Tuesday - April 24, 2024 (Daily Diary Synopsis)
We drove to Chattanooga which is a good hour and half away but before the drive, Becky's made a magnificent breakfast! Becky and Art followed us in their car and they planned to stay overnight at the Chattanooga Choo Choo also.
Breakfast fit for a king (and queen)
This was like breakfast on the cruise!
Did You Know? - Chattanooga was a crucial city during the American Civil War, due to the multiple railroads that converge there. After the war, the railroads allowed for the city to grow into one of the Southeastern United States' largest heavy industrial hubs. Today, major industry that drives the economy includes automotive, advanced manufacturing, food and beverage production, healthcare, insurance, tourism, and back office and corporate headquarters.
Chattanooga remains a transit hub in the present day, served by multiple Interstate highways and railroad lines. It is 118 miles (190 km) northwest of Atlanta, Georgia, 112 miles (180 km) southwest of Knoxville, Tennessee, 134 miles (216 km) southeast of Nashville, Tennessee, 102 miles (164 km) east-northeast of Huntsville, Alabama, and 147 miles (237 km) northeast of Birmingham, Alabama.
The sign was a dead giveaway!
It was easy to find and we zipped right into the facility.
Did You Know? - The Chattanooga Choo-Choo (formerly known as Terminal Station) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a former railroad station once owned and operated by the Southern Railway. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the station operated as a hotel from 1973 to 2023, and was a member of Historic Hotels of America, part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Chattanooga Choo Choo is no longer a hotel. The two-floor hotel building, once called The MacArthur building, was renamed in 2023 to The Hotel Chalet by Trestle Studio, a Chicago based development group.
Our license plate was needed by the hotel to get the free parking.
They were NOT kidding, we are sleeping in a real rail car.
Did You Know? - In 2022, the complex's owners launched a second renovation, which started with the demolition of one of the passenger cars and the removal of others. Officials said that "eight historic train cars will be relocated adjacent to the hotel and nine will be relocated among the Gardens", while six will be donated to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. The renovation was slated for completion in mid-2023, when the hotel is to reopen with "127 rooms, including 25 Pullman train car rooms".
Two cars were connected at either end via the steps and a ramp.
Becky brought her flowers from home.
Mary had all the trip paperwork with her.
The cars were connected to the city power, water, and sewer systems.
The plumbing and bathroom had full showers and the cars air conditioned.
Vanna White presents the cars...
Did You Know? - Point Park is a ten acre memorial park that overlooks the Lookout Mountain Battlefield and the city of Chattanooga. There is a paved walking path around the park that takes visitors by several historic tablets, monuments. Confederate artillery positions, and scenic overlook.
The largest monuments in Point Park is the New York Peace Memorial, which was erected by the state of New York as a tribute to peace and reconciliation between Union and Confederate veterans after the war. Inside Point Park, at the point of the mountain, is the Ochs Memorial Observatory.
Inside are exhibits on Civil War signaling, photography, and Moccasin Bend, which is visible below the point. Admission to Point Park is $10 per adult, ages 16 and over. Just outside of the park is a visitor center with exhibits on the Civil War campaign for Chattanooga, including a large painting "The Battle Above the Clouds."
Art heads to the front entrance.
Did You Know? - The gates of Point Park, which were constructed in 1904 and modeled after the US Army Corps of Engineers Insignia.
The battles were well documented
The signage was easy to read.
We are about 1800 feet above Chattanooga.
It was an amazing view.
How the Confederates got these 2900 pound cannons to the top of the mountain was amazing.
We now call her Boom Boom
1796 pounds or iron!
Art was brave and went to the edge. In the distance is Chattanooga.
We noticed a fire underway along the river.
New York Peace Memorial, which was erected by the state of New York as a tribute to peace and reconciliation between Union and Confederate veterans after the war.
The fire continued to get more and more intense.
We spend almost 30 minutes watching the presentations and reading the signage.
