We woke to a beautiful morning of clear blue skies. This is the first day in about 5 that we haven’t had cloud cover.
When in Chattanooga, the first tourist stop has to be the Chattanooga Choo Choo. This is the old Chattanooga Train station that has been converted to a hotel by Holiday Inn. They have done a very nice job keeping the elements of the original station intact. The station waiting area is now the lobby with the old ticket counter service as check-in counter. Most of the old tracks have been removed and the area converted into a garden. The awnings that covered the passenger area remain. A few of the original station tracks remain and now hold old-time private rail cars that can be reserved for overnight stays. Each car has been updated and modified to include full baths with showers, sitting areas, and bedrooms.
Two of the tracks form an open loop thru the garden area where an old Trolley travels. For $2, you can board the Chattanooga Trolley for a 30-minutes ride back thru time. The conductor tells tales of the old times while traveling at 5-mph. His jokes were corny but his manor of delivery was very entertaining.
When in Chattanooga, the first tourist stop has to be the Chattanooga Choo Choo. This is the old Chattanooga Train station that has been converted to a hotel by Holiday Inn. They have done a very nice job keeping the elements of the original station intact. The station waiting area is now the lobby with the old ticket counter service as check-in counter. Most of the old tracks have been removed and the area converted into a garden. The awnings that covered the passenger area remain. A few of the original station tracks remain and now hold old-time private rail cars that can be reserved for overnight stays. Each car has been updated and modified to include full baths with showers, sitting areas, and bedrooms.
Two of the tracks form an open loop thru the garden area where an old Trolley travels. For $2, you can board the Chattanooga Trolley for a 30-minutes ride back thru time. The conductor tells tales of the old times while traveling at 5-mph. His jokes were corny but his manor of delivery was very entertaining.
Next stop was the downtown visitors center. We were a little concerned about finding parking for the Roadtrek in the downtown area because of its height --- it doesn’t fit in most parking structures. Several open-air downtown parking lots are scattered around the riverfront area. Most were level so we weren’t even concerned with leaving the refrigerator running. The visitors center staff was helpful and provided some discount coupons for attractions around the area. Other tourists also provided input.
Chattanooga has the only museum in the world dedicated to tow trucks. It has a good selection of truck --- I can’t give a good estimate, maybe 30? I can remember a few of the models displayed but most predated me --- I know that’s hard to believe. Other service station items were displayed, like old gas pumps. I can remember fond times operating pumps like ones displayed. All the pumps were unable to register more than 99-cents per gallon --- that was also a fond memory.
We had lunch downtown at the Easy Seafood Restaurant. Mary had the Crab Cakes and I have Eggs Benedict. I take pictures of all the restaurants we’ve enjoyed on this trip. I didn’t take pictures of this place.
The afternoon was spent riding around the Tennessee River on the Fat Cat water taxi. The taxi runs from one side of the river to the other. It also includes a loop around MacClellan Island and travels below the Bluff area where the Art Museum and some very expense homes are located. We boarded the Fat Cat at the city pier and went across to Coolidge park, where the carousel we rode yesterday is located. Of course we had to take another spin. The park was filled with families enjoying a sunny day. The fountain near the carousel was overflowing with the sounds of children having fun.
The waitress at the little Italian restaurant we eat at yesterday told us that the Fresh Market near Hamilton Place mall has very good tiramisu, so we had to go shopping there. I’ve never been to a Fresh Market before. If I hadn’t looked at the store name before going inside, I would have thought I was in a Whole Foods market. We took a piece of tiramisu back to camp along with a piece of Strawberry Torte, and a Chocolate Éclair. All were good!!! Of course that wasn’t the only thing we had for dinner. We also bought a small package of Sushi. It was also quite good.
