Well, we just got back from Chattanooga late Saturday! It was a fun trip full of all the trains, rocks and water you can handle! We arrived Wednesday and checked into the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel. It was a great experience staying in this hotel. It is a restored train station that provided lots of entertainment and character. Although needing some updates on the decor, it proved to be a good choice for two little boys that loved nothing more than to sleep in one of their restored parlor cars.
Wednesday night we explored downtown Chattanooga on their shuttle service and then went back to get a much needed sleep. It was Kinnon's first night in a bed, you can see him sleeping just like his Daddy!
Thursday morning we woke up to the sound of rain pitter pattering on our train car! We had breakfast and then tried to decide what we can accomplish knowing the rain might set us back. Lucky for us Chris had already taken this trip with his Granddad when he was smaller and he remembered Ruby Falls was mostly indoors. So off to Ruby Falls we went! The caves and waterfall cascading down 1120 feet underground was amazing. I also think that Kinnon and Brice walking along the caves happily was just as impressive. They were troopers! The whole way to the waterfall Brice was wanting to see and understand everything and Kinnon wanted to touch and point out every rock and every bit of water. I promise you the words "ROCK" and "WATER" are permanent in Kinnon's vocabulary!!
We drove around while Kinnon took a nap in the truck and then had lunch at a yummy place called the Purple Daisy. By the time lunch was over, the rain had gone away and the sun came out! So, aboard the incline railway we went up Lookout Mountain which both boys enjoyed. Chris and Brice had a great time checking out the cables that pulled the cars. It was mighty impressive as well!
After the incline railway, we met up with Chris' childhood best friend and his family. It was great seeing them - B and K really enjoyed playing with Nathan and Kaelin!
Friday morning we decided to explore the exciting Rock City! Again, Brice and Kinnon were real troopers climbing all the rocks and stairs.
Although the rocks and waterfall were cool, I enjoyed the Mother Goose Village and Fairyland Caverns the most. I wish I had pictures of this but I was too busy looking at all the fairy and gnome displays. It was pretty, colorful and magical! Of course, we all enjoyed being on top of Lookout Mountain. The sky was pretty clear and looking out at 7 different states that high up was pretty cool too. Kinnon was so tired, he passed out on the way down the mountain. So, Kinnon and I rested in the truck while Chris and Brice shared a father/son moment drinking yoohoos and visiting the halfway point of the incline railway from an old-timey general store.
Later that evening, we took a trip on the trolley around the hotel complex. Look close, you may be able to see Brice at his new job of bell ringer for the conductor. You can also catch a glimpse of Kinnon giving the conductor a hug!
Saturday, our travel day back home, we spent the morning aboard a short line train on the Tennessee Valley Railroad! The kids had a great time on a real live train! It was a great experience, we traveled over the Chickamauga Creek and passed thru the Missionary Ridge Tunnel. They also gave us a turntable demonstration for the steam engine! I would definitely recommend it to all those train lovers out there! It was a great ending to a wonderful trip with the fam!!
Well, thanks for letting us share our travel experiences with you! Hope you enjoyed reading about it! And as always, hopefully it won't be 3 months before my next update! Bye!