Did You Know? - Updated in 2016 to a new, digital projection-mapped show, guests visiting Battles for Chattanooga will now be able to visualize Chattanooga's Civil War history as the battles come to life in a digital panoramic display. The new show involves multimedia projection mapping with high color saturation, short-throw digital projectors, solid-state media players and 3-D modeling software.
This one-of-a-kind storytelling experience uses the latest technology to bring to life the tumultuous battle days of one of our country's greatest struggles fought here in November of 1863. Hear and see about Chattanooga's Battle Above the Clouds and Sherman's assault on Missionary Ridge before his historic March to the Sea. See an excellent relic and weapon collection while perusing the bookstore for well-known works about the Civil War.
Did You Know? - Located atop Lookout Mountain, just 6 miles from downtown Chattanooga, Rock City is a true marvel of nature featuring massive ancient rock formations, gardens with over 400 native plant species, and breathtaking "See Seven States" panoramic views. Take an unforgettable journey along the Enchanted Trail where each step reveals natural beauty and wonders along the woodland path. Experience the magic of Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village,
Come on in, the gifts are just fine.
Did You Know? - Rock City is a tourist attraction on Lookout Mountain in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Opened in May 1932 (92 years ago), the attraction gained prominence after owners Garnet and Frieda Carter hired Clark Byers in 1935 to paint "See Rock City" barn advertisements throughout the Southeast and Midwest United States; Byers painted over 900 barn roofs and walls, in 19 states, by 1969.
We thought it was a short walk but...
The paths were well maintained but some of the magnificent boulders were just wide enough to slip through, sideways.
We meandered for an hour between these rocks.
If you see a bridge, soon you will be crossing it.
We loved the names.
Did You Know? - Historical evidence indicates that Native Americans inhabited Lookout Mountain at some point. In 1823, two missionaries, Daniel S. Butrick and William Chamberlain, went to minister to them. Butrick made a journal entry on August 28, 1823, in which he described "a citadel of rocks" on top of the mountain, and noted the immense size of the boulders. He stated that they were arranged in a way "as to afford streets and lanes".
Someone did a lot of work!
Rock City features a long, convoluted rock trail lined with gardens containing hundreds of labeled local trees and plants.
No thanks!
We stayed on the trails.
There is a rare species of "Love Birds" know to inhabit the area.
We continued our walk.
We should have had a flashlight to explore the tunnels along the path.
Mary spotted the signs.
They were not kidding, Paul had to go through sideways!
Mary just made it.
Look at the walkway; lots of work done here!
Lichen (a plantlike organism that typically forms a low crusty, leaflike, or branching growth on rocks, walls, and trees.) grew along many of the rocks.
Flowers grew when there was sunlight available.
Love those flowers.
They were carefully planted so catch the suns rays.
The rains keep them well watered and bright.
The streams ended up as small lakes.
We had a seat waiting for us.
The berries were NOT edible.
The scenes were a treat for our eyes.
Pink is pretty.
Mushroom rock lived up to its name.
Time to catch our breaths.
Ladies, shall we journey on?
Little houses everywhere.
This house is a little cold at night.
Vanna White was at it again.
What lurks inside this tunnel.
Do not look down, its a long way!
We saw a gnome!
We were down there a few minutes ago!
Flowers grew in odd spots along the trail.
"Come on in!"
We are entering a new world from this point on.
What are they?
The trash cans are well disguised.
Watch your head. Art went first, he is brave!
It worked!
It was dizzying to look over the sides.
There was years of work put into this attraction.
More flowers to grace the pathway.
Speaking of gracing the pathway!
Magnificent.
There was water everywhere even at the top of the mountain.
The bridges were NOT small!
We will see this again.
Decisions decisions.
We sent Art first!
The city is sprawling below.
Caught and bronzed.
He could see his potential prey for miles.
Whoever built the
wall was brave or crazy!
Straight down 1500 feet.
Water came from all directions.
Where we came from a few minutes ago.
We love those greens.
