Escaping the Cold: Defying Old Man Winter...haha

Oh Western New York, you are horrid in the winter.  You are cold.  You are dreary. You dump snow on my house and more infuriatingly on my driveway.  I really no likey you NY winter.   I have no idea how I have managed to end up buying a house and deciding to put down roots.  Indeed, I haven't a clue why my ancestors decided to live in this sun forsaken land.  Waking up to drizzle or blizzard does not make for a very happy Ruthanne.  Some people think all of this snow looks like a lot of fun.  Even my relatives (see below) have been known to enjoy making a snow fort.  Some people may think the snow is a lot of fun.  Yeah, but only for about five minutes, and only if you are inside.

Snow. Fun or YUCK?

In an effort to escape my winter blues, as well as stress at school and home, I sprinted in my snow-tire adorned Subaru to Savannah Georgia. Why?  Here is a list of many reasons... 
1. There isn't four feet of snow which the bright morning sun can bounce off of and make me feel all "chipper" inside while driving on greasy roads.
2. It is cheaper than plane tickets because I just had to be patient with driving (which I love doing).
3. It isn't freezing
4. It is sunny.
5. I like the stained glass in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
6. I feel safe walking about alone, at least during the sunshine.
7. I am somewhat familiar with the area.   My friend Molly and I went to Savannah in 2008 to visit our friend Laura in July.  I wanted to see how warm it was in December.
8. San Diego is where my friend Karyna lives, but I could stay in my hotel for 20 days for the price of the ticket for San Diego
9. My friend Molly lives in Portland, and I have never been there yet.  However,  I could stay in my hotel for 45 days for the price of flying to Portland. (Airport Jerk heads)
10.  I heart Spanish Moss.  I wanted to take some home in 2008, but I heard it is full of bugs.
11. I am once again trying to conquer the feelings Louisiana left me with towards the South.
12. There is an Irish bar that plays Irish music every night.
13. It makes me think of Molly.
14. Tybee Beach is down the road, and I can read while listening to the ocean on a (hopefully) deserted beach.
15. I am Ruthanne Main, and I need no reason for the things that I do.

I made my decision to go to Savannah around 7 or 8ish on Dec. 22.  I left bright and early Dec. 23rd, stopping only three times for gas and a break.  I made it there about 10:30 that night.   My hotel was in Richmond Hill, Travelodge, so as you can imagine, it was not stellar.  Even though it left a lot to be desired, it became an oasis.  It was peace.  It was quiet.  It was a place where I could be completely by myself and do anything I wanted.  It was an endless possibility.  I loved it right away, unpacking and nestling in for the night.


I hadn't planned anything to do on my trip, so after waking up I had to decide what my plan was for Christmas Eve.  It was 12-24.  It was warm!  All I needed was a long sleeve shirt!   With the help of my Tina-Tina (Tom-Tom), I drove directly to the Visitor's Center to find out what options I had.  I got a map of the city, a visitor's guide and information about what restaurants would be open on Christmas.  Apparently, there were four restaurants that would be open for the holiday.



Now, I have never been known for saving the best for last. I just jump into the things that I love right off the bat.  This was one of those times.  I am no Catholic, but I love Catholic art.  I especially love stained glass.  I even more especially love the Catholic stained glass in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah.  My Aunt Elsie used to talk of how my great-grandmother would tell both her and my grandmother to do their very best at playing the organ or playing the piano, because they were in fact playing for God.  I am  amazed at the beauty people create for God.

My living room is draped with many of the pictures I took in this church on my last trip here.  Many of them didn't turn out that well because I needed a tripod to get the details.  Yippee though, my mom bought me a tripod for Christmas.  I spent over an hour here. I could have spent all day here just looking at every window, capturing the facial features of each figure represented.  Religiously, I took pictures of nearly every window that had a good angle.  While taking pictures, I got a call from my friend Tarpin inviting me to Christmas dinner.  Crisis averted.  I will be eating on Christmas. 

 

 

I left the church to take a tour from the Old Town Trolley Tour of Historic Savannah.  In 2008, I went on a  ghost tour, so I knew parts of downtown already.