Red Gate Campground and RV Resort, August 8 to 14, 2018

Rating:  5 on a scale of 5

Location: This park had great on-line reviews, so when we decided to spend a week in Savannah, we decided to stay here. Located on a 200-acre farm and seemingly secluded, it is only about 6.5 miles to the Savannah Historic District. It was perfect for our stay.

Lot size: We had one of the best RV sites in the park, B-1. Located behind the office, it is sheltered by a massive, old live oak. There is a lot on one side (B-2) but not on the other, which provides for a lot of privacy. Most of the other lots are back-ins in a large field. The view from our front window was of a pond with a fountain...beautiful!

Amenities: The wifi here was usable and we were able to get lots of local stations on broadcast air. But the best part about this place are the beautiful grounds. There are 5 lakes and a nature trail around one of them. Catch-and-release fishing is permitted (but no swimming). There is a swimming pool, though. 

Next to the pool is a playground.

There is a valley ball court, horseshoe pits, and lots of space available for outdoor activities. 

The laundry room is located in the same building as the office. 

The Club House has a nice sitting area with large screen TV, pool table, piano, games, books, etc.

There is also a pavilion that can accommodate larger groups.

There are also two popular venues for weddings, celebrations, corporate events, etc., The Mackey House and the Red Gate Barn. 

Both are quite a distance from the RV sites. Below are a couple of snaps of the Red Gate Barn; and, one of the many live oaks on  the property. 

What we loved about Red Gate were the animals we saw everyday when we went for a walk with our doggie, Sadie. Near the Red Barn are chickens and peacocks. 

Horses could be seen grazing in the paddock. They are used for trail rides that are offered here (instruction plus 90-minute riding time). Anyone can make reservations for them.

But, the goats were Sadie’s favorite! 

Cost: $297; $49.5/night

Management: Red Gate is a family owned and operated park located in a beautiful setting on 200 acres. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. A package of information is provided at check in with information about local attractions, historical sites, shopping, restaurants, healthcare and vet services, etc. When we left a day early (due to impending bad weather of Hurricane Florence), they even gave us a refund for the night. That is the first time any park has done that when we had to leave early. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and it is just a very-well managed park with loads of Southern charm. 

General Comments:  We loved this place, primarily because we had a very private, large site nestled under a huge live oak. Every evening we would take a long walk on the grounds with our dog, and was very peaceful, serene and pretty. We will definitely stay here again. 

Website: www.redgatecampground.com

Beautiful Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, 9/12/2018

Because I really wanted to see the interior of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Savannah, we returned when it was open to visitors. It is closed when services are underway (held at 7:30 am and noon/weekdays; more on weekends and holy days). There is, of course, no admission fee, but a $3 donation is suggested. 

The church congregation formed in the late 18th century when French immigrants found refuge in Savannah. Designated a cathedral in 1850, it was dedicated on this site in 1876. Destroyed by fire in 1898, it was quickly rebuilt in 1900. A hundred years later a major restoration was completed in time for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the diocese. Today it remains the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. 

The marble baptismal font (weighing 8,000 pounds) was carved in Carrara, Italy, and shipped to the Port of Savannah. It is huge, and stunning! The Stations of the Cross (wood carvings from Bavaria) were restored to their original beauty during the 1999-2000 renovation. 

The new main altar is also carved from Carrara marble (and weighs 9,000 pounds). The panels are identical to those of the old high altar and baptismal font. 

Removed from the church for several decades, the crucifix shown below has been restored and is now on permanent display. The Altar of Reservation was given by the bishops and priests of the US after the fire of 1898. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved (stored) in the tabernacle that sits on top of the altar in the side chapel.

All of the carvings are exquisite.

The stained glass windows in the cathedral was re-leaded during the restoration and all of them are gorgeous. The transept windows show Christ’s Ascension into heaven (north) and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into heaven (south). Also shown is the rose window in the balcony above the pipes of the organ. 

The Noack pipe organ was made in Georgetown, MA, and installed the cathedral in 1987. It has 34 ranks (a rank=set of pipes producing the same timbre for a each note) and 2,308 pipes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to hear it!

I was raised in the Episcopal church, but love to visit/learn about churches or religious sites, whether ornate or simple, of any faith.

For additional information about the cathedral, go to: www.savannahcathedral.org.

A Few Sights in Savanah, 9/11/2018

With a map of Savannah in hand, we set out to see some of the sights. Our first stop was the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. 

Because a service was underway, the interior was closed to visitors. Instead we strolled around Lafayette Square (across the street). 

Established in 1733, Savannah is Georgia’s oldest city. Its founder, James Oglethorpe, designed the original town plan that included 22 park-like squares (Lafayette Square is one of them). The port city played a significant role in both the Revolutionary War and Civil War. Today, the Savannah National Historic Landmark District has many of the original town squares, historic antebellum homes and churches on wide, shady streets. 

River Street was our next stop. Along the Savannah River, open air markets there offer a wide array of goods and eats. 

There are around 70 businesses, shops, and restaurants along the street that attract tourists and locals, too.

Large tugs and other boats of all sizes can be seen on the Savannah River. 

We walked to Morrell Park to see the iconic Waving Girl statue. It is dedicated to Florence Martus, who for 44 years faithfully waved a welcome to each incoming ship and a goodbye to every outgoing one with her handkerchief. She died in 1943, but is clearly not forgotten. 

This Olympic cauldron was lit (by the torch from Greece) for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Yachting Events held in Savannah in 1996. 

At the end of the walkway on East River Street is the dock and ferry (a pleasant way to avoid auto traffic). Large ships could be seen at the Savannah Harbor from the dock.

Our last stop was Forsyth Park. The 30-acre park is the largest in the historic district and located on the south end. Created in 1840, the park was named for the governor at the time, John Forsyth. 

In the middle of the park is the Confederate Memorial Statue that commemorates volunteers who lost their lives fighting for the Confederacy.

In 1854, the gorgeous fountain and radiating walkways were added. 

Additionally, there are walking paths, playgrounds, sports areas (tennis, basketball, soccer, frisbee) and the home field for the Savannah Shamrocks Rugby Club.  

As we walked back to our car, we enjoyed the interesting architecture in the area. Below is a building of the Savannah School of Art and Design and the Mansion on Forsyth Park (offering plush lodging, spa, art gallery, and cooking classes). 

There are so many historic sights here in Savannah along with unique shops and upscale dining opportunities. It is very charming and the original city plan has served it very well. 

For additional information about sightseeing in Savannah, go to www.visitsavannah.com.