Smokey Mountain Rain

Hello everyone…Margo here.

Our last day here in Ringgold started off at a beautifully cool 58 degrees--seemed more like an early fall morning than a mid-summer one.  We plan to head out early tomorrow morning for Mom and Mel’s in Elizabethton,TN for a 4 day mini family reunion then off to Nashville for Kevin’s new assignment.  I will be getting LuLu  road trip ready today--securing the pots, pans, plants, pictures and spice jars and will definitely appreciate the cooler temperature.

The “pups” and I have enjoyed our stay here at the KOA .  On our daily multiple walks we could usually find something interesting to see or smell--bunnies or other dogs for them and pretty flowers, wild blackberries or birds for me.

These past 5 weeks have gone by so fast but we tried to get out and about every weekend  to explore and enjoy as much of this beautiful area as we could.  Saturday is usually chore day--maintenance on LuLu, truck washing, dog bathing etc. (Hmmm-Kevin seems to show up in a lot of these “chore doing” pictures…) so that we can spend Sundays doing fun stuff together.  This past Sunday we loaded up our bikes and headed into Chattanooga once more and got a different perspective  using “two wheels” instead of two legs (and Dawn, I did just fine--I know--shocked me too!)

We stated our ride from the Choo Choo Station heading to the Downtown Riverfront and the Northshore area of Chattanooga on Market Street. Early Sunday morning city traffic is practically nonexistent (which made me a lot more comfortable riding in the streets) and most businesses are closed up except for this little gem we discovered …The Fork and Pie.  The menu included sweet and savory hand pies as well as the more traditional  pan pies and pot pies and serves the most delicious locally roasted coffee.  We chose the in house homemade granola with fresh locally grown blueberries.  So good!  In fact it was so good that we returned later for lunch--Jamaican Jerk Pork Pie wrapped in a Sweet Potato crust.  I hope we get assigned to Chattanooga again just so I go back to that place---it was fantastic!

We headed to Riverfront Parkway which parallels the Tennessee River.  In 1989 the City of Chattanooga began a major renovation and revitalization project of the riverfront area.  The result is an amazing and beautiful waterfront that includes parks, world class art museums, the Tennessee Aquarium and is the pride of Chattanooga.

We found this historical marker--please click on the picture and read it.  I did not know that the Trail of Tears began right here in Chattanooga at Ross’ Landing.  The Passage is a permanent art exhibit commemorating the Cherokee Nation’s Trail of Tears and is a tribute to the culture, art, and accomplishments of the original citizens of Chattanooga.  Seven doors on the west wall, each representing one of the seven clans of the Cherokee Nation, “weep” onto a “trail” of stairs.  The water symbolizes the tears shed as the Cherokee were driven from their home and removed on the Trail of Tears to what is  now Oklahoma.  Seven, six-foot ceramic disks tell the story of the Cherokee Nation from hundreds of years of Native American habitation in the southeast. The “waterfall “ terraced steps lead down to the site where their journey started 175 years ago.  The Passage ends at Ross’ Landing with seven  arcs of water rising out of the river. It is a very moving and beautiful memorial.

Sun Circle



Four Journey Direction

Weeping Eye Mask

Coiled Serpent

Warrior Birds

Connections

Strength of life

Seven Water Arcs

We made our way over to the Walnut Street Bridge .  Constructed in 1890 , this bright blue landmark connects the north and south shores of the Tennessee River and has been refurbished and converted to an all-pedestrian (and bicycle or doggie or stroller) bridge.  On the other side of the bridge are 2 beautiful parks--Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park.  Coolidge Park is home to the Delta Queen--a permanently docked historical paddleboat that has been converted into a floating hotel.  This park also hosts free Movies In The Park every Saturday night during the summer, free concerts on Friday nights (spotlighting local musicians) and also has fun things for kids of all ages--an interactive water fountain and an iconic carousel.  Unfortunately, the carousel was not open yet for the day otherwise Kevin and I both would have been channeling our “inner child” and jumped aboard.

Following winding paths through Coolidge Park led us to Renaissance Park where we did indulge ourselves sliding down a tall hill on conveniently placed cardboard slides!  Somehow, I remembered being able to go down a lot faster when I was a much smaller and lighter version of myself.

We lucked out with this assignment to The Scenic City--Chattanooga--maybe we’ll be lucky enough to return someday.

So it’s off to eastern Tennessee early Wednesday morning.  Rain is forecast but we'll do just fine through that smokey mountain rain.  Sunday  will find us back on the road again headin’ to Music City USA.  Hope you are all well.

In-Joy,
Margo