Darien, Georgia

Shrimping boats on the Darien River, coastal Georgia.



Darien is home to Fort King George, the southern-most British fort built in North America during the colonial era. Constructed in 1720, the fort's purpose was to keep Spain from encroaching north out of Florida. Note the Union Jack still flies above the cannons.

The fort was abandoned by the Brits in 1736, burned down during the Civil War, used as a logging camp during the early 1900's and finally restored to original condition in 1988. The only inhabitants now are the remains of sixty British soldiers who died during their tour of duty on this foreign land.


Located just outside the fort are the tabby blocks of an early Spanish mission built in the late 1500's. Little is known about the mission, other than the Gaule indians (a tribe that has long since disappeared into the vacuum of history), mounted a violent rebellion against the Jesuit priests stationed at Mission Santa Domingo de Asoa.

Sunlight passes through long beards of Spanish moss dangling from a live oak above the old mission.


Crumbling warehouse in Darien, once used to store tobacco, cotton, rice, and other goods destined for transport across the sea.
On the outskirts of Darien is the Cypress Lounge. The sign above the front door grabbed our attention- three sharp looking chaps enjoying frothy beverages as one vigorously raises his arm, a scene more akin to a Dartmouth debate than a Georgia fishing village tavern.

Inside, tattered Confederate flags hung from dark walls. Two leathered commercial fishermen wearing rubber boots sat at the bar nursing mid-day Natural Lights. "This yer first time here?" asked one of the grizzled boatmen. "Hot outside but the beer is cold." After discovering the Cypress Lounge was not a collegiate debate club, We opted for the door instead.

The absurdity of the moment was further compounded by this mannequin hog-tied to a telephone pole in the parking lot.

Savannah

If a tourist from another country were to ask RR what American cities are must-sees, Savannah would top our list. They would find a most unique mix of history, architecture, southern culture, a thriving art scene, and a town that knows how to have a good time.

It's also the first city we've visited that converted a crumbling cemetary into a park. From 1750 to 1853, the Colonial cemetary was the final resting place for hundreds of early residents. Many of the graves are encased in tombs made of brick and cement- a practice we assume was done to discourage robbers from obtaining the gold watches and gold teeth of the interred.

Crawdads and oysters on the deck at the Bayou Cafe- Savannah cuisine at it's finest.

Pull the handsome little critters apart, suck the spicy juices from the head, and eat the tail!

Countless unique features adorn many of the buildings, such as this iron dragon sign holder at the Bayou Cafe.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, one of America's oldest churches.