Did You Know? - Since its earliest days, Rock City has claimed that it is possible to see seven states from a particular spot (Lover's Leap) in Rock City; a scientist at the University of Tennessee, when asked to prove the issue in 2007, pointed out that the claim refers to seeing mountains and other high points in many of these other states, adding that the claim was made long before the air pollution associated with the proliferation of automobiles and coal-fired power plants, and summed up with "I never thought it significant."
A flag for each state visible from this point.
We look pretty refreshed for being 258 years old!
Well, it is a romantic area.
Smooooch time.
OK Bonnie, Art - Get a room!
We managed to find a glass of wine at the restaurant!
We can make it to the car now.
Rocking at the rock.
Sitting seemed to be a common activity the closer we got to the entrance.
Great fun with friends.
Did Becky and Mary ever think they would be at the top of a mountain
50 years after graduating college together?
Was this intentional? Paul resembles that!
Art goes first.
Oh dear. Paul might need vasoline to get through here.
The rock work was fantastic.
Woe Ye Who Enter Here!
Made from the ledges of the natural stone.
The gnome warns us of what to look our for.
Snapshots are taken of us breathing hard.
Look at the stonework under the outcropping.
They were not kidding.
Wow!
Lovers Leap was directly ahead. I wondered why Mary kept saying "Jump!"
The waterfall is man made!
This is a 1000 ton balanced rock!
I would not get under it in California!
The paths seemed to go on forever.
Time for some moisture.
The lighting was quite amazing.
Do you remember this from a few pictures back??
LED lighting has made lighting much easier.
They were not kidding.
Did You Know? - Hikers and geologists knew Rock City well throughout the late 19th century, but it did not become the attraction it is now until the 20th century. Garnet Carter's idea was to develop a residential neighborhood on top of the mountain. The neighborhood was to be named Fairyland because of his wife Frieda's interest in European folklore.
One feature of Fairyland was going to be a golf course, but Garnet decided instead to build a miniature golf course because the original took too long to build.
He later franchised his miniature golf concept as Tom Thumb Golf, now recognized as the nation's first mini-golf course.
Here we go!
The lighting was
delightful.
If the power went our we would be in trouble.
Do you see the gnome?
There were displays of various fairyland stories.
It looked good enough to eat.
Self explanatory!
Were did the beanstalk come out?
Run run run!
The village was created by putting a roof over an open place between rocks.
See the black light on the ceiling?
Indeed!
She be!
Just us!
With a little help from AI.
Back to the Choo Choo!
The mussels were wonderful.
Becky did their special salad.
Art went for pasta!
Mary did the chicken!
Did You Know? - The original Chattanooga Union Station was built in 1858 and demolished in the early 1900s. Plans for a new station originally called for a smaller facility to handle supplies and small packages. Instead, it was decided to build a grand station to handle passengers as well. Construction on this Terminal Station began in 1906; it was opened in 1909 at the total cost of $1.5 million.
The Terminal Station was the first train station in the South to help open a pathway to connect the north from the south, connecting the city of Cincinnati to Chattanooga. Eventually, the Terminal Station was serving some fifty passenger trains per day plus some freight and package service.
It has greeted United States presidents Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt.
The building was imposing... more than a few bricks went into this puppy.
Did You Know? - The 1941 Glenn Miller song "Chattanooga Choo Choo" told the story of a train trip from Track 29 at Pennsylvania Station in New York City through Baltimore, North and South Carolina, and finishing the trip at Terminal Station. (No such train actually operated.)
We are ready to crash!
Did You Know? - Ever wondered where the name "Chattanooga" came from? It's a Creek word for "rock coming to a point." This refers to one of our most infamous sites, Lookout Mountain, which begins in Chattanooga and stretches 88 miles through Alabama and Georgia.
Thanks to a passerby, Paul was included in the photo!
Inside the main hall was also impressive with the ceiling being seven stories tall!
In 1970, Southern canceled its last passenger train to Chattanooga—the Birmingham Special, from New York City to Birmingham—and closed Terminal Station.
We sat outside and rocked for a while before retiring for the evening.
Tomorrow morning we head for Memphis to visit Elvis.
