was over and the naps ensued. We finished the evening with a nice Mennonite prayer led by Judy, a nice spread of cold cuts prepared by Deb, and a nice round of smiles and giggles by all. Even as we wallow in the decadence of excessive tourism, we still must admit that life is good, especially today.

Saint John the Baptist Cathedral.

The sanctuary is awesome: marble columns, imported Austrian stained glass, hand carved wooden stations of the cross, and oil paintings of holy figures adhered to the walls. Amazing.