Since 2022, I’ve spent the first three months of each year in a completely new place. It’s one of my favorite traditions — going somewhere new, steeping myself in the local culture, experiencing as much of this beautiful country as I can. So far, I’ve wintered in the snowy mountains of rural Vermont, the entrancing hills of Santa Fe, and the sun-soaked shores of San Diego. It’s never been something that I plan. I just notice where my heart is drawn and follow it there.
Last summer, my gut kept telling me to go to the southeast coast, a place I’d never even seen before. Those of you who have followed my County Quest know that I’ve traced my way across most of this country, but one of the biggest gaps on my map is the stretch of Atlantic Coast from the Outer Banks down to Florida. It could be no-man’s-land, for all I know, a place of unicorns, dragons, and fairies. The only way to find out would be to go there for myself. And so, at the start of this year, I packed up my car and drove down to Savannah, Georgia.
Forsyth Park in the fading light…
It was love at first sight. I’ve never fallen for a city so hard so fast before. Everyone I talked to said I should go to Charleston instead of Savannah; that Charleston was nicer, cleaner, better. But my gut kept saying Savannah, and boy, am I glad that I listened.
I rented a small place near the historic city center, half a mile south of Forsyth Park. As I drove into town, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing — majestic oaks stretching their branches over a road lined with beautiful Victorian homes. When I went for a walk after settling in, my soul was singing. Savannah might just have the perfect cityscape. It’s dense, but not crowded (at least during the off-season). It’s built-up and walkable, but there are garden squares every two blocks. The brick and cobblestone streets are full of historic homes and oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. The church bells announce the time throughout the day. It’s the only city I’ve been to in which I can breathe. I feel no tension here, no itch to escape. Just beauty and bliss interwoven with the urban fabric. I never knew such a place could exist.
A Gothic synagogue on Monterey Square…
I always spend my first weeks in a new place walking mile after mile. I’ve found no better guide than my feet. They take me along boulevards, through alleyways, and towards landmarks, giving me an earned, subjective knowledge of a place that no guidebook could transmit. That first week, I found myself hopping from square to square. Their names were both familiar and foreign, steeped in history and mystique — Pulaski, Chippewa, Oglethorpe, Orleans. Each square has its own character. Some have monuments. Some have fountains. Some have actual characters — local musicians, artists, even a clown (and Forrest Gump!). But they all share the same purpose: nodes weaving the city together, third places where people can simply exist, and gardens bursting with life.
A beautiful home in this garden city…
My feet led me down to River Street, and I walked along the Savannah River, past brick warehouses and steamboats from centuries past. They led me towards Colonial Park, a cemetery older than the U.S. itself and supposedly full of ghosts haunting its crooked rows. They led me to art galleries, churches, schools, and cafes. And all the while I was soaking in Savannah and its quirks.
Of course, Savannah has its thorns as well. Not everywhere my feet took me was picturesque and perfect. The city has rough edges, but that holds a certain charm. It’s lived in. It’s imperfect. It’s not just some Disneyland for tourists to visit. My place could be better. My place could be worse. I killed a rat in the kitchen my second week here. Time will tell if the infatuation holds, but I suspect it will.
As for now, I’m settling back into routine after a busy holiday season. I want 2026 to be the year I finally finish writing the rough draft of my book, and progress has been steady. My days are structured by habits, but porous enough to give me the time and opportunity to explore and experience as much of Savannah as I can. The more days pass, the more I’ll write and the farther I’ll roam, becoming more intimate with this beautiful city. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my year.
A rare snow day in Forsyth Park…
Books I’ve Read This Month
By James Clear
Rating: 4/5
At the start of 2024, I read a book called The Power of Habit that completely altered the trajectory of my life. I had realized from my walk across America that the only thing that counts when trying to accomplish a goal is consistency. And the best way to cultivate consistency is to build the right habits. The Power of Habit gave me the tools that I needed to create these habits, and I am so much better for it. It’s been two years since I read it, so I wanted a refresher. Atomic Habits is the more famous book on habits, so I decided to give it a go. It’s a fast and simple read, outlining the four rules necessary to build new habits and break old ones — make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, make it satisfying. It states its principles clearly and offers concrete steps and tools you can use to build new habits. Reading it helped me realign with my goals. I highly recommend it if you’re looking to build the life you’ve always wanted to live this year. 2026 is still young!
By Maggie O’Farrell
Rating: 4/5
When I saw the trailer for the movie Hamnet, I knew that I was going to watch it. And when I saw that it was based on a book, I knew that I had to read it first. I don’t typically read historical fiction, but this novel based on the few known facts of William Shakespeare’s family drew me in like a siren’s song. By the end, I couldn’t put it down. It captures grief and loss perfectly, and I was feeling downright melancholic once I finished it. It’s definitely worth the read, but be warned — it’s a tear-jerker.
Ratings: [5* - All Time Favorite] [5 - Will read again in 5 years] [4 - Will read again in 10 years] [3 - Good story or prose, but won’t read again] [2 - Has a redeeming quality, but not good overall] [1 - Irredeemable]
To start February, I will be reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. I haven’t read classic British literature since high school, but, like Hamnet, Wuthering Heights has been adapted into a movie that I will be seeing. It seems like the movie will be more style than substance, so I want to read the book first, to see what it’s really about. I’ve included a link for it, as well as links for all of these books, if you’d like to buy them on Amazon. It helps me out if you do, but no pressure at all. Let me know if you’ll be reading along with me!
Songs I’ve Had on Repeat
Flipturn is one of the best new artists I’ve discovered in a while. I had the fortune of seeing them perform recently, and they blew me away. Their music, their energy, their talent — everything is top-tier. I’ve never seen a rock band have so much fun on stage before. Rodeo Clown is my favorite song of theirs so far, but there are so many more that I enjoy. You should definitely check them out!
If you haven’t heard of Noah Kahan yet, it’s time that you do. His album Stick Season took over my life in 2023. I literally couldn’t listen to anything else. I would try to play something else, but thirty seconds in I would think to myself, “What’s the point?” and return to Stick Season. His music walks the line between folk and alternative, and speaks straight to the heart. After four years, Noah finally has a new album coming out. The Great Divide is the lead single, and I’ve had it on repeat since he released it.
Goldford was born to sing. He’s got the voice of a crooner — deep, rich, and soulful. I found him on TikTok a few months ago, and Got You Right has been stuck in my head for some time now. If you want a chill song to listen to (that will make you dream of relaxing by the pool), check out Got You Right.
Some Photos
The trees here are magnificent…
Surprise snowfall in Savannah…
Forsyth Park in the snow…
Thanks for reading through my first newsletter of the year! I’m really glad I started writing these. It gives me a good opportunity to reflect on each month as it passes. For now, I’m looking forward to another month in this beautiful city. I can’t wait to see how my impression of it will change. Have you ever experienced love at first sight with a city before? Let me know!
Love always,
Ben