Paoli to Savannah

Ironically, the events of the book and film occurred in 1981, and it was not until 1994 when the book was published that Savannah began to enjoy an increase in tourism.

The famous bird girl statue featured ironically on the cover of the book originally marked a grave in the Bonaventure Cemetery, but was removed by the owners probably because it became the subject of so much interest after the book became a best seller. A Plaster cast of it now resides in the Savannah History Museum, apparently only 3 of the statues were ever made. Warner Bros still has a decent site built for Clint Eastwood's movie adaptation of the book that includes a map and description of the featured locations, and production notes.

During our short stay, it became obvious that aside from it's historic interest, Savannah's main tourist attraction is the waterfront area, along River street where many bars, restaurants, art galleries and shops can be found. Restaurants were packed, as people dined in the many terraces with a view of the Savannah river. In true southern fashion, it's legal to carry and consume an alcoholic beverage as you as you walk about town, and frozen concoctions can be proccurred at a number of bars. We spent a few hours there browsing the local galleries, bars, and candy stores. and eventually found the white-furr otter shown here. The sculpture is made of wood and is about two feet tall, the handiwork of an artist named Weir who specializes in a number of varieties of similar animal sculptures. We had them ship him to us, and he now occupies a corner of our living room next to the fireplace.