The Wandering Disciple

One of the oldest and most famous cemeteries in the old city of Savannah, Bonaventure Cemetery is the final resting place to many Savannah residents including some of the city's notable residents. Majestic live oaks, colorful flowers and elegant memorials fill the 160 acres of the cemetery making it a popular place to visit. So popular in fact that John Muir spent a week sleeping amongst the tombs during his Thousand Mile Walk and dedicated an entire chapter in his memoir of the trip. The most famous of the memorials, the Bird Girl was made popular from the book and film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, had to be moved to the Telfair Museum for safety. Today one of the popular memorials in the cemetery is this sculpture of Gracie, who died at the age of six due to pneumonia. (Photo: March 14, 2014)

Spring flowers like these add color to the backdrop of Bonaventure Cemetery. Ancient oaks and wild flowers fill the ground of the historic cemetery making it one of the scenic spots in the city. (Photo: March 14, 2014)

A statue of Eliza Wilhelmina sits atop the tomb of Confederate Private Thomas Theus and his devoted wife Eliza Wilhelmina. The statue is one of many spectacular tributes located in the 160 acre cemetery outside Savannah. (Photo: March 14, 2014)

Today is a day to pay tribute to the brave men and women who have given their lives to ensure our freedoms.  In honor of Memorial Day, today's Photo of the Day comes from the fallen soldier portion of Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.  (Photo: March 14, 2014)

A hibiscus in bloom helps spread color through the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.  (Photo: March 14, 2014)

Savannah, Georgia: On a bluff overlooking the Wilmington River lies one of the most peaceful locations in all of Savannah. Bonaventure Cemetery is not only the final resting place for many prominent Savannah natives, its oak trees and colorful flowers make it an oasis from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The cemetery traces it’s roots back to 1771 when John Mullryne and Josiah Tattnall started the 600 acre Bonaventure Plantation. Three years later Mullryne started a family burial plot, the beginnings of the cemetery. Despite a brief change of hands in the Revolutionary War when the property was briefly seized, the plantation and cemetery remained in the family until being sold to Peter Wiltberger in 1846. Wiltberger transformed the property into the Evergreen Cemetery and declared it a public cemetery. The property was purchased by the City of Savannah in 1907 and was renamed the Bonaventure Cemetery. After efforts by the Bonaventure Historical Society, it earned a s...

Savannah, Georgia: The second day of our Savannah road trip got off to a very chilly start. After a breakfast provided by our hotel, we headed out to our frosted over rental car. Having relocated to Florida in 1998, I forgotten how miserable the cold and heavy frost can be. But once the ice melted off the windshield enough to see, we headed towards the city to enjoy our day. We started our day with a trip to the Bonaventure Cemetery. Since we got their after it closed yesterday, we made sure to get there first thing in the morning. It is a short drive outside historic district and is definitely worth the trip. At 160 acres, it is the larges cemetery in Savannah. It is the final resting place for many prominent citizens. A good deal of time can be spent wondering the sprawling ground and looking at the intricate details of the headstones. From magnificent sculptures to heart-felt condolences, all can be seen here. We spend about an hour viewing some of the notable area...