Chattanooga

We had a great time meeting our friends from home in Chattanooga this last week. They moved to Atlanta last summer, and it was the first time we have seen them since they moved. Chattanooga was the perfect destination, as it is pretty near exactly in the middle for each of us-- around 2 hours.

We met at a great little hot dog joint called "Good Dog" -- excellent food, fun, friendly atmosphere. Would definately go back again.

                                                            http://www.eatatgooddog.com/

We had tickets to go on the Duck, but the reservation ended up not being until later in the afternoon, giving us plenty of time to eat, and explore some of Downtown. We decided to walk down to see the "Chattanooga Choo-Choo".  Everytime I see that name, I instantly think of the Glen Miller Orchestra song and can't seem to get it out of my head.. Well, much to my surprise, the Chattanooga Choo Choo was an actual train, and it is there in the refurbished  train terminal /Hotel. Maybe that is where we need to stay next time we go, because we MUST go back, there is so much more to explore!

"Pardon me, boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo-Choo?"

"Track 29!"

"Boy, you can give me a shine."

 

This train ran from  1880 ran between Cinncinnati and Chattanooga. This wood burning 'choo choo' was the first to provide non-stop service.

After we sated ourselves on ice cream and cupcakes, we boarded the "Duck" for a tour of the city.

 we had the opportunity to see a Duck go into the water just after us- SPLASH!

Captain Gavin.

The Hunter Art Museum overlooking the River.

These two got wet after we splashed down into the water.

The tour was excellent, through the city and down the river we learned many interesting facts about Chattanooga. I think the most interesting was that until  21 years ago, it was practically a Ghost Town. In the late 60's, Chattanooga was declared one of the most polluted cities in America. They had over 90 Factories in town, and the pollution was not regulated. When the EPA instituted the Clean Air/Water acts in the early 70's, to avoid fines for their excessive pollution the factories needed to cut back on production. Cutting back on production meant loss of jobs, and many people left Chattanooga to find work. It wasn't until the mid eighties that citizens began to come up with a plan to save their town. The Tennessee Aquarium was built in 1992  and was the beginning of the rebirth of the city. Today it is a vibrant, busy, but quaint town that I look forward to exploring more!

River boat view from Pedestrian Bridge crossing the Tennessee River

Dunn/Light kids, April  2014