River Street and a Cobblestone Path

While blogging about recent

Southern weddings in 

Savannah style,

I became obsessed with

the city.

My fantasy became reality 

this weekend 

as my Mr. H

said, 

"Let's pack a bag and head south."

I tried to remain cool, 

but my heart was on a rampage 

and he could not see that my insides 

were jumping up and down.

I LOOOOVE RIVER STREET!

"River Street is a glittering, multi-faceted gem

along the broad Savannah River,"

The River Street Inn is a 5-story historic 

inn that has been preserved to provide

contemporary leisure with a taste

of charm from yesteryears.

Built in 1817, it was adjacent to the Cotton Exchange

and was used to store cotton.

Now, tourists enjoy the view of the Savannah River

from the French Balconies.

Most of the structures, over a century old, 

were once cotton warehouses

that have now been converted

to antique shops, boutiques, art galleries,

pubs, restaurants, and inns.

One of my yummies (literally) is 

The River Street Sweets Candy Store.

The candy shop is famous for its 

world famous pralines.

Me and my sweetie opted for a just a taste

of the WARM pralines,

made by hand, right before our eyes. 

The shop smelled YUMMY!

Since we both are already TOO SWEET

(both diabetic:(

we opted for a cup of Java 

at 

Vic's on the River.

I had a steaming 

Caramel, Chocolate, Toffee Latte.

No, it was not sugarless.

The hubby had a boring cup of

Colombian Dark Roast.

No, we didn't splurge on the Riverboat cruise,

but watched the ships come in and out of the port.

Couldn't help but show my Georgia pride.

This massive cargo ship

housed the living quarters almost 10 floors high

with cargo almost as high.

Here's a more distant view.

A cold day in Georgia, 

I was 3-layer-deep

in garments.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......

Savannah is home of SCAD,

Savannah College of Art and Design.

This gentleman of course was not a student

but a struggling artist

willing to share his talent.

His version of a sad time 

in America's history.

I asked if I could take his picture.

He gladly reciprocated.

We gave him a $5 bill and you would have 

thought we had offered him $500.

He was most appreciative.

He said he was about to draw Marilyn Monroe.

It was too coooold to stay still

so we meandered on down the road.

The upper level housed many antique shoppes.

I loved the character of this little shop.

Crusty brick with natural patina- my favorite. 

Most of the shops had a sign posted, 

"Photography prohibited,"

so I took an outside shot

through the window

of this silver dresser set.

The path up and down River Street 

is cobblestone.

While walking, 

I slipped a couple of times,

lost my bearings, and 

turned my ankle.

Without David's hand,

I would have gone a-sprawling.

This little almost-accident 

got me to thinking...

Sometimes in life, 

we find ourselves on rocky ground.

The road is hard,

the days are dark,

and the nights are long.

In Jesus we can claim the promise

of the coming of our Messiah

when

"Every valley shall be raised up,

every mountain and hill made low,

the rough ground shall become level,

the rugged places a plain,

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,

and all mankind together will see it.

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

Isaiah 40:4-5

Oh, how I long for the Glory of the Lord, 

to see Him, to hear His voice, and know His presence.

We find ourselves

yearning for level ground.

As the Psalmist we cry,

"...may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."

Psalm 143:10

Without the help of a Hand 

that is stronger, 

we would lose our bearings

and fall.

"Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms

and weak knees.

Make level paths for your feet, 

so that the lame may not be disabled, 

but rather healed."
Hebrews 12:12-13

I love the reference to the Old Testament.

It promises that our God WILL COME.

"Strengthen the feeble hands, 

steady the knees that give way;

say to those with fearful hearts,

Be strong, do not fear,

your God WILL COME..."

Isaiah 35:3-4

We made it to the top 

and the view was worth

the rocky journey.

Bad knees and all,

I wouldn't have made it without a 

strong body to lean on

and a good man

who practically carried me.

As Angie Smith says in her book, 

"Mended: Pieces of a Life Made Whole,"

"Make your life an offering, and allow

the hands of the Father to carry you

through what you think is impossible.

I assure you that through it

He will show you

His boundless, freeing love, 

which allows us the strength

to make it another day."