One would think that to get to Mecca, Islam's holiest city, you'd have to travel quite a bit from south Florida. Probably something like at least 2 or 3 days by air, vehicle and foot. Well it only took me 7 hours and a night in St. Augustine. I didn't know I'd find Mecca, but I did.
My wife Laura and I were headed north to the deep south (funny how that works when you live in south Florida) to the lovely city of Savannah a couple of weeks ago to watch her nephew, Jackson, play ball. While there we
had the opportunity to visit the Bonaventure Cemetery. The history alone at Bonaventure is enough to keep you there for a good 2 hours or more but my favorite thing is the peacefulness you find out there in the middle of nowhere. With the overhanging trees and the Spanish moss you can't help but feel you've stepped back in time. Nothing says "South" more than that!
My wife Laura and I were headed north to the deep south (funny how that works when you live in south Florida) to the lovely city of Savannah a couple of weeks ago to watch her nephew, Jackson, play ball. While there we
had the opportunity to visit the Bonaventure Cemetery. The history alone at Bonaventure is enough to keep you there for a good 2 hours or more but my favorite thing is the peacefulness you find out there in the middle of nowhere. With the overhanging trees and the Spanish moss you can't help but feel you've stepped back in time. Nothing says "South" more than that!After exploring Bonaventure for a good while I found myself at Meca. Like I said earlier, I would have never thought it but there it was, before my very ey
es. Ok, so it was a head stone that said "Meca" on it, but I did think, "who woulda thunk it?" Sure, probably only me but that's my twisted sense of humor.We had a GREAT time in Savannah and thoroughly enjoyed spending two of our three nights and one very warm day in Savannah's Historic Grayson Stadium, eating boiled peanuts, and watching America's favorite past time. Now the funny thing about minor league ball are team names. Take Savannah for instance, they're the "Sand Knats" ...yes, the Sand Knats. Other teams have wacky names such as the "Nuts", "Mud Hens", "Tourists", "Muck Dogs", and lets not forget about the "The Iron Pigs" just to name a few.
I don't know about you, but spending a few days watching baseball seemed like being in Mecca to me. After two nights of near perfect weather and one sweltering day in the sun, I was ready to call my boss and ask for another few days off to follow the team back to Augusta for two more games. Heck, I was ready to do it for the next month. There's something to be said about being there. Sure it's A ball but those kids got gumption! I think because they haven't been to "the show" which gives them more drive then those in "the show".
Speaking of "the show", we're thinking (Laura is knowing) that in a couple of years Jackson will be there. As they say, when you're good, you're good. Jackson played short season last year with the Salem Keizer Volcano's after being drafted number 43 in the supplemental draft in 2007 by San Francisco. Now with the Augusta Greenjackets, he's rated the best defensive catcher in the league. What that means is that he's thrown out/gotten out more runners from behind the plate than any other catcher. In the game it's called "gunning someone down" (I know, but that's what they call it) and Jackson's the best when it comes to that. Listening to the game last night, a player from the Asheville Tourists, known as the best base stealer in the league, tried to steal 2nd against Jackson. Guess who won? :-)Back on Savannah, if you ever get the chance, take the drive. It's a lovely place steeped in history and full of charm. Enjoy a day walking Bull Street
and relaxing in many of Savannah's squares. Be sure to make Forsyth Square for a picture in front of the fountain, which is a treat in itself. And if you're there during the summer, make your way out to Grayson Stadium, order up a cup of peanuts and enjoy.
